Upgrading AA flights with QFF Points

[_TheTraveller_]

Just received this in the platinum newsletter. Not sure if anyone noticed this? I tried searching the on AFF but didn't see anything.

I recall QF mentioning this was being developed so I'm glad that it's out. It'll be interesting to see how this work in reality.

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/use-points/partner-airline-upgrades.html

 

[SeatBackForward]

Definitely new, and the FAQ is quite detailed.

Doesn't however give much by way of ranking/ordering of upgrade requests.

 

[SYD]

I assume this is part of the broader roll out of OW alliance wide upgrades (there's another thread here). They were pretty poor value.

But the implementation in QF is very new. I have an upcoming AA SFO-JFK flight booked as a QF CR in whY. Quite recently I clicked on the "Upgrade" button and was told "Unavailable" (no surprise) but when I just clicked through on the link, it accepted the QF PNR and took me thru to AA.

"Only" 85,200 pts each to upgrade from whY to Biz (on a 3 class A321). Think I'll stick with the front row of MCE we were able to select for free!

 

[SeatBackForward]

They were pretty poor value.

If I'm not mistaken the alliance wide upgrades on Star Alliance are only available on the more flexible (read: expensive) fare buckets in each class?

 

[Daver6]

I assume this is part of the broader roll out of OW alliance wide upgrades (there's another thread here). They were pretty poor value.

But the implementation in QF is very new. I have an upcoming AA SFO-JFK flight booked as a QF CR in whY. Quite recently I clicked on the "Upgrade" button and was told "Unavailable" (no surprise) but when I just clicked through on the link, it accepted the QF PNR and took me thru to AA.

"Only" 85,200 pts each to upgrade from whY to Biz (on a 3 class A321). Think I'll stick with the front row of MCE we were able to select for free!

Is that back that OWE have access to MCE again?

 

[SYD]

Is that back that OWE have access to MCE again?

Specifically QF OWE seemed to have got it back as an undocumented feature.

Again, another thread here I mentioned several months ago that I was able to select MCE. Initially AA were going to charge about US$80 ea but I went back a few weeks later and it was freely available - front row, 2x aisle seats. Others here have confirmed they can select MCE for free also.

 

[justinbrett]

I assume this is part of the broader roll out of OW alliance wide upgrades

Unless it’s preceding the “QF joining AAdvantage” announcement

 

[SYD]

Unless it’s preceding the “QF joining AAdvantage” announcement

If the QF fuel-fines come down to AA levels, bring it on!

 

[henrus]

Again, another thread here I mentioned several months ago that I was able to select MCE. Initially AA were going to charge about US$80 ea but I went back a few weeks later and it was freely available - front row, 2x aisle seats. Others here have confirmed they can select MCE for free also.

Was this on an AA only booking or booked via QF?

 

[justinbrett]

Was this on an AA only booking or booked via QF?

I've had it on an AA coded flight booked as a CR

 

[SYD]

I've had it on an AA coded flight booked as a CR

Yep. Obviously used the seperate AA PNR to select seats.

About 2yrs ago, flew ORD-JFK booked direct with AA but MCE not available but scored a cheap Y->F paid upgrade a few weeks out.

I’m not expecting it to be offered but will happily explore $$$ paid upgrade if offered for the flight mentioned earlier.

 

[Daver6]

Specifically QF OWE seemed to have got it back as an undocumented feature.

Again, another thread here I mentioned several months ago that I was able to select MCE. Initially AA were going to charge about US$80 ea but I went back a few weeks later and it was freely available - front row, 2x aisle seats. Others here have confirmed they can select MCE for free also.

That's awesome! It was a great perk and brilliant that it's back. It definitely wasn't available in Jan/Feb this year.

 

[SYD]

That's awesome! It was a great perk and brilliant that it's back. It definitely wasn't available in Jan/Feb this year.

OT, but I can’t for the life of me find the AA MCE thread which would be handy to continue the positive enhancement discussion but I booked the flight back in Jan (no MCE during the booking process - QF usually gives you a one off seat selection during booking process but not afterwards. You have to go via AA and their PNR).

I went back in shortly after via AA and saw the pay to play for MCE but it was only a week or two latter that I checked again and it was free.

 

[justinbrett]

That's awesome! It was a great perk and brilliant that it's back. It definitely wasn't available in Jan/Feb this year.

It never made any sense why QF didn’t make the inner circle list as apparently the list was supposed to be airlines that AA have JVs with (which QF does).

I can only assume it was a Covid quirk as they brought it in whilst regular QFi was grounded. I don’t know why it took so long to fix.

Also handy now you need a credit card loaded before the flight to buy drinks so being in MCE fixes that.

 

[jimmy hutspah]

OT, but I can’t for the life of me find the AA MCE thread which would be handy to continue the positive enhancement discussion but I booked the flight back in Jan (no MCE during the booking process - QF usually gives you a one off seat selection during booking process but not afterwards. You have to go via AA and their PNR).

I went back in shortly after via AA and saw the pay to play for MCE but it was only a week or two latter that I checked again and it was free.

It’s most definitely back, I’ve got 8 AA legs coming up on a trip in Oct, a mixture of AA rev fares and QF CR fares, and all have allowed me to select MCE for free.

Back on topic, 39k points to upgrade for a 3 hour flight DFW - PSP? Not sure it’s worth it, given the MCE perks already.

 

[henrus]

It’s most definitely back, I’ve got 8 AA legs coming up on a trip in Oct, a mixture of AA rev fares and QF CR fares, and all have allowed me to select MCE for free.

If I put in my QF Plat number at booking I can select the preferred seats for free but not MCE. Did it kick in after ticketing or take some time to come through?

 

[jimmy hutspah]

If I put in my QF Plat number at booking I can select the preferred seats for free but not MCE. Did it kick in after ticketing or take some time to come through?

Straight after I booked I was able to choose MCE seats, via AA site with AA reservation code.