Flying with friend on separate bookings - upgrade together?

[Becb18]

Is there any way to get my friend upgraded with me if we both apply for upgrade from Premium to Business flying MEL to LAX. I'm gold and she's bronze but we both have points to upgrade both ways. I know I would be in front of her in the lottery. Any way to increase her chance of getting upgraded? I think our tickets will be "linked" to sit together but not the same booking.
I've done a search through the forum and didn't have any luck finding info. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Mattg]

Unfortunately, I don't think it's possible to put in a joint upgrade request on separate bookings. I imagine it can't hurt to have had the booking reference numbers linked, although I'm not sure that this would play a role in upgrade requests. This could be problematic as the Gold flyer will have priority in the upgrade process and there's a chance that the Gold flyer gets the upgrade while the Bronze member doesn't as you're not on the same booking.

Short of cancelling and rebooking on the same ticket, I don't really have any ideas I'm afraid. But if you let us know the date and flight number we can at least advise of the likelihood of the upgrade/s clearing?

 

[eminere]

I imagine it can't hurt to have had the booking reference numbers linked...

Can you even do that if you're not a P1?

 

[mannej]

Can you even do that if you're not a P1?

Yes you can, it's calling to have the TCP completed between both bookings.

Whilst you can't physically see the bookings linked, the TCP works in the backend.

 

[eminere]

Yes you can, it's calling to have the TCP completed between both bookings.

Whilst you can't physically see the bookings linked, the TCP works in the backend.

Good to know it's not just limited to P1s. Will give it a try with an upcoming booking.

 

[Mattg]

Good to know it's not just limited to P1s. Will give it a try with an upcoming booking.

Have done it in the past in order to have seats allocated together etc. Also was able to check-in online for all passengers across both bookings at the one time. I don't think it helps with upgrade requests though.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Can you even do that if you're not a P1?

I did it recently and linked a booking Miss FM had made to one of mine. Have done it in the past as well. Never had anyone refuse or imply it was an unusual request.

 

[Becb18]

Qf93 14th June
Qf96 20th June

 

[Becb18]

Oops seems to have eaten my last post. Thanks for all your replies. I was kind of hoping I could request the upgrade on her behalf or something.
As for the linking, I have had previous travel agent do it for family travel, and it was something that Qantas could see, and I think we were able to check in online together, but nope it didn't do anything for trying to upgrade together. This time it's for work and the travel agent puts them together when putting a hold on tickets but they will be separate bookings apparently, can cause issues if we're on the same booking... Not sure exactly what... I can only assume if we want to travel separately at some point.

 

[kitkatff]

you could also define a relationship between the two of you and use the option to upgrade a "family member", worked for me (SG upgrading an NB)

 

[rmckay01]

Had this issue myself once - husband & I were booked separately & wanted to upgrade together (Y-PE) using points. Linked the bookings no problem over the phone (to be seated together) but was told that the upgrade requests would be treated separately. Decided to cancel the upgrade requests the day before the flight as we didn't want to risk travelling SYD-LHR in separate cabins, checked in at the airport only to be given boarding passes for PE! We had actually asked at check in if it was possible to upgrade to PE using points & the agent said we were already seated there so didn't question it. Waited to see if any points came out of our account but they never did so assume we got an op-up PE was full so we must've gotten the last 2 seats.

 

[Mattg]

Qf93 14th June
Qf96 20th June

Just had a look at Expert Flyer.

For QF93 on 14 June: Premium economy is almost full (only 1 seat left), while Business still has quite a few empty seats. So, your upgrade requests are looking pretty good (no guarantees, though).

For QF96 on 20 June: Flight looks to be pretty empty in all classes of travel. Same comment.

 

[cmon0005]

This is just anecdotal, but I was travelling SIN-MEL on 1 ticket (WP) and my mother-in-law was on another ticket (NB) QF res linked the bookings, and I put an upgrade request in from my points for both of our bookings.
Both the upgrades and SMS's came through at the same time. Could just be a co-incidence but we'll never know.

 

[kalboy]

I had the same conversation only last night with a rep, best we could do was link the bookings, and then I went online and put in requests for classic upgrades from my account.
My partner however will be treated as bronze so fingers crossed. We are both on flexi's Mel to Per Sunday 19th.

 

[Becb18]

Good news, we were both upgraded, I did it from my account. Lucky because we are now sitting in the lounge with a 7 hour delay because of multiple bird strikes to the plane! Of course I would have been able to get us in to the lounge, but at least we know we can look forward to a sleep on the plane