General points upgrade chances question - SYD to NYC

[Dtrain]

Hello all,

I have never requested a points upgrade before so would appreciate your views.

I am planning on flying to NYC from Syd in mid August returning in mid September.

I am a lowly Qantas Club Bronze FF member.

What are the general chances of scoring an upgrade to business following a points request made now? Should i pick any particular days for the flights to improve my chances? Does my Qantas Club membership assist my priority in any regard?

Thanks!

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Hello all,

I have never requested a points upgrade before so would appreciate your views.

I am planning on flying to NYC from Syd in mid August returning in mid September.

I am a lowly Qantas Club Bronze FF member.

What are the general chances of scoring an upgrade to business following a points request made now? Should i pick any particular days for the flights to improve my chances? Does my Qantas Club membership assist my priority in any regard?

Thanks!

It really depends how many seats are available in J class when the upgrades are processed. If there are seats available in J that exceed the number of people above you on the points upgrade list you will get it. Just make sure you haven't changed your QF ff PIN since the upgrade request was made or the upgrade request won't be processed.

You'll probably have better luck mid-week ie Tue/Wed/Thu rather than on the weekend and avoid school holidays if possible. IMHO A380 operated flights appear to be more in demand such as QF11 rather than 744 operated flights.

You may also have better luck flying ex BNE on QF15 or on a day when QF17 operates ex SYD although the latter won't connect with QF11 LAX/JFK so you'd need to overnight in LAX or take opt for QF15 or QF11 if you want to get to JFK same day.

Being a QF Club member would give you more priority over a bronze freq flyer but Platinums & Golds would get priority over you.

It's still easier now to get points upgrades than it used to be as you'll only miss out if there aren't any J seats ie there won't be any spare seats left in J when you get onboard which used to be a common complaint.

 

[Quickstatus]

OZBB is correct.

Additionally go into the upgrade lottery with expectations that you won't get it, that way if you do then it will be a nice surprise. Like all lotteries we buy a ticket not really anticipating a windfall


Naturally CL, WP1 have a certain expectation of getting an upgrade which will be more than a Bronze.

Though some passengers in business will get an upgrade to First freeing up seats for upgrades from lower cabins to business

Also note that Premium economy will have a higher upgrade potential than economy then discount economy.

Probably also lots of other factors come into play which are commercial secrets such as your perceived value to the company.