Qantas Upgrades - Successes or Failures (post results)

[esseeeayeenn]

Because my understanding is it shouldn’t matter if the request came from SG or WP as priority would be given based on travelling pax, not the requesting account. When the original requests were made, I had also hoped to have insufficient points for the upgrades in my account with some F award seats for 2020, but in the end I haven’t managed to get them.

I thought the priority came from the requesting account.

 

[sudoer]

Because my understanding is it shouldn’t matter if the request came from SG or WP as priority would be given based on travelling pax, not the requesting account.

I thought the priority came from the requesting account.

I don't think Qantas has ever stated either way. I was also under the impression that best practice was to request from the highest status pax in the travelling party.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

I don't think Qantas has ever stated either way. I was also under the impression that best practice was to request from the highest status pax in the travelling party.

Agree it's ambiguous in the Platinum tier benefits statement:

International Flight Classic Upgrade Reward Request Priority
Receive priority34 over Gold, Silver and Bronze Frequent Flyers for confirmation of international upgrade requests.

34. Classic Upgrade Reward registrations are prioritised according to your Qantas Frequent Flyer membership level: Platinum first, followed by Gold, Silver and then Bronze.

But in Platinum One it states:

Sharing your points, sharing the benefits
If you use your points to request a Classic Upgrade Reward for an eligible family member, at the time their upgrade request is reviewed they'll have their upgrade processed at the Platinum One priority level, even if you're not travelling.

Which implies this is not the case for membership tiers lower than Platinum One.

I would still always request from the account with the highest status because - why not?
It can only help.

 

[sudoer]

Which implies this is not the case for membership tiers lower than Platinum One.

I read it as family upgrade requests (by non P1s) are processed at traveller status levels when the member making the request *isn't travelling*.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

I read it as family upgrade requests (by non P1s) are processed at traveller status levels when the member making the request *isn't travelling*.

That's a fair point.
It's ambiguous.
And as we know very well by now, there is no point asking Qantas to clarify because they will probably just repeat the same ambigious statement.
And if they do offer any clarification it will always be an "enhancement" which produces the worst possible outcome.

 

[Silvia]

Successful upgrade from Y to PE x2 on QF94 tomorrow with old layout. Advised 27 hours prior departure as a WP. Seems there were still some seats in J but unluckily used my points for another points redemption.

 

[pyang7127]

Successful upgrade Y to J MNL-SYD last night for family of 4 as WP. Received confirmation 48 hours beforehand. Loads have been light for J this time of the year as there are still quite a few empty seats last night.

 

[runway16R]

T-28 notification for a successful upgrade from Y to J MEL-SIN as SG.

 

[Matt_01]

But in Platinum One it states:

Which implies this is not the case for membership tiers lower than Platinum One.

It is my understanding that requests are also based on time of request, e.g. all things being equal if 2 travellers with the same status request an upgrade on the same flight and only one seat is available the person that put in the request first gets it. Further, in my experience when a P1 (not traveling) puts in a request for a family member, the traveller goes to the front of the upgrade line based on their status and is upgraded when their tier level is assessed. e.g. MrsM (WP) upgrades tend to come through 24-48 hours out.

From recollection, if I am in the booking then all upgrades normally release 7 days out. I It has been a while since I have done this, so the rules may have been enhanced.

 

[robinsparkles]

T-28 notification for a successful upgrade x 2 from Y award to J SYD-HK.

 

[chingy17]

successful upgrade from J cash --> F award HKG to SYD

Edit - Bronze with QC

 

[kookaburra75]

Unsuccessful for QF1 on 31 Dec - Flex Y to J as a WP - notified at T-10

I was feeling good about this one, as EF was showing J9 C9 D9 right up until yesterday and they had swapped to a refurbished A380. But even Y is full, so something drove a bunch of people onto the flight :-( Oh well, hello 86D

 

[QFflyermelbourne]

Unsuccessful for QF1 on 31 Dec - Flex Y to J as a WP - notified at T-10

I was feeling good about this one, as EF was showing J9 C9 D9 right up until yesterday and they had swapped to a refurbished A380. But even Y is full, so something drove a bunch of people onto the flight :-( Oh well, hello 86D

interesting. Was that for SYD-LHR or just SIN-LHR? I’ve often wondered if full route passengers get priority over connections in Singapore. A pain for us Melbourne folks.....

 

[kookaburra75]

interesting. Was that for SYD-LHR or just SIN-LHR? I’ve often wondered if full route passengers get priority over connections in Singapore. A pain for us Melbourne folks.....

It was for SYD-LHR. I don't know about priority for half the leg over the full route or vice versa. Most times when I've been back in Y, the flight seems to pick up a few more people for the SIN-LHR leg. Looking at EF, the loading is the same for SIN-LHR as it is for the whole way through

 

[QFflyermelbourne]

Did you tick the box asking for consideration right until boarding? I’m guessing not if you’ve been notified of a rejection.

 

[PineappleSkip]

Looking at EF, the loading is the same for SIN-LHR as it is for the whole way through

EF fare bucket availability won’t tell you much about J availability, the J seat map will indicate more.

FWIW I’ve never had success upgrading SYD-LHR on QF1 or vv on QF2. But several such between SYD-SIN, and back in the day SYD-DXB and DXB-LHR. I’ve only ever tried upgrading one cabin at a time.

cheers skip

 

[kookaburra75]

EF fare bucket availability won’t tell you much about J availability, the J seat map will indicate more.

FWIW I’ve never had success upgrading SYD-LHR on QF1 or vv on QF2. But several such between SYD-SIN, and back in the day SYD-DXB and DXB-LHR. I’ve only ever tried upgrading one cabin at a time.

cheers skip

I've been fortunate the past few years when I've done the work run in Jan of QF1/2, and have got the Flex Y to J upgrade in each direction. Other times of the year it's been 50/50. I've also ticked the box and have my fingers crossed that I'll get the 'happy' beep in Sydney - it didn't happen in Canberra.

 

[QFflyermelbourne]

I've been fortunate the past few years when I've done the work run in Jan of QF1/2, and have got the Flex Y to J upgrade in each direction. Other times of the year it's been 50/50. I've also ticked the box and have my fingers crossed that I'll get the 'happy' beep in Sydney - it didn't happen in Canberra.

Very interesting you has an unsuccessful notice then if you’d ticked the box. I never seem to get a rejection text in those cases. Good luck for the happy beep! It has surprised me on more than one occasion.

 

[kookaburra75]

Very interesting you has an unsuccessful notice then if you’d ticked the box. I never seem to get a rejection text in those cases. Good luck for the happy beep! It has surprised me on more than one occasion.

I like those type of surprises.
My Plan B is to turn row 86 into the party row, and celebrate several New Years' Eve's on the SIN-LHR leg. I've even done the calcs

 

[kookaburra75]

I like those type of surprises.
My Plan B is to turn row 86 into the party row, and celebrate several New Years' Eve's on the SIN-LHR leg. I've even done the calcs

No beep, so Plan B it is. Although the rest of the passengers in Row 86 are families with young children.