Qantas Upgrades - Successes or Failures (post results)

[Brettmcg]

Yes that’s correct. If U is available (a regular Domestic Business Class Award) at the time of you requesting the upgrade then it will get confirmed immediately and points deducted.
It’s easy to check this online before buying your ticket.

Further U seats may get released closer to departure.

Noting that, in recent times, the website has not always successfully processed upgrade requests of this nature. I've had to make a few calls to SST to have upgrades manually processed and they have mentioned the website seems to have a bug at the moment.

Worked to my benefit in at least one instance, with one of the requested upgrades never queued to the FFSC for charging of points

 

[jukebox333]

Out of curiosity, was there an option to upgrade to PE?

I suspect so - I went all in for the win, not a each way bet, as it were, so didn't pay much attention. But it was there every other week.

I was in 10K, and the FA held us back in the "mini J cabin" to let the full front cabin off first - I've not seen that in my 6 recent 787 trips, so perhaps it was a large group who I Didn't Know Who They Were... (not athletes, or a sporting group, from what I could see - travel industry related, perhaps?)

 

[liamg]

QF11 Y -> J at T-60 hours. I’m QFF Platinum

On an A380 and was showing all 0s until a few days ago (no doubt hedging in case they needed to swap to a 787) until yesterday when it was J9.

 

[HarryTheFlyer]

QF11 Y -> J at T-60 hours. I’m QFF Platinum

On an A380 and was showing all 0s until a few days ago (no doubt hedging in case they needed to swap to a 787) until yesterday when it was J9.

Interesting!
I'm considering changing my QF11 in November to QF17 because there's seats available in C and D buckets on the 787, but only J on the A380.
But if you're getting upgraded at T-60 then it might be wiser to hold off on the change until around T-30 if nothing happens.

Also interesting seeing the loading change depending on your connecting flight from another city.
QF11:


QF17:

 

[emilbulls]

QF10
LHR-MEL
Y+ —> J
Not successful

T-??? Never got a text message that unsuccessful, but checked in and boarded in Y+
Funnily, in the app the status is still upgrade requested

Qantas IT at its finest

 

[mviy]

T-??? Never got a text message that unsuccessful

When my upgrade as late as at the gate from Flex-Y to J failed to get approved both ways for SYD-LHR return I didn't get a text message. With no text message, I was hoping for the upgrade beep, but it was not to be.

 

[dairyfloss]

QF10
LHR-MEL
Y+ —> J
Not successful

T-??? Never got a text message that unsuccessful, but checked in and boarded in Y+
Funnily, in the app the status is still upgrade requested

Qantas IT at its finest

Sorry to hear that - looks like it left with every seat in every class taken... As to the text; I reckon I've only ever had notice of success or failure well prior to the flight; like T-4 or 5 hours at the latest, but usually earlier. After that, it could go either way, but regardless of outcome I don't recall a text for me once I'm at the airport.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[TedE]

QF9 on 20/10/22
MEL-PER
Flex Y —> J
Success at T-28 (Lowly Bronze)

First time requesting an upgrade so I'm 1 from 1. Looking forward to it. Probably the best value I've had from 10,900 QF points.

 

[ZMan]

My QF487 departs Sunday 7pm from SYD to MEL

Still haven’t heard anything regarding the upgrade request. Does anyone have access to the number of business seats available?

I have a spare lounge invitation I can link to the flight.

When should I do that? No later than 24 hours? What happens if I get approved for the upgrade? I just lose that lounge pass?

 

[dairyfloss]

My QF487 departs Sunday 7pm from SYD to MEL

Still haven’t heard anything regarding the upgrade request. Does anyone have access to the number of business seats available?

I have a spare lounge invitation I can link to the flight.

When should I do that? No later than 24 hours? What happens if I get approved for the upgrade? I just lose that lounge pass?

Just 3 seats left for sale in J (the highest fare class for business), and it's looking pretty busy in Y, as well, so unless you have status (which I'm guessing not, if you're asking about the pass), then chances of upgrade are pretty slim I'd say. Never say never, though! Sorry - I can't help on what happens if you end up with the upgrade after linking the pass. I suspect once it's applied, it's gone.



