A380 Upgrade to Premium Economy from LAX to Melb using Qantas Frequent Flyer Points

[Mello_121]

Hi All,

I am a first time poster.

I recieved complimentary Gold membership last year. My husband and I will be travelling from LAX to Melb in May. We have never flown in anything high thatn Economy. We are considering upgrading to Premium Economy. At the moment it is saying this will cost 90,000 points.

My question is:

- Is upgrading for this amount of points worth it?
- How does Premium Economy compare to Economy?
- I have heard that some people have opted to upgrade and ended up in economy. Are your points refunded if this occurs?
- If I upgrade using points does that mean I will not accrue status credits and frequent flyer points for that particular leg of my journey?

Any advise/info you can provide would be much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Mgjdubs]

Re: A380 Upgrade to Premium Economy from LAX to Melb using Qantas Frequent Flyer Poin

First of all, welcome Mello_121!

Premium Economy (PE) will provide you with a noticeable step up from Economy. In my experience, it was very comfortable and I found the seat to be vaguely comparable to the QF domestic Business class seat. Food and service were better than economy. PE on QF is kind of a halfway point between Business and Economy. I would recommend redeeming points for an upgrade between LAX and MEL if it is possible.

I have heard of people registering for an upgrade to PE from Economy, although there were no seats available prior to departure. Points are only taken when the upgrade is successful, normally you would find out about your upgrade around 5 hours before your flight. You will accrue status credits and points but only those associated with the original class of travel.

 

[davec]

Re: A380 Upgrade to Premium Economy from LAX to Melb using Qantas Frequent Flyer Poin

Hi there!
To answer your questions:

1/. IMHO, upgrading using points is the best way to use them

2/. PE is a much nicer experience than plain old economy with slightly bigger seats, more leg room and 'nicer' meals, but I have never flown PE on an A380 so am sure others will offer more detail

3/. The upgrade is only a request and not guaranteed - you will usually find out if you upgrade is confirmed 5-24 hours prior to your flight. If something happens and you don't get the upgrade once it has been confirmed you will get your points credited (this happened to me late last year)

4/. You will get SC's and points, but only for the class you originally paid for ie economy

Good luck and happy travels!

Dave

 

[Katie]

Re: A380 Upgrade to Premium Economy from LAX to Melb using Qantas Frequent Flyer Poin

Welcome Mello_121
* That points cost looks like the cost for upgrading 2 passengers - each at 45,00 points. Whether it's worth it is entirely subjective; if you don't have a savings goal for your points to do something else, and are happy to potentially use them for the upgrade, go for it.
* Premium Economy has more legroom, flight attendants who are devoted to that cabin, nicer wines (out of a full bottle, not mini bottles), business class blankets, and nicer food. (Some believe that the food is no better than economy, so my belief that it is "nicer" is my own. I am however often disappointed by the dessert being the same as economy).
* If you request an upgrade and you "end up in economy" this should be either because the upgrade does not come through or some last minute operational reason. If the latter, you should be entitled to a refund of points.
* If you upgrade on points, you will earn points and SCs at the level of ticket you purchased, not the cabin you happen to fly in.

Hope this helps.

 

[flyingfan]

Re: A380 Upgrade to Premium Economy from LAX to Melb using Qantas Frequent Flyer Poin

Other posters have covered your questions well and I would only add my voice to go for the upgrade. Unless you're saving for a particular trip with points, your body will thank you for the extra room on that long trans-Pacific flight. Personally that alone makes it worth it for me. The other benefits are icing on the cake.

 

[trooper]

Re: A380 Upgrade to Premium Economy from LAX to Melb using Qantas Frequent Flyer Poin

You get cake???
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.
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()

 

[flyingfan]

Re: A380 Upgrade to Premium Economy from LAX to Melb using Qantas Frequent Flyer Poin

You get cake???

