BNE - NRT (Tokyo Narita)

[SimonFooks]

Good evening all

First time poster so lets not be too harsh hey.

So, I have been researching flights to Tokyo Narita departing Brisbane. In the Asia sale prices are listed as $1049; they are available at the other BR place for $745 (excluding currency cost).

I have made a dummy booking and confirmed that the fare is "O" bucket. I have also checked the Qantas upgrade calculator and found that discount economy 'O' fare is upgradeable to business for 40,000 points; fyi the equivalent business class is listed at $4199, I could find no cheaper alternative at the other BR place.

Given that I would like to visit Tokyo (not considering alternative destinations) I would like your opinions on the merits of upgrading to business for 40,000 points? also what are my chances of being upgraded? What other considerations should I make? I am currently NB but expect to be SG at least by the time I travel.

Your feedback would be very much appreciated. Many thanks.

Simon

 

[Dmac6345]

Hi Simon,
When are you planning on traveling?
AFAIC an upgrade is always worth it if you have the points to burn.
As far as the chance of upgrade. That depends as well. Being NB, thats a lot of possible passengers that will trump you. Gold will of course be a better chance. I would apply for the upgrade as soon as you book it. Also I gather you will be traveling QF (via Syd)?

 

[SimonFooks]

Hi Dmac

Thanks for getting back. I am planning to travel around March / April 2014 (planning to see the Cherry Blossom festivals). Yes flight will be QF via Sydney.

Certainly looking to upgrade as soon as possible after the booking (I am waiting for some points to post from credit card application) but was wondering if it would be better to request upgrade as PS or SG?

 

[Dmac6345]

You can cancel an upgrade at any time, and then re-apply. If you re-apply when you are a higher status, you have a better chance. You can do this as many times as you like AFAIK.
At this stage they are flying 744's on this route, so more J seat options. However, who knows what aircraftQF will be flying to Tokyo then. Anything could happen.

Hope this helps.

 

[SimonFooks]

Thanks for the information

 

[k_sheep]

I have made a dummy booking and confirmed that the fare is "O" bucket. I have also checked the Qantas upgrade calculator and found that discount economy 'O' fare is upgradeable to business for 40,000 points;

May want to double check that; in general, O class is not upgradeable

Frequent Flyer - Using Points - Flight Upgrades - International Flight Upgrades

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

 

[Red Roo]

May want to double check that; in general, O class is not upgradeable

Frequent Flyer - Using Points - Flight Upgrades - International Flight Upgrades

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

Thanks k_sheep. This is correct.

 

[SimonFooks]

Thanks for pointing that out, I was all set to try and upgrade from O. Upgrade to PE only changes things.

 

[kirk7]

Its not upgradable to any other cabin....unless QF has a promo

 

[SimonFooks]

Do these promos come around very often?

 

[legroom]

You can cancel an upgrade at any time, and then re-apply. If you re-apply when you are a higher status, you have a better chance. You can do this as many times as you like AFAIK.
At this stage they are flying 744's on this route, so more J seat options. However, who knows what aircraftQF will be flying to Tokyo then. Anything could happen.

Hope this helps.

Hi

May I ask how you know that is the case ".... reapplying with a higher status gives you a better chance of upgrade..."

I'd have thought with the computing power that QF has, it would make no difference.

For example, once you move up a tier (say from SQ to WP), the plane seating immediately changes to reflect your new (higher) status.

I would be very annoyed / surprised if the status @ time of upgrade request were to be "locked in" as it would then render your new status null & void.

Many here on AFF would go from NB to LTS after a single DONE4 (Hello Skyring) so status does change - frequently.

 

[SimonFooks]

Good evening all

Further to my original message I went ahead and made a booking in PE between Sydney and Tokyo Narita (QF21): the fare class is T. When it came to choosing seats I noticed that the seating arrangements are different to those listed at Seat Guru etc. I am considering opting for seat 24A and was planning to request an upgrade to business however the comments at Seat Guru etc suggest that seat 24A is a business seat in PE. Is this the case? If so is there actually any point in requesting an upgrade or is this a poor use of 30000 points given the difference will be in service only (as seats are the same). Would you please give opinions on whether seat 24A is the best option. Thanks in advance.

 

[love_the_life]

IMO Y+ is very comfortable especially for a daytime flight (certainly for overnight we try to upgrade). The service is excellent, bordering on good J service, and having only 2 seats is much preferable (ignoring the centre ones here as never choose them). If i were flying this route I would only be looking to upgrade one way (the return leg which is overnight from memory but I may well be mistaken). In terms of the actual seat, sorry can't help there.

comment - excuse the change of person throughtout the post - a bit tired!

 

[SimonFooks]

Thanks for your input, upgrading the return segment only is the way I was leaning. Both the outbound and return are overnights but I figured by upgrading on the return I could make a comparison between Y+ / J. This would be 30,000 points only; status credit earn at PE+.

 

[Grooba]

Hi Simon,

Just remember, points upgrades are a lucky dip. Even if you have the points, and the ticket is upgradable, don't get your hopes up. I find this is the best mentality so when the upgrade doesn't clear, you aren't disappointed.

Have fun in Japan, I also have the cherry blossom festivals are most certainly on my bucket list.

 

[legroom]

OP will be SG by that time so he has a reasonable chance of an upgrade provided there is no WP ahead of him.

 

[here2go]

Hi Dmac

Thanks for getting back. I am planning to travel around March / April 2014 (planning to see the Cherry Blossom festivals). Yes flight will be QF via Sydney.

Siminfooks. Do you have a travel report from the Cherry Blossom festival. My wife is keen to go.