International Upgrades - Am I just lucky?

[simongr]

My understanding is that it is the "fullness" of whY that drives the bulk of op-ups - juggling people/space requirements pushes people into J and J people in F (a bit simplistic I know).

The theory then would be to look for flights that have a high combination of heavy whY loads coupled with medium J loads and low F loads (for someone travelling in J already that is). Now if you find that combination going where you want, when you want - dont post it here in case everyone tries to get in on the deal

 

[simongr]

That is why I was surprised that I received an op-up on an award flight.

I think serfty was saying that it was the fact that he buys cheap flights on low load flights that he doesnt get op-up rather than the cheapness of the ticket.

 

[serfty]

Yep, was referring to Point Upgrades.

Just realised that this thread is about op-ups Looks like I got it mixed up with another thread ...

FWIW, I flew the Thursday night before Good Friday on QF29 showing D8 ... Y0. After SWMBO and I received our points upgrades that morning, D dropped to D4, Y went to Y1 until about noon when it dropped back to Y0.

Of course it was op-up season; that evening at least six Flounge clients were summoned to the service desk for what I expect were operational upgrades ("please bring your BP's with you").

 

[munitalP]

Ive had (only to business class) op upgrade:

LAX - ALK - MEL
MEL - SYD 3 or 4 times (only ever on the international flights though)
MEL - Alice Springs (first leg of a Darwin Flight)
BNE - MEL 1 (add another because the head steward knew me)
AKL - MEL 1
SIN - MEL 1

I have also had 2 on MEL / ADE / DARWIN and these fares were purchased by Rio Tinto - oh, they were the only fares purchased by Rio Tinto for me as well - makes me wonder if there is a deal going there....

When I check in for international flights, I am always darn near the first in the que, I believe in being early enough to make the most of the duty free areas and of course the lounges. It would be an interesting survey to conduct as to op upgrades are given on a Status / first in best dressed basis...

 

[JohnK]

Obviously I'm not complaining but is this common or am I just very lucky?

Very lucky.... but good on you and hope you have many more in the future.

I had 2 long haul upgrades from Y to J on the one return trip and I was ecstatic and I was only a mere Silver.

 

[Commuter]

Well I am glad to hear that I am not the only high status QF FFer that is missing out (not on account of you others missing out obviously , just to know it is not only me). I was beginning to think I must have a black mark recorded against my FF No., though I could not think what for unless it was for costing them too much in beverages both in QPs and on-board!). The system really must be based purely on luck, ie the right seat at the right time. I will just keep hoping.

Just a guess, but I think the reason why I haven't been op-uped so far has been due to economy generally being full with just one or two seats left in business class on many of my flights, based on what I can see on the web - and some economy passengers requesting points upgrade. That results in their being upgraded rather than doing an op-up because of 'full economy class'.

 

[acampbel]

I suppose if I was a Qantas shareholder (with no disillusionment about "loyalty") I would be happy that Op-ups are rare beasts indeed. Even if all J seats that are going to be sold have been, and all upgrades have been satisfied (including any last-minute QC jobbies), there is a disincentive for them to upgrade.

If it was known that Q would fill empty J seats with high paying/status Y pax, then those people would be less likely to pay/request upgrades and Q would then lose some revenue. So like our significant others, Q make it very clear that we are unlikely to get something for nothing unless we are very, very, very lucky.


Cheers,


Andrew

.

 

[serfty]

... If it was known that Q would fill empty J seats with high paying/status Y pax, then those people would be less likely to pay/request upgrades and Q would then lose some revenue. ...

Also you would end up with situations like woth many flights in the US where so many people are able to upgrade that the quality of service in the pointy-end has been downgraded to something that may be described as being only slightly better than a "QF economy with big seats".

It is very rare that 2 class AA flights in the US take off with any spare seats in First class.

 

[simongr]

I my limited experience of AA domestic (including JFK-BGI which is a "domestic flight" in a way) I havent seen an empty F or J seat. That's about 10-12 flights in the past year...