Cheers,
Matt.

 

[ZMan]

Just 3 seats left for sale in J (the highest fare class for business), and it's looking pretty busy in Y, as well, so unless you have status (which I'm guessing not, if you're asking about the pass), then chances of upgrade are pretty slim I'd say. Never say never, though! Sorry - I can't help on what happens if you end up with the upgrade after linking the pass. I suspect once it's applied, it's gone.

View attachment 304261

Cheers,
Matt.

T-29 upgrade confirmed. YAY
QF487 SYD-MEL 23/10 19.00 flight

Only 1.5 hour flight and probably not as good value as Perth flights

Bronze QFF with no stats

 

[Tropic]

Hi All
Heading DPS for break but back has flared up so not looking forward to doing in Y seat and hoping to jag upgrades - prob unlikely but gotta try. Any advice if J availability on QF764 and QF45 on 30/10, and QF44 on 11/11 greatly appreciated. Thankfully QF643 on 12/11 confirmed on booking. WP, booked in flex Y. Cheers ropic

 

[dairyfloss]

Hi All
Heading DPS for break but back has flared up so not looking forward to doing in Y seat and hoping to jag upgrades - prob unlikely but gotta try. Any advice if J availability on QF764 and QF45 on 30/10, and QF44 on 11/11 greatly appreciated. Thankfully QF643 on 12/11 confirmed on booking. WP, booked in flex Y. Cheers ropic

This is what the outbound looks like for the 30th Oct:


Coming home is a twice as promising :



Cheers,
Matt.

 

[Tropic]

Thanks Matt!!
Not the best odds but better than I guess...

 

[gaz0303]

QF163 SYD-WLG Booked flex Y as qff gold, no upgrade to J despite 2 empty seats. Not complaining as row 4 comfortable, enjoyed the meatballs and pasta and saved 10k points.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Re: QF Upgrade Success Rate

I have an upgrade success rate of around 0/51 in 2013, thanks to 90% of bookings being in deep discount. Yet to convince company that they should pay for a higher fare class just so I have a chance to upgrade.

I shouldn’t encourage this but there is an artform at play here. Not sure who arranges your corporate travel but last minute requests or arrangements usually result in a higher class fare………dumb down the efficiency.

 

[New to this]

Yes that’s correct. If U is available (a regular Domestic Business Class Award) at the time of you requesting the upgrade then it will get confirmed immediately and points deducted.
It’s easy to check this online before buying your ticket.

Further U seats may get released closer to departure.

Interesting

my experience (as a P1) is…

I pretty much put in for an upgrade on every domestic flight. (4-5 per month)

5% confirmed immediately
75% confirmed in the day-or-two before departure
20% fails, always notified at least a day before

not sure if this data assists the debate since all flights are full etc, but definitely, the pattern is well established

 

[defurax]

Some last minute successes in the past 2 days. Both flights were zeroed out in all classes:
QF2 LHR-SIN Y to J notified 4 hours before departure
QF36 SIN-MEL Y to J upgraded at the gate. I was actually booked in "full fare Y", so I guess I must have been top of the list (except CLP1 of course).

 

[RichardMEL]

data point:

Last week I booked some flights for Dec. I could see U5 showing (A330->737) and website showing classic reward space.. so should have cleared instantly. Did not (after ticketing was confirmed). I cancelled and resubmitted request. nada.

so, called up. VIP agent did it in about 90 seconds. Lame explanation which made no sense to me, but I did not push it as it was done quickly and efficiently.

So there definitely does seem to be an issue with at least some bookings having problems confirming instantly for domestic upgrades where U is available. (my booking was made via QF website but using a travel pass which may or may not have anything to do with it)

 

[NoName]

QF611 BNE-MEL Y Classic Award - J. Confirmed at T-28hrs. Somehow 1A & 1B were the only seat options. Took 1A.