Hello! Asking for advice already...

[kirstyoz]

Hi there

I am really excited to have joined AFF and learn from the collective expertise on here

On that note, in late August I am traveling PER-SYD-DFW-TPA (QF574-QF7-AA1316) and return again early October TPA-DFW-BNE-PER (AA1657-QF8-QF589). I am economy the whole way except AA1316 where we got first on Qantas ff. I am just going to apply for an upgrade on QF8 from economy to business for both my husband and I (it is our honeymoon, fingers crossed).

I am looking to be directed to any existing threads or given any advice at all on:
Getting the Qantas ff points built up
getting a successful points upgrade
prior experiences on these flights
Anything else you guys think might be relevant!

Thank you all and hello!

 

[flyingfan]

Hi kirstyoz, welcome and congratulations on presumably an impending or recent wedding

On building a healthy QFF balance - key is to get the right credit card and put as much of your expenses through it as possible, along with an Woolworths Everyday Reward Card which you might already have. Quite a number of threads on optimising the latter (including bonuses to look out for), and here are a couple of threads on the former to get you started:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....program/best-cc-earning-qff-points-40252.html
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....lyer-program/starting-from-scratch-39822.html
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ion/ato-tax-office-payments-credit-17109.html

Getting the Woolworths credit card might also be a consideration.

Points upgrades have better chances with higher status so there will be quite a few people ahead of you, of course doesn't hurt to put it in (however you'll still earn points and status credits at the economy level):

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ns/qf-business-class-upgrade-using-32240.html
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ogram/qf-international-j-upgrade-w-29735.html
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ons/qf-economy-upgrade-to-business-32437.html

Experience on the flights - well as far as the big transpacific goes:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....program/seating-qfs-direct-syd-dfw-32071.html
http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/your-questions/qf-mel-syd-dfw-16-a-29614.html

Other things - Any Seat Awards (over Classic) is your friend and with a bit of research you can find yourself sitting in the pointy end for very possibly less than you might have thought:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....program/classic-award-vs-any-seats-35246.html
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....uent-flyer-program/how-do-i-book-j-29610.html

And this will go some way towards explaining the lingo:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....estions-and-feedback/abbreviations-28099.html

 

[Shelf]

Welcome Kirstyoz and that was a very thorough reply eastflyer

 

[trooper]

It certainly was! And the OP's refreshing aim of trying for a supported upgrade on their honeymoon trip was equalkly impressive...:shock::mrgreen:

 

[JohnK]

Welcome to AFF kirstyoz!

 

[simongr]

Just clarity the flights all paid flights except the F award? Classic awards can't be upgraded using points.

 

[cove]

Welcome to AFF ,kirstyoz.
I see you are departing from Perth.
In Perth we have the occasional drinks night where we become smarter the later it gets in the evening.
Once you get to a certain number of posts like 25 maybe you get the opportunity to start doing Private Messaging which can be very helpful.
You could put a few more details in your profile

 

[kirstyoz]

Hi eastflyer, thanks so much for this awesome response
Sorry my thank you has taken a while, work has been killer, no time for anything but sleep
Bring on the honeymoon!

And thanks everyone else for the welcomes!

Yes, all flights are paid... just the return flight we are looking to upgrade through, as we don't have enough points for both.

 

[Alanslegal]

hey there kirstyoz

you should double check whether your paid flights are eligible to be upgraded, sadly alot of the more discounted fares are non upgradable. i should also clarify that it is not a guaranteed upgrade in any instance, but just a chance to be in the lottery upgrade pool.

also you might want to look / post on the monthly calenders, someone here might be travelling on the same day etc and can get you into the lounge

good luck and congratulations!

 

[Deleted member]

It will all come with practice