 

[~B~]

I got upgraded to business class on AA/QF LAX - MIA and back....

 

[Altair]

I have ot been op-up on QF, but yes on other airlines, but I have op-up my boss.
On a flight SYD-WLG, I was given the points upgrade while my boss kept going down the back with comments, "Wipe that smile off your face" and "Make sure I do not hit you on the head as I walk pass."
There were only three people in the cabin out of sixteen and I asked the CSM if my boss can be moved up. She said wait until the doors close and ask her again. Sure enough the doors closed and she came to me and asked if I would lke to go down the back to bring up my boss.
His smile was priceless and we both had a very good flight back.

 

[Chester]

As I usually travel with my family, I think a party of 3 rarely get upgraded.

But I wonder what is the best approach to get upgraded ?

Should we check in early or late ? I reckon by checking late may give us a better chance of getting an upgrade, as by then they should know whether J class has some spare seats and economy is overflowing.

Alternatively, we re-allocate the bulkhead seats to ourselves, and if at check in time they get families with babies or young kids, they may push us up to J class so they can give the bulkhead seats to the families.

Any thought on this subject ?

 

[trooper]

Friend of mine got upgraded Y-J LAX-SYD in June... He's NB... was on an award ticket (!) but IS a QP member... which I assume was the key? Maybe Y was seriously overbooked.. it was not an "elite heavy" flight.. and after all the Plats/Gold/Silvers had been moved up they still needed more? Only thing I can think of.....

This happened at check in... so I'd sorta rule out last minute "laziness" by staff...

On top of that.. when told he pointed to the guy he was travelling with (on his first QF long haul the mongrel!) and said... "he's with me".. and HE got upped too! Luck of the devil!:shock:

I fly with NZ (*Gold through them) and have never had an op-up... mind you I don't give them much of a chance.. on all 11 flights this year on NZ metal (recreational only) I applied for upgrades online after booking (Yup.. supported by Gold certs or points every time)... and every single one cleared.. even the Y>C AKL-HKG (bypassing Y+).... Nice hit rate that!!:mrgreen:

You think I might:

A. Be rather happy with NZ, and

B. Feel just a little encouraged to maintain status!

 

[vt]

Being nice to the checkin attendants might also get you an op up.

Dubai to London on BA, I was checking in behind a real DYKWIA W!nker. I was then really nice to the attendants and puff....upgraded at gate.

Or maybe just luck :mrgreen:

 

[simongr]

I think part of our reason for the upgrade was mrssimongr's medical issue coupled with a few tears along the lines of "we just want to go home"... I didn't once use the DYKWIA - but I did call the EXP desk at customer services when teh BA guy couldn't get through on his contact number to AA - he seemed to appreciate hat - even though AA could do nothing....

 

[Jobu]

I've received a few operational upgrades (all domestic). Most all of them were during school holidays (hence I assume Y gets oversold).

Cheers

JOBU

 

[straitman]

Have had an OP upgrade for three out of HKG for SYD, so it is possible. (with QF)

 

[serfty]

I've received a few operational upgrades (all domestic). Most all of them were during school holidays (hence I assume Y gets oversold)....

school holidays = op-up season (mainly for status pax travelling solo)

 

[MelUser]

I suspect that internationally there are many people requesting points upgrades so free/complimentary op ups are unnecessary.

 

[serfty]

I suspect that internationally there are many people requesting points upgrades so free/complimentary op ups are unnecessary.

Not necessarily; see this thread:

• http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...flyer-program/qantas-made-me-happy-12288.html

It's the time of year you often see this happen - It's 'Upgrade Season'!

The proportion of PAX travelling in WHY compared to the premium cabins increases greatly this time of year. So Qantas will sell many of the pointy end seats for WHY fares; deciding on the day (and at the gate if necessary) who to give them to (generally those with Status).