The Operational Upgrade Thread

[BVT]

I have been told by a domestic Lounge (non) dragon that they do not have authority to do anything apart from issue BP's and anything else the computer "tells" them to do! Someone else, who they must telephone can change flights, even on a non changeable fare and might give opups!

Although it was unsaid, I was left with the very clear impression it was far too much effort to do anything if the computer says "no".

Conversely, I have had the opposite experience in the LAX J Lounge.

 

[anat0l]

Does anyone have an opinion about whether online check-in reduces your chances of an upgrade?

If you're talking about domestic, then in my experience I think it makes no difference.

I almost always check-in online to secure my seat (especially in the era before Advance Seat Selection). I don't often print a BP (since sometimes I'm not connected to a printer), but I have rocked up already OLCI'd and been op-upped (either at the bag drop counter, lounge or gate).

I think it matters little for international flights as well, at least from my experience, although it may be different at remote stations (i.e. flights going to Australia).

 

[bossreggie]

My +1 has had 6 Op-Ups in the last year including 3 International flights.

He has used OLCI every time. Twice he was paged in the F Lounge, every other time has been at the gate when boarding.

 

[medhead]

I have been told by a domestic Lounge (non) dragon that they do not have authority to do anything apart from issue BP's and anything else the computer "tells" them to do! Someone else, who they must telephone can change flights, even on a non changeable fare and might give opups!

Although it was unsaid, I was left with the very clear impression it was far too much effort to do anything if the computer says "no".

Conversely, I have had the opposite experience in the LAX J Lounge.

domestically, that is probably the case. As I heard the Gate agent ring up and discuss moving me when I had my only op-up in 2010. They started the conversation with words to the effect "I want to move a passenger, I would have done it but I know that technically we need to ring you" The gate agent then discussed how someone else showed them how to do it, and how the did it all the time without ringing in.

I do think at times that the lounge dragons can get given blanket permission to move people, as I've had a couple of J lounge experiences of asking for a move on a red-e-deal, (also when I missed a flight) of being told that it is no problem as they are moving people anyway. This is usually when a storm has hit or there are other delays.

 

[JohnK]

Does anyone have an opinion about whether online check-in reduces your chances of an upgrade?

Any figures that anyone provides are going to be meaningless anyway.

I used OLCI for MEL-SIN flight and got upgraded in MEL F lounge from economy to premium economy. Did not use OLCI for SIN-PER and did not get op-up and stayed in my assigned economy seat.

Personally I do not believe using OLCI has any effect on op-up chances but does almost guarantee that your 'oversold' seat will not be given to someone else....

 

[blue_bug]

Got op up from Y to Y+ on my way back from HK on the 5th, and I did the OLCI the day before. Maybe that I was abit late to QF desk (5 minutes after the checkin closed , damn airport bus).

Was hoping to continue the collection of the 40C BPs.

 

[Carlous Moochous]

I got upgraded from Y+ to Business 2 about 18months ago on MEL-LAX.. was great! That's the best phone call I've ever got from an airline ("I'm sorry sir, we aren't able to provide premium economy on your service so unfortunately we've had to upgrade you to business class, is that ok?")..

 

[markis10]

Changed flights to a later flight today to TSV to allow for travel via public transport, did not realize the 2PM is a popular flight that was oversold in Y, my OLCI for 4A morphed into 1F overnight, with the only two seats spare on the plane being 1C & D. To top it off they were serving Vasse Felix again, canceled hire car at TSV and caught a taxi

 

[Voyages]

Got op up from Y to Y+ on my way back from HK .......

Was hoping to continue the collection of the 40C BPs.

What a disappointing outcome :mrgreen:

 

[Jasecoop]

2nd trip in a row syd jhb with no upgrade. Might have to start trying other airlines

 

[guybaxy]

Was UG at the gate last night SYD-BNE 630pm flight very full old 767, it beeped and she said UG

 

[kirk7]

had my first DOM op-up the other day SYD to BNE; sold out 767

thought it was never gonna happen after so many years...

on another note- status matched with DJ GOLD and was upgraded on the 3rd flight to W

 

[anat0l]

2nd trip in a row syd jhb with no upgrade. Might have to start trying other airlines

Points upgrade denied or no operational upgrade?

I flew to JNB on QF before and although the loadings prior to T-24 suggested that I might be bumped up from Y, as soon as T-24 hit a whole bunch of Y classes started showing availability and the inventories of many premium cabins started to drop. Points upgrades, needless to say.

