Domestic Upgrade Availability

[docjames]

Looking for a points-up on a (QF) domestic leg.

Economy fare class B (IIRC). Allows for upgrades (where available).

Obviously can do ODU, but would like to try and snag one in advance if possible! Travel is mid June.


1. When looking at fare class availability (seatcounter), is it I class I'm looking for?

2. When is I inventory (or whatever fare class) usually released (say T-30 days, T-7 days etc)? Or will I have to do it the annoying way and just check frequently?

 

[Will]

Looking for a points-up on a (QF) domestic leg.

Economy fare class B (IIRC). Allows for upgrades (where available).

Obviously can do ODU, but would like to try and snag one in advance if possible! Travel is mid June.


1. When looking at fare class availability (seatcounter), is it I class I'm looking for?

2. When is I inventory (or whatever fare class) usually released (say T-30 days, T-7 days etc)? Or will I have to do it the annoying way and just check frequently?

U Class.

Not sure how often they're released.

ODUs don't seem to come out of U, FWIW. But they can also be catering not guaranteed, so a bit more flexible (from the airline's point of view) than U bookings.

 

[docjames]

Thanks, although i dont think seatcounter shows U class - any resources to find U availability?

 

[Travel Guru]

None that I'm aware of, even the GDS only shows X not U anymore.

TG

 

[opusman]

You can do a dummy booking for an award J flight - they book into the same class as points upgrades.

 

[Will]

Expertflyer shows U class under 'Awards and Upgrades' with a paid subscription. Not sure if there is anything free...

 

[tuapekastar]

You can do a dummy booking for an award J flight - they book into the same class as points upgrades.

+1 for this. IME if there is a straight-out business award seat available on domestic, then there is a points upgrade available.

 

[simongr]

I look for I class. On my recent Oz tour I was able to upgrade all flights where I could see I class and no flights where I could not see I class.

 

[serfty]

I look for I class. On my recent Oz tour I was able to upgrade all flights where I could see I class and no flights where I could not see I class.

Is that for ODU's (I class makes sense)?

As posted, award upgrades (> 24 hour out) on domestic flights book into U class. This is the same fare bucket that award business class bookings use.

If you can redeem QFF points for an award business booking on a domestic flight and you have a revenue booking in economy on the same flight in a non restricted fare class then an award upgrade should be possible at that time. (Generally red e-deals domestically are not upgradeable as they book into "restricted" fare classes [N, Q, O, E]).