Best way to upgrade Y to J domestic (no status)

[Nizar]

Hi guys,

I have a flight in Y SYD-MEL next week booked into L class.
I'm currently QF Bronze lol so no status.

My flight is running the 332 and I wouldn't mind lounge access as well as the J seat, even though flight time is often an hour or less.

I can try for a Classic Award for 10k points but given my status is this likely a goer ? Flight time is 1730

How about the Bid Now option or whatever it's called ? Do they email you for that ? How long before the flight do they email you ?
And what is the range of $$ needed ? Is there a points plus pay option ?

I'm earning plenty of points at the moment so would prefer to use points where possible but happy to part with a bit of cash maybe a few hunge if that's realistic ?

Appreciate any thoughts or discussion

Thanks

 

[blackcat20]

Domestic upgrades are instant; if a reward seat is available then it is also available for upgrade, and status plays no part.

 

[Nizar]

Domestic upgrades are instant; if a reward seat is available then it is also available for upgrade, and status plays no part.

So it's only for international upgrades where the upgrade lottery applies ?

 

[docjames]

Hi guys,

I have a flight in Y SYD-MEL next week booked into L class.
I'm currently QF Bronze lol so no status.

My flight is running the 332 and I wouldn't mind lounge access as well as the J seat, even though flight time is often an hour or less.

I can try for a Classic Award for 10k points but given my status is this likely a goer ? Flight time is 1730

How about the Bid Now option or whatever it's called ? Do they email you for that ? How long before the flight do they email you ?
And what is the range of $$ needed ? Is there a points plus pay option ?

I'm earning plenty of points at the moment so would prefer to use points where possible but happy to part with a bit of cash maybe a few hunge if that's realistic ?

Appreciate any thoughts or discussion

Thanks

Submit immediately, if there's U seat "bucket availability, you'll get it.

You could put your flight details into this an look for availability of a "U" fare:

https://flightavailability.bcdtravel.com/OnlineInfo/EN/MnAvlForm_ver.aspx

 

[Longtoo]

So it's only for international upgrades where the upgrade lottery applies ?

Yes, first come first server for domestic. I often see empty J seats in domestic. You would have a good chance, but it also depends on day of the week and your flight time.

 

[1022]

Domestic upgrades are instant; if a reward seat is available then it is also available for upgrade, and status plays no part.

Yes and no. I've had instant approval of domestic classic upgrades and also approval up to t-24. In the latter case, at the time of request the site gives a message saying no upgrades are currently available but your request has been submitted and can be cancelled any time - like the international lottery. Similarly points are only deducted when/if the upgrade comes through.

I'd say chances are pretty scarce on a 17:30 SYD-MEL flight. It'll be full of WPs who will be higher up the pecking order.

Bid now upgrades are by email invitation only so far as I'm aware. I often get an email 7-10 days out from the flight. That sometimes actually prompts me to put in a classic request at that point seeing as they are obviously trying to flog off a few extra J seats. I think I've had >50% success rate of those late classic upgrade requests being granted.

 

[TomVexille]

Yes and no. I've had instant approval of domestic classic upgrades and also approval up to t-24. In the latter case, at the time of request the site gives a message saying no upgrades are currently available but your request has been submitted and can be cancelled any time - like the international lottery. Similarly points are only deducted when/if the upgrade comes through.

I'd say chances are pretty scarce on a 17:30 SYD-MEL flight. It'll be full of WPs who will be higher up the pecking order.

Bid now upgrades are by email invitation only so far as I'm aware. I often get an email 7-10 days out from the flight. That sometimes actually prompts me to put in a classic request at that point seeing as they are obviously trying to flog off a few extra J seats. I think I've had >50% success rate of those late classic upgrade requests being granted.

Were there U seats available?

Just looked at a couple of days next week around that time and plenty of U availability on 332s

 

[mannej]

Yes and no. I've had instant approval of domestic classic upgrades and also approval up to t-24. In the latter case, at the time of request the site gives a message saying no upgrades are currently available but your request has been submitted and can be cancelled any time - like the international lottery. Similarly points are only deducted when/if the upgrade comes through.

I'd say chances are pretty scarce on a 17:30 SYD-MEL flight. It'll be full of WPs who will be higher up the pecking order.

Bid now upgrades are by email invitation only so far as I'm aware. I often get an email 7-10 days out from the flight. That sometimes actually prompts me to put in a classic request at that point seeing as they are obviously trying to flog off a few extra J seats. I think I've had >50% success rate of those late classic upgrade requests being granted.

If U is available, the upgrade should clear immediately. If it doesn't, call QF and they can get it to clear manually.

If there isn't U available, that's where the waitlist comes into play.

 

[Nizar]

Thanks everyone.
I put in the request and it instantly approved !

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Thanks everyone.
I put in the request and it instantly approved !

Enjoy the ride, I have done it.
Pick row 2A if you can, as it has the storage arm rest on the aisle side, ie, you will have window view prior to landing in MEL. Depending on how the route is, its great being able to see MEL CBD from a distance, if you miss out on that, its still nice being close to the window.
Granted seating might be tight, as to choosing where you want to sit.
17.25 flight, so that would be dinner on board, but you can have early mini dinner in the lounge.
I would aim to be at SYD airport by say, 16.30, to get past through dom security and then enjoy both of the lounge, wait for the PA and then get to plane.
Hopefully all goes well for you and you do get the 330, sometimes QF does swap to a 737.
Edit: thought the OP was flying MEL - SYD, but I have edited, after seeing SYD - MEL is the actual flight plan.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Pick row 2A if you can, as it has the storage arm rest on the aisle side, ie, you will have window view prior to landing in MEL. Depending on how the route is, its great being able to see MEL CBD from a distance, if you miss out on that, its still nice being close to the window.

When I first tried the new J suites on the A330 I thought these would be the best seats.
However the way the tables work it is almost if not totally impossible to get up while there is a meal on your table.
Whereas it is much easier to get out of the window seats in the odd numbered rows, even during a meal.
So these are my new preference. It is still easy to see out of the window.
And if you don't drink enough to need to go to the toilet then why did you bother upgrading?

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

If you were as wide a girth like me, you would upgrade at any opportunity where you have sufficient points.
Its not just having to get up to use the J "conveniences", but also personal space, without your seat partner next to you hogging the arm rest!
I tend to pay for J when I can, or buy an empty seat next to me plus my own, or "hope" as an SG to have a shadow, which when flying QF does have its magic.
I have a VA flight coming in in YX, ADL - MEL, but hve a dreaded whY MEL - BNE (hoping for a shadow). Not enough points to upgrade on this one, but am upgrading BNE - ADL.