upgrade a family member?

[GCC]

Mrs C and I + 6 month old infant are traveling separately to the UK / Europe later this year, flying back together LHR - Syd. Plan is to book PE return for wife and award one way +PE back for me. Assumption is that as I'm WP odds of a points upgrade PE to J are pretty good.
QFF service agent, however, told me that if we aren't booked on the same itinerary for the full trip, my WP status wont count for upgrading the wife - only hers, which is nothing QFF bronze.
Is this right? Seems odd - flying domestic I often "link" separate bookings so we are allocated seats next to each other & I thought the same would apply.
If is is true any ideas for getting around this? (one way PE flights come at a hefty premium.)

 

[JohnK]

Yes apparently the rules for upgrade requests have changed in the terms and conditions but there has been conflicting evidence presented on AFF recently.

There are a number threads on AFF that mention the status of the person providing the QFF points for the upgrade is taken into consideration not the status of the person being upgraded.

 

[Travel Guru]

Is this right? Seems odd - flying domestic I often "link" separate bookings so we are allocated seats next to each other & I thought the same would apply.
If is is true any ideas for getting around this? (one way PE flights come at a hefty premium.)

I don't think it's odd at all, why should your wife with no status be placed at the front of the line ahead of SG's and PS's who have earned their own status just because you're a WP?
The TCP'ing for seating is a totally different scenario to a points upgrade.

As far as the fare, have you considered just purchasing a return fare and scrapping the one way FFP fare?
There has been some sales on of late, so you might want to keep an eye out for one which will reduce the price somewhat.

TG

 

[GCC]

Thanks for the response.
We have to arrive in the UK at different times, so the only way for us to have the same booking is to do separate OW bookings. QFF say that she will be upgraded on my status if we're on the same booking, my point is that I cant see the difference if we're on the same flight & linked, but with different booking numbers.
Also we're paying for PE - so why should a SG on discount Y move ahead of the wife of a WP (who paid a lot and flew a lot to get there - & was only just short of partner gold) paying 2 X the fare?
As JohnK says though it seems from the forums that "mostly" the status of the person actually does apply - I'd just like more certainty about the answer.
There are some discount PE fares - unfortunately they are for travel to LHR 4 October and I need to get there for a meeting mid September.
My other thought is to join the wife up to the Qantas club via our corporate scheme, that way she'd move up the status ladder? Is QC actually the equal of PS - or better?

 

[MelUser]

THe Qantas Points Requested and driven International Upgrade Lottery is by no means certain for anyone of any status.

There are many unknown variables and factors that play into upgrades.

I have some upcoming travel to US and as a plat the Premium Desk was umming and urring about the upgrade from PE to Bus even going through.

This is part of Qantas's strategy - keep them wondering until the last minute as if they are desparate enough they'll buy the business seat from us.

I would probably place the upgrades and then cross my fingers - do though report back on whether the upgrades went through.

 

[Travel Guru]

There's a good VA/VS combo Premium Economy fare on sale at the moment (V Australia to LA and then Virgin Atlantic LA-LON) for $2999++ - on sale to 12 Feb.

Sure its not QF or OW, but its a good price and you cant fault VA's Y+ product or service

TG

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Also we're paying for PE - so why should a SG on discount Y move ahead of the wife of a WP (who paid a lot and flew a lot to get there - & was only just short of partner gold) paying 2 X the fare?
As JohnK says though it seems from the forums that "mostly" the status of the person actually does apply - I'd just like more certainty about the answer.

I've been in this situation a couple of times. If you are on separate PNRs, then each upgrade request appears to be evaluated separately (I've been in the situation where my SO and I were departing from different ports at different times, so hence on different tickets). I'm WP, and she is SG, and I've been upgraded twice when she has not. We've take turns using the actual higher-class seat.

If both of you are on the same PNR, then the upgrade will be an all-or-nothing (either both of you will be upgraded, or neither). If you are on separate PNRs then they are evaluated separately. And it seems to be that the status of the person being upgraded is used. That said, even if your status was used, there might only be one seat released for an upgrade, so either you or your wife would get it, but not both of you.

 

[GCC]

Thanks. That agrees with the advice from the premium desk.
Interestingly I also asked them to check one way Y+ fares from LHR - Syd on 6/10, and by working from the UK site they came in at around $2500 incl tax! Assuming they were right and those can actually be booked the challenge is to find a one way Syd - LHR Y+ fare for 1/9 without a huge price tag and all will be sweet.