First Time Upgrade - Advice!

[aspiringplatinumFF]

Hi All,

First time posting, I apologise on advance if my question is dumb or has been asked before.

I am currently booked in PE (T) flying on QF2 back to Sydney. I am a silver FF and have requested an upgrade to Business. This is my first time going through this process and wanted some advice as to how to maximise my chances.

The current load for the flight is as follows (Keeping in mind I'm only about 10 days away from departure):

F4 A4 J9 C9 D9 I0 W9 R9 T9 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V0 S9 N9 Q9 O0 X0 E0

* Given this load, is my upgrade request likely to be granted?
* I have also selected the 'upgrade at airport' option - Does this increase / decrease my chances?
* Will checking in online / preselecting a meal decrease decrease my chances of getting the upgrade at the airport

Side note: Does anyone know what time is the earliest I can drop my bags off at LHR? Flight isn't until 8:45pm or so but I was to enjoy the lounge for as long as possible.

Any other general advice, tips or suggestions would be much appreciate!

Thank you in advance!

 

[La Mouette]

Hi, QF check-in opens four hours pre-departure at LHR. Personally, I don't go to the QF lounge there! It's loud and gets packed and the food offering is not great.

Re the upgrades, there will be a lot of people with higher status than you in the queue, plus it's the Christmas holiday period, so you just have to keep hoping. As a reference point, I'm a P1 trying to upgrade on the 22nd, and while there are plenty of seats available, my upgrade hasn't gone through at the seven day mark as per usual.

 

[Hvr]

Upgrade at airport means they can issue a new BP as you're boarding. Whilst you're a long way down the list you've got to be in it to win it.

Good luck and please let us know how you go.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

I'd say you're in with a fighting chance looking at those loads but it's entirely dependent on the the higher FF status pax in front of you, of which there could be many.

As for lounge access, if your upgrade does eventuate then personally I'd go to the CX lounges. Maybe go to QF for a nice gin and tonic but that would be my limit there.

 

[kermatu]

Pre-selecting a meal will have no bearing on your upgrade chances. I'd do this as soon as you can as an aside.
I never check-in online for an international flight. But again, I doubt it will impact upgrade chances.
This isn't exact, but if you haven't had notification of an upgrade by mid-morning of your flight I'd assume it won't happen or if it does it will be at the last minute (ie, boarding). In which case don't arrive too early as you may be stuck in the terminal for a while.
But the loads look quite positive for now. Plenty of J available. Though not many F which means few J pax will be upgraded.

 

[aspiringplatinumFF]

I'd say you're in with a fighting chance looking at those loads but it's entirely dependent on the the higher FF status pax in front of you, of which there could be many.

As for lounge access, if your upgrade does eventuate then personally I'd go to the CX lounges. Maybe go to QF for a nice gin and tonic but that would be my limit there.

Can I use the CX lounge on a J QF ticket even if there is a QF lounge at the airport?

 

[aspiringplatinumFF]

Also As I am flying PE, is my request prioritised over someone that is also silver, but only flying Y ?

 

[kermatu]

Also As I am flying PE, is my request prioritised over someone that is also silver, but only flying Y ?

My understanding is yes.

 

[Hvr]

Can I use the CX lounge on a J QF ticket even if there is a QF lounge at the airport?

Yes. On a J ticket you can use any Oneworld J lounge.

Also, you have priority over people in Y wanting to upgrade to J.

 

[kermatu]

Can I use the CX lounge on a J QF ticket even if there is a QF lounge at the airport?

As CX and QF are both Oneworld airlines, their business class lounges in T3 will be available to any passenger travelling business on any Oneworld flight. But you must have a business boarding pass first.

 

[aspiringplatinumFF]

Less than 1 week out and the loads are looking like:

F4 A4 J9 C9 D9 I0 W9 R9 T9 Y9 B9 H9K9 M9 L9 S9 N9

Do I have a fighting chance?

 

[aspiringplatinumFF]

UPDATE:

I was succesful in my upgrade claim. I checked my booking through the app around 30hours prior to departure and the information was updated accordingly.

Was succesful in sneaking bag into check-in with the QF10 departure early in the morning and enjoyed the CX, BA & QF lounge.

Thanks for everyone's help!

 

[calmelb]

UPDATE:

I was succesful in my upgrade claim. I checked my booking through the app around 30hours prior to departure and the information was updated accordingly.

Was succesful in sneaking bag into check-in with the QF10 departure early in the morning and enjoyed the CX, BA & QF lounge.

Thanks for everyone's help!

That’s great news! Merry Christmas!

 

[mrsterryn]

UPDATE:

I was succesful in my upgrade claim. I checked my booking through the app around 30hours prior to departure and the information was updated accordingly.

Was succesful in sneaking bag into check-in with the QF10 departure early in the morning and enjoyed the CX, BA & QF lounge.

Thanks for everyone's help!

Congrats !!! So good when an upgrade comes through
Just curious when did you check your bags in ?
I didn't think they would accept in the morning

 

[JohnM]

I think the OP is saying that they managed to take advantage of checkin being open for QF10 to drop their bags for QF2.

 

[mrsterryn]

I think the OP is saying that they managed to take advantage of checkin being open for QF10 to drop their bags for QF2.

Thanks I didn't realise that was possible.
We often have a few hours to idle away prior to qf2 check in opening

 

[JohnM]

I'm only interpreting it that way from what the OP said. They will need to confirm it.

 

[VPS]

UPDATE:

I was succesful in my upgrade claim. I checked my booking through the app around 30hours prior to departure and the information was updated accordingly.

Was succesful in sneaking bag into check-in with the QF10 departure early in the morning and enjoyed the CX, BA & QF lounge.

Thanks for everyone's help!

Great Christmas present - well done

 

[aspiringplatinumFF]

Congrats !!! So good when an upgrade comes through
Just curious when did you check your bags in ?
I didn't think they would accept in the morning

I arrived at about 11:15am and managed to get them to accept my bags with the QF10 check in. Check in was actually already closed for that flight but there was one desk left open (I assume for the late comers) - She gladly took my bags and it was very easy, they just had to make a quick call to confirm it was okay. Auto Bag drop didn't work as the screens told me it was too early.

Side note: The CX lounge was BY FAR the best lounge at T3 LHR - Don't even bother with AA or BA....

 

[mrsterryn]

I arrived at about 11:15am and managed to get them to accept my bags with the QF10 check in. Check in was actually already closed for that flight but there was one desk left open (I assume for the late comers) - She gladly took my bags and it was very easy, they just had to make a quick call to confirm it was okay. Auto Bag drop didn't work as the screens told me it was too early.

Side note: The CX lounge was BY FAR the best lounge at T3 LHR - Don't even bother with AA or BA....

Thanks for that. Will have to see if we can on our next trip
Isn't the Cathay amazing!!