Free upgrades might be the real difference between good airlines

[Aussie_flyer]

Op ups are more frequently given by airlines which don't manage their ops as well as QF does. QF doesn't overbook to the same extent as other airlines and therefore has less need to move people forward to make room at the back. The corollary also is that fewer people get denied boarding due to overbooking. The best chance of getting an op up on QF is to travel at a peak time. I've had several QF op ups both dom and int when travelling at Xmas or end of school holidays, for example.

actually the problem is Qantas struggles to fill the economy cabin but Emirates has no trouble at all. And yes they are happy to overbook and put the extras who have status up a class.

 

[crum]

Also an NGO worker so my work flying is also all in Y. In my 2nd year of being WP and up until July of this year had had no op-ups. Since then have had:

- QF Int: Y to J
- QF Dom: Y to J (x2)
- CX Int: Y to Y+
- KA Int: Y to J

 

[MH_fan]

I only started flying heavily (for both work and leisure) over the past 5 years.
Only held status with the various airlines that I travel with over the past 3-4 years. In that time, I have only had one op-up with QF domestic and 2 with MH domestic. I can't blame MH for not giving me international op-ups as I've almost always been in their front-most cabin over the last 3 years (always in J). I haven't done much QF international travel but, when I have, it is always in the J cabin. I will be doing my first ever international QF flight in Y at the end of this month. I'm not holding my breath for an op-up but it would be very nice if it happened...

 

[Sprucegoose]

I only started flying heavily (for both work and leisure) over the past 5 years.
Only held status with the various airlines that I travel with over the past 3-4 years. In that time, I have only had one op-up with QF domestic and 2 with MH domestic. I can't blame MH for not giving me international op-ups as I've almost always been in their front-most cabin over the last 3 years (always in J). I haven't done much QF international travel but, when I have, it is always in the J cabin. I will be doing my first ever international QF flight in Y at the end of this month. I'm not holding my breath for an op-up but it would be very nice if it happened...

if you want a QF upgrade change your name!!

 

[MH_fan]

if you want a QF upgrade change your name!!

LOL! If you start seeing a new member by the name of QF_fan, you'll know who it is.

 

[sweens]

This may be slightly off topic but the frustration for me with QF is not free op ups but being able to use my points for an upgrade.

While I am a WP I still often book Y fares and would love the opportunity to request a points upgrade when flying on a slightly discounted Y fare.

I recently flew SYD - NRT in Y and the J section was half empty...even with this situation QF do not want to take my points for a J upgrade.

I can understand that I may be in the back of the queue as far as a points upgrade is concerned as I am on a discounted fare but when many J seats are left unused it would seem a lose lose situation.

 

[Hvr]

LOL! If you start seeing a new member by the name of QF_fan, you'll know who it is.

You can ask Admin or support to change your name. Send them a PM with the details. They'll take it from there.

You wouldn't be the first to change. (Not that I have, I do like my user name .)

 

[MH_fan]

You can ask Admin or support to change your name. Send them a PM with the details. They'll take it from there.

You wouldn't be the first to change. (Not that I have, I do like my user name .)

I like my user name...and I don't really want to change it...

 

[Hvr]

I like my user name...and I don't really want to change it...

So it comes down to a choice of user name or upgrades on Qf? Stick with the user name, more chance of satisfaction.

 

[MH_fan]

So it comes down to a choice of user name or upgrades on Qf? Stick with the user name, more chance of satisfaction.

I didn't want to say it...but I'm glad you did!

 

[abstraction]

I dont mind travelling economy and I like Qantas international economy and the past year or so their airfares have been extremely good value as well. And as a Platinum it usually means that I get to choose some of the best economy seats making my flight comfortable. The op-ups are nice but they are not going to happen all the time no matter which airline you fly.

I have colleagues who have status with Emirates, and on that point you aren't correct. They get upgrades about every 2-4 flights, same as I'm experiencing as a Qantas WP.

 

[Nizar]

I have colleagues who have status with Emirates, and on that point you aren't correct. They get upgrades about every 2-4 flights, same as I'm experiencing as a Qantas WP.

You mean that as QF WP you experience flights on every 2-4 flights flying Emirates or flying Qantas ? If the latter, that would surprise me

 

[zainman]

EK is very generous with upgrades. I've even received an upgrade on an award booking with no status on Skywards...

 

[hossein_au]

... comparing Qantas & Emirates, I find the service very similar - usually excellent...

You should count yourself lucky (or me, unlucky). Over the past 3 trips to Europe this year, I have had nothing but terrible experience with Qantas, and nothing but good with Emirates. Don't get me wrong, I've been a very loyal Qantas customer. But this year, and as a WP, I have not even once been acknowledged onboard Qantas as a WP. Last time I even got a weird look from the CSM when I asked for a Express Card when flying from DXB to MEL (this is after he handed cards to everyone in around me and after I asked one of the crew for a card and he said he would ask the CSM). On the other hand, I had 2 Op-Ups on Emirates (out of 4 flights); once from DXB to MEL and once from Europe to DXB.

Oh, and I did not have a "shadow" on ANY of my Qantas long haul flights either (but did get that on 1 one of the remaining two EK flights).

 

[hossein_au]

The question is.... do free upgrades mean greater loyalty?

Do you really have to ask, or is this a rhtorical question?

 

[JohnK]

I have colleagues who have status with Emirates, and on that point you aren't correct. They get upgrades about every 2-4 flights, same as I'm experiencing as a Qantas WP.

I cannot earn status on Emirates as I fly on the cheapest airfare possible so I am not going to worry what they do. AA hands out upgrades if the cabin is empty.

As a Qantas Platinum I am able to preselect my favoured seat in economy which to me is one of the most important parts of flying.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

I cannot earn status on Emirates as I fly on the cheapest airfare possible so I am not going to worry what they do. AA hands out upgrades if the cabin is empty.

As a Qantas Platinum I am able to preselect my favoured seat in economy which to me is one of the most important parts of flying.

you already have status with Emirates by virtue of your QF platinum. that is the point being made here. QF elites on EK flights are receiving very regular opups.

 

[JohnK]

you already have status with Emirates by virtue of your QF platinum. that is the point being made here. QF elites on EK flights are receiving very regular opups.

Some QF elites. There are a lot of posts from QF Platinums who have had no recognition what so ever.

I do not want to take that risk when I am comfortable with the way I get looked after at Qantas.

 

[hossein_au]

Some QF elites. There are a lot of posts from QF Platinums who have had no recognition what so ever.

I do not want to take that risk when I am comfortable with the way I get looked after at Qantas.

Well, I reckon you've been lucky. I have not had ANY recognition, as a WP, on Qantas for my last couple of trips to Europe. At least on Emirates I have had the CSM come up and say hello... Obviously YMMV.

 

[dajop]

Some QF elites. There are a lot of posts from QF Platinums who have had no recognition what so ever.

I do not want to take that risk when I am comfortable with the way I get looked after at Qantas.

On 3 out of my last 4 "QF" flights on MEL/SIN returns in Y I've been recognized on board as an SG and on the last one was even given my meal choice and received it in advance of other pax. 3 out of those 4 happened to be QF 8xx_ flights, and one was a QF xx flight - guess which 3 I got recognition on (including some pieces of cardboard to help me through immigration).