1st QFi as WP and 1st Op-up

[StatusRunner]

Got a mid flight op up 30 mins in on a flight to Singapore. Too many babies on board and I was in the bulk head. I had this couple come up and try to use the bassinet 40cm from my face. Obviously this was an issue for me. With about 4 screaming babies around me, I said that I'd gladly move to another seat. Next minute I'm going through the curtain

Couple of points

Out of 2 j cabins, 1 was almost empty
His ties seemed reluctant to upgrade.

I think QF needs to think about using grossly underutilized J cabins to reward elite flyers.

 

[mannej]

I think QF needs to think about using grossly underutilized J cabins to reward elite flyers.

It is all about balance. Upgrade too much and you lose those who will buy J seats, upgrade not enough and you annoy those stuck in the back.

The right balance will avoid the premium cabins becoming like the American situation, hence why QF may seem tight with upgrades.

 

[moa999]

What does "his ties" mean?

Had you applied for a points upgrade - QF has recently been better at using these to fill cabins, but remains poor on Op-up's unless you end up with oversold Y cabins

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Got a mid flight op up 30 mins in on a flight to Singapore. Too many babies on board and I was in the bulk head. I had this couple come up and try to use the bassinet 40cm from my face. Obviously this was an issue for me. With about 4 screaming babies around me, I said that I'd gladly move to another seat. Next minute I'm going through the curtain

Couple of points

Out of 2 j cabins, 1 was almost empty
His ties seemed reluctant to upgrade.

I think QF needs to think about using grossly underutilized J cabins to reward elite flyers.

At what point did you reserve the bassinet row seat? At the time of booking, OLCI etc?

If you were on an intl config (25J/204Y) 767 PER/SIN there is only one bassinet seat in front of 23J so any more than one infant will be a case of 'too many babies'.

Despite the best efforts of some parents in requesting a bassinet row seat, it will all be in vain if a SG or WP has pre-reserved the only BSCT seat months in advance. If it was a full cabin in J you mightn't have had as rosy a scenario.

A380 & B744 flights generally have all bassinet seats blocked out for airport use only (unless pre-reserved by pax with infants) then only released to pax without infants on the day.

As for free upgrades, if they were that easy to obtain nobody would ever purchase a J ticket or to put it simply - why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free. :shock:

 

[JohnK]

I think QF needs to think about using grossly underutilized J cabins to reward elite flyers.

I agree with you but they need to find the right balance and not on every flight otherwise people would expect it and not bother to pay for business. Wouldn't you take a risk if you knew there was a good chance you would get an op-up?

At what point did you reserve the bassinet row seat? At the time of booking, OLCI etc?

From experience I am not able pre-allocate a bassinet on international flights.

If you are able to allocate a bassinet seat at check-in then you would expect to have a peaceful flight. But then again this comes down to some people thinking the whole world revolves around them and they do not need to make any effort whats so ever to organise themselves.

 

[StatusRunner]

What does "his ties" mean?

Sorry meant hosties.

I chose bulkhead after booking.

Bassinets were an AB. 2 in CDEF and 1 in GH

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I chose bulkhead after booking.

Bassinets were an AB. 2 in CDEF and 1 in GH

Those seat numbers don't exist on QF on A330's or 767's - did you actually fly QF or was it CX to HKG?

The A330 has 2 bassinets in the centre row of 4 seats.

None of the 767's have 2 bassinets in the middle section.

The 767 intl (VH-OGx) config 25J/204Y has one BSCT seat 23J.

The 767 dom (VH-OGx) config 30J/222Y has two BSCT seats 23B & 23J.

The other 767 dom (VH-ZXx) config 30J/214Y has four BSCT seats 23E 26B 26E 26J.

QF B767 seats 7 across are numbered
AB DEF JK.

QF A330 seats 8 across are numbered
AB DEFG JK.

 

[serfty]

At what point did you reserve the bassinet row seat? At the time of booking, OLCI etc?

If you were on an intl config (25J/204Y) 767 PER/SIN there is only one bassinet seat in front of 23J so any more than one infant will be a case of 'too many babies'.
...

I would suggest out of PER it was a 332 (two cabins is the clue).

A 767 does not have two "business" cabins. Indeed, I saw no reference to aircraft type in the OP.

These have four bassinet positions in economy - 23A/B, 23D/E, 23F/G & 23J/K.

Yes- it can become quite the kindergarten in row 23.

 

[Hvr]

Interesting that the parents think they're entitled to dump their baby in front of another person.

Methinks they were trying to force the OP to move to suit them. And even worse their bad behaviour was rewarded albeit to the benefit of the OP as well.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Interesting that the parents think they're entitled to dump their baby in front of another person.

Methinks they were trying to force the OP to move to suit them. And even worse their bad behaviour was rewarded albeit to the benefit of the OP as well.

