Flex economy + Classic upgrade and individual legs

[ero]

Hello AFF travellers and friends,

I have currently booked 2x tickets MEL-BOG on classic flight reward economy but I really want to travel Businesss.

My thought is purchase 2x economy flex MEL-BOG, refund the existing booking (get the points back, otherwise I won't have enough), then classic upgrade to business using MMB.

I've noticed on my current Classic Flight Reward booking:

• MEL-SYD - upgradeable
• SYD-DFW - upgradable
• DFW-BOG - not upgradeable
• BOG-MIA - not upgradeable
• MIA-LAX - not upgradeable
• LAX-MEL - upgradeable

My questions:

1. Assuming a flex economy ticket also makes certain flights 'not upgradable' (eg BOG-MIA), if I upgrade the LAX-MEL to business, would this give me lounge access and priority boarding in BOG?
2. If I have to cancel my trip, I understand the flex tickets can be refunded, but I'm wondering if the upgrade points (assuming accepted) are also fully refundable?

Any other recommendations to maximise points / pay for business to Bogota are also appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[vhojm]

Hello AFF travellers and friends,

I have currently booked 2x tickets MEL-BOG on classic flight reward economy but I really want to travel Businesss.

My thought is purchase 2x economy flex MEL-BOG, refund the existing booking (get the points back, otherwise I won't have enough), then classic upgrade to business using MMB.

I've noticed on my current Classic Flight Reward booking:

• MEL-SYD - upgradeable
• SYD-DFW - upgradable
• DFW-BOG - not upgradeable
• BOG-MIA - not upgradeable
• MIA-LAX - not upgradeable
• LAX-MEL - upgradeable

My questions:

1. Assuming a flex economy ticket also makes certain flights 'not upgradable' (eg BOG-MIA), if I upgrade the LAX-MEL to business, would this give me lounge access and priority boarding in BOG?
2. If I have to cancel my trip, I understand the flex tickets can be refunded, but I'm wondering if the upgrade points (assuming accepted) are also fully refundable?

Any other recommendations to maximise points / pay for business to Bogota are also appreciated.

Thank you.

1. No You will not have lounge access in Bogota.
2. Your points are only deducted if the upgrade is confirmed which will take place in the week of the flight. Depending on your status and time of year, this will determine your upgrade priority and it certainly is not guaranteed.

 

[ero]

Thank you @vhojm. I thought that might be the case regarding lounge access, hoping otherwise.

I was under the impression that Classic Flight Rewards upgrades via MMB were instant/within 24 hours. I will need to look further into my thought of flex economoy/MMB upgrade if this is not the case.

 

[vhojm]

Thank you @vhojm. I thought that might be the case regarding lounge access, hoping otherwise.

I was under the impression that Classic Flight Rewards upgrades via MMB were instant/within 24 hours. I will need to look further into my thought of flex economoy/MMB upgrade if this is not the case.

No that is only the case for Platinums and above on domestic flights where there is a classic reward seat available. In that case, your upgrade will be confirmed when the request is put in.

Otherwise, it is definitely not guaranteed and you should look at the classic rewards page for more information.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thank you @vhojm. I thought that might be the case regarding lounge access, hoping otherwise.

I was under the impression that Classic Flight Rewards upgrades via MMB were instant/within 24 hours. I will need to look further into my thought of flex economoy/MMB upgrade if this is not the case.

For domestic flights, if business award seats are available, you can get an instant upgrade.

For international flights, all upgrades are ‘on request’ and based on status. Platinums, then golds, silver, etc.

Platinums always outrank gold. A gold requesting an upgrade 350 days in advance will be trumped by a platinum requesting an upgrade 7 days before travel.

If you don’t hold sufficiently high status, assume you will travel in the cabin you paid for.

No that is only the case for Platinums and above on domestic flights where there is a classic reward seat available. In that case, your upgrade will be confirmed when the request is put in.

Otherwise, it is definitely not guaranteed and you should look at the classic rewards page for more information.

For domestic, I think it applies to anyone… not just platinums. (provided there is an award seat available. Otherwise you join the queue)

 

[Mwenenzi]

With QF ff points practically you can only upgrade QF marketed QF operated flights. Not the AA flights.

Oneworld have a trail cross airline upgrade scheme for using AA ff miles on QF flights and using QF points on AA.
Just do not expect it work for you

You Can Now Upgrade American Airlines Flights with Qantas Points

Qantas has launched a new Partner Airline Upgrades program, which lets you request an upgrade with Qantas Points on almost any American Airlines flight.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

T

Thread 'Upgrading AA flights with QFF Points'

Aug 12, 2025

Just received this in the platinum newsletter. Not sure if anyone noticed this? I tried searching the on AFF but didn't see anything.

I recall QF mentioning this was being developed so I'm glad that it's out. It'll be interesting to see how this work in reality.

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/use-points/partner-airline-upgrades.html

• _TheTraveller_
• Replies: 15
• Forum: Qantas | Frequent Flyer

• 

Expect to fly in the cabin you first pay for, beit $ or points. The odds of an upgrade are not good