Trying for classic upgrade reward on Qantas international and having problems

[mooball]

I have a Qantas international flight next month booked with fare class L. It was my understanding that I could use QFF points to request an upgrade through the app, but I'm receiving a screen that says "Unfortunately, you are not eligible to request an upgrade on this flight".

Anyone have any ideas why this might be?

I suspect it might be because I have my qatar FF number attached to the booking, but I didn't originally think this should preclude me from using qantas points to upgrade the flight.

Open to any ideas!

 

[Quickstatus]

You need the QF FF number attached to your booking because they will deduct the points from QF points account. Without the QF FF number, they don't know if you have enough QF points to be able to upgrade.

The upgrade occurs electronically, QF do not call you to organise points transfer if successful. They just deduct the points automatically if successful. If not successful no points are taken.

The economy L fare is eligible for classic upgrade reward

 

[RichardMEL]

Agree. Change to QFF#, login to account, put in upgade request. Then you should be able to change it back to QR.

L class is upgradeable on QF operated international flights.

 

[mooball]

You need the QF FF number attached to your booking because they will deduct the points from QF points account. Without the QF FF number, they don't know if you have enough QF points to be able to upgrade.

The upgrade occurs electronically, QF do not call you to organise points transfer if successful. They just deduct the points automatically if successful. If not successful no points are taken.

The economy L fare is eligible for classic upgrade reward

Thank you. I had mistakenly assumed that because I could add the booking to my account via the qantas app that I would be able to upgrade that way... Looks like no dice.

 

[mooball]

Agree. Change to QFF#, login to account, put in upgade request. Then you should be able to change it back to QR.

Thanks for that tip. I'll try and change the loyalty program to Qantas and see how I go. Any tips for how to do this the quickest? (unable to through "manage booking")

 

[RichardMEL]

If MNB won't allow you to change via the pax info section, try using MNB at rj.com or finnair websites. One of those should allow you to change it. Frustrating I know.

 

[mooball]

If MNB won't allow you to change via the pax info section, try using MNB at rj.com or finnair websites. One of those should allow you to change it. Frustrating I know.

Done! Finnair didn't work but rj.com did. Absolutely bizarre and would never have thought of it myself. Thanks!

 

[RooFlyer]

Welcome to AFF @mooball

 

[maia200]

Welcome to AFF. Look at the help you've received so far

 

[baarg]

Hijacking this thread. I received multiple "last chances" to bid for an upgrade on my upcoming international trip with Qantas. Never tried bidding with Qantas so no idea if it's normal, but thought I'd test one of the legs of the trip and can put points and money or money only, but no opportunity for points only, and the minimum $ for the leg (SCL-SYD) per passenger is 1K each plus e.g. 60k points. This seems a bit steep, or is it normal? Also, why can't I bid points only?

 

[jpp42]

Hijacking this thread. I received multiple "last chances" to bid for an upgrade on my upcoming international trip with Qantas. Never tried bidding with Qantas so no idea if it's normal, but thought I'd test one of the legs of the trip and can put points and money or money only, but no opportunity for points only, and the minimum $ for the leg (SCL-SYD) per passenger is 1K each plus e.g. 60k points. This seems a bit steep, or is it normal? Also, why can't I bid points only?

Normally, upgrades using points only are done as "classic upgrade rewards" and this would be the the recommendation of 99% of regulars here - it's an excellent use of points. See https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/use-points/classic-upgrade-rewards.html - you will need to use the "Upgrade" button in Manage My Booking to register for the upgrade.

If you use points as part of the "Bid Now" upgrades they are essentially being redeemed for cash at a very poor exchange rate, and it's the ultimate cash value that counts in terms of strength of your offer. While you may be able to submit a part-cash, part-points upgrade bit for a lesser number of points than those required for a classic upgrade reward, this would be less likely to be successful as the classic upgrade rewards are processed first. It would only be if there was an high number of seats available, and your bid now upgrade was quite competitive (i.e. using up a lot of points at a low redemption rate), that this might work.

So unless you have a huge number of points that you are really itching to burn, and are happy to spend them on a medium to strong bid, I would stick to the classic upgrade rewards for best value. If you really want a confirmed premium cabin trip, the better option value wise is to use classic reward tickets, despite all the frustration with finding seats,. Members here can help you with this on other FAQ's and threads.

