Can I swap tickets with my wife?

[Omarko_man]

hi all flying gurus,

I am travelling with my wife to Europe later this year. Unfortunately, the way the tickets have been booked we have a situation where the first leg of the flight SYD-SIN is in Economy on a Qantas plane and we are both on it however, my booking was done through Qantas directly (for this leg alone) while my wifes is part of ticket with Finnair.

Now I wanted to put in a request to upgrade using points and I can do so in my Qantas online login however, we can not do it in my wifes account. After ringing Qantas, they advised that despite the fact that we are flying with them on that leg, the ticket is under Finnair and no upgrades are allowed. I dont mind travelling in Y especially knowing that rest of the journey is in J class however, my wife might be quite pregnant by then and it would be nice if she was comfortable the WHOLE flight to Europe.

Lets say I request for an upgrade and get it (I know, chances are small), can I give my wife my ticket when we board so she can have the upgraded seat and I can go in the back with the rest of the sheep ? Is this allowed at all ? Would love to hear other peoples experiences.

Alternatively, should we just leave it and on the day of travel, when we check in our luggage at the Qantas counter, should we just ask for points upgrade there and then and see if they can do some magic (especially when they see my wife with a big belly) ?

 

[Hvr]

Essentially you're both on the same flight and you want to allow your wife to have the upgraded seat. Shouldn't be a problem if you don't change seats during the flight and advise the FA what you're doing prior to her taking the seat.

Also, if you want to talk to each other on board then she'll have to come and visit you.

 

[Ansett]

First of all a points upgrade is never guaranteed so wouldnt be relying on that.

Howver if succesful then I would sugest taking allocated seats and talking to the CSM and then swap when on board, have seen this done several times.

Points upgrade at check in os NOT an option as it simpley is not available on international legs

Have a great trip and hope you get the Upgrade and that the better half enjoys a more comfortable flight.

 

[Omarko_man]

many thanks for the reply guys, thats what I thought. If by some miracle I do get the upgrade, we'll swap when we are on-board after checking with the FAs that its ok.

 

[markis10]

Points upgrade at check in os NOT an option as it simpley is not available on international legs.

Yes they are an option, upgrades can even be done at the gate, there is also a cash upgrade option at checkin.

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

 

[Omarko_man]

Yes they are an option, upgrades can even be done at the gate, there is also a cash upgrade option at checkin.

thanks, thats what I thought as well but there are often mixed statements on that. The Q website seems pretty clear though.

 

[Ansett]

Yes they are an option, upgrades can even be done at the gate, there is also a cash upgrade option at checkin.

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

Yes but my understanding of this is that one must have previoulsy have requested an upgrade as normal. Again IMHO and interpretation of the rules is that whilst you may miss out on the first round if anything changes after you arrive or before you depart you may still get the upgrade.

I took it that the OP was referring to just asking if he can use points when he is checking in to get an upgrade with out having forst of requested an upgrade via manage my bookings online.

I for one would be very happy to be able to use points at time of check in to see if an upgrade is available. If I am wrong in my understanding I will apologise to the OP however Im sure you can not just rock up and request points upgrade on an International flight

Cheers

 

[MTAB]

Good luck with the upgrades.

In 2010 or 2011 I got a sixteen sector DONE in my name (as I wanted the SCs) and a LONE in my wife's. On all of the flights (QF, AA, BA. FA, CP) I gave her my BP and she gave me hers. I went to the back and she sat up frontish. I think only once was there a polite enquiry and we explained that we'd swapped as my wife wasn't feeling too well. Results: happy me -- lots of SCs; happy wife -- comfortable flights.

 

[flyingfan]

Lets say I request for an upgrade and get it (I know, chances are small), can I give my wife my ticket when we board so she can have the upgraded seat and I can go in the back with the rest of the sheep ? Is this allowed at all ? Would love to hear other peoples experiences.

In my experience crew will be accommodating although I do recommend you ask the CSM for permission first, especially so they're expecting your wife when they go through the cabin with the manifest in hand for the service.

 

[markis10]

Yes but my understanding of this is that one must have previoulsy have requested an upgrade as normal. Again IMHO and interpretation of the rules is that whilst you may miss out on the first round if anything changes after you arrive or before you depart you may still get the upgrade.I took it that the OP was referring to just asking if he can use points when he is checking in to get an upgrade with out having forst of requested an upgrade via manage my bookings online.I for one would be very happy to be able to use points at time of check in to see if an upgrade is available. If I am wrong in my understanding I will apologise to the OP however Im sure you can not just rock up and request points upgrade on an International flight Cheers

Along with cash upgrades on checkin, upgrade requests at the Lounge for international flights have also been reported.

 

[Ansett]

Along with cash upgrades on checkin, upgrade requests at the Lounge for international flights have also been reported.

Then I apologise as when ever I have asked have always been advised that not available on points upgrade unless upgrade request had been made on manage my booking. Perhaps its because im just a lowly WP

 

[flyingfan]

Along with cash upgrades on checkin, upgrade requests at the Lounge for international flights have also been reported.

My friends (both NB) asked about upgrades HKG-MEL and were denied "because business is full." Seems to suggest otherwise they'd entertain the question. I also didn't think it was possible at the airport. Might have to try next time and see what the rate is, presumably using points it would be the going rate for an upgrade in advance?

 

[Ansett]

Based on the below thread it would suggest that upgrades can not be done for International flights when the traveller has not registerd prior nor it seems can paid cash upgrades be done so I strongly suggest that you register for Upgrade as early as possible.

QF International Upgrade Success at Airport - Page 2

 

[Omarko_man]

well I am happy to request an upgrade through online now but what guarantees I have my wife will be able to swap seats with me ?

 

[Ansett]

well I am happy to request an upgrade through online now but what guarantees I have my wife will be able to swap seats with me ?

My first concern would be getting the Upgrade first. I can not guarantee anything nor can anyone else but would be amazed if your request to swap seats with your wife was refused specially given that she may well be heavily pregnant at the time.

Good luck and have a great flight

 

[Princess Fiona]

well I am happy to request an upgrade through online now but what guarantees I have my wife will be able to swap seats with me ?

I don't think you will have any problem giving your seat to your wife.
I've personally done the reverse of this - sat my daughter in my J seat and I sat in Y. This was on both QF and BA.
It would be a problem on flights to the US but not to SIN.
Ask politely on boarding.

 

[JohnK]

well I am happy to request an upgrade through online now but what guarantees I have my wife will be able to swap seats with me ?

There are no guarantees but as others have said there should not be any issues.

I cannot see how the crew would refuse the request to swap seats.

 

[Mak404matt]

sat my daughter in my J seat and I sat in Y.

I wish my mother was like you

 

[hardtolose]

Like Ansett we, too, have been told on asking that we had to request upgrade prior to travel, but it has obviously worked the other way for some people. Last October we had requested upgrade from business to first on A-380 from Singapore to London when we made our original bookings. We received confirmation at 3am on day of departure from Brisbane. But for only one of us and it was in my husband's name. When we boarded the aircraft he asked if we could swap and were told we could but would have to wait until after take off. They didn't seem to have a problem and after takeoff the flight attendant escorted him to my seat in Business and then took me to my first class seat. I only missed out on the fancy nibbles and the slightly better champagne.

 

[nickfromeastryde]

All you husbands giving your seats to wives and daughters. At 191cm, I'm sure my wife would insist that I be the one to sit up the front of the plane:mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:

Lets just hope I never have to ask her!!!