Book JASA Now - Upgrade to FASA Later (SYD - LAX)

[blessed11]

Hi all,

I've read snippets about this topic elsewhere on the forum previously though have not seemed to find a conclusive answer.

Found a couple JASA SYD - LAX departing May 2014 for 2 pax on QF11 (A380). There are a couple tickets on a day previously as well though it's on a 777 (though I think all 777 J class are now same as A380). I'd like to fly F (of course) for the trip and have read previously that it's sometimes possible to upgrade a JASA to an FASA. Will my chances be increased if i book on an A380 (where F is available) or does it not really matter given that if they release award seats in F and they allow an upgrade from JASA they should be able to move me to the QF11 flight. I've got Platinum status if that makes any difference in this instance. Not been able to search for the return LAX - SYD as still too early (would like to return early June).

I've searched for FASA's as well as F Classic awards all through March, April & May 2014 and have not been able to find a single availability... yet. Help would be appreciated as will help me gain brownie points with a surprise trip for the Mrs .

Just recently returned from a SYD - LHR - SYD trip (some stops in other parts of Europe as well) on QFA380 via Dubai. Purchased those tickets as only booked a couple months ago. Literally one step closer to heaven!

Cheers

EDIT: Also how do I know if they release seats in FASA... do I simply keep checking from time to time?

 

[strance]

if i were you, i'd get an expertflyer account and setup an alert on P class on the flight you get confirmed on in J, as well as a few days either side. once you see P availability, one would hope a classic priced FASA would then be available, you should be able to try and upgrade online using $$ by 'changing' flight or call qf. i wish you luck, but wouldn't be too optimistic about two of these seats being released.

 

[blessed11]

Thanks for the quick reply. I've got an expertflyer account somewhere I just need to upgrade to a paid version. Just thought would be nice grabbing some FASA's however if I don't I'm fairly confident a QF sale will be on between now and May 14 and I'll hopefully grab some F tickets at a slight discount. I use to be addicted to J... then I tried F a few years ago and it's hard to go back!

 

[Skyring]

Found a couple JASA SYD - LAX departing May 2014 for 2 pax on QF11 (A380). There are a couple tickets on a day previously as well though it's on a 777 (though I think all 777 J class are now same as A380).

Yeah, those Qantas 777s are sweet birds.

 

[TheEmu]

Yeah, those Qantas 777s are sweet birds.

:shock:

 

[MarcB]

Hi all,

I've read snippets about this topic elsewhere on the forum previously though have not seemed to find a conclusive answer.

Found a couple JASA SYD - LAX departing May 2014 for 2 pax on QF11 (A380). There are a couple tickets on a day previously as well though it's on a 777 (though I think all 777 J class are now same as A380). I'd like to fly F (of course) for the trip and have read previously that it's sometimes possible to upgrade a JASA to an FASA. Will my chances be increased if i book on an A380 (where F is available) or does it not really matter given that if they release award seats in F and they allow an upgrade from JASA they should be able to move me to the QF11 flight. I've got Platinum status if that makes any difference in this instance. Not been able to search for the return LAX - SYD as still too early (would like to return early June).

I've searched for FASA's as well as F Classic awards all through March, April & May 2014 and have not been able to find a single availability... yet. Help would be appreciated as will help me gain brownie points with a surprise trip for the Mrs .

Just recently returned from a SYD - LHR - SYD trip (some stops in other parts of Europe as well) on QFA380 via Dubai. Purchased those tickets as only booked a couple months ago. Literally one step closer to heaven!

Cheers

EDIT: Also how do I know if they release seats in FASA... do I simply keep checking from time to time?

I've just done this very thing. I booked a BNE-LAX-JFK in "U" class and have managed to upgrade to "P" by going via Melbourne on QF93. A word of warning for multi-sector bookings though, the system did not want to let them price this. After being told by 2 consultants I'd have to drop the LAX-JFK sector and do a domestic add-on for the BNE-MEL, I finally managed to get a consultant and supervisor who were able to build the fare manually.

