QF642 PER to SYD "...not eligible to request and upgrade..."

[MediumToast]

Hey,

Silver member. Booked for QF642 this Friday, Y class. Attempted to request an upgrade using the app and get "Upgrade not available. Unfortunately, you are not eligible to request an upgrade on this flight."

First time I've seen that message. There aren't any classic reward seats available so I didn't like my changes even if I could make the request. Anyone know why I wouldn't be eligible?

Other weird thing is I can't select a specific seat, only aisle/window preference.

Thanks

 

[kangarooflyer88]

This was basically the answer. Not enough points because no FF associated with the booking.

It’s very important to ensure frequent flyer is attached to the ticket for that and many other reasons. If you book directly with the airline it’s a safe bet that your frequent flyer number entered during the booking process will carry through. Although even then, if you have an itinerary involving multiple airlines there is no guarantee that’ll carry through on every flight. Sometimes you can use a website like RoyalAirMaroc or RoyalJordanian to manually push through the frequent flyer when the OneWorld airline doesn’t accept your frequent flyer in the managed bookings section.

After updating the booking, it still gave me the same error in the app. Upgrading via the website worked fine though.

Sometimes it takes time for the changes to push through on the app (there’s literally a thread on the forum dedicated to this very issue)

Interestingly, after adding my FF number, I was able to choose a seat. I also had a better selection for the return flight, although that could have been coincidence.

that would likely be due to the flight not being booked direct with Qantas. It’s my understanding that seat selection is complimentary when booking direct with Qantas but otherwise costs extra. However, if you hold any status with Qantas aside from Bronze you’ll be able to select your seat free of charge even if you booked it elsewhere. Additionally, I believe Silver would unlock some seats that would otherwise cost extra or be unavailable to those without frequent flyer status.

Post automatically merged: Nov 17, 2023

Coldplay are preforming in Perth this weekend.

Impossible to get a Y ticket on Friday , so this may be a reason.

FWIW, J class on Friday is $4,500 one way

It’s times like these where you wish Qantas status was based on $$$ spent rather than status credits!

 

[MediumToast]

Thanks for all the replies everyone!

As predicted by many, my upgrade was unsuccessful.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

As predicted by many, my upgrade was unsuccessful.

Sorry for your loss (I see it was an A330 too with lie flat seats).

What I should mention about domestic upgrades using points is that unlike international upgrades there is a way to get confirmed instant upgrades using points to business when booking a cash fare. What you need to do when booking is to look for which domestic flights have business classic award availability. Those flights will let you book an economy ticket as cash and get a confirmed upgrade to business right then and there. If flying on a busy route like SYD > MEL or MEL > BNE, you'll find numerous nonstop QF options, some of which will advertise a business classic award booking. Provided the time works for you, those are the flights you want to book if you plan on requesting an upgrade.

Put differently, with some planning you can ensure you get an upgrade to business (on domestic flights) and for international flights, you can certainly increase your odds of your upgrade clearing (i.e. choosing flights on dates that have a large number of unsold business class seats).

-RooFlyer88

 

[MediumToast]

Sorry for your loss (I see it was an A330 too with lie flat seats).

hahaha I know! I was hoping to avoid the disintegrating business class seats on the 737-800's.

look for which domestic flights have business classic award availability. Those flights will let you book an economy ticket as cash and get a confirmed upgrade to business right then and there.

Damn that's good to know! Is the upgrade cost still the same? E.g. 10.9k for Y. Do you get upgrade confirmation prior to payment, or is there a small chance that someone else takes the last upgrade a few seconds before you?

Unfortunately the majority of my flights are booked by my employer via a corporate TA. Still really good to know though.

you can certainly increase your odds of your upgrade clearing (i.e. choosing flights on dates that have a large number of unsold business class seats).

I try to do this where possible and it usually results in an upgrade.