Maybe not but if you manage to upgrade to Business you might get this excellent apple and ricotta torte with cinnamon crème anglaise, a dessert on par with almost anything available on the ground.

 

[JohnM]

Re: A380 Upgrade to Premium Economy from LAX to Melb using Qantas Frequent Flyer Poin

One way to look at it from a 'value' perspective is to assume each point is worth 1cent.

Therefore, 90000 points is equivalent to $900.

Now compare the price you have paid for the seat(s) with what it would cost to book PE straight up.

How much value has your 1cent/point leveraged?

I've happily used 60K points to upgrade from J to F on that route.

It's many years since I've travelled in whY on that route (shudder) and I've never tried PE but I reckon it would be worth it even without doing the above calculation.

As others have pointed out, it is only an upgrade request you are registering for. Your points are only deducted from your account should the requests be successful (I assume two would be requested - which could be problematic - but you could always leave hubby in whY and tell him about PE ).

Assuming you're on the A380, don't forget to see if 80 A or K or 71 D are available and grab those as backup :!:.

 

[flyingfan]

Re: A380 Upgrade to Premium Economy from LAX to Melb using Qantas Frequent Flyer Poin

As others have pointed out, it is only an upgrade request you are registering for. Your points are only deducted from your account should the requests be successful (I assume two would be requested - which could be problematic - but you could always leave hubby in whY and tell him about PE ).

AFAIK it'll be a both or none upgrade proposition - unless the booking was split, and that's just plain mean

Assuming you're on the A380, don't forget to see if 80 A or K or 71 D are available and grab those as backup :!:.

Most definitely, although might face stiff competition from all the plats for those seats on this route.

 

[ts911993]

Re: A380 Upgrade to Premium Economy from LAX to Melb using Qantas Frequent Flyer Poin

I just upgraded from Y to PE on the Sydney to Dallas run and it was worth every point. I found the seat quite comfortable and got 8 hours sleep. Always handy on such a long flight.

I was booked in PE on the return leg and tried for the J upgrade but unfortunately the flight was full and I missed out. Still, PE was quite comfortable.

 

[alto25]

Re: A380 Upgrade to Premium Economy from LAX to Melb using Qantas Frequent Flyer Poin

Hi Mello_121,

Is your fare eligible for an upgrade or did you receive a special offer to upgrade? Some cheaper Disc Y fares are not eligible.

You may request an international Flight Upgrade Award from:

• Discount Economy[SUP]#[/SUP] (excluding E, N, O, Q and X class) to Premium Economy (where available[SUP]+[/SUP])

cheers,

 

[legroom]

Re: A380 Upgrade to Premium Economy from LAX to Melb using Qantas Frequent Flyer Poin

Hi All,

I am a first time poster.

I recieved complimentary Gold membership last year. My husband and I will be travelling from LAX to Melb in May. We have never flown in anything high thatn Economy. We are considering upgrading to Premium Economy. At the moment it is saying this will cost 90,000 points.

My question is:

- Is upgrading for this amount of points worth it?
- How does Premium Economy compare to Economy?
- I have heard that some people have opted to upgrade and ended up in economy. Are your points refunded if this occurs?
- If I upgrade using points does that mean I will not accrue status credits and frequent flyer points for that particular leg of my journey?

Any advise/info you can provide would be much appreciated.

Thanks

I am echoing previous posters here in saying that Y to PE upgrade is worth the 45,000 points.

The personal space / legroom is better in PE than Y seats.

Your body will thank you after some restful hours of sleep where your knees are not squashed against the back of the seat in front of you.

I'd request an upgrade if I have some points to spare.

In the meantime, use your Gold membership to select good seats in Y in case the requested upgrade falls through.

