Choosing between a points upgrade on QF93 or QF18?

[PaulST]

Hi all, I've got enough points to upgrade only one of the following (from PE to J) so I'm keen to hear what your thoughts are. I'm PS so obviously it's all up to the upgrade gods but I thought I'd ask anyway.
QF93 MEL-LAX Tue in late August - A380
QF18 JFK-LAX-SYD Friday September 11 - 747

I figured that I'd get more out of an upgrade on QF18 as I would actually sleep (QF93 is a day flight (Australian time) but you arrive in the early morning) but I figured there'd be more J seats on the A380 and Tuesday may not be that full? On the flip side, people possibly prefer A380s so may choose that flight for the aircraft. To counter that, I figure less people way wish to fly out of JFK on September 11. So who knows?

 

[Dr_Fliptop]

Hi all, I've got enough points to upgrade only one of the following (from PE to J) so I'm keen to hear what your thoughts are. I'm PS so obviously it's all up to the upgrade gods but I thought I'd ask anyway.
QF93 MEL-LAX Tue in late August - A380
QF18 JFK-LAX-SYD Friday September 11 - 747

I figured that I'd get more out of an upgrade on QF18 as I would actually sleep (QF93 is a day flight (Australian time) but you arrive in the early morning) but I figured there'd be more J seats on the A380 and Tuesday may not be that full? On the flip side, people possibly prefer A380s so may choose that flight for the aircraft. To counter that, I figure less people way wish to fly out of JFK on September 11. So who knows?

If I were you, I'd be signing up to a credit card offer with a bunch of bonus points so I had enough points to upgrade both!!!

 

[Mattg]

That's a tough one. They're both essentially overnight flights, though of course you'll be more inclined to want to sleep on QF18 with the evening departure. You could also consider that you'd have more time in J on QF18 7 due to the longer routing/flight time?

 

[PaulST]

If I were you, I'd be signing up to a credit card offer with a bunch of bonus points so I had enough points to upgrade both!!!

I just got knocked back for the 70,000 Citibank Signature. Technically I earned enough, but officially I didn't (I do a lot of overtime which isn't considered in calculating my annual salary).

That's a tough one. They're both essentially overnight flights, though of course you'll be more inclined to want to sleep on QF18 with the evening departure. You could also consider that you'd have more time in J on QF18 7 due to the longer routing/flight time?

QF18 is another 15,000 points. I think I'll struggle to sleep on QF93 anyway as we leave Melbourne at ~9am-ish.

 

[samh004]

As you're Silver and the likelihood is low on both, why not try for the first one, and if unsuccessful, you can then try for the return. It will mean you're lower down the list for your status level when it comes round to upgrades, but gives you the best shot of any upgrade.

 

[Mattg]

I just got knocked back for the 70,000 Citibank Signature. Technically I earned enough, but officially I didn't (I do a lot of overtime which isn't considered in calculating my annual salary).

QF18 is another 15,000 points. I think I'll struggle to sleep on QF93 anyway as we leave Melbourne at ~9am-ish.

IMHO 15,000 points for an extra 6 hours or so of flying time in J is worth it.

 

[PaulST]

IMHO 15,000 points for an extra 6 hours or so of flying time in J is worth it.

Completely agree, but I suspect that my chances of a J upgrade would be far higher on QF93. The annoying thing would be if I was upgraded on QF93 (my points balance would drop to around 20K), I wouldn't have the points of an upgrade on QF18 even if there was a seat. I believe that I missed an upgrade on QF21 last year because I blew some points on other stuff. Ah well.

There's no doubt that Silver is low on the hierarchy, but those A380s have a lot of J seats to fill.

 

[Mattg]

Completely agree, but I suspect that my chances of a J upgrade would be far higher on QF93. The annoying thing would be if I was upgraded on QF93 (my points balance would drop to around 20K), I wouldn't have the points of an upgrade on QF18 even if there was a seat. I believe that I missed an upgrade on QF21 last year because I blew some points on other stuff. Ah well.

There's no doubt that Silver is low on the hierarchy, but those A380s have a lot of J seats to fill.

Another way to look at it is that the 747s have 100 less Y/Y+ passengers competing for 6 fewer J seats.

 

[PaulST]

Another way to look at it is that the 747s have 100 less Y/Y+ passengers competing for 6 fewer J seats.

Also true.

There's always a risk of getting upgraded into a Skybed Mk1 on a 747 too. I've never actually flown in a refurbished 747 (my last flight was changed at last minute to an oldie, and yes, I got an upgrade and spent the following 10hrs sliding down the chair.)

 

[Dr_Fliptop]

Another way to look at it is that the 747s have 100 less Y/Y+ passengers competing for 6 fewer J seats.

I've often wondered what percentage of the Y cabin are on non-upgradable sale fares. The real threat are the people in PE. Less points to upgrade & they are prioritised ahead of people in Y. One assumes status comes into play here - but I often wonder if a NB on a PE ticket would be upgraded ahead of a WP on a saver fare?

 

[Mattg]

I've often wondered what percentage of the Y cabin are on non-upgradable sale fares. The real threat are the people in PE. Less points to upgrade & they are prioritised ahead of people in Y. One assumes status comes into play here - but I often wonder if a NB on a PE ticket would be upgraded ahead of a WP on a saver fare?

I stand to be corrected, but I believe status is more important than fare class in the upgrade priority queue. So in your example, the WP on a saver fare would be successful.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Hi all, I've got enough points to upgrade only one of the following (from PE to J) so I'm keen to hear what your thoughts are. I'm PS so obviously it's all up to the upgrade gods but I thought I'd ask anyway.
QF93 MEL-LAX Tue in late August - A380
QF18 JFK-LAX-SYD Friday September 11 - 747

I figured that I'd get more out of an upgrade on QF18 as I would actually sleep (QF93 is a day flight (Australian time) but you arrive in the early morning) but I figured there'd be more J seats on the A380 and Tuesday may not be that full? On the flip side, people possibly prefer A380s so may choose that flight for the aircraft. To counter that, I figure less people way wish to fly out of JFK on September 11. So who knows?

It would be nice to be in J on the A380 however as you're already in PE you'll be on the upper deck so it's still a step up from whY.

No matter what class you're in I would definitely book a hotel at LAX where you can checkin immediately on arrival ex QF93 as that's when you'll be tired.

We did this ex QF15 & booked the Sheraton Four Points at LAX on the 24/24 rate so we had a 24 hour stay from 0800 which suited us as we had an early departure the next day.

It's so good to be able to have a shower and sleep in a proper bed for a few hours. We got up early afternoon feeling refreshed & drove up to Santa Monica for dinner and were still able to have a 'normal' sleep that night.

 

[serfty]

... One assumes status comes into play here - but I often wonder if a NB on a PE ticket would be upgraded ahead of a WP on a saver fare?

That would be in contravention of the Qantas Frequnt Flyer terms and condition for such to occur.

 

[Dr_Fliptop]

That would be in contravention of the Qantas Frequnt Flyer terms and condition for such to occur.

As a former WP on the way to PS - I don't like that T&C!

 

[PaulST]

It would be nice to be in J on the A380 however as you're already in PE you'll be on the upper deck so it's still a step up from whY.

No matter what class you're in I would definitely book a hotel at LAX where you can checkin immediately on arrival ex QF93 as that's when you'll be tired.

We did this ex QF15 & booked the Sheraton Four Points at LAX on the 24/24 rate so we had a 24 hour stay from 0800 which suited us as we had an early departure the next day.

It's so good to be able to have a shower and sleep in a proper bed for a few hours. We got up early afternoon feeling refreshed & drove up to Santa Monica for dinner and were still able to have a 'normal' sleep that night.

Thanks for the tip. I'm actually looking at flying straight to Las Vegas from LAX and then checking out the Hoover dam. I've found in the past that I'm usually too excited to sleep even if I haven't really slept the night beforehand (never been to the US before). Sleep deprivation is a normal state for me anyway.

 

[Spongbob]

PaulST, I hope you enjoy the USA and someone has warned you about the poor quality coffee.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

PaulST, I hope you enjoy the USA and someone has warned you about the poor quality coffee.

Well they have now!

 

[PaulST]

PaulST, I hope you enjoy the USA and someone has warned you about the poor quality coffee.

Ive recently returned from China so Ive come to accept Starbucks.

 

[get me outta here]

Is there maybe a proposal to upgrade the seats/aircraft on QF 18 whether by this flight in September, or for my flight next mid year?

 

[get me outta here]

In the US if in Starbucks, have "a flat white in a short cup with low foam". When as a tired traveller I had that it was quite 'edible'. But, I don't wish to inflame the coffee debate on here again.

Ive recently returned from China so Ive come to accept Starbucks.