International Upgrades - Improved Experience

[Katie]

My two Y to J upgrades in the past 14 days have processed at about T-23 (am WP). Have had a Y+ to J process about T-72 or so in Oct last year, which I think was after advertising T-48 for WPs. Must have had quite light loads on that flight!
And with the current system, upgrades might happen as late as the gate due to no shows or whatever.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Looking forward to hearing about your experience.

we're looking forward to the time we can have confirmed upgrades at the time of booking!

 

[danny09]

My two Y to J upgrades in the past 14 days have processed at about T-23 (am WP). Have had a Y+ to J process about T-72 or so in Oct last year, which I think was after advertising T-48 for WPs. Must have had quite light loads on that flight!
And with the current system, upgrades might happen as late as the gate due to no shows or whatever.

My Y>J upgrades (MEL-LAX-SYD) have both been done at T-23 aswell as a WP1. Just came through just now for QF12 tonight.

 

[JohnPhelan]

we're looking forward to the time we can have confirmed upgrades at the time of booking!

This used to be the policy - up until the early 2000s, from memory. I guess the issue from a QF perspective is that, if you want to be guaranteed an F or J seat, then they want you to book that, rather than gamble in the upgrade lottery .....

 

[MEL_Traveller]

This used to be the policy - up until the early 2000s, from memory. I guess the issue from a QF perspective is that, if you want to be guaranteed an F or J seat, then they want you to book that, rather than gamble in the upgrade lottery .....

except they offer the ability to get a full award seat. So there is no reason why they can't offer a confirmed upgrade for those wanting it.

 

[serfty]

This used to be the policy - up until the early 2000s, from memory. I guess the issue from a QF perspective is that, if you want to be guaranteed an F or J seat, then they want you to book that, rather than gamble in the upgrade lottery .....

It was the policy from around 2000 until May 25th, 2005. During this period you could upgrade one class from any revenue fare bucket (including discount economy) as long as an award fare bucket (P / U) had availability.

Before ~2000, no upgrades on international flights could be 'purchased' with points/certificates.

 

[Paddy55]

we're looking forward to the time we can have confirmed upgrades at the time of booking!

Like AA can provide :shock: :evil:

 

[tuapekastar]

This used to be the policy - up until the early 2000s, from memory. I guess the issue from a QF perspective is that, if you want to be guaranteed an F or J seat, then they want you to book that, rather than gamble in the upgrade lottery .....

I think there is a difference between confirmed and guaranteed in this case. Given if I want to get a points upgrade from Y to J internationally, I have to purchase a more expensive fare, then still risk not getting the upgrade anyway, I consider this something of a double-whammy (and it happened to me about 5 or 6 years ago).

I'd settle for one or the other - being allowed to upgrade from the cheapest fare bucket and then playing the lottery game, or having to purchase from a higher fare bucket in order to be eligible for upgrade, but then being able to confirm the upgrade immediately (i.e. knowing prior to purchase that the upgrade will be available to use). Not a guaranteed upgrade on any flight, just the ability to check if there is upgrade inventory available on the flight prior to paying the higher fare, and being able to use it if there is.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

except they offer the ability to get a full award seat. So there is no reason why they can't offer a confirmed upgrade for those wanting it.

I think the current system is fairer, however it can be very frustrating playing the lottery.

Under the pre May 2005 system, as a bronze member if there was 1 U available when you wanted to upgrade - you get it.
1 hour later a Platinum member books a full Y ticket and wants to upgrade - can't...sorry no U class avail...

The current system means QF can now look at more important passengers first.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I think the current system is fairer, however it can be very frustrating playing the lottery.

Under the pre May 2005 system, as a bronze member if there was 1 U available when you wanted to upgrade - you get it.
1 hour later a Platinum member books a full Y ticket and wants to upgrade - can't...sorry no U class avail...

The current system means QF can now look at more important passengers first.

If it works for domestic then it can work for international. There is no reason why they can't have a split system - some seats available in advance, some later.

The basic award seat (in First or business) could be available for advance upgrade.

Qantas is losing passengers just as it is looking after existing ones.

 

[RooFlyer]

I guess there's one thing airlines have going for them - statistics on how and when and what class of tickets are bought, which no-shows etc. You run the same flight day in, day out and more generally year in year out you'd get a pretty good idea of exactly how many revenue seats will be sold by T-80, T-45 ... etc. So you'd hope the yield management weenies are realistic about when they release Award and upgrade seats.

I can look at it both ways. I want paid J seats available if I need to change my plans at the last minute & either buy a ticket or swap flights. But I also want upgrade seats available when I want to freeload to F up from J

At the moment, I'm finding the experience pretty good in both regards. I can't remember the last time I had to change my international flights (typically TPAC) and if not get on the flight # I wanted, then the day I wanted, and the J -> F upgrade batting average is pretty good this year too.

