International Upgrades - Am I just lucky?

[v8Statesman]

Not necessarily; see this thread:

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

Was just about to make mention of my experience. But the link said it all for me

 

[pauly7]

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 ?

Alot of people will say that checking in manually and later increases your chances as they would rather upgrade people at checkin than at the gate / hunt you down in the lounge. However it is incredibly circumstantial!!

 

[QF WP]

When I was travelling by myself in the early days, I was often upgraded. When I have travelled with others, the only time I've been upgraded was on my honeymoon (on a BA WT+ to J upgrade).

Of the 585 sectors I've logged as flown currently, I went through them quickly and found about 20 separate sectors where I have been operationally upgraded. Of course, very few in recent times given the higher load factors and other QF factors

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Well, I managed to get the opposite today - a downgrade. Booked in Premium Economy for SIN -> SYD.

Turn up at the airport and asked what seat I would like. Said "Don't I already have 35J?". Answer from woman at the counter was that this was a middle seat, and was I sure I wanted it. I said "huh?"

Then spent 20 minutes in another line to be told that there is no W on this plane, no spare seats in J, and they will try to see if they can get me an aisle (was currently in 56A at the time).

No offer of reimbursement for paying a higher fare. No real apology - just the "we have some planes that are out of service" excuse. No explanation why they didn't give me a call.

CSM finally turned up and said I should go wait in the lounge whilst they would see what they could do. Still waiting for a response.

Pretty lame all up IMHO

 

[oz_mark]

Well, I managed to get the opposite today - a downgrade. Booked in Premium Economy for SIN -> SYD.

You're not on QF32 are you (the slightly late plane?)?

 

[AnonymousCoward]

You're not on QF32 are you (the slightly late plane?)?

Yes - I am. But it seems that J seats have become available. So, at least I'm a happy camper.

However, I do wonder what is going to happen to all the other people that were in the W cabin. Is it back to Y for them? That would still suck.

 

[serfty]

The aircraft stuck in MNL was the first to get Y+ so Qantas are short one of these, so Y+ scheduled are up the creek.

There's a thread on FT about this very thing.

I would suggest ALL who have Y+ bookings in the next few month check their seating; either with http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/community/qantas-frequent-flyer-program/www.checkmytrip.com or ExpertFlyer if you have it.

Reports are that Qantas will either upgrade to J class, change flights or discuss downgraded compensation.

Note that if your flight is from Europe to Oz/Asia and you are involuntarily downgraded, EU regulations specify compensation of up to 75% of "The Fare".

More here:

• Actual Regulations [see article 10.2(c)](English)

 

[taswegian77]

i am glad you got into J. Had the same issue 2 weeks ago SIN-MEL and got the J upgrade but that was communicated to me 4 days prior to my travel. Happy travels.

 

[htchapman]

Yes - I am. But it seems that J seats have become available. So, at least I'm a happy camper.

However, I do wonder what is going to happen to all the other people that were in the W cabin. Is it back to Y for them? That would still suck.

Same thing happened the next day. I was on QF32 LHR-SYD and used points to upgrade from Y to W+.

Approx 12hrs prior to departure I noticed points were out of account. Turned up to LHR a bit happier than usual. Told no W+. There were seats in J but couldn't find a CSM who cared to discuss using more points to go Y to J.

Maybe someone needs to tell the person (maybe computer?) doing the upgrades that there are isn't enough W+ cabins around.

Anyone know config of QF2 LHR-BKK-SYD that was delayed by 24h + on 16/17 Aug?

 

[serfty]

Presumably you had your points returned; certainly upgrades of this type are not "confirmed" until check in.

 

[coolumbla]

I think i'm upset!

witness discussion btw coolumbla and eldest daughter last year

Dad why am i flying united economy to SFO and you are flying qantas business(actually upgraded to first but wasn't owning up)?

Me , well eldest delinquent there is a thing called long haul economy apprenticeship and you have yet to serve yours

Cut to today

Having placed her on etihad to paris via abu dhabi ysterday for her 5 month exchange visit she showed me her boarding pass that said 22 b
I think , that's awfully forward , i must check the seat map
She rings today and says
"hey dad guess what, i was in business!'

and at 16yo!

Life is so unfair!

Never happens to me like that!

 

[NYCguy]

She has to live with Frenchmen for the next five months.

Now THAT'S karma!

 

[coolumbla]

What if she brings one home????

 

[Flashback]

What if she brings one home????

Then you are doomed!