 

[baarg]

Thanks for the information . I have played with that too previously. The upgrade would set me back 98k points per passenger for one leg, for business. Never flew business , but 200k points for one leg of the flight seems too much. We could go somewhere with those points! Probably stick to my strategy...enduring the flights!

 

[baarg]

Classic awards (if it's the same) following the link, says PNR was not found in URL

 

[justinbrett]

60K points + 1K cash is steep, but still cheaper than the cash difference between Y and J.

Depends how much you want it.

I thought classic upgrades get processed before the bid now upgrades?

 

[jpp42]

Thanks for the information . I have played with that too previously. The upgrade would set me back 98k points per passenger for one leg, for business. Never flew business , but 200k points for one leg of the flight seems too much. We could go somewhere with those points! Probably stick to my strategy...enduring the flights!

What is your itinerary, is this an extra-long distance like LHR? Demand on the London-bound flights for premium cabins is extremely high and most upgrades will only go to Platinum and higher frequent fliers, which I suspect you may not be? The number of points for a classic upgrade does also change based on the fare level you originally purchased, i.e. it takes a lot more points from discount economy compared to flexible economy. And do consider a bid for premium economy, as the number of points needed is not usually too bad and it's a reasonable product on Qantas.

 

[jpp42]

I thought classic upgrades get processed before the bid now upgrades?

Yes, I did say this too, and that's what the QF web site says, but I suspect it's not quite the whole story. The first tranche of confirmed classic upgrade rewards get processed around the specified time (i.e. T-72 for Plat, T-24 for Gold and below), and after that is probably when the Bid Now upgrades are processed. However, there's also the last-minute "upgrade me as late as the gate" option which is clearly after Bid Now upgrades are processed, and these can certainly be successful too.

 

[baarg]

It is a long leg, SCL to SYD (14+ hs). The cost of points makes sense based on my status, which is tin thanks for the explanations. It's good to understand things a bit more. I did fly premium economy once and I actually didn't like it. Plus I travel with my son and the middle armrest cannot be lifted like in economy. Maybe I'll upgrade leg space or something, but then you get all the people queuing for the bathroom.

 

[Mwenenzi]

I have a Qantas international flight next month booked with fare class L. It was my understanding that I could use QFF points to request an upgrade through the app, but I'm receiving a screen that says "Unfortunately, you are not eligible to request an upgrade on this flight".

Anyone have any ideas why this might be?

I suspect it might be because I have my qatar FF number attached to the booking, but I didn't originally think this should preclude me from using qantas points to upgrade the flight.

In the past I have upgraded an "eligible family member" who was flying QFi with an AA ffn in the reservation.
Do you have a "cloned brother" ?

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/use-points/classic-upgrade-rewards.html#domestic-on-departure-upgrades

Upgrading Family members
If you're travelling with family, your upgrade request will include all passengers in your booking who are eligible family members. If your booking includes passengers other than eligible family members, you will need to contact Qantas to split the booking and then you will be able to request an upgrade.

If you are not travelling but want to use your points to request an upgrade for an eligible family member, the upgrade will be awarded according to the eligible family member's priority, not the status of the Qantas Frequent Flyer whose points are being used. An exception is made when Platinum One members (who aren’t travelling) redeem points for an upgrade on behalf of eligible family members. In this case the eligible family members will enjoy a higher priority.

How do I request an upgrade for an eligible family member who is not travelling with me?

• Log in to your Qantas Frequent Flyer account at qantas.com
• Select 'Upgrade a family member’
• Enter their Booking reference and Last name and follow the steps

 

[Rick93]

When checking for upgrade availability ...
If both Business and Premium Economy are available ...
Can you bid for both, if you only have enough points for one ?
If you miss out on J, will they complete the upgrade to Premium without asking you ?

 

[RichardMEL]

When checking for upgrade availability ...
If both Business and Premium Economy are available ...
Can you bid for both, if you only have enough points for one ?
If you miss out on J, will they complete the upgrade to Premium without asking you ?

if you have enough points for J then it's fine - since you can only get one upgrade on a flight (no doubles). If, of course, you only have enough for Y->PE that's a different issue. ie: if you get the J upgrade, PE is irrelevant, and if you don't get the J upgrade, but PE comes through, you have the points anyway.

Anyway when putting the upgrade request in, there's usually an option (or they have wording to the effect - I forget) to upgrade to PE if J is not available, along with "upgrade at the gate" option.

so yes, you can.