Why such strict limits on complimentary upgrades?

[doctork]

I posted here:
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ty/free-upgrade-cocos-islands-only-49229.html
but am genuinely interested in a response.
It seems that as a Silver, I can't use a comp upgrade from Flexi to Business on SYD-MEL, but only on Sydney-Cocos Islands.
I found it quite funny, but also quite useless.
I could do ADL-MEL, but I don't live there...

Having made QF Plat already this year, I was going to try to book my August US business (ie., J) trip with VA, but if redemption of benefits is this hard, maybe I should go for QF partner gold instead, and use oneworld F-lounges the whole way.

Does availability get better for Velocity Golds?
Is there a reason VA desperately want me to visit the Cocos (Keeling) Islands? They have really nice stamps and some good curries, I hear.
As I said in the other thread: not upset, but amused, and quite puzzled.

btw, many thanks to VFF for this thread being available.

 

[Mak404matt]

Something you may find amusing, VA don't sell J to CCK, so I think you just had a strange phone operator.

As a Plat flying Y to CCK or XCH I can select seats in the J cabin, as J is not sold.

 

[serfty]

As posted elsewhere, you simply need to be booked in a "Flexi" fare class on a domestic flight segment having Z class availability. (Z is business award).

You can then either use velocity points or a complimentary upgrade for that segment.

 

[Velocity Frequent Flyer]

Serfty’s reply is correct.
Requirements to Upgrade are to be on a Flexi (Y/B/H/K/L) classes and having the sufficient number of Points or Complimentary Fare Upgrades if eligible for these.
Upgrades to Business subject to availability (of course) of Z Class inventory.

 

[malmacdowall]

Is there any way the average Joe can check Z availability online ??

Just handy to do when looking for flight options and upgrade availability.

Is there a typical number of Z fares on any given flight ?

 

[Fruitcake]

Is there any way the average Joe can check Z availability online ??

Business reward bookings and upgrades both book into Z class. So if the website shows a business reward seat available, that means there is an upgrade seat available too.

You can get an estimate of the number of seats available for upgrade by dummy booking - ie 1 reward seat, 2 reward seat and so on. Most non-A330 flights seem to have three J reward seats available but I suspect that number is dynamic.

 

[mickeyc747]

Business reward bookings and upgrades both book into Z class. So if the website shows a business reward seat available, that means there is an upgrade seat available too.

You can get an estimate of the number of seats available for upgrade by dummy booking - ie 1 reward seat, 2 reward seat and so on. Most non-A330 flights seem to have three J reward seats available but I suspect that number is dynamic.

I have been able to snag 4 on the 737s

 

[Velocity Frequent Flyer]

Is there any way the average Joe can check Z availability online ??

Just handy to do when looking for flight options and upgrade availability.

Is there a typical number of Z fares on any given flight ?

Hi Malcolm, it's not really something we could publicise here, but you are able to call up the team, and enquire if there are any available seats.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I have been able to snag 4 on the 737s

So too have I, but I must say it was tricky (and time consuming). I got the feeling that guidelines may have been shifted a bit to accommodate us as a family.

 

[doctork]

Update: I called again the next day, and there were 4 Z seats available on the 737 SYD-MEL. Used the comp upgrade with no problem.
So, VFF, could you feed back to the call centre trainers my comment: "WTF?"