Qantas Online Check-In & Upgrade Chances

[robolb]

I confess I have never used Qantas Online check in. Never saw the point.

My wife and niece are departing Syd-Bkk soon and I'm wondering what the benefits of online check-in might be.

They have Econ tickets with a request for upgrade to Business.
I guess I'm concerned that checking in online might somehow 'lock in' the Econ seats and reduce the chances of an upgrade.

Any thoughts, advice?

PS. Just called Qantas and they advised NOT to check in online if we have an Upgrade request.......

 

[encryptededdy]

To my knowledge the advice you got over the phone isn't correct and an upgrade can come through at the gate after you've checked in just fine.

 

[robolb]

To my knowledge the advice you got over the phone isn't correct and an upgrade can come through at the gate after you've checked in just fine.

I suspect if I called again, I'd get different advice..........
Seems to be the way these days.

We'll see what happens!

 

[SYD]

I suspect if I called again, I'd get different advice..........
Seems to be the way these days.

We'll see what happens!

The obvious benefit of OLCI flying in Economy is selecting and confirming seats (if you don’t have QF status). That shouldn’t impact upgrade requests.

 

[robolb]

The obvious benefit of OLCI flying in Economy is selecting and confirming seats (if you don’t have QF status). That shouldn’t impact upgrade requests.

Fair point. Though she already paid extra for seat selection anyway.

 

[jpp42]

In the case of overbooked flights (less likely on International), people who haven't checked in might be more likely to have their seats taken at last minute. Not a major risk as Qantas does try to avoid overbooking but during IRROPS it can happen.

 

[encryptededdy]

The obvious benefit of OLCI flying in Economy is selecting and confirming seats (if you don’t have QF status). That shouldn’t impact upgrade requests.

Even if you do have (non-P1) status, picking seats after checking in allows for the selection of exit row seats for free.

 

[RichardMEL]

Frankly I see no reason not to do OLCI.

Upgrade requests can be processed up to boarding. Checking in online at least tells QF pax are likely to show (as per the oversold flight comment above). it's rare but it can happen.

Also be aware that SYD-BKK (and v.v.) is very tough for upgrades even for folks with status in general as they are busy and popular. I'm not saying it can't happen, but without significant status (and wanting two) it's possibly not a likely outcome (sorry - hope I'm wrong! ). obviously knowing dates one can get a better idea of how J looks in terms of seats available for sale, and thus an idea of the chance of upgrade.

Anyway I seriously doubt doing OLCI i a disadvantage in terms of upgrade requests.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Just thought I'd share that I'm flying QF 136 CHC > SYD on Friday and ExpertFlyer is currently showing J4, C2. I'm QF Gold travelling on a Flex fare. What's the over/under on me clearing this one?

-RooFlyer88

 

[RichardMEL]

Just thought I'd share that I'm flying QF 136 CHC > SYD on Friday and ExpertFlyer is currently showing J4, C2. I'm QF Gold travelling on a Flex fare. What's the over/under on me clearing this one?

-RooFlyer88

I'll go with a 35% chance of success. depending on the mix of CL/P1/WP also on the flight. Given WP upgrade requests will be processed tomorrow you may see it drop to J`1 or something in 24 hours.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I'll go with a 35% chance of success. depending on the mix of CL/P1/WP also on the flight. Given WP upgrade requests will be processed tomorrow you may see it drop to J`1 or something in 24 hours.

Aren't World Platinum international upgrades processed at the 72 hour mark? If so that would mean they should be processed by 4:30 PM local time today. Chairman Club and Platinum Ones are supposed to process at 7 days so they should've already cleared (in theory). I remain optimistic, but no skin off my nose if it doesn't clear.

-RooFlyer88

 

[RichardMEL]

hmm it used to be 48 hours iirc but per this page it does say "within three days" so... I'll give you that one
(https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/use-points/classic-upgrade-rewards.html)

of course "within" can mean anything. They may not actually process on specific flights if there's a history of close in bookings in premium cabins. Perhaps not on WLG-SYD, but on some.

Your % chance is increased to 53%*

(* I have pulled this out out my World Backside.... )

 

[Cognac]

Yeah, I think the upgrades is phrased "up-to" deliberately. For popular/heavy-traffic routes, iirc, they delay the upgraded process to allow for more revenue seats to be sold. I usually get notified of success about two days out, but it's been as late as T-6. Unsuccessful notices are usually within T-24.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Update: I'm about 32 hours out from departure and now ExpertFlyer is showing a J6, C4 and D2. Curious if the bookies can re-calculate the over/under on my upgrade clearing as a Gold on a flex ticket? Surely, it's got to be higher than 50% now?! The suspense is killing me!

-RooFlyer88

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Update: Flight has now gone down to J1 with about 26 hours till departure. What do the bookies have for the odds of this one clearing?

-RooFlyer