I didn't think the OP was saying that the parents tried to "dump their baby". More like they asked/ tried to ask the OP if they could use the bassinet position in front of his seat.
Since there wasn't a baby in that row I don't think the crew would have pulled down the table and fixed an empty bassinet in there.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

It is all about balance. Upgrade too much and you lose those who will buy J seats, upgrade not enough and you annoy those stuck in the back.

The right balance will avoid the premium cabins becoming like the American situation, hence why QF may seem tight with upgrades.

I'd be interested to see actual statistics of op-up% of platinums. In the OP's case, it's not a true upgrade as it was done onboard.
My guess is the free upgrade rate of platinums in general would be under 3% (I'm sitting at under 1% as P1). Far cry from other AAirlines where it's near 100%.

 

[Colster]

I got my first WP op-up on Syd-BNE the other day. Was a great surprise as I didn't even notice until the FA said your seat is just there... pointing to 4B. Checked my boarding pass and it definitely was not 24A. Have been a WP for two months, and am looking forward to a international op up one day (hope beyond hope).

 

[StatusRunner]

At what point did you reserve the bassinet row seat? At the time of booking, OLCI etc?

If you were on an intl config (25J/204Y) 767 PER/SIN there is only one bassinet seat in front of 23J so any more than one infant will be a case of 'too many babies'.

Despite the best efforts of some parents in requesting a bassinet row seat, it will all be in vain if a SG or WP has pre-reserved the only BSCT seat months in advance. If it was a full cabin in J you mightn't have had as rosy a scenario.

A380 & B744 flights generally have all bassinet seats blocked out for airport use only (unless pre-reserved by pax with infants) then only released to pax without infants on the day.

As for free upgrades, if they were that easy to obtain nobody would ever purchase a J ticket or to put it simply - why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free. :shock:

Pretty sure I said SINGAPORE

Also if you know plane so well you'd know that CX 330s don't have B in economy.

Cheers to next poster who knows what they are talking about and there is in fact 4 bassinets in that row.

 

[JohnK]

My guess is the free upgrade rate of platinums in general would be under 3% (I'm sitting at under 1% as P1). Far cry from other AAirlines where it's near 100%.

Sounds about right. A few years ago my op-up rate was ~4%-6%.

I suspect the reason you do not get so many op-ups is you are already flying in the highest cabin most of the time.

 

[boomy]

Got a mid flight op up 30 mins in on a flight to Singapore. Too many babies on board and I was in the bulk head. I had this couple come up and try to use the bassinet 40cm from my face. Obviously this was an issue for me. With about 4 screaming babies around me, I said that I'd gladly move to another seat. Next minute I'm going through the curtain

Couple of points

Out of 2 j cabins, 1 was almost empty
His ties seemed reluctant to upgrade.

I think QF needs to think about using grossly underutilized J cabins to reward elite flyers.

Had the screaming babies situation last week on MEL-PER. I had to move from 25D (with shadow) to 23B (took 23A's shadow ).
I noticed the J cabin was not full and was a bit disappointed the FA didn't offer to upgrade when he asked me to move but it wasn't a very long flight so no big deal.

I think the balance of QF elite upgrades is wrong and they can do better. What's the point of leaving half empty J cabins when you have WPs & P1s sitting in Y?! They obviously fly enough to deserve an upgrade now and then...

 

[Pleb Status]

I think the balance of QF elite upgrades is wrong and they can do better. What's the point of leaving half empty J cabins when you have WPs & P1s sitting in Y?! They obviously fly enough to deserve an upgrade now and then...

The P1 apologies and excuses team has advised, in writing, that if I want to sit in J, I must pay for J.

 

[StatusRunner]

Also to note. I was feeling rubbish and tried to points upgrade in lounge, but my pa booked deep discount to save, $150 and I couldn't upgrade.

 

[JohnPhelan]

The P1 apologies and excuses team has advised, in writing, that if I want to sit in J, I must pay for J.

which makes perfect sense! If they regularly hand out upgrades, then people won't bother buying J tickets, and you'll end up with the AA debacle!

 

[Isochronous]

Maybe the answer is to give WP one guaranteed upgrade a year, and everything else is based on luck.

 

[markis10]

Pretty sure I said SINGAPORE

Also if you know plane so well you'd know that CX 330s don't have B in economy.

Cheers to next poster who knows what they are talking about and there is in fact 4 bassinets in that row.

You did not say the plane type, destination is not always relevant when different planes operate to the same destination at times, hence the confusion. Ozbeachbabe knows the aircraft very well, and was just pointing out your error re seat numbering, after all I often see OzBeachbabe at the domestic and international airport gates but I know they are not flying

Your obviously fairly new to flying elite status with Qantas if you expect to sit up front and not be bothered by babies or you expect QF to fill the J cabin, row 23 is not the favourite here by many who have flown A330s for more than the baby reason.