Qantas Upgrades - Successes or Failures (post results)

[sudoer]

good result well done. can you tell me, how did you check the load ? N

ExpertFlyer paid subscription

 

[Ade]

QF WP QF38 SIN-MEL Flex Y to J upgrade using points. Unsuccessful text message at T-8. But upgraded at the gate

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

QF 23, WP, 31/8/23 x2 pax
Flex Y > J
Unsuccessful T-5 hrs

QF 24, WP, 10/9/23 x2 pax
Flex Y > J
Successful T-26 hrs

 

[andytheturtle]

QF 23, WP, 31/8/23 x2 pax
Flex Y > J
Unsuccessful T-5 hrs

QF 24, WP, 24/9/24 x2 pax
Flex Y > J
Successful T-26 hrs

@Cool Cat Phil I am trying to understand your dates and time
the QF 24 is not in 2024 right? But we are not 26hr from 24 Sept 2023 either. You had me checking the calendar lol

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

@Cool Cat Phil I am trying to understand your dates and time
the QF 24 is not in 2024 right? But we are not 26hr from 24 Sept 2023 either. You had me checking the calendar lol

@andytheturtle . Thanks for the heads up. Obvious typo , now updated.

 

[Nigeldw]

what is the best way to check the likelihood of getting an upgrade, 48hrs before a flight. Is it to check the loading, and if so, what are the options for checking this ? N

 

[OATEK]

what is the best way to check the likelihood of getting an upgrade, 48hrs before a flight. Is it to check the loading, and if so, what are the options for checking this ? N

You can head over here:

Flight Availability/Loadings & Upgrade Probability Help Desk

PLEASE INCLUDE DATE, FLIGHT NUMBER, ORIGIN & DESTINATION IN ALL REQUESTS >>>> ADDED BY ADMIN (6 Sept 2010)

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

Provide DEP/ARR cities and date, and airline/ flight #.

 

[Ahhhq]

How about bidding for upgrades? Do the lowest bid usually work?

 

[encryptededdy]

How about bidding for upgrades? Do the lowest bid usually work?

All points upgrades are cleared first before the bid now upgrades are processed, so for the best chance you should try upgrade with points.

 

[sudoer]

QF2 LHR-SYD R -> J unsuccessful SMS at T-11

Loads went from J2 to J0 at T-48, then F2 to F0 at T-24. Was hoping one of those F upgrades would free up a J seat I could nab.

I'm surprised it's a definite decline at T-11 given I had ticked the box for upgrades at the gate. But the unsuccessful SMS wording is starkly different from my previous flight, and my app has changed from Upgrade Requested to Upgrade Unsuccessful.

 

[PineappleSkip]

I do not understand upgrades at the gate. I've had similar advance "definite no" experiences when I have signed up for gate upgrades.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

QF 148, Gold, 10/9/23 x2 pax
Classic Y award (booked via BA Avios) > J
Requested at T-20 prior to departure (ExpertFlyer was showing J3, C2 at the time), confirmed via app that morning. Couldn't check in online and it spent an agent the better part of half an hour to get us checked in given the booking was originally made with BA and then used my QF points to request the upgrade.

-RooFlyer88

 

[Ansett]

You used QF points to Upgrade a BA award flight. Am i missing something here?

 

[kangarooflyer88]

You used QF points to Upgrade a BA award flight. Am i missing something here?

Correct.

The flight itself was a QF flight (AKL > SYD) booked with Avios points. After the flight was ticketed by BA, I then swapped my frequent flyer over to QF since that's where I hold status. On a hunch, I thought I'd check the night before the flight if I could upgrade to J and sure enough I could request an upgrade! All in the whole thing cost me 11,000 Avios for AKL > SYD on QF in Y then 28,300 QF points for the upgrade to J per passenger.

-RooFlyer88

 

[Lynda2475]

You were lucky to be able to do this (likely a IT glitch) as per the terms of the program QF points canonly be used to upgrade on QF services where the ticket was also issued by QF.

 

[exLXCXFF]

Correct.

The flight itself was a QF flight (AKL > SYD) booked with Avios points. After the flight was ticketed by BA, I then swapped my frequent flyer over to QF since that's where I hold status. On a hunch, I thought I'd check the night before the flight if I could upgrade to J and sure enough I could request an upgrade! All in the whole thing cost me 11,000 Avios for AKL > SYD on QF in Y then 28,300 QF points for the upgrade to J per passenger.

-RooFlyer88

And I guess as PC(+) member you even earned Y SCs for this like I did for my SYD - WLG flights booked as rewards using my AsiaMiles and then swapping to QFF?

 

[kangarooflyer88]

w

And I guess as PC(+) member you even earned Y SCs for this like I did for my SYD - WLG flights booked as rewards using my AsiaMiles and then swapping to QFF?

Not a points club member, sadly.

 

[Nigeldw]

16/9. Unsuccesfful, QF2 W to J. WP

 

[sudoer]

QF2 LHR-SYD R -> J unsuccessful SMS at T-11

16/9. Unsuccesfful, QF2 W to J. WP

We were on the same flight in the same cabin!

I hadn't realised the schedule when booking, but I dare say the J and F cabins for LHR-SIN were full of (U)HNWIs going to watch the F1 ...

 

[serfty]

You were lucky to be able to do this (likely a IT glitch) as per the terms of the program QF points canonly be used to upgrade on QF services where the ticket was also issued by QF.

Such a condition isn't currently listed in the Qantas Frequent Flyer Terms.

I have upgraded both domestic and international Qantas marketed and operated lights booked with AA (001- ticket) and BA (125- ticket). Both were LONE4, best was myself and SWMBO SYD-JFK.

