Best price/performance ticket purchase for upgrading with points to business class?

[cmdwedge]

Hi all,

Apologies for the stupid question, I couldn't find a guide or post which seemed to answer this question but if you can point me in the right direction, I'd appreciate it!

My wife is travelling from CBR to IAD in August and we'd like to upgrade to business class flights with QF if we can - we have probably around 1 million points between us and never spend them. I was thinking that purchasing a flexible Premium Economy flight would give us the best ratio between how much the flights cost + the chances of actually getting a bump up to Business with our points. Is this the best way of going about it, or should we book a lower class of travel (Premium w/o Flexible, Economy?).

Thanks everyone, it's been a while since we've travelled internationally.

 

[Lynda2475]

The best option is to book CBR (or SYD/MEL/BNE) to LAX/DFW/SFO in J on Points outright if you can find any remaining seats. Then buy the domestic connection to IAD from AA/AS in cash (their domestic J fares are much cheaper than ours and still earn points annd SCs).

Of course this close out there may not be any J seats left.

As International upgrades are not instant (processed 1 week to a few hours out depending on status) and those with higher status will be ahead of you in the upgrade queue, if you buy a Prem Y ticket that is likely what you will end up flying.

 

[CaptJCool]

I agree with Lynda. It’s a lottery you may well not win regardless of hope

There’s also the question of how many points that are used for upgrade (best value from memory is J to F)

How Much is a Frequent Flyer Point Worth?

27 June, 2018

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

Best $ value per point?

We've got 225k points, and never travelled O/S. I'd like to create an spreadsheet of best bang for buck per point spent - presumably it would be upgrading from a paid business seat to first class. Is such a spreadsheet readily available? Also - is there a way to search Qantas fares by route...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

And this from yesterday

Pay More to Fly Less: The Premium for Non-Stop Flights

If you want to book a Qantas Business or First Class ticket to North America, it's cheaper to book from New Zealand than from Australia - even though the flights from New Zealand are via Australia.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[cmdwedge]

Thanks everyone! Really helpful info. I reckon we just pay for Premium Economy and roll the dice - if it doesn't go through, no big deal, she'll at least get some sleep.

 

[exLXCXFF]

May I please hijack that thread?

Can anyone explain to me why I cannot put a Classic Rewrad Upgrade Request in for a flight on QF81 SYD - SIN with an Economy M ticket booked via AMEXGBTL?

My wife has the same ticket, but booked directly via QF (own expense) and was able to put a request in.

Thanks.

 

[CaptJCool]

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/book-a-trip/flights/fare-types/fare-guide-information.html/australia/singapore.html

If it’s a Y sale fare
There’s no upgrades available
The fare classes are here

What Qantas fare classes to book if you want to upgrade with Qantas Points

If you're looking to use Qantas Points to upgrade a domestic or international Qantas flight, you'll need to book the right fare class.

www.pointhacks.com.au

It would appear M class os a doable upgrade

Whose points are being used?
If both yours presumably there’s enough points for both upgrades ?

 

[Guvner]

Hi all,

Apologies for the stupid question, I couldn't find a guide or post which seemed to answer this question but if you can point me in the right direction, I'd appreciate it!

My wife is travelling from CBR to IAD in August and we'd like to upgrade to business class flights with QF if we can - we have probably around 1 million points between us and never spend them. I was thinking that purchasing a flexible Premium Economy flight would give us the best ratio between how much the flights cost + the chances of actually getting a bump up to Business with our points. Is this the best way of going about it, or should we book a lower class of travel (Premium w/o Flexible, Economy?).

Thanks everyone, it's been a while since we've travelled internationally.

If you have around 1 million points and never spend them, why would you not use this opportunity to reduce that balance? Just curious. Certainly a lot cheaper than purchasing a PE fare and hoping for an upgrade.

 

[exLXCXFF]

It would appear M class os a doable upgrade

Whose points are being used?
If both yours presumably there’s enough points for both upgrades ?

Yes M and under my QF account with more than enough points available. It says “unfortunately, you are not eligible to request an upgrade for this flight” in the app despite it being ticketed as M fare. Strange…

 

[CaptJCool]

Yes M and under my QF account with more than enough points available. It says “unfortunately, you are not eligible to request an upgrade for this flight” in the app despite it being ticketed as M fare. Strange…

And did you try the website instead of the app?

 

[exLXCXFF]

And did you try the website instead of the app?

Thanks for the steer - I just did. And that does not look good.

Despite all the AMEXGblt showing my correct name as Surname/First Name Middle name, AMEX Gblt managed to issue the ticket as Surname/Middle Name First Name - that never happened before in all the years!

I guess I need to give AMEXGblt a call tomorrow...

 

[CaptJCool]

Thanks for the steer - I just did. And that does not look good.

Despite all the AMEXGblt showing my correct name as Surname/First Name Middle name, AMEX Gblt managed to issue the ticket as Surname/Middle Name First Name - that never happened before in all the years!

I guess I need to give AMEXGblt a call tomorrow...

Hopefully by tomorrow lunchtime you’ll have a matching set of names ! And then chances are, it’ll work ….,

 

[Flyfrequently]

I guess I need to give AMEXGblt a call tomorrow...

Did you have any luck @exLXCXFF ?