 

[The Rok]

I'm quite happy to book a J flight and play the J-F Upgrade Lottery, but I refuse to book a Long Haul Y flight on the "possibility" I might be able to use my points to upgrade to J.

If I want J as a minimum then for me it needs to be confirmed at time if booking, otherwise no go!

 

[Paddy55]

I'm quite happy to book a J flight and play the J-F Upgrade Lottery, but I refuse to book a Long Haul Y flight on the "possibility" I might be able to use my points to upgrade to J.

If I want J as a minimum then for me it needs to be confirmed at time if booking, otherwise no go!

Rok... very good thoughts!

I've been annoyed for awhile that you can't get upgrades confirmed at time of booking a la AA... perhaps your suggestion of upgrades to J being confirmed then is a good first step QF might consider

 

[MH_fan]

I don't mind the upgrade lottery only because I always buy J tickets for long-haul travel.

 

[Paddy55]

My upgrade to F on tomorrow's QF11 has come through at T-18... not bad timing but not T-48 either.

Good thing too as Mrs Paddy flys out tomorrow on an Aaward ticket SYD-SIN-LHR-FRA, with the SIN-LHR leg in F on one of BAs new 777300ERs...

Gotta keep up with Mrs Paddy :mrgreen:

 

[dodgeyhack]

My most recent upgrade was a pretty ordinary experience.
Upgrade appeared to come through at about T-12 but no notification.
I noticed on expertflyer that my Y seat was available so figured I'd been upgraded and logged onto the Qantas website.
Couldn't manage my booking at all - although logging onto the mobile version showed class as business at least.
QF call centre couldn't access my booking either. Shame as row 1 was available and is on my bucket list!
In the end I rocked up at the airport and they confirmed the upgrade and allocated me 7B. Quite a pleasant flight from then on.
Points deducted about 3 weeks after the flight.

Seems like the whole system fell apart!

 

[crum]

My recent experience was very positive. I was booked in Y on QF24 BKK-SYD on Saturday afternoon (15th) and decided on Friday that I didn't like the thought of a 9 hour haul in Y and so put in a request for an upgrade to J. Given that my request was very late in the scheme of things I thought there wouldn't be any chance of me getting it. However, come Saturday morning and well before the stated 5 hours notice time I checked my points balance and found that the required points had already been deducted and my seating was now allocated in the J cabin. In looking around the cabin when I got on the plane it didn't look like there were any spare seats left and I think I had heard somebody try to get an upgrade at the Lounge desk also.

The CSM Sam and his team on board were great also. Well done Red Roo!

 

[Red Roo]

My most recent upgrade was a pretty ordinary experience.
Upgrade appeared to come through at about T-12 but no notification.
I noticed on expertflyer that my Y seat was available so figured I'd been upgraded and logged onto the Qantas website.
Couldn't manage my booking at all - although logging onto the mobile version showed class as business at least.
QF call centre couldn't access my booking either. Shame as row 1 was available and is on my bucket list!
In the end I rocked up at the airport and they confirmed the upgrade and allocated me 7B. Quite a pleasant flight from then on.
Points deducted about 3 weeks after the flight.

Seems like the whole system fell apart!

Glad you enjoyed the flight, however hope your next upgrade process is seamless.

 

[Red Roo]

My recent experience was very positive. I was booked in Y on QF24 BKK-SYD on Saturday afternoon (15th) and decided on Friday that I didn't like the thought of a 9 hour haul in Y and so put in a request for an upgrade to J. Given that my request was very late in the scheme of things I thought there wouldn't be any chance of me getting it. However, come Saturday morning and well before the stated 5 hours notice time I checked my points balance and found that the required points had already been deducted and my seating was now allocated in the J cabin. In looking around the cabin when I got on the plane it didn't look like there were any spare seats left and I think I had heard somebody try to get an upgrade at the Lounge desk also.

The CSM Sam and his team on board were great also. Well done Red Roo!

Thanks for sharing your recent experience. I'll ensure your comments are passed on to Sam and his team too.

 

[Kangol]

How have people been going with Y or Y+ to J upgrades on long haul flights eligible for Chauffeur Drive?

Qantas Chauffeur Drive Terms & Conditions

In particular:

9. Chauffeur Drive must be booked at least 48 hours in advance of travel.
17. Chauffeur Drive is not available on complimentary tickets or complimentary upgrades from Economy or Premium Economy to Business or First.

Does a points upgrade count as a "complimentary upgrade" because the points are assigned to have "no value"?
If the upgrade came before T-48 and was eligible, you could book it...