Qantas Business Class Upgrade - MEL -> SIN

[DeanCorp]

Hi Guys,

My boss is paying for my flights Melbourne to Singapore. I don’t think he will pay for business, so likely an economy ticket. What is the likelihood booking with Qantas I can request an upgrade and it be approved? I am Qantas Bronze but have been longstanding customer ~ 2.8M in FF points sitting in my balance. I also get international lounge access from my ANZ credit card each year.

 

[Hvr]

Well the first thing is the fare class of the ticket. Not all economy class tickets are created equal.

If your ticket is eligible for an upgrade, then you're behind the WP1, WP, SG and PS pax who also seek an upgrade.

Expect to fly the class of ticket purchased.

 

[DeanCorp]

I think he will essentially book whichever I request. Which would you recommend?

I previously managed to get an upgrade Mel to Dubai and thought a flight during the week to Singapore wouldn’t be as difficult.

 

[gaz0303]

I have in the past negotiated a flexible Y class ticket to increase my upgrade chances, but still only made it to premium economy with gold status. I’d say not much chance if you are buying best fare of the day in economy.

I find the day flights to SIN quite manageable in Y, coming home at night in J is nice though.

 

[ChrisMars]

@gaz0303 has a good point. If you can somehow negociate low fare Y ticket for the day leg, and J for the return overnight, that would be great. From memory it s doable by just starting to purchase Y, and before payment there should be some page that entice you to a bit of luxuary and you can pick some legs in higher class. I have done that a few times a few years ago, to grab a premium economy, which would the then put me in top place for an upgrade to J (as WP).

 

[sudoer]

If you can handle the gross o'clock departure time, I'd book the Emirates 5th freedom and forget the upgrade. Better chance of a free seat next to you in Y.

 

[Kerrodt]

Put in the upgrade request as soon as your booking is made and make your booking as soon as possible.

You have nothing to lose by putting in the request. You should do it and hope that luck falls your way.

 

[RichardMEL]

Put in the upgrade request as soon as your booking is made and make your booking as soon as possible.

Disagree!

Put it in as soon as the booking is TICKETED. This is important.

I would try to talk the boss into a flex fare. For business reasons....

 

[DeanCorp]

Disagree!

Put it in as soon as the booking is TICKETED. This is important.

I would try to talk the boss into a flex fare. For business reasons....

Excuse my ignorance as I don’t fly very often. What does it mean by ticketed? When would you receive this status?

 

[Hvr]

What does it mean by ticketed? When would you receive this status?

When you are advised that the ticket has been issued. You should see this on your frequent flyer account. When you see this submit your upgrade request.

 

[RichardMEL]

.. or you receive an e-ticket receipt with the ticket number in it.

The reason for this is that sometimes upgrade requests do not seem to be processed properly when requested prior to ticketing. Not always, but it is a known issue on occasion.

 

[CorporateFlyerMEL]

QF flights to SIN ex MEL in J have been very full lately - hard to buy a revenue seat on some days. The 12noon departure is especially busy as it connects well for onward flights to Eur and ME.

Maybe better coming back.

 

[Mattg]

If you have a choice of flights, maybe try to get on QF37 instead of QF35 as that might give you a better chance of being on a flight with empty business class seats (QF37 is generally a tad less full).

 

[DeanCorp]

If you have a choice of flights, maybe try to get on QF37 instead of QF35 as that might give you a better chance of being on a flight with empty business class seats (QF37 is generally a tad less full).

Thanks! Just decided to book QF37 on my own with points + cash. He said he will pay me for any of the money I spend. I can’t find any business class on the way home for 20/21 September. Who or what will be the most affordable business class for that trip?

 

[jase05]

Thanks! Just decided to book QF37 on my own with points + cash. He said he will pay me for any of the money I spend. I can’t find any business class on the way home for 20/21 September. Who or what will be the most affordable business class for that trip?

Direct I would expect to see much under $4-5k.
If you don’t mind a few hours in Manila then PR often has one way from SIN to Australia for around $1200

 

[DeanCorp]

All sorted. We ended up just paying for SQ 227 First Class on the way back to Melbourne.

For the QF 37 what time would you recommend I arrive to Melbourne airport so I can check in and still give me adequate time in the lounge?

 

[Mattg]

All sorted. We ended up just paying for SQ 227 First Class on the way back to Melbourne.

For the QF 37 what time would you recommend I arrive to Melbourne airport so I can check in and still give me adequate time in the lounge?

Melbourne doesn't have all-day check-in; I think you can only check in 3 hours prior to departure. So just aim to get there then.

 

[serfty]

All sorted. We ended up just paying for SQ 227 First Class on the way back to Melbourne.

For the QF 37 what time would you recommend I arrive to Melbourne airport so I can check in and still give me adequate time in the lounge?

If you do not have any bags to check, you can check in on line.

If checking bags then you are constrained by time limits as referenced by @Mattg.

 

[DeanCorp]

Thanks 3 hours before it is! Looking forward to going away, haven’t been on my own once since I got married several years ago now.

 

[DeanCorp]

Which available seat is best? I’m thinking furthest from the toilet?