Classic Upgrade Rewards on Emirates Flights

[levelnine]

Does anyone have any more details about when it became possible to request classic upgrade rewards on Emirates flights and when it is offered to passengers?

I thought it was only possible on Qantas flights, but then saw someone on Facebook post the following screenshots, which seem to show it is possible on Emirates flights.

I checked the T&Cs and saw this:

Classic Upgrade Rewards are available on Classic Flight Rewards in Economy and Premium Economy and eligible paid and confirmed Qantas domestic and international flights, with a Qantas (QF) flight number on your ticket and from time to time on codeshare flights operated by another carrier that have a QF flight number on your ticket. Classic Upgrade Rewards are subject to capacity controls and availability is limited. Classic Upgrade Rewards are not available from all fare types.

 

[Mattg]

I am not aware of this being possible for Emirates flights.

I believe you can upgrade using points on very specific codeshare flights where Qantas is allocated a "block" of seats to sell, i.e. on LATAM flights from SYD-AKL-SCL and I think Aircalin from SYD/BNE to NOU? This is not how the Emirates codeshares work, though.

 

[levelnine]

I am not aware of this being possible for Emirates flights.

Same here. I was very confused, but the screenshots seem legitimate — they were asking an innocuous question about when their upgrade will be processed and mentioned that someone at Qantas told them it would be possible when they booked the tickets.

 

[Mattg]

Same here. I was very confused, but the screenshots seem legitimate — they were asking an innocuous question about when their upgrade will be processed and mentioned that someone at Qantas told them it would be possible when they booked the tickets.

If one of the overseas call centres told them that, it could very well be wrong...

 

[ChrisMars]

The points upgrade calculator seems to support some routes that Qantas do not and has never operated. Is that something new?
The example in OP post DBX CDG is one of them, but there are many more.

If EK was oneworld I would have think it's the unoficial start of the long promised upgrade across the alliance.

 

[Mattg]

Frequent Flyer Terms and Conditions | Qantas

These Terms and Conditions form the basis of Qantas Frequent Flyer, to protect both Members and the Qantas Group.

www.qantas.com

The QFF terms & conditions make reference to being able to upgrade on international flights numbered QF1-299 and QF350-389. That encompasses some codeshare services operated by partner airlines, but not the Emirates-operated QF8xx_ flights.

 

[levelnine]

The QFF terms & conditions make reference to being able to upgrade on international flights numbered QF1-299 and QF350-389.

Though that's only in the heading rather than the actual terms and conditions.

The actual terms and conditions have some intriguing wording:

16.1.3 Classic Upgrade Rewards may be requested on eligible paid and confirmed tickets and on Economy and Premium Economy Classic Flight Rewards on:

(a) a service operated by Qantas, with a Qantas (QF) flight number on the ticket; and
(b) from time to time on Codeshare Flights that have a Qantas (QF) flight number on the ticket;
in accordance with these Terms and Conditions.

16.1.4 Classic Upgrade Rewards are not available when travelling on:

(a) Business Class International Classic Flight Reward flights, including Business Class International Classic Flight Reward flights that are combined with flights that are not Classic Flight Reward flights in the same booking;
(b) Discounted Qantas International airfares, including Points Plus Pay - Flights booked in E, N, O and Q class;
(c) Codeshare Flights that have a Qantas (QF) flight number on the ticket, unless otherwise made available by Qantas Loyalty from time to time.

Does that mean made available by Qantas Loyalty to individual persons, individual flights or classes of flights?

Having a look at archive.org, that wording has been there for a long time, since at least 2017. So perhaps it's a red herring.

 

[Mattg]

Though that's only in the heading rather than the actual terms and conditions.

The actual terms and conditions have some intriguing wording:



Does that mean made available by Qantas Loyalty to individual persons, individual flights or classes of flights?

Having a look at archive.org, that wording has been there for a long time, since at least 2017. So perhaps it's a red herring.

It has previously been possible to upgrade on some "codeshare flights that have a Qantas (QF) flight number on the ticket", but only on very specific routes/airlines. I assume that's what that clause is referring to.

All the ones I can think of are/were numbered as QF3xx.

 

[levelnine]

All the ones I can think of are/were numbered as QF3xx.

I guess the conclusion is that, even if one person has managed to submit a points upgrade request for whatever mysterious/erroneous reason, there's no general change in policy/practice that I've missed. Thanks.

 

[Mattg]

I guess the conclusion is that, even if one person has managed to submit a points upgrade request for whatever mysterious/erroneous reason, there's no general change in policy/practice that I've missed. Thanks.

I'm also wondering if I've missed something.

It will be interesting to see what the outcome is of the upgrade request, but I think we already know the answer...

 

[MrJetset]

Is it possible the pax has logged into EK’s website and selected the auto upgrade function for Skywards miles and it’s reflected on QF’s MMB even though it’s not possible?

I would have expected this not to be offered or greyed out, but I have no experience with this scenario.

 

[RnD]

Is it possible the pax has logged into EK’s website and selected the auto upgrade function for Skywards miles and it’s reflected on QF’s MMB even though it’s not possible?

I would have expected this not to be offered or greyed out, but I have no experience with this scenario.

Unable to select the upgrade request on Emirates app as it is greyed out. When I select on the Qantas app it states that an upgrade is not available. Booked on QF8xx_ flight numbers.

 

[exLXCXFF]

Is it possible the pax has logged into EK’s website and selected the auto upgrade function for Skywards miles and it’s reflected on QF’s MMB even though it’s not possible?

I would have expected this not to be offered or greyed out, but I have no experience with this scenario.

Based on the conversation on Facebook, OP is clearly quite inexperienced and probably would not know how to do that via EK website. OP also clearly stated that she wants to use QFF points (and not even mentioned Skywards Miles). She even questioned what’s the point of accruing QFF points when you can’t use them for upgrades on a guaranteed basis

Honestly, I think she unluckily feel for a Qantas IT glitch. Maybe AFF editors could ask the question to Qantas to be sure that we all don’t miss anything.

 

[RnD]

I have noticed a few people getting classic rewards on SYD to CDG, so maybe it's open for the upgrade as well?

 

[AFF Editor]

Honestly, I think she unluckily feel for a Qantas IT glitch. Maybe AFF editors could ask the question to Qantas to be sure that we all don’t miss anything.

I did exactly this. It took a while to get an answer, but Qantas has confirmed that you cannot upgrade using Qantas points on codeshare flights operated by Emirates. They're looking into why some people have been able to request an upgrade but it's apparently a glitch.

The only partner airline codeshare flights that you can upgrade using Qantas points are on Aircalin and LATAM. You need to be booked on a QF flight number.

Can You Upgrade Codeshare Flights with Qantas Points?

You can request a Classic Upgrade Reward with Qantas points when booking selected Qantas codeshare flights operated by LATAM or Aircalin.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[madrooster]

The app actually lets you submit an upgrade request for a myriad of airlines, even SQ, LH, OS and various others that I've seen in my app... it's evidently a bug or #feature.

 

[levelnine]

They're looking into why some people have been able to request an upgrade but it's apparently a glitch.

Really interesting, thanks for following up!