QFF points to upgrade on BA?

[Smart86]

My wife and I are probably going to take BA up on its Mastercard Free upgrade on one leg offer shortly. We were planning to use QFF points to upgrade the OTHER leg of the journey. Having read this on the one-world site:

Can I use my frequent flyer points/miles to upgrade within oneworld?
Some of our members allow customers of their frequent flyer programme to upgrade on flights operated by that member. However, there is no policy within oneworld allowing customers of one member's programme to upgrade on flights operated by another member.

I thought it would be easy. Spoke to BA- they seemed fine about it. Spoke to QF and, well, how dare I even consider such a thing. Oh, and it cannot possibly be done. Cannot use QFF points to upgrade on another carrier, regardless of OneWorld status.

Has anyone successfully used QFF points in this manner? Is the information I'm getting correct?

 

[v8Statesman]

Welcome Smart86 to AFF!

Quick answer to your question. Can't be done. QFF points used for upgrades will only work on QF Fights. (Marketed and operated)

 

[Mwenenzi]

Cannot use QFF points to upgrade on another carrier, regardless of OneWorld status.

QF points can only be used to upgrade a QF flight number on a QF aircraft. QF points cannot be used on codeshares or non QF aircraft.

As stated
Some of our members allow customers of their frequent flyer programme to upgrade on flights operated by that member. However, there is no policy within oneworld allowing customers of one member's programme to upgrade on flights operated by another member

 

[Smart86]

Blast. That's what I thought after speaking with Qf.

Now, how do I tell my wife it's only a one-way upgrade?

 

[MelUser]

But even a one way upgrade is not guaranteed - you like everyone else is playing "The International Upgrade Lottery" ("IUL" for short). Good luck with that - let us know how you go.

 

[taswegian77]

i think you will find that smart86 is getting a special offer which appears to guarantee the one way upgrade, i.e. it is not a points request. Maybe I read the thread wrong though??

 

[taswegian77]

sorry mel, i just worked out what you were saying, my apologies...

 

[Travel Guru]

The Mastercard one direction offer is a guaranteed upgrade Y to Y+, Y+ to J or J to F.

I've had clients with BA status and pts who cant even upgrade on that fare because BA are too useless to do so, so dont feel too bad.

Which upgrade are you on Y+, J or F?

TG

 

[Smart86]

Travel Guru asked: Which upgrade are you on Y+, J or F?

Planning on Y+ one way and J return (or the other way around, depending on availability).

Added bonus: this trip's status points will allow me to keep Gold QFF status.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Is this a Mastercard only promotion? I'm sure I've seen the same thing advertised by one or other travel agent on the bottom of the Sydney Morning Herald (one way upgrade: Y -> Y+, Y+ -> J, J -> F) when booking a return trip.

 

[Travel Guru]

Is this a Mastercard only promotion? I'm sure I've seen the same thing advertised by one or other travel agent on the bottom of the Sydney Morning Herald (one way upgrade: Y -> Y+, Y+ -> J, J -> F) when booking a return trip.

Yeh good question, its called the Mastercard BA Promo even on the agent fare sheets, but it doesnt need to be paid with MC, they must just be kicking in something to BA for the promo.

Smart86, thats a good fare, you're lucky, it was meant to finish last month but they extended it through to this.
I'd definately try and get the J on the way back for obvious reasons, but it comes down to whats available, and given J is in 'I' Class, it can be hard to get at times.

Have fun
TG

 

[v8Statesman]

Is this a Mastercard only promotion? I'm sure I've seen the same thing advertised by one or other travel agent on the bottom of the Sydney Morning Herald (one way upgrade: Y -> Y+, Y+ -> J, J -> F) when booking a return trip.

Here it is on the BA website.

MasterCard upgrade - British Airways

 

[Sprucegoose]

Welcome Smart86 to AFF!

Quick answer to your question. Can't be done. QFF points used for upgrades will only work on QF Fights. (Marketed and operated)

Ol V8 is absolutely correct and this also applies to airlines as part of the Star alliance group as well. - where i have tried this and failed, at top tier level. No sense of humour left........

Welcome smart86 - Cheers SPRUCE

 

[simongr]

Ol V8 is absolutely correct and this also applies to airlines as part of the Star alliance group as well. - where i have tried this and failed, at top tier level. No sense of humour left........

Actually I believe that within *A some programs have "system wide upgrades" that can be used on any carrier and benefits such as increased luggage apply across carriers rather than just for your home carrier.

 

[NM]

Actually I believe that within *A some programs have "system wide upgrades" that can be used on any carrier and benefits such as increased luggage apply across carriers rather than just for your home carrier.

Partner airline upgrades are not available between all Star Alliance partners. It can ge confusing as to which programs can upgrade on which partner airlines.

 

[trooper]

True...and the "price" of those partner upgrades is astronomical.. so..nice in theory! For the average joe it may as well not exist...IMO...

There is an excellent "across Alliance" availability of all the status perks (including baggage) on "*" if my experience is anything to go by... Home FFP is NZ..flown UA/US/SQ/OZ/NH/TG/AC so far and that has been the case...

Didn't realise OW wasn't the same..????