Upgrade to Business Class using points! Is it worth it?

[JohnK]

I have been looking at QF010 SIN-MEL on April 21 and looks like has plenty of availability in economy. When I allocated 37D there was someone already allocated in 37FG so I assumed that there would be a good chance that 37E would remain vacant. When I look at check my trip it seems as if someone has plonked themselves down in 37E. With 4 people sitting in that row flight would not be very comfortable for me and them. It may also mean that this seat is not allocated but is blocked from view in check my trip.

There is plenty of availability further back but I don't want to take the risk of changing allocated seat and have the same thing happen.

Would it be a good idea to try to upgrade to business class using 40,000 FF points? If used wisely, 40,000 points, on award redemption and taking into consideration taxes and charges is probably worth $800. As a mere PS before this flight I do not like my chances of upgrade coming through. Anyway as someone who does not easily acquire FF points it seems an awful lot of points to use on one flight.

I find it very hard to put a $value on a business class seat. As far as service, food and beverages goes they are probably worth $50 more than economy, assuming you don't go overboard guzzling. I cannot see how the seat itself would be worth $750 more, based on my calculations, than an economy seat for 7 hours use. But then there are the recliners? What $value do you place on avaiding them?

What do you think?

 

[aus_flyer]

Points are there to be used!

I say go for it.

 

[DPG]

JohnK this is a much easier question than the one I was asking a couple of days ago...

YES!

The difference between Economy and Business is enormous, and well worth the 40,000 Points!

Put your request in to upgrade as soon as possible, which gets you into the list!

You can always take it out later (up until 24 hours before) if you change your mind!

D P G from Istanbul

edited as my grammar is hopeless at the moment!

 

[Dave Noble]

Only you can answer that. Personally, I use most of my points on upgrades and , since the scheme changed in 2001, have only used points for upgrades ( other than for a oneway to Libya coming up in May where 18000 points seemed a good choice over AUD1000 ).


Dave

 

[Optics]

It all depends on your personal circumstances of course. You say you don't accrue points easily, so you need to ensure you use them wisely. If using these 40,000 points prevents a family holiday, then it is probably not worth it.

However, the Skybed seats are great and it is nice to be pampered a bit during the flight. If you are unsure, it is probably worth requesting the upgrade, as you can always withdraw later. If you don't request early, your chances are very low.

 

[aus_flyer]

you can always withdraw later.

As long as it's not confirmed.

 

[Damien]

I believe the best way to use points is to upgrade from enconomy to business on a long flight. Go for it.

 

[Yada Yada]

JohnK - I'd also go for it. Economy for a flight that long sucks big time. :x

Note that you can purchase a business class seat outright for a SIN-MEL flight for 60,000 points, only 50% more.

 

[NM]

I too would be waitlisting for an upgrade. If it comes if then enjoy the comfort. If not, then you have the points in the bank for next time.

But its your decision as to whether you perceive this as the goal for which you have been saving the points.

 

[serfty]

... Would it be a good idea to try to upgrade to business class using 40,000 FF points? ...

JohnK,

IMO, upgrades from WHY to J are generally still the most cost effective use of FF points.

It's a pain for me that most of my WHY flights these days are in a non-upgradeable class (N, O, Q) and as such rarely have the chance to do so.

So, if your booking class permits it, I suggest you go for it.

 

[Yada Yada]

Hope you don't mind a bit of thread drift...

I'd like to know how best to use the three upgrade credits I have remaining in my FF account. Any ideas (aside from giving them to you)?

 

[Damien]

I'd like to know how best to use the three upgrade credits I have remaining in my FF account. Any ideas (aside from giving them to you)?

I have one. I have a feeling that I won't be using it.

 

[serfty]

Hope you don't mind a bit of thread drift...

I'd like to know how best to use the three upgrade credits I have remaining in my FF account. Any ideas (aside from giving them to you)?

G'day Cuz! Hows it goin' in Caringbah? Good I hope? :twisted:

 

[serfty]

Hope you don't mind a bit of thread drift...

I'd like to know how best to use the three upgrade credits I have remaining in my FF account. Any ideas (aside from giving them to you)?

Seriously Though...

3 UC's can be used for a one class upgrade from WHY -> J or from J -> F for flights from 3,601 miles up to 5,800 miles. (WHY upgrades are irrespective of discount/full economy classes.)

Some of these might include:

4277 ADL-HKG 
5704 AKL-HKG
4321 BNE-HKG 
3821 BNE-SIN
3658 CNS-NRT
4610 MEL-HKG 
5087 MEL-NRT 
4987 MEL-PVG 
3753 MEL-SIN  
3754 PER-HKG 
4943 PER-NRT 
4692 SYD-BKK 
4599 SYD-HKG 
5082 SYD-HNL 
4871 SYD-NRT 
4892 SYD-PVG 
3915 SYD-SIN

 

[straitman]

Hope you don't mind a bit of thread drift...

I'd like to know how best to use the three upgrade credits I have remaining in my FF account. Any ideas (aside from giving them to you)?

For all you people who don't know how to use your UC's "I'm sure we are related some way or other"

 

[Yada Yada]

Seriously Though...

3 UC's can be used for a one class upgrade from WHY -> J or from J -> F for flights from 3,601 miles up to 5,800 miles. (WHY upgrades are irrespective of discount/full economy classes.)

G'day Cousin Ross. So where in the world are you today? You will be home in time for my parent's (your uncle and aunt's) 50th wedding anniversary this w/e in Sydney, right?

Thanks for the info. With UC's, can I lock-in the upgrade or will I be in the same queue where one only finds out if the upgrade was successful on the day you fly?

I guess that I would have more chance of a J-->F upgrade than a Y-->J upgrade on most routes?

 

[serfty]

Seriously Though...

3 UC's can be used for a one class upgrade from WHY -> J or from J -> F for flights from 3,601 miles up to 5,800 miles. (WHY upgrades are irrespective of discount/full economy classes.)

G'day Cousin Ross. So where in the world are you today? You will be home in time for my parent's (your uncle and aunt's) 50th wedding anniversary this w/e in Sydney, right? ...

I'll be in Town, but will prob. miss as my flight home boards at 5:30pm. :wink:

... Thanks for the info. With UC's, can I lock-in the upgrade or will I be in the same queue where one only finds out if the upgrade was successful on the day you fly?

I guess that I would have more chance of a J-->F upgrade than a Y-->J upgrade on most routes?

As all of these are international, you will go into the queue. Note that reports here on AFF & FT indicate you may get some idea of success a day or two before getting to the airport with the frequent use of www.checkmytrip.com.

 

[Yada Yada]

Ta. I guess I'd better start thinking about using them. The first one expires Nov this year and the other two are not far behind.

 

[QF WP]

Back on topic, JohnK, I would definitely waitlist for the upgrade. Earning points (when yo fly and have linked CC's) isn't really that hard these days - burning them is the problem.

Of course, once you fly in J, it's hard to go back...

 

[serfty]

As for WHY to Business against Business to First, it really depends on the flights loading in each class. e.g. A0 would indicate little chance of a First upgrade, the same way the D0 points to a reduced chnace of an ugrade to Business.