 

[randomtraveller]

Re: A380 Upgrade to Premium Economy from LAX to Melb using Qantas Frequent Flyer Poin

We used 100% points for PE on A380 (MEL-LHR) to guarantee we got it. It reminded us of the old international business class (before the beds). We were very impressed and it is definitely worth it on Qantas. Go for it - that LAX flight is about 14 hours, in fact, if you've got the points go for Business. Be careful if you're not on Qantas / A380 - not all PEs are the same. The BA equivalent (Club Plus??) is dreadful although they don't charge anywhere as many points as QF.

 

[simongr]

Re: A380 Upgrade to Premium Economy from LAX to Melb using Qantas Frequent Flyer Poin

Hi

Just trying to clarify/understand a few points:

- You used 100% points to guarantee you got it - does that mean you booked a PE award seat rather than paying for a economy seat?

- PE on BA is called World Traveller Plus

- How do you mean "they [BA] don't charge as many points"? Booking a Qantas award on BA in WT+ costs the same as QF in PE on the same routes.

- I think PE on all QF aircraft (B744 and A380) are the same.

 

[randomtraveller]

Re: A380 Upgrade to Premium Economy from LAX to Melb using Qantas Frequent Flyer Poin

Yes, I booked 2 PE Classic Award seats MEL-LHR on full points (+taxes) on-line. I also did the same on BA (LHR to Vancouver) through the Qantas site and thought that the number of points required was much lower than it would have been for an equivalent distance QF flight - I think it was 90,000 for 2. However Qantas did not fly that route. That was my third bad experience with BA and will not fly with them ever again by choice. I would rather use 100% points to ensure the booking rather than pay economy and hope for an upgrade but then you have to be (very) flexible with dates and times to get the booking. We flew business 100% points LAX to MEL but being flexible meant we had to go via Bris to secure that J class seats. It was worth the extra couple of hours to have the beds from LAX to BRIS.

 

[CaptBob]

Re: A380 Upgrade to Premium Economy from LAX to Melb using Qantas Frequent Flyer Poin

I have flown Prem Economy on Air New Zealand AKL - YVR...The old seats not the new ones used on AKL - LAX
We sat Right behind Business class. I had lots of leg room. The food and drink was the same as Business class, the cart served us right after bus class, same stuff, from the same cart.
I find its a good compromise, and generally worth it on long legs. ( AKL - YVR is 13 hours.)

 

[11sjw]

Re: A380 Upgrade to Premium Economy from LAX to Melb using Qantas Frequent Flyer Poin

QF PE is much better than Y IMO.

Once seated try for as many pillows as possible. A few on the foot stool turns it into a reasonable ottoman when combined with 2 or 3 strategically placed in the seat can generate something close to a sloping Mk1 Skybed. Extra blankets can also be used in lieu of pillows.

 

[Austashes]

Re: A380 Upgrade to Premium Economy from LAX to Melb using Qantas Frequent Flyer Poin

For me its all about the seat. The additional width over economy is worth it (because i'm not a 12 year old - for who economy seats were designed for). Food & service is good but its the chance to sleep that is worth the points for me.

 

[love_the_life]

Re: A380 Upgrade to Premium Economy from LAX to Melb using Qantas Frequent Flyer Poin

We have flown PE several times on QF and once on BA (which was not a patch on the QF product). In all cases except one (which was a gate upgrade for a friend and I - thank you very much Qantas) we have paid for them in cash and not used points. Given that there are many like us (retired or semi-retired travellers paying for their own flights) PE is a good compromise between the dreadful Y long haul and paying for J, as it is about half the price of J, I would not count on getting a points upgrade. It is even getting a bit hard to snag a J upgrade from PE on some routes as J seems to be full.
I concur with the posts above - PE is a good product and I am happy to pay for it over Y.

 

[lightie]

Re: A380 Upgrade to Premium Economy from LAX to Melb using Qantas Frequent Flyer Poin

Oh wow< I am going on the A380 in business in a couple of months time to London, that picture has just put the "icing on the cake"for me. First time on A380 for me and have managed to get the seats allocated & confirmed in the little cabin at the front, so very happy