Upgrade request period question

[Mal]

What are the chances of getting a complimentary upgrade on this flight? Is it likely to be oversold in WHY? Worst case is I still have my exit row seat (I hope)....

Tis the season for op-ups - as it is every year around late Dec / early Jan due to overbooking in Economy and not many bookings in Business/First.

I'd assume that the flight will be full in economy as they have fully or over booked (as they've effectively closed off bookings).

Will you be lucky? You'll find out on the 20th.

 

[Evan]

JohnK, That looks pretty good at the moment.
Whats your onwards plans ? anything or stay the night in SIN, i may be doing my trip back DLC-PVG-SIN and then out SIN-ICN on the 20th so maybe we can catch a beer at one of the lounges if your also connecting that day.

I am liking this time of the year, about to transfer Amex points to SQ for a J/C redemption i think. SIN-ICN to start a DONE4/DONE3
Hmmm let me see about 30k SQ miles in J/C on a saver fare or pay the cheapest 1 way $960 SGD, and no whY awards on JL,CX,SQ.
A good chance to get some decent time in J

E

 

[JohnK]

Will you be lucky? You'll find out on the 20th.

I never expect complimentary upgrades but when I saw the availability on this flight my eyes lit up. Still no guarantees but I live in hope for another 13 days and a chance of an op-up slighter better than Buckley's. Can you tell that I am not too excited about much else at the moment?

JohnK, That looks pretty good at the moment.
Whats your onwards plans ? anything or stay the night in SIN, i may be doing my trip back DLC-PVG-SIN and then out SIN-ICN on the 20th so maybe we can catch a beer at one of the lounges if your also connecting that day.

I land about 9:45pm and should be in Hotel 81 Opera around 10:30pm. The plan was to go to my favourite eating place, gorgeous lamb chops, on Geylang Road and then possibly a karaoke joint or two although this time I must make sure I do not walk into the one frequented mainly by Japanese as the drinks are way too expensive. I may even venture out to Top Ten in Orchard Plaza as I have not been there for a while but I will be tired after the longish WHY flight and closer to the hotel would be better for me.

I fly out on CX712 Sunday afternoon so if you are available for a drink or two Saturday night I can easily change my plans....

 

[Evan]

Hi,
Not sure yet, just waiting for my Amex -> SQ points transfer and availability on the other flights i need, will decide in the next few days if i leave Saturday night or Sunday night, i would actually prefer Saturday as i want to spend plenty of time in Japan.
E

 

[JohnK]

Not sure yet, just waiting for my Amex -> SQ points transfer and availability on the other flights i need, will decide in the next few days if i leave Saturday night or Sunday night, i would actually prefer Saturday as i want to spend plenty of time in Japan.

No problem. You know what time I arrive. If you are still at the airport around that time of the night we can have a drink at one of the airport bars or I can try to get into the QF Business Lounge if I ask nicely. Geylang and food can wait for a couple of hours.

 

[Evan]

No problem. You know what time I arrive. If you are still at the airport around that time of the night we can have a drink at one of the airport bars or I can try to get into the QF Business Lounge if I ask nicely. Geylang and food can wait for a couple of hours.

Hmmm, i see the problem, anytime access for the WP guest is only when traveling, then again are you not WP ? and i am WP, so we should be able to get access without issues i would not think.

Anyway, fingers crossed for upgrades all around

E

 

[serfty]

QF5 SYD-SIN on 20 December

J9 C9 D9 I9 U0 Y0 B0 H0 K0 M0 L0 V0 S0 N0

I was thinking of putting in a request for a QFF points upgrade, (yes I know I have either been drinking or been out in the sun for too long) but when I saw the fare buckets I thought I would save the points. What are the chances of getting a complimentary upgrade on this flight? Is it likely to be oversold in WHY? Worst case is I still have my exit row seat (I hope)....

By putting in an upgrade request, you would be ahead of those of any status merely hoping for an op-up.

(A WP's chances of op-up is quite high as well, but note that an NB waitlisted for a points upgrade would normally be ahead of that WP who is hopeful of an up up).

 

[NM]

I agree there is a good chance that someone will get upgraded. As serfty says, the first batch will go to any FF members waitlisted for a points upgrade. If that does not clear enough seats in Y then some op-ups may be in order. A common reason for someone being op-upped is that they need a specific seat of group of seats to allow a family to sit together. So they look to shuffle people around to get a block of seats they can use for that purpose. I think its unlikely they would try to create a block of seats for a family using exit row seats. So I would think that being pre-allocated in an exit row reduces the chance of an op-up.

 

[serfty]

... A common reason for someone being op-upped is that they need a specific seat of group of seats to allow a family to sit together. So they look to shuffle people around to get a block of seats they can use for that purpose. I think its unlikely they would try to create a block of seats for a family using exit row seats. So I would think that being pre-allocated in an exit row reduces the chance of an op-up.

In that particular situation it may be the case, but certainly not always.

Saturday on boarding for AKL-MEL I received that Beep (metaphorically) and my exit aisle BP was swapped for one showing 1F!

Last year, SWMBO and I had 29B/C on QF25 (2 class 744 exit seats) pre-allocated MEL-AKL, but on check-in were handed 4J/K PB's. Still not certain why, the flight was not full in any cabin, but I now believe the exit seats were given to through MEL-LAX PAX as the flight was rather more 'sold' MEL/AKL-LAX then MEL-AKL.

 

[Evan]

But bulkhead rows, like row 23 in the A330's can be gold mines when it comes to op-ups even onboard. Happened a few times since i like that front row and its been nice to have babies with a bassinet.
E

 

[JohnK]

All valid points but I think I will refrain from putting in a request for upgrade to business class with points. Is the seat map still available on expert flyer? How many business class seats are actually showing as un-allocated?

