platinum comp upgrades

[mlob]

I have got some flexi fares coming up for the family these holidays Brisbane - Cairns. I left my run a bit late and missed out on using my comp upgrades as there are no business awards left on the flight. I do note there are two paid business seats left on our flights. Has anyone had any luck upgrading last minute i.e checkin/lounge where there are no award seats left but vacant business seats? All my upgrades are due to expire in October.

 

[jad01]

No experience in securing last minute use of complimentary upgrades, however......
Plan B if you are concerned about not being able to use the upgrades and losing them......they can be used on flights beyond the expiry date as long as you actually book and use them before they expire.

But yeah sorry can't help with original qustion.

JASON

 

[mlob]

Thanks Jason. Does seem a pity to just let them slip away!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I have got some flexi fares coming up for the family these holidays Brisbane - Cairns. I left my run a bit late and missed out on using my comp upgrades as there are no business awards left on the flight. I do note there are two paid business seats left on our flights. Has anyone had any luck upgrading last minute i.e checkin/lounge where there are no award seats left but vacant business seats? All my upgrades are due to expire in October.

You'll be fine as long as there are seats left. Use the lounge. I've done the last minute BNE-CNS (or VV) comp and point upgrade heaps of time and never had a problem (in fact I've done it with fly ahead.....which I also intend to do tomorrow). The only thing they balk at is an outright purchase through the lounge as they have to pay the airport a booking tax or something. You can't to do it within 45minutes of departure and you won't be guaranteed a full meal (although I've always been offered something edible).

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I just did fly ahead and J comp upgrade, BNE-CNS with only one J seat left showing on line.

 

[Zerosignal]

How have you gone with international fares on late upgrades?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

How have you gone with international fares on late upgrades?

Never done one so can't comment.

 

[Eggsbenedict]

You'll be fine as long as there are seats left. Use the lounge. I've done the last minute BNE-CNS (or VV) comp and point upgrade heaps of time and never had a problem (in fact I've done it with fly ahead.....which I also intend to do tomorrow). The only thing they balk at is an outright purchase through the lounge as they have to pay the airport a booking tax or something. You can't to do it within 45minutes of departure and you won't be guaranteed a full meal (although I've always been offered something edible).

Agreed....

 

[doczim]

Just wanted to check, the Platinum Comp upgrades that people have mentioned getting "last minute" is always on flex fares?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Just wanted to check, the Platinum Comp upgrades that people have mentioned getting "last minute" is always on flex fares?

Yes they are. If you want to upgrade a saver fare, then a points upgrade or a bid is all you can do. (at least, that is my experience).

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Yes they are. If you want to upgrade a saver fare, then a points upgrade or a bid is all you can do. (at least, that is my experience).

That would be the terms and conditions as well.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

That would be the terms and conditions as well.

Indeed, but I assumed the question was more about experiences rather than Ts&Cs, as sometimes the Ts&Cs aren't always applied as one would expect. Like via the Ts&Cs, I believe the 4 complementary upgrades means 4 upgrades, which hasn't always been my experience!

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Indeed, but I assumed the question was more about experiences rather than Ts&Cs, as sometimes the Ts&Cs aren't always applied as one would expect. Like via the Ts&Cs, I believe the 4 complementary upgrades means 4 upgrades, which hasn't always been my experience!

if it hasn't been four upgrades what has it been?

 

[doczim]

Indeed, but I assumed the question was more about experiences rather than Ts&Cs, as sometimes the Ts&Cs aren't always applied as one would expect. Like via the Ts&Cs, I believe the 4 complementary upgrades means 4 upgrades, which hasn't always been my experience!

Yes thanks swanning, it was to do with experiences rather than the known t&c. just seeing if there was flexibility on that for last minute upgrades thats all, but alas.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

if it hasn't been four upgrades what has it been?

Let's just say I've been pleasantly surprised a couple of times and 4+2 = 6!

Yes thanks swanning, it was to do with experiences rather than the known t&c. just seeing if there was flexibility on that for last minute upgrades thats all, but alas.

I might just say, I haven't attempted to do a comp upgrade from a saver, my comment comes from my observation that they usually say something like "let me check you comp balance and fare class" before saying "oh yes I see you're fine to use one of your comp upgrades". That indicates to me, that they are proactive in checking the fare class, but perhaps others have succeeded with it.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

I have on a couple of occasions asked for a points upgrade in the lounge and been upgraded without any deduction of points.
But due to the circumstances, in particular the load, I have assumed that my request just meant I received an opup which they would have had to give someone anyway.
Still nice that they didn't exploit the opportunity to take my points for an opup!

 

[Eggsbenedict]

I have on a couple of occasions asked for a points upgrade in the lounge and been upgraded without any deduction of points.
But due to the circumstances, in particular the load, I have assumed that my request just meant I received an opup which they would have had to give someone anyway.
Still nice that they didn't exploit the opportunity to take my points for an opup!

I've never had that! Half you luck. I have on many occasions had my comp upgrade taken when I have wanted to use points (Short flights that I would not waste up comps on) meaning calls to the call centre to have it fixed. Pretty annoying it's always funny though cause the operator can somehow "see" that it was meant to be a points upgrade. I always ask for 5000 points for my time, never actually received though, I had a pretty heated conversation with one rep when she said "everyone makes mistakes" I was like points are a currency people should not make mistakes and if they do and it takes my time to fix it I should be compensated.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

I've never had that! Half you luck. I have on many occasions had my comp upgrade taken when I have wanted to use points (Short flights that I would not waste up comps on) meaning calls to the call centre to have it fixed. Pretty annoying it's always funny though cause the operator can somehow "see" that it was meant to be a points upgrade. I always ask for 5000 points for my time, never actually received though, I had a pretty heated conversation with one rep when she said "everyone makes mistakes" I was like points are a currency people should not make mistakes and if they do and it takes my time to fix it I should be compensated.

I always ask call centres to compensate me for my time but they balk at my $480 per hour charge out rate.

 

[Oxy]

Indeed, but I assumed the question was more about experiences rather than Ts&Cs, as sometimes the Ts&Cs aren't always applied as one would expect. Like via the Ts&Cs, I believe the 4 complementary upgrades means 4 upgrades, which hasn't always been my experience!

Just got off the phone to VA changing a saver MEL-PER, PER-SYD-MEL to a flexi MEL-PER and saver PER-MEL. Was very pleased when advised that would only be $350 extra, as the savers were bought on special. Was even more pleased when advised my return seat was to be 2k matched to the 3k outbound! Yes the paperwork confirmed it 2 minutes later!!!
So got 2 comp upgrades transcon for $880