Can I book economy award seats now and use points to upgrade to premium economy later

[jims90]

I've enough QFF pts to book 3x premium economy seats from JNB to SYD but they are not available. However, there are 3x economy seat available now so I'd like to know if I can book them now and change the seats to premium economy if and when they become available, and how much it will cost in points or $.

(the 131131 help line is jammed with waiting times over an hour...)

If anyone knows the answer or has suggestions, pls send them my way.

Thanks

[straitman]

I've enough QFF pts to book 3x premium economy seats from JNB to SYD but they are not available. However, there are 3x economy seat available now so I'd like to know if I can book them now and change the seats to premium economy if and when they become available, and how much it will cost in points or $.

(the 131131 help line is jammed with waiting times over an hour...)

If anyone knows the answer or has suggestions, pls send them my way.

Thanks

jims90,

Welcome to AFF.

I would try ringing the 131131 number again at a less popular hour and try again. I'm not sure if you can change your booking as you have suggested. It woul;d depend upon the fare conditions.

[JohnK]

Welcome to AFF jims90!

You can generally make changes to award flights online. So if you book economy award flights now you can change these to premium economy later and pay the difference in QFF points + 3,500 QFF points change fee per passenger. If you use the service centre then you will need to pay a service fee as well.

You can also cancel an award flight and this will cost a 5,000 QFF point cancellation fee.

The Fee Schedule can be found on the QF website and here is the relevant part on changes.

ServiceFee

Award Assistance Fee – Award Flight Bookings

Money payment option is available for Award Flight bookings made in Australia or in New Zealand (except as otherwise stated). Amount must be paid at the time of making your reservation.

In addition, the number of points required for Jetstar fares in Any Seat Awards may be higher if booked by telephone rather than at qantas.com.

Effective 1 December 2010 until 3 May 2011
3,500 Points per passenger
OR (where money payment option available – money payment option is not available for NZ Domestic bookings):
The A$ or NZ$ booking fee set out in the 'Fees for making Bookings' table at qantas.com

Effective from 4 May 2011
For International: 6,000 Points per passenger
For all other: 3,500 Points per passenger
OR (where money payment option available – money payment option is not available for NZ Domestic bookings):
The A$ or NZ$ booking fee set out in the 'Fees for making Bookings' table at qantas.com

Award Assistance Fee – Retail Awards and Vouchers

Money payment option is available for Retail Award and Voucher orders in Australia or in New Zealand. Amount must be paid at the time of placing your Retail Award / Voucher order.


3,500 Points per order
OR (where money payment option available):
A$35 or NZ$35 per order

Award Assistance Fee - Transfer of Points to Eligible Family Members

For transfers made through the Frequent Flyer Service Centre. Amount must be paid at the time of making your transfer.


A$35 per transfer
Cancellation Refund Fee5,000 Points per passenger

Change Fee

Changes may only be made in accordance with the applicable fare conditions

For Any Seat Award changes: Change and service fees are payable only in money and are disclosed in the applicable Any Seat Award fare conditions.

Bookings made before 1 December 2010
For Classic Award changes: 2,500 Points per passenger

Bookings made on or after 1 December 2010
For Classic Award changes: 3,500 Points per passenger.

From 4 May 2011, where changes are made to Classic Awards via Qantas Telephone Sales, Service Fees (below) are payable in addition to the Change Fee.

Service Fees

Service Fees are payable in addition to any applicable Change Fees.

Payable where changes are made to Qantas & Partner Classic Award bookings via Qantas Telephone Sales.

Money payment option is available for Award Flight booking changes made in Australia or in New Zealand (except as otherwise stated). Amount must be paid at the time of making your changes.

Service Fees will not be applied when changing Classic Awards booked for travel in Business or First class.

Effective from 4 May 2011

For Domestic AU / NZ: 4,000 Points per passenger

For Trans Tasman: 4,000 Points per passenger

For International: 8,000 Points per passenger

OR (where money payment option available – money payment option is not available for changes made to NZ Domestic bookings): The A$ or NZ$ change fee set out in the 'Fees for making changes to Bookings' table at qantas.com
Courier Fee - urgent membership kit deliveryFrom A$30Lost Ticket Replacement FeeWhen lost paper ticket replaced through Qantas Travel Centre or Airport (money payment required): A$75 for International or A$55 for Australian domestic per ticket
Refund of Unused Flight Upgrade Fee5,000 Points per UpgradeReinstatement Fee5,000 Points per passenger

Replacement Card Fee

A$10 or 1,000 Points per Card Statement Request Fee2,500 Points per statement

[jims90]

Thanks for the warm welcome and replies, esp with a quote from the QFF T+C, they've helped me heaps.

All things considered, I think I'll book the economy seats and take it up with Qantas later when PE becomes available.

It's great to have a forum like this to make things easier.

Cheers

[christine@81]

I've enough QFF pts to book 3x premium economy seats from JNB to SYD but they are not available. However, there are 3x economy seat available now so I'd like to know if I can book them now and change the seats to premium economy if and when they become available, and how much it will cost in points or $.

(the 131131 help line is jammed with waiting times over an hour...)

If anyone knows the answer or has suggestions, pls send them my way.

Thanks

I did this last year from SF to Sydney. Premium economy upgrade cost 45,000 points but the best thing was the plane had no premium economy seats so they gave me a business class seat for those points. Very happy but couldn't guarantee it again.