QF International Upgrade Success at Airport

[Ansett]

Ok after an interesting conversation in another post their was some difference of opinion on upgrades at the Airport when travelling International on QF.

We all know that on departure upgrades are available for domestic travel when checking in or at the lounge I was under the impression that this was not available on International unless you had arequested an upgrade through Manage my Booking and registered for at Airport upgrade.

My question is, how successful has any one been requesting and receiving an upgrade on points at the Airport when checking in or at the lounge when no upgrade request has been in place already through manage my booking. Also are the amount of points required the same and do they have the remark catering not guaranteed?

Thanks everyone I hope it is the case as I see that as a positive enhancement

 

[TheInsider]

You cannot request the upgrade at the airport, has to be done online through the usual channels.
They don't have the 'catering not assured' on international flights.

 

[Ansett]

You cannot request the upgrade at the airport, has to be done online through the usual channels.
They don't have the 'catering not assured' on international flights.

This was my thoughts too but it seems it has been done

 

[RooFlyer]

This was my thoughts too but it seems it has been done

You mean no prior use of the web site, right? Just over the counter at QFi check in or the Lounge, ask for an upgrade and they say, OK, I'll take xx_ points out of your account?

Not disputing, just clarifying.

 

[Ansett]

You mean no prior use of the web site, right? Just over the counter at QFi check in or the Lounge, ask for an upgrade and they say, OK, I'll take xx_ points out of your account?

Not disputing, just clarifying.

Corect just rock up and ask for upgrade using points with out having registerd online

 

[TheInsider]

Corect just rock up and ask for upgrade using points with out having registerd online

Not possible.

 

[Ansett]

Not possible.

Thank you so I was right then as suspected.

 

[markis10]

Not possible.

There have been reports of the lounge doing it as well as cash upgrades on checkin.

 

[Ansett]

There have been reports of the lounge doing it as well as cash upgrades on checkin.

Paid upgrades I do conceede as possible and probable but amazed at being able to use points with out first registering for upgrade online

 

[Mwenenzi]

The Qantas link in the other thread: Frequent Flyer - Using Points - Flight Upgrades - International Flight Upgrades

You can request an international Flight Upgrade Award for Qantas operated services with a QF flight number from 1 to 199 on your ticket any time after you have paid for your ticket and received confirmation, up until 24 hours before your flight leaves
<snip>
International Flight Upgrade Awards up to the gate
Qantas is committed to providing international Flight Upgrade Awards wherever we can. In some cases an upgrade may become available on your flight at the last minute due to cancellations, no-shows or missed connections. To increase your chances of obtaining your upgrade we have introduced an additional process where your request can be further considered at the airport. To be eligible for this process you will need to opt-in to 'upgrade at the airport' when you register for a Flight Upgrade Award.
<snip>

No prior request = no upgrade is my take on this. Unlke in the USA, QF gate agents have little discretion IMHO: its all happens in a back room. Q Club domestic is different as we know

 

[Ansett]

From the Qantas link from the other thread: Frequent Flyer - Using Points - Flight Upgrades - International Flight Upgrades

So key statement is OPT-IN TO UPGRADE AT THE AIRPORT WHEN YOU REGISTER FOR A FLIGHT UPGRADE AWARD.

Cant see sorry how anyone that hasnt registered would be able to do this.

 

[TheInsider]

There have been reports of the lounge doing it as well as cash upgrades on checkin.

For cash upgrades, hasn't happened in Australia.
For Business lounge upgrades in international Australian ports, doesn't happen either. The staff cannot do it (it's not in their pay scale basically)

 

[JessicaTam]

One way to get an upgrade in the lounge is if it is on the domestic leg of an international flight, as it is treated as domestic not international - even though it is in the international lounge that you make the request.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

One way to get an upgrade in the lounge is if it is on the domestic leg of an international flight, as it is treated as domestic not international - even though it is in the international lounge that you make the request.

It didn't use to be the case as any flight QF1-399 was excluded from ODU's even if it was only a domestic leg of an intl flight.

Have you done this recently Jessica?

 

[markis10]

For cash upgrades, hasn't happened in Australia.

Brisbane is part of Australia
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-offering-cash-upgrades-16411.html#post220475

Maybe that was a trial that then progressed to check in options, it certainly been on offer across the ditch.

 

[TheInsider]

Brisbane is part of Australia
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-offering-cash-upgrades-16411.html#post220475

Maybe that was a trial that then progressed to check in options, it certainly been on offer across the ditch.

Well I don't like BNE

Although i know it has been offered in LAX, LHR and SIN before. Seems to be only during non-peak times though.

By saying the Business Lounge doesn't do upgrades, doesn't mean that the First hosts haven't been able to somehow organise one, it's just the staff can not do it locally, and need to call SYD departure ops.

 

[Ansett]

Brisbane is part of Australia
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-offering-cash-upgrades-16411.html#post220475

Maybe that was a trial that then progressed to check in options, it certainly been on offer across the ditch.

Hi Markis

I have read the entire thread you posted and can only see mention of people being called before the departure date and offered a paid upgrade. Nowhere in the post can I see any reference to anyone just turning up at the airport and getting the option in the lounge or check in to pay for an upgrade nor any mention of being able again to use points at check in which is what we are discussing.

Being contacted by the airline and offering the ability to use points and or cash to upgrade is not the issue here.

 

[TonyHancock]

I know paid upgrades are definitely possible when flying from LHR. My boss successfully did this on QF10 last year.

 

[JessicaTam]

It didn't use to be the case as any flight QF1-399 was excluded from ODU's even if it was only a domestic leg of an intl flight.

Have you done this recently Jessica?

The ADL lounge staff advised me to do this if my requested upgrade on QF81 didn't come through. Up to T-3 they said. I will confirm in a month if it works.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I remember reading about paid upgrades on offer at AKL.
This recent thread on FT is relevant
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qant...530-status-points-not-given-paid-upgrade.html