Checkin and upgrade

[aip84]

Hi All!
I’ve put in for a points upgrade (economy to business) and the flight checkin is in 15 hours. I’ve noticed the seats were almost empty and now most are gone within an hour! Is there a possibility if they have (hoping) allocated an upgrade seat before being notified?
Also if I’m hoping for an upgrade should I do the online check in or does this ruin the chance?

 

[33kft]

This is normal. Looking at the airline seat map is not accurate as up until check in time, it was only those (able to/aware of) who pre-selected their seats who were visible. You can't tell whether there are upgrade seats at this point unless you have access to expertflyer.

You should hold off on checking in online if you have an upgrade request in, I don't see any benefit to you by checking in early online. This is not to say it would impact your chances but I don't see any point to it? I would actively avoid it.

 

[aip84]

This is normal. Looking at the airline seat map is not accurate as up until check in time, it was only those (able to/aware of) who pre-selected their seats who were visible. You can't tell whether there are upgrade seats at this point unless you have access to expertflyer.

You should hold off on checking in online if you have an upgrade request in, I don't see any benefit to you by checking in early online. This is not to say it would impact your chances but I don't see any point to it? I would actively avoid it.

Will this impact me losing my current aisle seat?

 

[33kft]

Will this impact me losing my current aisle seat?

No, if you've selected a seat it should stick until you check in. Unless you get upgraded of course, then you might have to settle for a window

 

[aip84]

This is normal. Looking at the airline seat map is not accurate as up until check in time, it was only those (able to/aware of) who pre-selected their seats who were visible. You can't tell whether there are upgrade seats at this point unless you have access to expertflyer.

You should hold off on checking in online if you have an upgrade request in, I don't see any benefit to you by checking in early online. This is not to say it would impact your chances but I don't see any point to it? I would actively avoid it.

Expert flyer showed a very empty flight until a couple of hours ago

 

[aip84]

So you would wait until the airport to check in

 

[33kft]

So you would wait until the airport to check in

I've never checked in prior to reaching the airport in my life. I see no benefit to me, only liability if anything happens between when I check in and reaching the airport.

 

[mannej]

Expert flyer showed a very empty flight until a couple of hours ago

If you are referring to the seat map on EF, it isn’t an accurate indicator of load

 

[BD1959]

Expert flyer showed a very empty flight until a couple of hours ago

IME Qantas doesn't load un-requested seat allocations until within 24hrs of the flight - this would explain a sudden filling of the Y cabin.

Regards,

BD

 

[Hvr]

I've never checked in prior to reaching the airport in my life. I see no benefit to me, only liability if anything happens between when I check in and reaching the airport.

By checking in on line you're telling the airline you're going to fly. If they need to change things around you will be in a better position to get looked after. Also, if people need to be off loaded those who haven't checked are more likely to be bumped.

What liability do you think you're occurring if anything happens between check in and arrival at the airport?

 

[33kft]

What liability do you think you're occurring if anything happens between check in and arrival at the airport?

You said it best here:

By checking in on line you're telling the airline you're going to fly.

I may not be going to fly if I am not at the airport yet. I may want to change it between now and then, especially if 16 hours remains between now and boarding. I lose that flexibility hence the liability.

Whilst I might get offloaded first in IRROPS or oversale, two thoughts: First, if I'm not at the airport yet, I am probably not too concerned, and if I am then I am checked in already. Second, I have status to take care of that

On the other hand, OP was waitlisted on an upgrade and wanting to know whether to online check in. No, because it's effectively the inverse of what you have said above (it would make you the prime choice to not upgrade at check in / the gate, given you've already got a boarding pass with a seat in the Y cabin). I'm not convinced I am doing it wrong.

 

[BD1959]

I may not be going to fly if I am not at the airport yet. I may want to change it between now and then, especially if 16 hours remains between now and boarding. I lose that flexibility hence the liability.

Not sure this is correct. I've had mixed results - when already checked-in - with respect to QF being able to change me to fly-forward. This is *usually* dependent upon the flexibility of the ticket and - obviously - loads on flight options. Never have I been knocked back by the desk because I'm already checked-in.

Whilst I might get offloaded first in IRROPS or oversale, two thoughts: First, if I'm not at the airport yet, I am probably not too concerned, and if I am then I am checked in already. Second, I have status to take care of that

As WP I've been contacted by QF regarding flight cancellations and offered alternatives and checked-in/not status has had no bearing on this that I've been able to ascertain.

The one time being checked-in *has* made a difference was when I wanted to cancel my trip last minute (I was in the Lounge). My CTA claimed they couldn't cancel my flights (day return) because I was already checked-in. Quickly sorted by asking the service desk to cancel my check-ins. Incidentally, my colleague - who was travelling on the same flights as me and also checked-in - was able to cancel the trip by just calling the CTA .... inconsistency of service not just the domain of QF!!

Regards,

BDh

 

[33kft]

So it's essentially a null function, then? Or are we saying there are services that have been extended to someone simply because they did check in early? I am genuinely curious at this point what the point of doing so is, given my experience is I've never been affected by not checking in before reaching the airport, and my powers of deduction (ie check in lines) suggest the majority of people do not either.

Skipping a queue I would not count for 2 simple reasons: Status means priority check in with maybe 2 people ahead of me, and I have to drop off luggage most of the time anyway. On a domestic flight with hand carry sure, but I can and do still check in using mobile as I walk into the terminal.

From what @BD1959 says above, I would say at best it sometimes requires someone to undo that check in when changing a booking, so it's pretty much a choice between situation normal or slight inconvenience if you change your plans and fly forward/don't fly?

 

[tdimdad]

Similarly, I'm curious to know how my travel experience would be better if I left the check-in to later?
I normally check in to domestics when the window opens. Only if I don't have an app or printer available, I leave it to the airport kiosk. Domestic I usually travel with HLO.
International I normally check in online beforehand (if possible) and get the BP printed at the bag drop.

 

[33kft]

I normally check in to domestics when the window opens. Only if I don't have an app or printer available, I leave it to the airport kiosk. Domestic I usually travel with HLO.

Just for clarity, I do the same as you, but I only check in when I reach the airport. I don't see any value in doing it beforehand as I am not at the airport and cannot use the boarding pass for anything at that point, so I simply don't see any advantage. I don't line up and print out a BP at the desk for domestic with HLO, but I don't check in prior to reaching the airport (these are mutually exclusive).

International on the other hand, I very rarely travel HLO and need to drop off bags, so I don't see any point to separating check in from bag drop. If I did not have status on the flight I would probably think differently - but I can't go creating problems I don't usually have.

We both ask a simple question, what is the benefit of the other side's approach. My view is fairly simple - I've been doing it this way since well before mobile / internet check in existed and never had a reason to change my behaviour, I would if someone gave a reason in this thread that resonated with me, I'm half hoping I've been wrong all along and my experience could be improved.

 

[BD1959]

From what @BD1959 says above, I would say at best it sometimes requires someone to undo that check in when changing a booking, so it's pretty much a choice between situation normal or slight inconvenience if you change your plans and fly forward/don't fly?

No inconvenience when looking to fly-forward. As I stated above, check-in status has never been discussed during the process. Only when I've looked to no-fly --- and this was exacerbated by having to use the CTA to cancel/park the booking.

FWIW: I usually check-in on the way to the airport - most of my flights are domestic and HLO. Re: Benefits of having checked-in prior: there *are* anecdotes on this forum of people being denied boarding when they try to check-in at the airport and the flight is oversold (though that may be mostly International); I'd choose to avoid that.
There have been two occasions when I've missed check-in for my flight: once I completely forgot and got pinged at the gate; second I was on a call and did not get a chance to check-in until I arrived at MEL after check-in had closed. Both times I've managed to get myself checked-in through a supervisor calling whoever has control of the flight ... I'm guessing WP and HLO helped in both of these situations.

Regards,

BD