How to determine best upgrade option for status credits

[mattj]

Hey all,

This relates to Qantas flights.

I've got some trips coming up soon that work have paid, and booked me on flex economy tickets from Melbourne to Sydney, and also Melbourne to Perth.

I'm trying to decide if its worth upgrading the flights to business to maximize the status credits (with my own money). I'm currently sitting as a bronze, and expect to get to silver within my anniversary year, but I want to be silver sooner as I'm flying to London in December (anniversary date is end of March) and want to be able to select seats etc for my family (6 people in total on the booking), as well as take advantage of the small benefits of being silver.

Of course I don't mind flying business, I've done it a few times however wasn't sure if there was a formula / threshold, people use to decide if its good value or not.

Thanks

 

[exceladdict]

I've got some trips coming up soon that work have paid, and booked me on flex economy tickets from Melbourne to Sydney, and also Melbourne to Perth.

It depends how much you'd value that silver status. I can't see the four QF Business fares coming in at less than $2k; which is probably more than I would pay to get to silver.

On top of that, you may wish to be careful about breaching your company's travel policies - or frustrating your travel person/agent - I have had past employers whose travel systems (CWT) or internal travel-booking-people banned all changes by the traveller unless it was through them, or a life threatening emergency.

 

[mattj]

It depends how much you'd value that silver status. I can't see the four QF Business fares coming in at less than $2k; which is probably more than I would pay to get to silver.

On top of that, you may wish to be careful about breaching your company's travel policies - or frustrating your travel person/agent - I have had past employers whose travel systems (CWT) or internal travel-booking-people banned all changes by the traveller unless it was through them, or a life threatening emergency.

Thats true. I suspect I will need to spend about $1,000 as I'd probably upgrade the Sydney flights. Travel policy is fine with upgrading the flights, as we book them individually.

 

[Hvr]

Hi mattj, are you wanting to upgrade your trip to travel in business or change the actual ticket to a business class ticket?

If the former be aware that you will only get SCs for the original booking class. If you actually change the ticket to a business class ticket then you will get the business SCs.

 

[samh004]

I shouldn't speak, having previously status runned myself all the way to P1, but seat selection can be had for a lot less than what it'd cost to get to Silver. That said, Silver would also give you a 50% points bonus.

If the former be aware that you will only get SCs for the original booking class. If you actually change the ticket to a business class ticket then you will get the business SCs.

I was thinking along the same lines.

 

[mattj]

Hi mattj, are you wanting to upgrade your trip to travel in business or change the actual ticket to a business class ticket?

If the former be aware that you will only get SCs for the original booking class. If you actually change the ticket to a business class ticket then you will get the business SCs.

Hi Hvr, I would pay for the upgrade, not use points.

 

[JohnK]

Hi Hvr, I would pay for the upgrade, not use points.

You would need to purchase business class flights in the first instance.

Upgrade shouldn't come into it as it is confusing.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

You could try and call up QF telephone sales, explain that you want a comfort request, that is buying an empty seat next to you.
See what they say, if they have to refund your company paid fare, then its a pity, but if they will sell you that seat, and you pay the fare for the extra (comfort seat), its a win.
I have done it, but can't be done online, as you would have taxes to pay, if you buy your seat next to you online, but if you phone them up, give
If you phone up, and say you want to buy an empty seat next to you, use the $ you would have paid for the "upgrade", that empty seat will be yours.
I did SYD-WLG and WLG-MEL with QF.
You get to keep your own company paid seat QF FF points and QF SC, and also the seat you have bought.

 

[eminere]

You could try and call up QF telephone sales, explain that you want a comfort request, that is buying an empty seat next to you.

The OP is asking how best to maximise status credit earn. Buying a comfort seat will not earn you any additional status credits. How is the financial outlay for what amounts to just extra space, which the OP has not indicated he needs, sensible in the context of what the he is trying to achieve?

 

[trixydoza]

Buying a comfort seat will not earn you any additional status credits.

You're utterly sure about that?

How about you stop your relentless stalking and bullying?

 

[wooley]

The OP is asking how best to maximise status credit earn. Buying a comfort seat will not earn you any additional status credits. How is the financial outlay for what amounts to just extra space, which the OP has not indicated he needs, sensible in the context of what the he is trying to achieve?

Unless something has changed recently... You do earn SC's and points on comfort seats.

In some cases, definitely cheapest way to earn extra SC's.

 

[andye]

You could try and call up QF telephone sales, explain that you want a comfort request, that is buying an empty seat next to you.
See what they say, if they have to refund your company paid fare, then its a pity, but if they will sell you that seat, and you pay the fare for the extra (comfort seat), its a win.
I have done it, but can't be done online, as you would have taxes to pay, if you buy your seat next to you online, but if you phone them up, give
If you phone up, and say you want to buy an empty seat next to you, use the $ you would have paid for the "upgrade", that empty seat will be yours.
I did SYD-WLG and WLG-MEL with QF.
You get to keep your own company paid seat QF FF points and QF SC, and also the seat you have bought.

Nice trick. If SCs credit it's a good alternative way of accruing a few extra for the time-poor (or those who can't make the idea of a status run seem sensible to their family)

 

[ozbeachbabe]

The OP is asking how best to maximise status credit earn. Buying a comfort seat will not earn you any additional status credits.

How is the financial outlay for what amounts to just extra space, which the OP has not indicated he needs, sensible in the context of what the he is trying to achieve?

Paging samh004 to the white courtesy phone. :sly:

 

[Mattg]

The last I heard is that points and SCs are earned on comfort seats. IIRC, taxes are also not payable on them. Hopefully someone can confirm this (or otherwise).

Obviously that's not really the point of purchasing a comfort seat, but a nice benefit nonetheless.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

How come QF gave me the 8 sets of SC earn then?
ADL - SYD - WLG - MEL - ADL x 2.
I am currently on QF SG because of the double SC, ie my own seat and also the one next to me.
Plus when I flew it, the booking was prior to Jul 14.
OP could easily just bear with the single QF FF points and QF SC earn, ie, his own booking and seat, MEL - SYD is not that long, and usually the MEL - PER flight is the 330, not bad in Y, ...
Who knows QF might even give him the seat next to him without him asking/paying, depending on how full the plane is.
Trixydoza, Eminere has a point though.
One hiccup to the OP though, ahhhhh, going back through my banking records, yes, my originating booking had to be cancelled and the funds paid back to me, and then a new booking made, for the specific comfort seat request to be made.
OP, just keep in mind for future cases/bookings, that comfort seat booking can be done, but in this current case, maybe just bear with your own seat, next time though, ask company if you can be reimbursed for making your own booking, but pay $ to book a comfort seat.