So I would think that being pre-allocated in an exit row reduces the chance of an op-up.

Not necessarily. I was in exit row in September during school holidays on SYD-SIN and I still got op-up to business class. The op-up was already allocated before I got to check-in. Who knows how many people are moved around the economy cabin to try and make sure a high status person gets an op-up especially if the op-ups are allocated before check-in?

 

[NM]

Not necessarily. I was in exit row in September during school holidays on SYD-SIN and I still got op-up to business class. The op-up was already allocated before I got to check-in. Who knows how many people are moved around the economy cabin to try and make sure a high status person gets an op-up especially if the op-ups are allocated before check-in?

That is why I was very careful in my selection of words . I did not say it never happens.

For a day-time flight I would be happy to stick with an exit row allocation. For an overnight flight I would enter the points upgrade lottery.

 

[JohnK]

For a day-time flight I would be happy to stick with an exit row allocation. For an overnight flight I would enter the points upgrade lottery.

It is an afternoon flight. Does that count as daytime?

I just can't convince myself to spend 40,000 QFF points on an upgrade. I think I will be able to survive the flight in WHY especially after a few beers after golf and before the flight in the F lounge. :-|

 

[NM]

It is an afternoon flight. Does that count as daytime?

For me it does. Its a time when I would normally expect to be awake and not trying to sleep.

I just can't convince myself to spend 40,000 QFF points on an upgrade. I think I will be able to survive the flight in WHY especially after a few beers after golf and before the flight in the F lounge. :-|

For me, if its important not to be in Y then I pay for J or F. I don't use the QF upgrade lottery for anything other than enhancing the experience. If I pay for Y then I make sure I will be content in Y and winning the lottery (points or op-up) is all bonus.

 

[JohnK]

J8 C8 D7 I7 U0 Y2 B0 H0 K0 M0 L0 V0 S0 N0

And as usual the funny business starts. My hopes of another op-up have been shattered. Exit row in WHY and a few drinks before, and during, the flight will help me get through the flight....

 

[JohnK]

I looked at class availability for QF5 last night/this morning and all classes were 0 except for Y8. So I thought no chance for me to get an op-up as all upgrade requests had been granted. No problem I still have my 46C!

Got to the airport a short while ago and checkin in took about 5 minutes or so without a boarding pass printed so I assumed I would not be getting an op-up. Anyway bags tagged and I was asked if aisle seat was fine. And I said no problem that is what I was allocated. Take passport and boarding pass and notice 16J on the business class boarding pass. :shock: I asked I am in business? The check-in lady said didn't you know? I just said no but look confused and happy at the same time.

I am going to have to name this experience the 'silent op-up'. Anyway good things happen to good people, eventually....

 

[serfty]

A coveted Upper deck Exit seat ...

Well, it is "Upgrade Season" ....

I believe today's Y8 represent J seats Qantas were willing to sell/allocate to any full fare Y PAX.

... Enjoy ...

 

[Ric]

Less than 10 hrs to the flight, the request for upgrade Y>J for my daughter in Check my trip is showing:
Manila to Sydney Flight 1
Monday, December 29, 2008 confirmed from waitlist
Departure:18:35Manila, Philippines - Ninoy Aquino International , terminal I1 Arrival:07:40 +1 day(s) Sydney, Australia - Kingsford Smith , terminal 1 Note: includes 1 technical stop(s) Airline:Qantas Airways QF020 Duration:10:05Aircraft: Boeing 767-300/300ER Last check in:information not availableFare type:Business information not available

No points have been deducted and QF's manage my bookings shows:
Flight Back:
Mon 29 Dec 0818:35 Manila07:40 (Tue) SydneyQF020
International 1 90 minutes before departure More flight info
Note: An upgrade to Business is requested. Status of upgrade will be shown 5 hours before departure. Weather Airport Info Inflight Entertainment
Destination Guides Baggage Inflight duty free

Status: Confirmed
Upgrade status: Waitlisted
Class: Business (U)
Flight Duration: 10h 05m
Travel Money

Do I trust Check my trip as upgrade have been confirmed? Her previous allocated seat have gone from Check my trip.

Thanks,

Ric

 

[serfty]

... Do I trust Check my trip as upgrade have been confirmed? Her previous allocated seat have gone from Check my trip. ...

The flight segment of an unsuccessful upgrade request generally has two entries in C/M/T. If you see only the one entry then your request is probably successful.

The unsuccessful request would show something like:

Manila to Sydney
Flight 1
Monday, December 29, 2008

confirmed

Departure:18:35Manila, Philippines - Ninoy Aquino International , terminal I1 Arrival:07:40 +1 day(s) Sydney, Australia - Kingsford Smith , terminal 1 Note: includes 1 technical stop(s) Airline:Qantas Airways QF020 Duration:10:05Aircraft: Boeing 767-300/300ER Last check in:information not availableFare type:Economy Restricted REFRESHMENT, MEAL (NON SPECIFIC)

Manila to Sydney
Flight 1
Monday, December 29, 2008

waitlisted

Departure:18:35Manila, Philippines - Ninoy Aquino International , terminal I1 Arrival:07:40 +1 day(s) Sydney, Australia - Kingsford Smith , terminal 1 Note: includes 1 technical stop(s) Airline:Qantas Airways QF020 Duration:10:05Aircraft: Boeing 767-300/300ER Last check in:information not availableFare type:Business information not available

 

[Ric]

Thanks Serfty.

There were two entries as of last night in both QF's Manage Your Bookings and Check My Trip but this morning, both show only one entry.

Points still not deducted but I think the upgrade request is sucessful. Check My Trip definitely shows Fare: Business.

Ric