Frequent Flyer Terms and Conditions | Qantas

These Terms and Conditions form the basis of Qantas Frequent Flyer, to protect both Members and the Qantas Group.

www.qantas.com

16.1.3 Classic Upgrade Rewards may be requested on eligible paid and confirmed tickets and on Economy and Premium Economy Classic Flight Rewards on:

(a) a service operated by Qantas, with a Qantas (QF) flight number on the ticket; and
(b) from time to time on Codeshare Flights that have a Qantas (QF) flight number on the ticket;
in accordance with these Terms and Conditions.

16. Classic Upgrade Rewards​

16.1 General​

16.1.1 Classic Upgrade Rewards may be available by redeeming Qantas Points at the rates displayed at qantas.com (the most current Point redemption levels are displayed at qantas.com). Classic Upgrade Rewards are subject to capacity controls and availability is limited.
16.1.2 Members must have sufficient Qantas Points for the requested Classic Upgrade Reward at the time they request the Classic Upgrade Reward and when the Classic Upgrade Reward is confirmed. Qantas Points will be deducted from a Member's account at the time the Classic Upgrade Reward is confirmed.
16.1.3 Classic Upgrade Rewards may be requested on eligible paid and confirmed tickets and on Economy and Premium Economy Classic Flight Rewards on:
(a) a service operated by Qantas, with a Qantas (QF) flight number on the ticket; and
(b) from time to time on Codeshare Flights that have a Qantas (QF) flight number on the ticket;
in accordance with these Terms and Conditions.
16.1.4 Classic Upgrade Rewards are not available when travelling on:
(a) Business Class International Classic Flight Reward flights, including Business Class International Classic Flight Reward flights that are combined with flights that are not Classic Flight Reward flights in the same booking;
(b) Discounted Qantas International airfares, including Points Plus Pay - Flights booked in E, N, O and Q class;
(c) Codeshare Flights that have a Qantas (QF) flight number on the ticket, unless otherwise made available by Qantas Loyalty from time to time.
16.1.5 If a Classic Upgrade Reward is requested on two or more individual Segments shown on a ticket, the Qantas Points required will be quoted separately for each Segment.
16.1.6 The following conditions apply to the use of Classic Upgrade Rewards:
(a) Classic Upgrade Rewards cannot be used in conjunction with an open dated ticket, fares ineligible to earn Qantas Points, a travel industry reduced fare ticket, a prize ticket or any other promotional offer;
(b) Classic Upgrade Rewards can only be requested on the Segments listed on the Itinerary for which the Member has been issued a ticket;
(c) Classic Upgrade Rewards may only be used to obtain an upgrade as follows:
(i) Discount Economy, Economy or Flexible Economy to Premium Economy class or Classic Flight Reward Economy to Premium Economy (where available);
(ii) Discount Economy, Economy or Flexible Economy to Business class or Classic Flight Reward Economy to Business class (where available);
Note: at the time of registration for a Classic Upgrade Reward to Business, Members may also register a request for a Classic Upgrade Reward to Premium Economy (where available). This request will be considered if the Classic Upgrade Reward to Business class is unsuccessful;
(iii) Discount Premium Economy, Premium Economy, Flexible Premium Economy or Classic Flight Reward Premium Economy (where available) to Business class;
(iv) Discount Business, Business or Flexible Business to First class (where available).
Note: it is not possible to upgrade to First class other than from Discount Business, Business or Flexible Business;
(d) Qantas Points and Status Credits will be earned only for the class of travel originally purchased or redeemed, rather than the upgraded class of travel;
(e) the Fare Conditions applicable to the fare originally purchased or redeemed will apply, irrespective of upgraded class of travel; and
(f) special meals may not be available in the upgraded class of travel.
16.1.7 Members who have registered a request for a Classic Upgrade Reward will be advised if they are awarded a confirmed Classic Upgrade Reward either via an SMS message, via 'Manage Your Booking' on qantas.com or when they check in for their flight.
16.1.8 If the Member cancels or changes a Flight Segment before a Classic Upgrade Reward is confirmed for that segment, the Classic Upgrade Reward request will be cancelled and a new Classic Upgrade Reward request must be made.
16.1.9 Subject to clause 16.1, if the Member cancels a confirmed Classic Upgrade Reward within 24 hours of scheduled departure, or fails to board a flight for which a Classic Upgrade Reward has been confirmed (no-show), the Member will forfeit the Classic Upgrade Reward and any Qantas Points used to redeem the Classic Upgrade Reward, and a seat may no longer be available in the class of travel originally purchased or redeemed. If the Member cancels a confirmed Classic Upgrade Reward more than 24 hours before scheduled departure, the Classic Upgrade Reward may be refunded and will incur a Refund of Unused Classic Upgrade Reward Fee (see the Fee Schedule).
16.1.10 A Member may cancel a request for a Classic Upgrade Reward at any time prior to the time at which Qantas confirms the Classic Upgrade Reward without forfeiture of Qantas Points.
16.1.11 If there are multiple people travelling in a booking and all passengers are Eligible Family Members, any online request for a Classic Upgrade Reward will apply to each passenger. If a booking includes passengers other than Eligible Family Members, a passenger will need to contact Qantas to split the booking and then the Member will be able to request a Classic Upgrade Reward.
16.1.12 Once a Classic Upgrade Reward has been requested, all PIN changes between the time a Classic Upgrade Reward is requested and the time the flight departs, must be advised to Qantas, otherwise the Classic Upgrade Reward request will not be processed.
16.1.13 Additional terms and conditions applicable to Classic Upgrade Rewards are set out at qantas.com at the time of making a Classic Upgrade Reward request and must be accepted prior to making any such request.