SYD - LHR using points

[nickmfn]

Hi,
Long time reader, but first time poster - and I must say this site is full of great info, so thanks to all who contribute!

My wife and I are planning a trip to Europe on fairly short notice, we're looking at SYD-LHR from early August to mid Sept, but are reasonably flexible with dates. I don't travel with Qantas a huge amount, but we've saved up our QFF points for a while, and would like to make use of these on the trip. We have around 400k points between us, but are both bronze status unfortunately.

Ideally, we'd buy return economy tickets, and use the points to upgrade to business, although I get the feeling from reading some other posts that we'd be pushing our luck to get the upgrade.

So, the questions I have are:
1) Would we have a realistic chance of getting upgrades as bronze members?
2) Would we increase our chances aiming for A380 flights, or any other particular flights?
3) Can you request an upgrade on a QF flight number, but BA plane?
4) Would we be better off accepting we won't get an upgrade, and instead look to book economy flights using the points?
5) Could we request an upgrade to premium economy as well as business? Would we stand a better chance of getting this?

Any advice appreciated.

 

[NM]

Hi,
Long time reader, but first time poster - and I must say this site is full of great info, so thanks to all who contribute!

Welcome to AFF

1) Would we have a realistic chance of getting upgrades as bronze members?

Always expect to travel in the cabin you have booked. And I would consider it very risky to pay extra for an upgradeable fare on the basis of wanting to upgrade when you hold Bronze FF status.

2) Would we increase our chances aiming for A380 flights, or any other particular flights?

No. The A380 flights are generally scheduled for services that are likely to be more heavily booked, so it may even work against the possibility of an upgrade. Also many people paying for business class look for A380 flights since they have Skybed MkII seats rather than the sloping seats in 747 aircraft.

3) Can you request an upgrade on a QF flight number, but BA plane?

No. Only for QF flight number and QF aircraft (metal).

4) Would we be better off accepting we won't get an upgrade, and instead look to book economy flights using the points?

A confirmed award seats is always a lower risk than waitlisting for an upgrade. As noted above, always expect to travel in the cabin you have booked. Also note that you are seeking travel in the peak period for travel to Europe, so availability of award seats (Classic awards and upgrades) will be very limited. Also consider using CX or BA for better award seat availability.

5) Could we request an upgrade to premium economy as well as business? Would we stand a better chance of getting this?

Yes you can request both Business Class and Premium Economy upgrade. If the upgrade to Business Class is not successful you will be considered for an upgrade to Premium Economy. But he same status-based priority waitlisting applies.

 

[dajop]

A confirmed award seats is always a lower risk than waitlisting for an upgrade.

Continuing on this theme, you do have enough points for either a return in premium economy - or a oneway economy/one way business - if you can find availablity (192K return for each passenger for both options), although I'd value J oneway higher than Y+ both ways.

I agree with NM, I wouldn't be relying on upgrades. My one an only experience (as a platinum) with requesting an upgrade was denied, with 9 out of 32 business class seats still empty for the flight, so there are certainly no guarantees.

Oh if you do want to use your points in economy, and are struggling with availability and want more options you can use the oneworld award, which you must travel on at least 2 non-QF oneworld airlines. It is 14,500 points more than just doing return on QF but it also gives you 5 stopovers, and gives you a lot more options for getting there, even via US or South Africa if there were no more direct options available.

 

[JetLagged]

I agree with NM, I wouldn't be relying on upgrades. My one an only experience (as a platinum) with requesting an upgrade was denied, with 9 out of 32 business class seats still empty for the flight, so there are certainly no guarantees.

Good grief, dajop - which of the multitude of aviation gods or goddesses have you aroused the wrath of?

If you are talking about points upgrades - I've managed to snare every one applied for as either Platinium or Gold. As for on-demand op-ups, haven't rrusted my luck with these: will be on Saturday week from SYD to SIN - hoping the right god will smile with magnamity on me and take me from y+ to J!

 

[nickmfn]

Hi guys,
Thanks for the info, i hadn't considered we had enough points for premium economy tickets. It looks there's availability in Business on 20th July, or premium economy on 23rd July, returning on the 6th/7th of Sept in economy, all on BA metal.
What is premium economy like on BA?

Also didn't know about the Oneworld award, silly question but how do you book these?

 

[markis10]

400K will get you two classic return awards in J from SIN to LHR - have you thought about Y or PE to SIN then using that, takes the upgrade lottery away.

 

[nickmfn]

400K will get you two classic return awards in J from SIN to LHR - have you thought about Y or PE to SIN then using that, takes the upgrade lottery away.

Thanks - have just looked into that option, and there isn't much availability - we could get PE on 8th August, returning first class on 21st of sept - that could be fun! Although quite a step down to economy back to sydney

 

[markis10]

What award J to SIN then get a PE ticket ex SIN, they are $2500 each RT ex SIN.

 

[nickmfn]

Hi all,
Just thought I'd give an update on this for anyone who's interested.

I bit the bullet and decided to pay for upgradeable economy fares SYD-LHR, A380 on the way over, 747 on the way back.

We were lucky enough to get points upgrades to business class both ways, so we were pretty happy!

Thanks to all who provided advice.

 

[straitman]

Hi all,
Just thought I'd give an update on this for anyone who's interested.

I bit the bullet and decided to pay for upgradeable economy fares SYD-LHR, A380 on the way over, 747 on the way back.

We were lucky enough to get points upgrades to business class both ways, so we were pretty happy!

Thanks to all who provided advice.

nickmfn,

Excellent news there :!: