OP-UPs when on FF redemption tickets?

[JohnK]

My father and I were given op-ups to business class PER-SYD which was also the last leg of a QF Oneworld award in 2009. Middle seats on an A333 but dad loved it and he fell asleep for most of the flight.

During the same trip we were able to sit in premium-economy with economy service (or lack of service on one flight) on 2 long haul flights.

 

[coyote25]

UpOp'd from QF Y to PE twice from Melbourne to LA on award ticket once with a family member who was on award ticket as well.

Also once from Y to J Christchurch to SYD on award. All times I was a WP.

I've got a cheap paid Y seat Melbourne to LA next week as a SG I'm betting I won't be third time in a row lucky on this route.

So yes they occur. Obviously higher status more likely

i was right, not third time OPUP on MEL-LA route, obviously no longer being a WP pushes me back in the line, plus there were spare seats in Y. I did however get a spare seat next to me so that was good.

Plus the Admirals Lounge in LAX allowed me a welcome shower before atching next plane to LAS.

 

[Reggie]

Let me ask this question another way. Has anyone had an opup on FF redemption tickets when they have had a minor under 16 years?

I have heard that QF staff are not allowed to opup children to J, but not sure if this true, ans if this also applies to Y+

 

[serfty]

Based on Status, then fare class.. Say if your a WP and have an X class fare, a WP with a Y fare will be considered first (depending on how many seats the need to upgrade).
This would also be based on if doing the upgrade would make either pax have split seating.
They won't upgrade 2 people if one one seat is needed.

Also 95% of the time the free upgrades (regrades or "op-ups"), are done due to a cabin being oversold and then having no no-shows.

There is an Altéa facility call the "Proactive Onload" list.

This lists passengers in a prospective order based on their perceived value to Qantas.

As for how it's done, there are several ways that might be employed. The priority can vary depending on who's actioning it and whether they follow 'the book'.

Qantas staff have had this facility available to them for about three years.

The "Proactive Onload" list may include weighting reference to one or more of the following as well as other facits:

• Pax FF Tier
• Booking status (confirmed, waitlisted, space-a, etc.)
• Value to QF - a value to the customer independent of any other business process, and is taken from QF's loyalty database
• Direct revenue value

Here's a post from FT by a guy who works in the industry: (QF Op Ups / Qantas Operational Upgrades for AA elites (consolidated) - FlyerTalk Forums)

... Well to put it simplistically, the value that is given to a customer (called a PCV) for ranking can apply to any way in which QF wants to use it. In the system, there's a feature called 'Proactive Onload' that calculates the pax booked vs estimated to check in and board. From that screen, the system makes recommendations of which pax are to be oped-up. Now, keyword is RECOMMENDATIONS, the staff and supervisor make the ultimate decision but in essence the system is designed to choose who gets Oped-Up and who stays put.

 

[doczim]

Great Thread! I've always wanted to know more about this. I've only ever been Op-up once on domestic. I recently took mrs zim and boy zim to LA on FF points. I tried often on QF website for upgrade hoping for a glitch that might have upgraded but all was working fine with there systems!

Had everything cross at check in, but no avil, no beep on boarding so just Y for us

Do people normally ask for these or are they just given? I take it my chance when travelling with 2 others inc a 8yo are next ( status aside) would be next to none

 

[JohnK]

I tried often on QF website for upgrade hoping for a glitch that might have upgraded but all was working fine with there systems!

An award flight is not eligible for upgrades unless it has been offered by Qantas directly to passenger(s).

Do people normally ask for these or are they just given?

Some people ask but I think if you ask for an op-up it reduces your chances of an op-up to almost 0%.

I take it my chance when travelling with 2 others inc a 8yo are next ( status aside) would be next to none

I do not like your chances especially if you do not have any status.

By the way welcome to AFF doczim!

 

[doczim]

An award flight is not eligible for upgrades unless it has been offered by Qantas directly to passenger(s).


Some people ask but I think if you ask for an op-up it reduces your chances of an op-up to almost 0%.


I do not like your chances especially if you do not have any status.

By the way welcome to AFF doczim!

Thanks JohnK.
Oh I should update my profile am Silver about to be Gold if I do a BNE-SYD JASA this weekend!. I knew that you cant upgrade FF award tickets, but thought I'd try every now and then just in case the system had a glitch!!

With the three of s its not so bad in Y ( not that I can compare i guess as never experienced anything else!) we het the three seats, my Son is small so mrs Zim and I have plenty of room..OMG who am i kidding its shocking!!

 

[JohnK]

With the three of s its not so bad in Y ( not that I can compare i guess as never experienced anything else!) we het the three seats, my Son is small so mrs Zim and I have plenty of room..OMG who am i kidding its shocking!!

I really do not mind economy. Don't get me wrong I would love to travel business class but the budget does not stretch that far so if I want to have 3-4 trips to SE Asia every year then it is going to be in economy.

Now take note that it is theoretically possible (it does take a bit of planning and effort though) to join BMI Diamond Club, purchase miles and use miles + pay to travel in business class. I don't know about other destinations but I have been researching on going to SE Asia from SYD/BNE and the cost comes out to ~AUD1,500 for a return trip in business class on carriers such as SQ, TG which is not much more than an economy trip.

That is all possible thanks to the strength of the AUD and throw in some flights on *Alliance carriers, some hotel stays, car hire and the Diamond Club points balance keeps ticking over and makes the return trip even more value for money.

Hopefully Diamond Club will still be around for a few more years in it's present form....

 

[doczim]

I really do not mind economy. Don't get me wrong I would love to travel business class but the budget does not stretch that far so if I want to have 3-4 trips to SE Asia every year then it is going to be in economy.

Now take note that it is theoretically possible (it does take a bit of planning and effort though) to join BMI Diamond Club, purchase miles and use miles + pay to travel in business class. I don't know about other destinations but I have been researching on going to SE Asia from SYD/BNE and the cost comes out to ~AUD1,500 for a return trip in business class on carriers such as SQ, TG which is not much more than an economy trip.

That is all possible thanks to the strength of the AUD and throw in some flights on *Alliance carriers, some hotel stays, car hire and the Diamond Club points balance keeps ticking over and makes the return trip even more value for money.

Hopefully Diamond Club will still be around for a few more years in it's present form....

hmm now that sounds very enticing..any links?

 

[JohnK]

hmm now that sounds very enticing..any links?

There are some threads on AFF. Just do a search for Diamond Club and read as much as you can.

There is also the Diamond Club forum on Flyertalk as well.

And what is not covered there is covered on the BMI website.

It really is as simple as I have mentioned. I have setup an account for myself, my father, my mother and brother. They hardly fly so it is easy for me. Link all into a family account. Purchase 24,000 miles (the limit) per year at GBP12 per 1,000 miles and start booking awards. A one-way SYD-BKK/SIN/HKG/TPE in business class is 18,750 miles + ~GBP128 + taxes and surcharges.

You can of course transfer between accounts if you like but I like to keep things simple.

The only risk as I have mentioned is that Diamond Club may change since it has been bought by Lufthansa.