Red E-Deal vs. Flexi Saver when seeking to Upgrade (International)

[orangehenry]

I'm going to be doing SYD-SIN, BKK-SYD in July. I have found 2 fare types on qantas.com, both indicating they are eligible for Flight Upgrade Awards. The Red E-Deal fare is about $600 less than the Flexi Saver fare. In terms of securing an upgrade to J (or PE even - I'm on A380 both ways), is there any advantage in me spending the extra $600?

Thanks!

 

[ozmille]

From what I have read on here posted by a QF rep only status plays a part in the upgrade game, not fare.

 

[ajca]

From what I have read on here posted by a QF rep only status plays a part in the upgrade game, not fare.

Conventional wisdom is that fare class is used as a tie-breaker if two customers with the same status request an upgrade. If you are Bronze it could indeed be the deciding factor on whether you get your upgrade. But no one outside of Qantas yield management or IT could give you a definitive answer to whether this is true - and if even if they felt inclined to to they probably wouldn't be able to tell you with any certainly how much difference in will make on any given flight on any given day.

Personally I wouldn't front up an extra $600 given that you have absolutely no way of knowing whether this will increase your chances of getting an upgrade by 0% or 100%.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Personally I wouldn't front up an extra $600 given that you have absolutely no way of knowing whether this will increase your chances of getting an upgrade by 0% or 100%.

Spend the saved money on a nice set of noise cancelling headphones. Best way to turn a Y seat into something more bearable!

 

[Joshua]

Spend the saved money on a nice set of noise cancelling headphones. Best way to turn a Y seat into something more bearable!

Definitely agree.

If you're happy to throw $600 + points at it, NC headphones & an exit row would be the best bet for a non-status pax.

 

[harvyk]

Save your $600... If you spent the $600 and had your upgrade knocked back you'll spend the entire flight thinking about what you could have done with that $600.
$600 will buy a lot of comforts which helps ease the pain of Y travel both for in the air, and on the ground once you arrive.

 

[ajca]

I'm going to be doing SYD-SIN, BKK-SYD in July... I'm on A380 both ways

Also unless one of Qantas's A380s gets VERY lost I would be quite surprised if your BKK-SYD is on an A380.

 

[serfty]

Status is the only published criteria.

All WP would be upgraded before any SG.

It's what happens within tiers that is the subject of conjecture. Posted on a wing and a prayer ...

 

[harvyk]

I'm on A380 both ways

Recheck your booking, I do believe it's A330's they run up to BKK these days.
So J is Skybed MK I and there is no PE...

 

[orangehenry]

Also unless one of Qantas's A380s gets VERY lost I would be quite surprised if your BKK-SYD is on an A380.

Flying BKK-SIN on CX to meet up with QF2.

so Ive taken the advice and stuck with red e-deal. Thanks for the input everyone!

 

[deejo77]

How much for a "comfort" seat in Y? thats if you want some extra room on the flight

 

[stomplad]

Last I flew to US, International Red E Deals were not eligible for upgrades. Has that changed?

 

[ozmille]

Last I flew to US, International Red E Deals were not eligible for upgrades. Has that changed?

Have done a quick check and Sale fares can not be upgraded but the Red e-Deals can

 

[elbarto]

Last I flew to US, International Red E Deals were not eligible for upgrades. Has that changed?

There was a time where this was true, but it does seem red-e deals are now upgradable. As always, best to check the T&Cs before purchase.


Sent from an Apple iPad wireless device

 

[serfty]

There was a time where this was true, but it does seem red-e deals are now upgradable. As always, best to check the T&Cs before purchase. ...

In reality, most N, O, Q , X & E international fares are not upgradeable.

There are some exceptions - typically, a few N fares out of, say, SIN.

At the time of booking, you need to check the fare rules, and if it indicates upgradeable, take a screen print.

From there, if on-line upgrade indicates no-go you need to call to get the upgrade lodged - if any push back, state the fare rules as indicated to you at the time of booking, etc. ...

 

[rejox]

Last I flew to US, International Red E Deals were not eligible for upgrades. Has that changed?

I have a flight to DFW booked on a red e-deal fare booking code X (ASA) and it says "Flight Upgrade Awards are not eligible on all Red e-Deal fares between Australia and North America.". I try hit upgrade from the booking screen and no love.

So i think its quite specific to the booking code like serfty said.

 

[orangehenry]

I have a flight to DFW booked on a red e-deal fare booking code X (ASA) and it says "Flight Upgrade Awards are not eligible on all Red e-Deal fares between Australia and North America.". I try hit upgrade from the booking screen and no love.

So i think its quite specific to the booking code like serfty said.

I just went to the request an upgrade page on qantas.com.au and it is showing me the option to request on all legs (except the one operated by CX of course).