In your situation with only a single sector SYD-LAX, I'd suggest it will be no problems though.

On the issue of availability, I'd suggest you search for classic "F" awards. I knew there was "P" class on the days I was looking at (I have EF) but the ASA booking engine was not showing any cheap FASAs. QF could see the availability fine, however.

As a final point, I must say, the consultant and her supervisor who managed to make this happen for me were outstanding. They spent over an hour going back and forth and could not have been more helpful.

 

[blessed11]

I've just done this very thing. I booked a BNE-LAX-JFK in "U" class and have managed to upgrade to "P" by going via Melbourne on QF93. A word of warning for multi-sector bookings though, the system did not want to let them price this. After being told by 2 consultants I'd have to drop the LAX-JFK sector and do a domestic add-on for the BNE-MEL, I finally managed to get a consultant and supervisor who were able to build the fare manually.

In your situation with only a single sector SYD-LAX, I'd suggest it will be no problems though.

On the issue of availability, I'd suggest you search for classic "F" awards. I knew there was "P" class on the days I was looking at (I have EF) but the ASA booking engine was not showing any cheap FASAs. QF could see the availability fine, however.

As a final point, I must say, the consultant and her supervisor who managed to make this happen for me were outstanding. They spent over an hour going back and forth and could not have been more helpful.

Hi MarcB,

Thank you very much for the information. A few questions for you if you don't mind:

1. Your original BNE-LAX-JFK in "U" class how far in advance was this booked?
2. When upgraded to "P" class, how long did you have to wait to find the upgrade to "P"?
3. I've searched for Classic F Awards from Jan 13 - May 13 and have not found a single award availability. Did you just wait it out with EF alerts for something to come up and got lucky?

Thank you in advance !

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Yeah, those Qantas 777s are sweet birds.

even better since they upgraded from the old 777 J class to the new A380 standard

 

[Kangol]

I've just done this very thing. I booked a BNE-LAX-JFK in "U" class and have managed to upgrade to "P" by going via Melbourne on QF93. A word of warning for multi-sector bookings though, the system did not want to let them price this. After being told by 2 consultants I'd have to drop the LAX-JFK sector and do a domestic add-on for the BNE-MEL, I finally managed to get a consultant and supervisor who were able to build the fare manually.

In your situation with only a single sector SYD-LAX, I'd suggest it will be no problems though.

On the issue of availability, I'd suggest you search for classic "F" awards. I knew there was "P" class on the days I was looking at (I have EF) but the ASA booking engine was not showing any cheap FASAs. QF could see the availability fine, however.

As a final point, I must say, the consultant and her supervisor who managed to make this happen for me were outstanding. They spent over an hour going back and forth and could not have been more helpful.

Awesome, what were the prices (original and new) for this booking if you don't mind me asking?

ISTR you also had another win previously with releasing an ASA (PE or J?) at classic award rates that ended up earning points and SCs?

 

[MarcB]

Hi MarcB,

Thank you very much for the information. A few questions for you if you don't mind:

1. Your original BNE-LAX-JFK in "U" class how far in advance was this booked?
2. When upgraded to "P" class, how long did you have to wait to find the upgrade to "P"?
3. I've searched for Classic F Awards from Jan 13 - May 13 and have not found a single award availability. Did you just wait it out with EF alerts for something to come up and got lucky?

Thank you in advance !

1. I booked the "U" class on Friday last week for travel in May next year.
2. I could see the "P" class on the service I wanted was available, so I simply asked for them to price the upgrade from "U" to "P" noting that I would also need to travel via Melbourne. As I said, initially, I was told, not possible because of the JFK-LAX (fares not combinable across classes). However, when I spoke to a different consultant who got a supervisor involved, she was able to see that I had another booking from LAX-SYD in "P" with a connection in "U" to Brisbane so she concluded this was not the problem. Long story short, they built the fare manually and priced it. Apart from the back and forth, it was all done in the space of the phone call (i.e. on the spot). E ticket issued about an hour later.
3. I looked at EF before I booked the "U" class. I knew exactly what I intended to do (upgrade to "P") so I booked a date when I knew I could then seek the upgrade. What dates are you looking? How many seats? I saw a few "P" seats yesterday in May next year on QF11 as this was another option she looked at for me - but required an overnight in LAX because of the connection, so went for an overnight in MEL airport instead.

