Newbie question - business class to BKK

[flya]

Hi all,

What's the best way to get a bargain business class return from Brisbane to Bangkok?

Can I use Qantas FF points to upgrade? I have about 110,000 points from using my Amex cards.

Or: last time I flew there on Thai Airways, they had an upgrade offer right at the check-in counter for a fairly minimal price ($300 or something) to upgrade from economy to business on the spot.

Any other suggestions?
Flya.

 

[Evan]

The only way to be sure of a J seat is to pay up front ! if your willing to risk it then the others are options that you have mentioned.
E

 

[NYCguy]

Discount business tickets BNE/BKK/BNE on TG are about $3560 return, including taxes. Is that too much?

I'm no QF expert, but from what I read here you're going to be lucky to get a QF upgrade on points unless you are at least a Gold FF.

On-departure paid upgrades are a different beast - some airlines (for example, UA) are quite famous for them, but they are hit-and-miss. If they fill the seats with paying pax or "elite" ROP members upgrading with points, you'll miss out for sure. Probably wise not to expect it to happen too often.

If traveling in Biz is important to you (and I can appreciate that it may be), then you might have to bite the bullet and buy the ticket!

 

[flya]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the quick replies.

I would much prefer business class for the room on the 8+ hr flight. (I am 6'8).

I gather international upgrades are treated differently by Qantas than domestic (last time I upgraded Brisbane to Melbourne with points without any dramas)?

Thanks,
flya.

 

[serfty]

Welcome to AFF

Qantas international Point redmeption upgrades are certainly a different process to domestic upgrades.

Look Here: Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Terms & Conditions

Read Section 14.3 closely (pay particular notice to 14.3.4 and 14.3.5).

 

[International Lady]

I gather international upgrades are treated differently by Qantas than domestic (last time I upgraded Brisbane to Melbourne with points without any dramas)?

Thanks,
flya.

Yes, can't be done at the terminal for Int'l flights. Depending on what status ff you are, you have to apply days before. Depends what QF fare you originally purchase, as the real cheap ones cannot be upgraded at all using points.

Shop around, as there are many differing prices for jclass on the same airline!

 

[littl_flier]

And to pay for business class, QF is one of the more expensive airlines.

You could look at a Jetstar star class fare which are in Millenium business class seats (most domestic business class) but it's not a sky bed.

If just the seat is important, JQ do have an offer whereby you can upgrade for $300 per leg but you can't be guaranteed a J seat for a whY price. Travel with JQ would be via MEL with QF.

And Welcome to AFF flya.

 

[simongr]

Yes, can't be done at the terminal for Int'l flights. Depending on what status ff you are, you have to apply days before.

Just to expand slightly - upgrades are processed by the status of pax within 24 hours (ish) of departure - allocated first to Chairmans Lounge, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze then within each tier by the date of application for the upgrade. So if you have no status (I assume as points have been earned through spending you are bronze) you should apply for the upgarde as soon as you can - the earliest is 90 days out from travel.

You can increase your chances of an UG by picking a day when there is plenty of availability.

Its a shame that you dont have more points as although J is hard to get for an award you might have more success on BA in F.