Will I get the upgrade

[liebs]

Just wondered what my chances are:
I requested an upgrade to "J" on a flight for a family member between JNB-SYD for travel early in February.
I have no status and according to the online request I will only find out 5 hours before departure.

I'm pretty naive, I thought since I was paying for the upgrade with points It would be guaranteed, but I see the small print states those with status are given first consideration.

50/50?

 

[serfty]

See here:

http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com.../how-assess-points-upgrade-chances-20480.html

http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com.../numpty-question-on-points-upgrade-19527.html

http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...oints-upgrade-on-overbooked-flight-17769.html

http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...ther-upgrade-question-whose-points-14519.html

http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...chances-business-class-upgrade-per-15689.html

http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...am/upgrade-request-period-question-15454.html

 

[liebs]

so I guess I need to check EF closer to the time?
Is that a free service?

 

[BlueAU]

so I guess I need to check EF closer to the time?
Is that a free service?

No it isn't a free service, well, there is a 5 day trial period.

A few of us have paid access to it, they (including me) might be nice to give you the info closer

 

[AnonymousCoward]

so I guess I need to check EF closer to the time?
Is that a free service?

Seatcounter.com can provide similar information for free.

If you have dates/flight info handy, someone can look availability of seats in J, which can give you some indication of your likely chances of an upgrade. You only pay points if the upgrade is successful.

 

[simongr]

SeatCounter - The Booking Class Availability Machine gives similar information

 

[Voyages]

I have no status and according to the online request I will only find out 5 hours before departure.

I was able to see the upgrade results more than 24 hours before departure time on several occasions. Not sure if it has anything to do with status though.

 

[liebs]

Seatcounter.com can provide similar information for free.


Can someone help me decipher the results - I had a look and I think it was showing no seats available?

Flight Details:
QANTAS AIRWAYS QF0063 ECONOMY CLASS (V) CONFIRMED
DEPART 24FEB10 SYDNEY 1035
ARRIVE 24FEB10 JOHANNESBURG 1530

 

[drewbles]

Seatcounter.com can provide similar information for free.


Can someone help me decipher the results - I had a look and I think it was showing no seats available?

Flight Details:
QANTAS AIRWAYS QF0063 ECONOMY CLASS (V) CONFIRMED
DEPART 24FEB10 SYDNEY 1035
ARRIVE 24FEB10 JOHANNESBURG 1530

At this stage for that flight I see...

F9 A9 J9 C0 D0 I0 W9 R9 T9 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 Q9 O9 XC E0

F9 A9 means there are 'at least' 9 seats in First, and J9 means 'at least' 9 seats in Business class. C/D/I class are also business, but different fare basis. They are all sold out (of that fare type, not the cabin).

I see a total of 27 un-allocated J seats on that flight (according to the seat map on Expertflyer, with WP visibility).

Depending on the number of status flyers, and what QF feels like doing on the day, your loved one may be in with a chance, but count on flying the cabin they booked in unfortunately (if you were a WP or SG i'd have said you have a pretty good chance).

All the other fares from Y down are Economy. It looks like the flight is pretty wide-open at the moment.

 

[liebs]

Thanks for checking that for me - fingers firmly crossed (although with 2 weeks till the flight its early days)

 

[aus_flyer]

At this stage for that flight I see...

F9 A9 J9 C0 D0 I0 W9 R9 T9 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 Q9 O9 XC E0

F9 A9 means there are 'at least' 9 seats in First, and J9 means 'at least' 9 seats in Business class.

drewbles, at the risk of being pedantic, when it's F9 A9 J9 C0 D0 I0 it's entirely possible that there are no seats left in Business, but QF are happy to oversell J as there is availability in F.

However, QF will not upgrade someone from J to F simply so that they can process a points upgrade from Y to J.

 

[simongr]

I would agree that CDI0 to me says that J is pretty full and upgrades are less than likely.

 

[drewbles]

drewbles, at the risk of being pedantic, when it's F9 A9 J9 C0 D0 I0 it's entirely possible that there are no seats left in Business, but QF are happy to oversell J as there is availability in F.

However, QF will not upgrade someone from J to F simply so that they can process a points upgrade from Y to J.

I doubt it. I just did a dummy booking in J, for 9 people and it didn't bat an eyelid. It's highly unlikely they're going to allow overbooking of J by 9 people.

There are some 27 un-allocated seats showing on EF. I'm pretty sure that QF will auto-allocate a J/F Pax a seat, regardless of status.

Anyway, i'm always happy to be proven wrong (and learn something from the experience!)

 

[aus_flyer]

I doubt it. I just did a dummy booking in J, for 9 people and it didn't bat an eyelid. It's highly unlikely they're going to allow overbooking of J by 9 people.

Of course it's going to work, because it's showing J9. Qantas will oversell lower cabins (with top yielding fares) as long as there is availability in higher cabins.

There are some 27 un-allocated seats showing on EF. I'm pretty sure that QF will auto-allocate a J/F Pax a seat, regardless of status.

Simply not true. System does not always automatically allocate a seat in premium cabins. I've often had a booking in F (as a WP) without a seat assignment.

 

[docjames]

However, QF will not upgrade someone from J to F simply so that they can process a points upgrade from Y to J.

Are you sure about that? It would seem logical if Y is chockers and F is near empty (as then they at least get points for bumping someone forwards). Sure, the J pax would need to be CL or WP but still, will not is a pretty solid no......

 

[aus_flyer]

Are you sure about that? It would seem logical if Y is chockers and F is near empty (as then they at least get points for bumping someone forwards). Sure, the J pax would need to be CL or WP but still, will not is a pretty solid no......

I think you've missed my point. It's a different story if Y is oversold. In that case they would need to move people up.

 

[MelUser]

However, QF will not upgrade someone from J to F simply so that they can process a points upgrade from Y to J.

Agreed as far as an OP UP goes, but they will process a points requested upgrade from J to F and this will free up a J seat for a Premium Economy or Economy upgrade to Business.

This is one of the disadvantages for Qantas Frequent Flyers when the 1st cabin goes as is about to happen on many routes.

If, as is now often the case, 1st is unsold, high tier Business passengers get their points upgrades into First. Then high tier Premium and Economy passengers can get their upgrades into business.

It is called the flow on effect. Can you imagine AA getting rid of First Class - ie its upgraders cabin. Passengers would desert them in droves and move to United. Lucky for Qantas, there is no competition (in a similar league) for passengers to migrate to.

 

[Cyclogenesis]

Tagging on the end of this one rather than starting a new one.

I see when an upgrade is requested on QF international they advise that the outcome of said request will be known 5 hours prior to departure (=3 hours prior to recommended check in time!)

Just curious what people's experience is as to them clearing earlier... Its for the sunday (14/03) QF93 MEL-LAX

seat counter is still showing all 9's in J zero in I (I assume this is FF seats) so still looking good unless there is a rush on J (Request put in by a QF SG, I'm flying as an AA PLT)

 

[serfty]

U is award business class and I have never seen it shown on seatcounter.

I is deep discount (revenue) Business class. If I0 is showing, D9 gives some hope.

 

[Cyclogenesis]

Lets see if this works:


Airline Flt Aircraft DepartArriveAir/Hotel PromoAvailability by Booking Class (alphabetically)LOKTSNWVQMBYDIJRCAF1Qantas93MEL/11:00aLAX/07:20a9990993999999090999

Fingers crossed.. if this one does not come through I (ie SWMBO) will request an UG on the return flight...