International Upgrades - Improved Experience

[markis10]

Because there have been 3 empty seats in F since yesterday when T-48 was. I don't think processing takes that long! Of course I'm still not guaranteed an upgrade, I have no idea how many requests from WPs would be in the system, but the fact remains that the seats are currently unallocated which means there is at least one and possible more WP upgrade request that has not been processed even though the T-48 time has passed...

(and P1s should of course have already been processed at T-168 based on the stated times!)

That would indicate to me (assuming there has not been actual seats sold or cancelled - we cannot know for sure) that they have hit the threshold for upgrades until closer to checkin, and yield management feel there is a chance they may be needed.

 

[RooFlyer]

I got my text for a TPAC F upgrade in the next few days at almost exactly T-60; very surprised. (And apologies for cross-posting between threads, but its germane).

 

[pshepvic]

See this seems wrong to me. I'm currently at T-28 for QF9 tomorrow, 3 empty F seats are showing in EF, and so far no upgrade. I would think that when the nominated processing time comes around, any empty seats should be allocated for upgrades at that point. Otherwise why even bother to say WPs get processed 2 days before?

It is not "wrong". This is simply how it works, and whilst you might not like it, Qantas will usually hold a few seats until quite close to the flight to allow them to sell (at about $12,000 that's more revenue than 45,000 points for an upgrade), or to allow paying passengers to change flight dates, to allow for cancelled flights and so on. I've been on a flight where there were 6 seats available at T-24, yet I still didn't get the upgrade until T-10. But on another flight I got the upgrade right on T-48 - in that case there were only 4 seats. It's a complicated set of rules, and will depend on status pax, loadings, route, and plenty of other things we might not even know about. And to be clear, the website does not say WPs will get upgraded AT T-48 - it says that it is UP TO 48 hours ahead (which also means it might be T-0 or anytime between). For WP1 it is UP TO 7 days ahead, but again could be T-0.

 

[opusman]

(at about $12,000 that's more revenue than 45,000 points for an upgrade)

That calc isn't quite correct, because they would be able to resell my freed up J seat - so it's more like $4000 of revenue vs 45000 points. And selling a J seat is surely easier than selling an F seat, so there also also an opportunity cost in keeping the F seat empty at expense of J.

I take everyone's points and understand the rationale - I just think it's misleading for QF to claim that upgrades are processed 48 hours out when they're not. It's bad enough having an upgrade lottery system at all, it makes it worse when they're unclear on the rules!

 

[Ox83]

I had an upgrade to F come through at T - 54 for QF11 a few weeks back! I thought the text was a mistake it came through so early (as a PS wasn't expecting it until I was packing bags and heading out the door!) It was a most excellent experience through and through

 

[ecg]

They are processed at 48 hours.

Maybe you were processed at 48 hours and declined for the numerous reasons listed above.

 

[RooFlyer]

They are processed at 48 hours.

Maybe you were processed at 48 hours and declined for the numerous reasons listed above.

Obviously some are being processed earlier than 48 hours prior, see post 322 as well.

 

[chrisb]

That calc isn't quite correct, because they would be able to resell my freed up J seat - so it's more like $4000 of revenue vs 45000 points. And selling a J seat is surely easier than selling an F seat, so there also also an opportunity cost in keeping the F seat empty at expense of J.

I take everyone's points and understand the rationale - I just think it's misleading for QF to claim that upgrades are processed 48 hours out when they're not. It's bad enough having an upgrade lottery system at all, it makes it worse when they're unclear on the rules!

Opusman, you're making assumptions about what qantas says rather than reading the actual wording. The wording is very clear and says its from 48 hours upto departure. Also note the last line.

Your request for an international Flight Upgrade Award will be considered in accordance with the following timetable:

Platinum One Frequent Flyers, from 7 days prior to the scheduled flight departure;
Platinum Frequent Flyers, from 48 hours prior to the scheduled flight departure; and
Other Frequent Flyers, within 24 hours of the scheduled flight departure.

International Flight Upgrade Award requests are always prioritised according to your Qantas Frequent Flyer membership level: Platinum first, followed by Gold, Silver and then Bronze.

It may not be possible to confirm your international Flight Upgrade Award according to the timetable above even if seats are available for sale in the upgrade cabin due to expected future commercial passenger demand.

http://www.qantas.com.au/fflyer/dyn/program/usingPoints/upgrades-international

Obviously if they see a commercial reason they may also process them earlier than this.

 

[medhead]

They can also sell your J seat without giving you an upgrade until the last minute.

 

[oz_mark]

That calc isn't quite correct, because they would be able to resell my freed up J seat - so it's more like $4000 of revenue vs 45000 points. And selling a J seat is surely easier than selling an F seat, so there also also an opportunity cost in keeping the F seat empty at expense of J.

!

Better off leaving an F seat free, which you can sell as F or J. If it sells as J Then move someone up.

They have some good statistics on what they need to keep free....

 

[Berlin]

Hmm. Could it be that T-60 is becoming the new standard for the notification SMS for Platinums? Received mine at 1:05am tonight which is precisely T-60 to the minute. Has been the third time in a row for me now- not that I'm complaining!

 

[ozmille]

Because there have been 3 empty seats in F since yesterday when T-48 was.

How do you get these numbers? Do you know someone with access to QF loading lists?

 

[MelUser]

Hmm. Could it be that T-60 is becoming the new standard for the notification SMS for Platinums? Received mine at 1:05am tonight which is precisely T-60 to the minute. Has been the third time in a row for me now- not that I'm complaining!

What were you upgrading from/too?

I have found that J to F upgrades are done 2 days in advance but Y to J are often done with everybody else - ie T-24 and sooner.

 

[RooFlyer]

What were you upgrading from/too?

I have found that J to F upgrades are done 2 days in advance but Y to J are often done with everybody else - ie T-24 and sooner.

I think both berlin and I went J to F. May just have been very light loads. On my flight there was one F seat unoccupied still at push back.

 

[Kefci2000]

I think both berlin and I went J to F. May just have been very light loads. On my flight there was one F seat unoccupied still at push back.

Same J to F (well technically I to F)

 

[Berlin]

Same J to F (well technically I to F)

Yep- that's what I just got as well. A few weeks back was MEL-DXB J to F and DXB-SYD I to F. I'm getting too spoilt! :shock:

 

[Berlin]

And just to add to that- I just received a call from the Platinum call centre telling me about my upgrade about half a day after I received the txt. That's the very first time this has happened to me but nice enough. Not the call from the Flounge- that one I will eagerly await tomorrow!

 

[Danger]

Hmm. Could it be that T-60 is becoming the new standard for the notification SMS for Platinums? Received mine at 1:05am tonight which is precisely T-60 to the minute. Has been the third time in a row for me now- not that I'm complaining!

Interesting you mention T-60. I had exactly that experience this week with a domestic flight and T-60 triggering what would normally happen at T-80 (not related to upgrades).

 

[Berlin]

And now I've also gotten the awaited call from the Flounge. Full body massage booked for tomorrow and I've also gotten a txt message advising of which number to call upon arrival. Seems to be top secret the way they're sending it as a txt- will try it out for the first time tomorrow with the curb-side welcome. Almost a bit of an overkill but hey- a little bit of luxury can never harm!

 

[Red Roo]

And now I've also gotten the awaited call from the Flounge. Full body massage booked for tomorrow and I've also gotten a txt message advising of which number to call upon arrival. Seems to be top secret the way they're sending it as a txt- will try it out for the first time tomorrow with the curb-side welcome. Almost a bit of an overkill but hey- a little bit of luxury can never harm!

Looking forward to hearing about your experience.