Can you use QCredits to upgrade a flight?

[paultiffen]

Hi all,

Getting a little bit confused with the difference between Qpoints, Qcredits and Qmiles. I have an upcoming flight to book and have 40 QCredits + gold status from a status match promo.

Can I use Qcredits to upgrade DOH BCN for example from business to first? I'd like to find out as might need to credit a couple of domestic flights to bring Qcredit balance up to 50.

If you use Qcredits do you also have to use miles or is it one or the other?

Thanks,
Paul

 

[Steady]

I assume by Qcredits you mean Qantas Status Credits? if so - then no you cannot use them for anything. The SC's accrue over 12 months to build your status from bronze to silver to gold etc.

You can use QF frequent flyer points to upgrade "upgradable" fares on a QF flight number and QF metal (airplane)

 

[opusman]

I suspect the OP is talking about Qatar.

 

[NZflygirl]

That's incredibly generous for a status match!!

Here's my limited understanding:

Your Q points relate to the status tiers.
Q miles are what you can use for redemptions.
Q credits only gold and platinum members receive and can be used to upgrade flights. (or other uses like baggage and maybe lounge access for others?). These are separate from Q miles. You don't need to use your Q miles as well. I read Q credits you can use on married segments to get better value than applying on separate segments.

The lingo is a bit confusing initially especially if you're used to Qantas speak.

I think QR only have First class on their A380s which are flying DOH, LHR, SYD, CDG, BKK. They currently only have 6 A380s so I'm not sure if BKK still gets the A380. I only mention this as I don't know where BCN is that you mention, but I guess if you've got an A380 scheduled there then you could access F class although the schedule is prone to change and your A380 may get subbed.
I don't know if Q credits are able to be applied to the LHR-DOH route. I read something about no awards for this route from J to F but you can always ask QR.

Oh, just reread your post. You won't be able to bring your Q credits up by flying. Gold gets 40 and if you hit platinum you get another 60. It's status related.

You will only increase your Q points and Q miles by flying.

If you are familiar with Air NZs system it seems to be the equivalent of Recognition upgrades which are status related.

 

[Guvner]

AFAIK Qatar only fly A330's between DOH and BCN (Barcelona). Some have F and some don't. I don't think any with F fly that route though.

 

[NZflygirl]

AFAIK Qatar only fly A330's between DOH and BCN (Barcelona). Some have F and some don't. I don't think any with F fly that route though.

Interesting, I never knew. Every day is a day at school!

 

[Steady]

I suspect the OP is talking about Qatar.

Oops, that will teach me to assume....

 

[paultiffen]

Thanks all for the info. Do they only fly an F cabin to Paris and London in europe and you cant upgrade to London

 

[NZflygirl]

Thanks all for the info. Do they only fly an F cabin to Paris and London in europe and you cant upgrade to London

For the A380 in Europe yes, but as Guvner points out there is F on the A330 but...well you're better off looking at some pics on the web or you tube. It's not the same as the A380 and I don't know for sure but doubt there is a bar on board like the A380. Still looks nice though. I have no idea about which routes the A330s with F fly. Qatars website mentions no awards DOH-LHR and I took that to mean award and upgrades. I think you can request upgrades at the airport with Qatar?? So there would be no harm in asking about upgrading then as the likelihood of them selling the seat would be low but I've not read anything about how un/successful this might be. You could just book DOH to CDG for F then use train or a cheap flight to wherever else in Europe you need to be.

At least with gold you have family members earnings accrue to you at 100% vs 25% at burgundy. I think you must have to link the accounts or something.

I'm a fairly new fan of QR so still reading and learning myself.