Domestic points upgrade not cleared, despite classic award availability

[Bofter]

I have booked onto QF767 from BNE to PER on 19 February, into O class. I have requested a points upgrade to business, but am surprised that it did not clear immediately given that there is still business classic award availability (U=3). Have I misunderstood how domestic upgrades work? My previous experience and the info on the Qantas website led me to believe that the domestic upgrades were processed immediately if there was availability. At the moment the Manage Bookings has a message that status will be shown 5 hours before the flight.

Thanks for any help people can provide as to what I should expect. For a 5 hour flight in the evening, I really would like this upgrade to come through.

 

[Gold Member]

The lack of immediate domestic upgrade confirmation was an enhancement introduced circa 4 months ago. I had the same problem recently and when I queried the CSA about apparent lack of notification to QFF members, she was clueless.

So as the reservation upgrade requests states, we can expect to find out up to 5 hrs prior :shock:

 

[chrisb]

I thought the waitlisting was in addition to the availability of U class? Are upgrades ever processed immediately anymore? The website seems to imply they might be.

 

[V1213]

How long after booking your ticket did you wait before requesting the upgrade?
I've only been waitlisted for domestic upgrades recently when I requested them before the ticket had been fully issued.
If I were you I'd cancel the request and then re-request once the ticket's been issued.
If you booked the ticket long ago then I have no idea...

 

[atreides]

I thought the waitlisting was in addition to the availability of U class? Are upgrades ever processed immediately anymore? The website seems to imply they might be.

That's what I thought. I processed an upgrade last week from a Flexi Saver and it went through immediately.

 

[Bofter]

How long after booking your ticket did you wait before requesting the upgrade?
I've only been waitlisted for domestic upgrades recently when I requested them before the ticket had been fully issued.
If I were you I'd cancel the request and then re-request once the ticket's been issued.
If you booked the ticket long ago then I have no idea...

We need a solved symbol like some online Q&A things have

This made sense as I put in the upgrade very soon after booking. So following your advice I cancelled, then re-requested the upgrade, and status is now confirmed.

Thankyou

 

[ozbeachbabe]

The lack of immediate domestic upgrade confirmation was an enhancement introduced circa 4 months ago. I had the same problem recently and when I queried the CSA about apparent lack of notification to QFF members, she was clueless.

So as the reservation upgrade requests states, we can expect to find out up to 5 hrs prior :shock:

The CSA would not know about those procedures unless that kind of information was communicated to frontline staff.

 

[chrisb]

It makes sense that wait lists are not processed out of U class. If they were then classic awards would rarely be available because they'd instantly be taken by the wait lists.

 

[serfty]

It makes sense that wait lists are not processed out of U class. If they were then classic awards would rarely be available because they'd instantly be taken by the wait lists.

Wait lists are in all likelyhood processed out of U class, it's just done in a manner to prevent reward redemptions from snaffling that U class.

As posted, for domestic flights, if U class is available at the time of request it normally does goes through on the spot. The OP's example is where that might not happen - it's best to wait for the e-ticket receipt email to arrive before requesting.

 

[AnotherWorld]

Wait lists are in all likelyhood processed out of U class, it's just done in a manner to prevent reward redemptions from snaffling that U class.

As posted, for domestic flights, if U class is available at the time of request it normally does goes through on the spot. The OP's example is where that might not happen - it's best to wait for the e-ticket receipt email to arrive before requesting.

Is this true also for family bookings? I made an economy class booking to Sydney for April and immediately afterwards requested an upgrade for myself and girlfriend to business for both outbound and return legs. It just says its requested and nothing has happened.

EDIT: Nevermind, I cancelled and re-requested immediately and my upgrade was confirmed. So yes, same deal for multiple parties on the one booking.

 

[moon2001]

I'm coming in a bit late here - but I just wanted to say this worked for me as well. I had booked a flexisaver seat with QF from ADL to MEL. I had checked with expertflyer and could see three 'U' class seats. I could also see that there were 'classic award' seats for business on that flight on the QF website. In theory, an upgrade to business should have been granted. However, after buying the economy ticket, I immediately asked for an upgrade to business and I was waitlisted. After reading this thread, I cancelled my request and then requested it again. Voila, the upgrade was granted. Good work v1213 and others.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Wait lists are in all likelyhood processed out of U class, it's just done in a manner to prevent reward redemptions from snaffling that U class.

As posted, for domestic flights, if U class is available at the time of request it normally does goes through on the spot. The OP's example is where that might not happen - it's best to wait for the e-ticket receipt email to arrive before requesting.

I think this is the key - wait until you get your eticket itinerary/receipt first, as a pnr has to be ticketed prior to the upgrade being requested.

If you do the upgrade request too soon after creating the booking the eticket number is not yet in the pnr.

 

[Standby]

I think this is the key - wait until you get your eticket itinerary/receipt first, as a pnr has to be ticketed prior to the upgrade being requested.

If you do the upgrade request too soon after creating the booking the eticket number is not yet in the pnr.

I believe that's correct, The upgrade request has to validate the ticket . Generally the Etkt is issued within minutes and it OK then. Had you received yr Etkt email prior to trying to action the upgrade?

 

[moon2001]

I believe that's correct, The upgrade request has to validate the ticket . Generally the Etkt is issued within minutes and it OK then. Had you received yr Etkt email prior to trying to action the upgrade?

No, I tried to upgrade immediately after purchasing without waiting for the E-ticket. If I had only wait a minute or two, the upgrade would have come through straight away. Thanks.