 

[MarcB]

Awesome, what were the prices (original and new) for this booking if you don't mind me asking?

The original booking was BNE-LAX-JFK and that was 128,000 points plus $565. The upgrade/re-route was another $990. All up, at 128,000 points and $1555, for mixed business/first, I am very happy.

ISTR you also had another win previously with releasing an ASA (PE or J?) at classic award rates that ended up earning points and SCs?

Correct. It was an ASA from BNE-JFK (via LAX) in "Z" - which I subsequently upgraded to "U" for cash ($400 ish from memory) via Sydney.

 

[legroom]

.....I've got an expertflyer account somewhere I just need to upgrade to a paid version....

If you are a GOLD AFF member, remember to PM admin to get a discount code.

..... I use to be addicted to J... then I tried F a few years ago and it's hard to go back!.....

What I would call "a first world problem"

 

[lovestotravel]

Has anyone had luck getting QF to release a FASA ?

 

[MarcB]

Has anyone had luck getting QF to release a FASA ?

Despite my prior success in getting "Z" class released and redeeming as an ASA, I did try to rebook a "P" class ASA to a new date and when they tried to request the seat, the system said "no". I think the changes to the booking system may have closed some of these gaps. That or I just got lucky the first time.

 

[blessed11]

1. I booked the "U" class on Friday last week for travel in May next year.
2. I could see the "P" class on the service I wanted was available, so I simply asked for them to price the upgrade from "U" to "P" noting that I would also need to travel via Melbourne. As I said, initially, I was told, not possible because of the JFK-LAX (fares not combinable across classes). However, when I spoke to a different consultant who got a supervisor involved, she was able to see that I had another booking from LAX-SYD in "P" with a connection in "U" to Brisbane so she concluded this was not the problem. Long story short, they built the fare manually and priced it. Apart from the back and forth, it was all done in the space of the phone call (i.e. on the spot). E ticket issued about an hour later.
3. I looked at EF before I booked the "U" class. I knew exactly what I intended to do (upgrade to "P") so I booked a date when I knew I could then seek the upgrade. What dates are you looking? How many seats? I saw a few "P" seats yesterday in May next year on QF11 as this was another option she looked at for me - but required an overnight in LAX because of the connection, so went for an overnight in MEL airport instead.

Thank you for the response again MarcB and sorry for the delay in my posting. Been jet-setting across Oz.

I took your advice and received the promo code for EF. I'll sign up for an account tonight at search for flights with both U and P seats available.

I won't need JFK - LAX so agree my booking should (hopefully) be easier.

I'm looking around the same time as yourself, beginning/end of May next year. Seats for myself and the Mrs. Don't mind flying in/out of MEL as travel there regularly for work in any event. Do you mind PM'ing me the date that P flight is available in May (if it still is)... otherwise I'll have a proper search tonight.

Cheers !

 

[blessed11]

If you are a GOLD AFF member, remember to PM admin to get a discount code.






What I would call "a first world problem"

Thanks, admin PM'd and discount code received.

Most definitely a first world problem !

 

[MarcB]

Thank you for the response again MarcB and sorry for the delay in my posting. Been jet-setting across Oz.

I took your advice and received the promo code for EF. I'll sign up for an account tonight at search for flights with both U and P seats available.

I won't need JFK - LAX so agree my booking should (hopefully) be easier.

I'm looking around the same time as yourself, beginning/end of May next year. Seats for myself and the Mrs. Don't mind flying in/out of MEL as travel there regularly for work in any event. Do you mind PM'ing me the date that P flight is available in May (if it still is)... otherwise I'll have a proper search tonight.

Cheers !

Not a worry. PM sent.