What does status count for?

[whereto611]

Felling annoyed at Qantas. Just checked in at Qantas lounge in Narita with a colleague on a different booking who is in Premium Economy, I am in in economy. I requested an upgrade to join him in Premium but was refused. My problem with this...? I checked seating allocation and there are seats available including right next to him in Premium Economy. I am Gold Status for about the 7th year running and do a lot of domestic flights with Qantas as well. This is my fourth international return flight since the end of September, the company I own spends six figures on flights annually and Qantas can't give me a cheap upgrade the one time I ask!!! Just in case you forgot Qantas, there are other airline alternatives out there... First world problems... I get it but seriously a bit of customer loyalty goes a long way...

 

[markis10]

Welcome to AFF, as a Gold for 7 years you should be well aware that Qantas rarely upgrades without good reason, and that points upgrades can be done right up to boarding. At the end if the day if you want to fly in a cabin you need to pay that fare or do a cash upgrade at the airport in limited circumstances.

 

[Hvr]

Welcome aboard whereto611, as markis10 noted Qantas rarely upgrades without a good reason. Ironically, considering the post, my one international op-up was as a Gold travelling from NRT-SYD . Y-J, it ruined me for ever wanting to travel in Y again.

Most international discount economy fares aren't upgradable for anybody, myself at Platinum One level included.

However, if you read and contribute here you may well find out how to improve your travel experience.

 

[medhead]

I'm confused how did you request the upgrade? Via lodging a points upgrade request, or something else?

Personally, I've only been platinum for the last 4 years but I can't recall any free upgrades on international flights in that time. Whoops, actually one on an AKL-SYD flight. About 3 or 4 on domestic flights mostly related to recovery for the grounding.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

the company I own spends six figures on flights annually and Qantas can't give me a cheap upgrade the one time I ask!!!

and can't spend a few hundred on an upgrade?

I get it but seriously a bit of customer loyalty goes a long way...

Perhaps you misunderstand how loyalty programs work. They're marketing programs. You fly qantas and get something of subjective value in return to encourage you to fly more. You're gold for 7 years.... the program clearly works as you're still flying Qantas....

 

[dodgeyhack]

Welcome to AFF, as a Gold for 7 years you should be well aware that Qantas rarely upgrades without good reason, and that points upgrades can be done right up to boarding. At the end if the day if you want to fly in a cabin you need to pay that fare or do a cash upgrade at the airport in limited circumstances.

For international you need to request the upgrade at least 24 hours prior.

I have been able to do paid upgrades on flights between Aus and Japan for some reason though.

 

[markis10]

For international you need to request the upgrade at least 24 hours prior.

I have been able to do paid upgrades on flights between Aus and Japan for some reason though.

Yep, and they can be processed up until boarding, so that empty seat at checkin may disappear.

 

[dodgeyhack]

Yep, and they can be processed up until boarding, so that empty seat at checkin may disappear.

Ahh, I misunderstood the point you were making =)

 

[drewbles]

It reminds me of a sign you see in many businesses

"please do not ask for credit as refusal often offends"

Seriously though, OP, if you just rocked up to an airport by yourself and said "I'm travelling in Economy but noticed there are empty seats in First Class, could I have one please?" would you be annoyed?

I don't understand why someone would be annoyed at an airline for putting them in a seat they paid for.

"Always expect to fly in the cabin you booked"

It's the mantra I fly by. Any upgrades are a 'surprise and delight' and make them all that much sweeter.

 

[boomy]

Qantas is infamously known to be very cheap with free upgrades.
If there were seats available in Y+ at the time of your request they could offer you an upgrade with points, that seems fair.

 

[Isochronous]

Empty seats on the MMB seat map do not mean those seats have not already been sold.

 

[mannej]

Empty seats on the MMB seat map do not mean those seats have not already been sold.

That is correct - you also have to remember as a SG, you also have 3 tiers of status members above you in the pecking order.
Upgrades are nice but status is about the other benefits not upgrades with QF unfortunately.

 

[JohnK]

.... it ruined me for ever wanting to travel in Y again.

But you have been back again. And you will come back again. It is too hard to stay away. :mrgreen:

 

[whereto611]

Thanks for the replies folks. I get it and I do understand how it works, I've never requested an upgrade at the lounge before and thought it would be no big deal to achieve all things considered! But lesson learnt and rant over!

 

[markis10]

Thanks for the replies folks. I get it and I do understand how it works, I've never requested an upgrade at the lounge before and thought it would be no big deal to achieve all things considered! But lesson learnt and rant over!

Lounge upgrades are only available domestically for Gold travellers. FWIW deep discount Y has been upgradable all week as part of a promo, with of course 24 hours notice.

 

[Hvr]

Lounge upgrades are only available domestically for Gold travellers. <snip>

And of course WP and WP1.

I thought once you were in the lounge you could line up and request a points upgrade regardless of status?

 

[markis10]

And of course WP and WP1.

I thought once you were in the lounge you could line up and request a points upgrade regardless of status?

You can, I was wishing to point out to the OP who is Gold that its a domestic facility, not applicable in the context of their post.