Upgrade with Cash & Points and receive new class SC (QF)

[decs]

Hi all, first post! I've been lurking for a few weeks with my travel bug well and truly set in since travelling with my new graduate job this year (have hit silver in 6mths). Slowly but surely learning the ins and outs. I hope I can give back in the future as this forum has been very helpful.

I want to ask if it's possible to upgrade a QF Y ticket to J with cash and points and get the J points and SC? Planning a trip to Malaysia (SYD-SIN-KUL-LGK and return) next year and would love to try out J on one of the legs. Is the cost of such upgrade worth it compared to a classic upgrade reward? Subjective I know.

TIA

 

[opusman]

No, points and SCs will be awarded based on your originally ticketed class.

 

[RooFlyer]

... and welcome to AFF, decs. Beware of the J upgrade ... you'll never want to go whY again, and it can get expensive!

For me, an international upgrade is one of the better uses of QFF points; just check that the Y fare type you bought is allowed to be upgraded (super cheapies usually aren't).

 

[andye]

Qantas doesn't do a Cash&Points upgrade and I'm not aware of any programs that do.
To get the J SCs you need to buy a revenue J fare (with cash (or cash&points although this usually offers very poor value since the demise of 'marginal' Any Seat Awards))

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Qantas doesn't do a Cash&Points upgrade and I'm not aware of any programs that do.
To get the J SCs you need to buy a revenue J fare (with cash (or cash&points although this usually offers very poor value since the demise of 'marginal' Any Seat Awards))

Yes they do actually

 

[andye]

Yes they do actually

My bad-didn't realise you could use combination on the Bid for Upgrade process

 

[decs]

No, points and SCs will be awarded based on your originally ticketed class.

Thanks for the prompt and clear response, opusman.

I looked up the Bid Now Upgrades as mentioned above as well, they too only earn at the original booking.

And thanks for the welcome RooFlyer, I have been curious to know if the J effect ruins Y class long-hauls haha. Good to hear your view on best use of point.

Looks like the consensus is J class SC can only be earned by booking it in the first instance.

 

[Denali]

.....I have been curious to know if the J effect ruins Y class long-hauls haha. .....

Yes. Yes it does.

 

[decs]

For me, an international upgrade is one of the better uses of QFF points; just check that the Y fare type you bought is allowed to be upgraded (super cheapies usually aren't).

Good point, I noticed this early on looking at different tickets' T&C. Interesting because it means I need to know if I will want to upgrade to determine whether discount economy or standard economy is suitable (disregarding stopovers, etc).

 

[decs]

Yes. Yes it does.

Perhaps R/W class is a wiser choice then

 

[Denali]

Perhaps R/W class is a wiser choice then

At a min now, I book PE (W) and hope to upgrade. If no upgrade then at least I know I should have a bit of extra leg room and Im not in economy so the flight is a bit more comfortable.

 

[decs]

At a min now, I book PE (W) and hope to upgrade. If no upgrade then at least I know I should have a bit of extra leg room and Im not in economy so the flight is a bit more comfortable.

That does sound like a good option! Hadn't thought of it that way. Win-win in my books.

 

[Denali]

That does sound like a good option! Hadn't thought of it that way. Win-win in my books.

Im not familiar with Qantas but with VA, only gold or platinum can upgrade with points on long haul to LAX so you've got to read the fine print. My husband thinks points and upgrades and status is all a gift from the fairies and it magically happens. Gotta read the fine print.

 

[RooFlyer]

Im not familiar with Qantas but with VA, only gold or platinum can upgrade with points on long haul to LAX so you've got to read the fine print. My husband thinks points and upgrades and status is all a gift from the fairies and it magically happens. Gotta read the fine print.

With QF, anyone can ask for the upgrade, but on a sector like Australia-LAX the only ones with a hope of getting a Y to J upgrade are those with high status - P1 or Plat (both of whom can also request a seat be made available; may or may not be granted).

<snip> I noticed this early on looking at different tickets' T&C. Interesting because it means I need to know if I will want to upgrade to determine whether discount economy or standard economy is suitable (disregarding stopovers, etc).

So, decs, before you shell out for an upgradable QF fare, consider your chances of getting said upgrade. Asian sectors are probably more likely, but far from a good bet, I think. If you are not P1 or Plat, I'd put your chances at no better than 50%. So the PE purchase may be useful and keep your points dry for now.

Welcome to the hard reality of using QFF points!

 

[decs]

So, decs, before you shell out for an upgradable QF fare, consider your chances of getting said upgrade. Asian sectors are probably more likely, but far from a good bet, I think. If you are not P1 or Plat, I'd put your chances at no better than 50%. So the PE purchase may be useful and keep your points dry for now.

Welcome to the hard reality of using QFF points!

Ahhh very interesting. Thanks for the tip! I would have been disappointed paying more for no extra benefit, much better knowing in advance. Do you have any tips on finding out what routes are more/less likely to have upgrades available? Or is searching these forums the best measure?

I'm hoping to achieve gold by end-Mar (QFF anniversary), so that will improve my upgrade chances slightly.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

My no status friend got upgrade pe to j on qf93 last year. This year she's silver also got upgrade pe to j on qf11. Both times with 24 hours notice and both with 2 travelling (same status )

So its not impossible and she seems to have good success with it. Ymmv