If you were denied a points upgrade, I'd be a bit surprised, although I have no idea what the elite loads are like on that sector.

If you were expecting an op up, then that's a bit rich. Even more so since your sample size is 2.


Why don't you try EK? I see you're EK Gold, and from what I hear EK regularly upgrades their elites (even on board).

 

[Archphoto]

2nd trip in a row syd jhb with no upgrade. Might have to start trying other airlines

In the time I spent as WP (5 years) I received a total of 3 upgrades - 1 at check-in with CX (BKK-SIN), 1 at check-in with QF (ADL-BKK) and one with JAL at their lounge (NRT-PEK), although I had to plead my case - my colleague with no status had been upgraded on her flight from ADL-NRT, and my initial enquiry had been turned down.

I have *never* been given a points upgrade ever, even when asking 6 months in advance - would love to know how *that* works. . . . . .

Dropping back to Gold was a bit of a downer, after a lean year of flying here in Asia, but the trip back to AU in August last year was a gem - compliments of BA. Upgraded at check-in to Traveller Plus and then to J at the gate - kudos all round for that.

In fact, I have better luck with upgrades flying BA & CX - QF upgrades are a rarity for me personally.

Now if I could just get the upgrade ease of BA, with the wonderful service of CX and the safety record of QF.......think that could make for a perfect flight.:mrgreen:

 

[Lan]

This has been a rather enlightening thread. I've been flying since 2004, with 35-55 Dom flights a year (pretty rare Int legs), all on Q and mostly red e-deal on the way over and flexi on the way back. Never once have I been OP-UP'd.

That's 0 from approx 2400-3600 flights. I do NOT rate well on that algorithm (despite being the one decides what company my team flies with - not that Q would know).

I can see that there are plenty of other WP's (& even >SGs) in my shoes, but still, it cloys a little to hear how many OP-UPs others manage. In summary... :mrgreen:

 

[JohnK]

If you were expecting an op up, then that's a bit rich. Even more so since your sample size is 2.

To be fair Jasecoop flies business class (by the sounds of it regularly on this route) and has been getting regular op-ups to F. I am guessing his comment about not getting an op-up was more tongue in cheek.

 

[kirk7]

This has been a rather enlightening thread. I've been flying since 2004, with 35-55 Dom flights a year (pretty rare Int legs), all on Q and mostly red e-deal on the way over and flexi on the way back. Never once have I been OP-UP'd.

That's 0 from approx 2400-3600 flights. I do NOT rate well on that algorithm (despite being the one decides what company my team flies with - not that Q would know).

I can see that there are plenty of other WP's (& even >SGs) in my shoes, but still, it cloys a little to hear how many OP-UPs others manage. In summary... :mrgreen:

Lan- I do about the same as you 30-40 best fare of the day thing and I thought it was a mirage when it beeped and got handed a J BP. Thought they had given my bulkhead seat and given me a worst seat. Very pleasant surpass but I'm sure your turn will come.

I had an op-up with AA to "F" from lax to las vegas...Even though it was on air Alaska paper

 

[Jasecoop]

To be fair Jasecoop flies business class (by the sounds of it regularly on this route) and has been getting regular op-ups to F. I am guessing his comment about not getting an op-up was more tongue in cheek.

You're right John, tongue in cheek. On the flip side, flew this leg 7 times last year and averaged >75% upgrade to first. The last 2 trips since achieving lifetime gold I've haven't had one. Now that I am ltg, what incentive is there to stay with qantas. Might try V Aus next month.

 

[sealthedeal]

This has been a rather enlightening thread. I've been flying since 2004, with 35-55 Dom flights a year (pretty rare Int legs), all on Q and mostly red e-deal on the way over and flexi on the way back. Never once have I been OP-UP'd.

That's 0 from approx 2400-3600 flights. I do NOT rate well on that algorithm (despite being the one decides what company my team flies with - not that Q would know).

I can see that there are plenty of other WP's (& even >SGs) in my shoes, but still, it cloys a little to hear how many OP-UPs others manage. In summary... :mrgreen:

Same... I haven't had a surprise upgrade in ten years, although it used to be really common. What happened?

 

[Lan]

JohnK - you make me laugh! I have, however been OP-DO on more than 6 occasions from bulkhead. I fear that beep like I fear a mid flight announcement from your captain speaking. They are neither the sounds of good news to me