Now possible to upgrade award seats.

[Flying mermaid]

Re: Requesting Upgrade on Classic Flight Reward Bookings

I've been on the phone with the QFF team and they suggested the same, Separate a passenger so that I can Upgrade a single seat. However, I've logged in on both the Desktop and Mobile websites but can't find the option to Separate. They told me if I do it online, there's no penalty/points charge. What am I missing?

EDIT: Got QFF team to manually separate on their side and have done the Upgrade Request online. Fingers crossed!

I had a look at two bookings - one a domestic award for Mr FM and myself and that doesn't have the separate button. Miss FM and her partner have a trip to Singapore and that does have it. The button appears between the "enter Apis" button and the "edit" button. Not sure why it isn't always there. Hopefully Qantas didn't charge you to separate it, given you couldn't do it online. Good luck with the upgrade.

 

[Kiwires]

Re: Requesting Upgrade on Classic Flight Reward Bookings

No additional fees to pay. Only cost you the extra QFF points for the upgrade. Unfortunately I didn't get it this time as the spare seats got taken up. Will try again for return leg from HKG.

 

[Kiwires]

Re: Requesting Upgrade on Classic Flight Reward Bookings

The QFF team didn't charge me to do the separation. Alas, didn't get upgraded this time. Will try again on return leg.

 

[junbugging]

Re: Requesting Upgrade on Classic Flight Reward Bookings

Previously I could get an instant upgrade on a domestic flight by looking for award availability in J. Just tried that now and it didn't work, so I'm wondering whether things might have changed under the new system.

 

[opusman]

Re: Requesting Upgrade on Classic Flight Reward Bookings

Previously I could get an instant upgrade on a domestic flight by looking for award availability in J. Just tried that now and it didn't work, so I'm wondering whether things might have changed under the new system.

No, it still works. Make sure you're not trying before your flight has actually been ticketed, as that will cause it to waitlist you (indefinitely).

 

[junbugging]

Re: Requesting Upgrade on Classic Flight Reward Bookings

No, it still works. Make sure you're not trying before your flight has actually been ticketed, as that will cause it to waitlist you (indefinitely).

My flight has ticketed.

 

[mannej]

Re: Requesting Upgrade on Classic Flight Reward Bookings

My flight has ticketed.

Cancel and try again otherwise you will need to call to confirm the upgrade.

 

[junbugging]

Re: Requesting Upgrade on Classic Flight Reward Bookings

Cancel and try again otherwise you will need to call to confirm the upgrade.

I have cancelled and tried again, still doesn't work.

 

[serfty]

Re: Requesting Upgrade on Classic Flight Reward Bookings

I have cancelled and tried again, still doesn't work.

If there still is Business award availability on the flight, you will need to call to get it cleared.

This is a oft occurring issue that Qantas don't appear to be in a hurry to fix.

 

[exegete]

Re: Requesting Upgrade on Classic Flight Reward Bookings

Is it always possible (on domestic flights) to get an instant upgrade where there is J award availability? I had assumed it was a lottery like for international flights.

I had to book a flexi Y ticket from SYD to PER for later this month, and I was hoping to upgrade on the A330. There are no J awards on the flight I've booked but I can see several available on other flights on the same day. If I change to one of those, should I be able to upgrade straight away (either online or by calling)?

 

[opusman]

Re: Requesting Upgrade on Classic Flight Reward Bookings

Is it always possible (on domestic flights) to get an instant upgrade where there is J award availability? I had assumed it was a lottery like for international flights.

I had to book a flexi Y ticket from SYD to PER for later this month, and I was hoping to upgrade on the A330. There are no J awards on the flight I've booked but I can see several available on other flights on the same day. If I change to one of those, should I be able to upgrade straight away (either online or by calling)?

No it's not a lottery, domestic upgrades clear immediately providing there is upgrade space available (and the website bugs don't getcha).

If there's no space available you can waitlist.

 

[big_RED]

Re: Requesting Upgrade on Classic Flight Reward Bookings

So I've booked 2 x Economy tickets with Qantas SYD - DFW for 23/12/16 at $3,000 each return - LAX to SYD (sale fare prices).
I thought you weren't eligible to enter the points upgrade lottery unless you had purchased a flexi economy ticket? However last night I selected a drop down that said 180,000 points to upgrade to Business class. for the SYD - DFW leg. (and if I wanted it was 144,000 for LAX to SYD upgrade to business)

To me, 180,000 for 2 single business upgrades isn't too bad. Normally 192,000 for a business award to LAX return so 384,000 points total for 2 passengers + $1,600 in taxes.
If I did the two upgrade options I'd be spending 324,000 points, and just under $6,000 on the original economy seats. I know it's not amazing, but I feel this isn't bad value?

 

[serfty]

Re: Requesting Upgrade on Classic Flight Reward Bookings

For me it is pretty bad value when one considers what an award costs outright(e.g. 192K round trip in Business SYD-LAX-SYD).

However, it can be a way of getting around those situations when U is not available when booking.

Every one is different.

 

[RooFlyer]

Re: Requesting Upgrade on Classic Flight Reward Bookings

<snip>

To me, 180,000 for 2 single business upgrades isn't too bad. Normally 192,000 for a business award to LAX return so 384,000 points total for 2 passengers + $1,600 in taxes.
If I did the two upgrade options I'd be spending 324,000 points, and just under $6,000 on the original economy seats. I know it's not amazing, but I feel this isn't bad value?

Isn't it $7,600 plus the points? To me that's very poor value, but if you have the points and desire, go for it.

 

[big_RED]

Re: Requesting Upgrade on Classic Flight Reward Bookings

Isn't it $7,600 plus the points? To me that's very poor value, but if you have the points and desire, go for it.

We paid just under $6,000 for the return fares (2 x sale fare economy tickets). And it'll be 180,000 for both to be upgraded to business for the Sydney to Dallas route.

Not amazing value, but it doesn't feel too bad.

 

[BacchusMarsh]

Re: Requesting Upgrade on Classic Flight Reward Bookings

It's perhaps better value than getting a Classic Award and then upgrading it with points, which is what the thread's about. That scheme will always be more expensive than just booking a Business award in the first place, but as serfty says, that might not always be possible due either to a lack of points at the time of booking or a lack of availability.

The equation changes once you look at the purchased tickets as a sunk cost.

 

[NoName]

Re: Requesting Upgrade on Classic Flight Reward Bookings

For me it is pretty bad value when one considers what an award costs outright(e.g. 192K round trip in Business SYD-LAX-SYD).

However, it can be a way of getting around those situations when U is not available when booking.

Every one is different.

Copayment for classic awards in business are a lot more expensive than in economy though. So having to use more points is at least somewhat offset by the fact that you don't have to spend as many $$.

Edit: I am talking about upgrading classic awards here.