International Upgrades from Discount Economy/Economy

[krazy1]

Hi guys,

Apologies if this has been brought up before, I am sure it has but couldnt locate it!!

I have booked an international return flight for my partner and myself and have booked the return leg on a "Super Saver" applicable fare (above Sale & Red E Deal) in an attempt to get a business class upgrade.

It is a Zone 6 flight which requires 48000 points per person, per leg for the upgrade from discount economy to business. The "Flexi Saver" fare requires 30000 points as it is Full Economy. I originally thought that the Super Saver was considered full economy but was wrong...

My question is, is it worth paying an extra $250 each to pump my fare up to a Flexi (Super Saver was $400 more than Sale/Red fares) and if I do get an upgrade (which I know is no given), using less points for the upgrade at the end of the day (60000 total compared to 96000 total). In essence if I dont get the upgrade, I could be paying up to $500-900 extra for something which may not eventuate (hopefully requesting early and having a slightly better standing as Silver QFF could help me).

According to the topping up QFF points page, the difference of 36000 points roughly equals $1000 so I am not sure if this shows I should be saving my points and fork out the $250 extra each for Flexi. Then again, I dont really have a plan for any leftover points, I am keen on getting this upgrade so maybe I should leave my booking as is and hope for the best?!

Would appreciate anyones opinions on this... Cheers!

 

[TonyHancock]

Hi guys,

Apologies if this has been brought up before, I am sure it has but couldnt locate it!!

I have booked an international return flight for my partner and myself and have booked the return leg on a "Super Saver" applicable fare (above Sale & Red E Deal) in an attempt to get a business class upgrade.

It is a Zone 6 flight which requires 48000 points per person, per leg for the upgrade from discount economy to business. The "Flexi Saver" fare requires 30000 points as it is Full Economy. I originally thought that the Super Saver was considered full economy but was wrong...

My question is, is it worth paying an extra $250 each to pump my fare up to a Flexi (Super Saver was $400 more than Sale/Red fares) and if I do get an upgrade (which I know is no given), using less points for the upgrade at the end of the day (60000 total compared to 96000 total). In essence if I dont get the upgrade, I could be paying up to $500-900 extra for something which may not eventuate (hopefully requesting early and having a slightly better standing as Silver QFF could help me).

According to the topping up QFF points page, the difference of 36000 points roughly equals $1000 so I am not sure if this shows I should be saving my points and fork out the $250 extra each for Flexi. Then again, I dont really have a plan for any leftover points, I am keen on getting this upgrade so maybe I should leave my booking as is and hope for the best?!

Would appreciate anyones opinions on this... Cheers!

On QF international flights I don't believe that The Flexi Saver Fare is full economy, I think it will still class as discount economy.

 

[opusman]

Honestly as a silver your odds of getting the upgrades are not great, so I wouldn't spend any more than absolutely necessary.

 

[serfty]

Honestly as a silver your odds of getting the upgrades are not great, so I wouldn't spend any more than absolutely necessary.

Unless an international 'cattle class' flight is booked into the Y fare bucket it is considered to be "Discount Economy".

This is different from domestic flights.

 

[geordieladinoz]

Honestly as a silver your odds of getting the upgrades are not great, so I wouldn't spend any more than absolutely necessary.

I am proud to say I have gone from Discount Economy to First thanks to a couple of fortunate events so there is hope. I am now more of a Business or Business to First kind of guy after that eye opening experience. KEEP THE FAITH!!

 

[casanovawa]

Also depends how you value the QFF points... You say on QF website the top up points come to a $1000 for 36,000, but these are always pretty high priced and you could go and take out a credit card from a bank and get 30,000 QFF points for $0 or less than a $100 anyway...

 

[krazy1]

Awesome info, thanks for your responses!

Well I guess it makes my question a helluva lot easier when you consider the Flexi Saver on International flights is not even considered Full Economy. I travel interstate on a monthly basis for work and always use the Flexi Saver and it comes out as a Full Economy fare. So I am guessing if you are really keen on booking the Full Economy on International flights that you would need to do it over the phone with Qantas as Flexi Saver is the 'highest' economy fare you can book online...

 

[lovestotravel]

I am proud to say I have gone from Discount Economy to First thanks to a couple of fortunate events so there is hope. I am now more of a Business or Business to First kind of guy after that eye opening experience. KEEP THE FAITH!!

How did this happen

 

[Kangol]

Awesome info, thanks for your responses!

Well I guess it makes my question a helluva lot easier when you consider the Flexi Saver on International flights is not even considered Full Economy. I travel interstate on a monthly basis for work and always use the Flexi Saver and it comes out as a Full Economy fare. So I am guessing if you are really keen on booking the Full Economy on International flights that you would need to do it over the phone with Qantas as Flexi Saver is the 'highest' economy fare you can book online...

Yes, they have different structures for dom/int regarding what is full Y or not.
For more info see here:

https://www.qantas.com.au/fflyer/dyn/program/classTypes

If you go to "Manage your booking" you can double check your booking class.

Note from time to time they have had targeted promotions where upgrades from non-eligible Y classes were able to be requested and anecdotal reports indicate that even if you did not receive such an offer, an upgrade was able to be requested. Obviously that would be an exception to the rule and not an expected benefit - that is, if such an offer is around in the first place.

 

[krazy1]

Howdy, been a while but thought I should share with the community that I was given the privilege of a business class upgrade for the flight in question! Got the text 24 hours before the flight and was just in time as my wife and myself were considering extending our trip!

Silver to business class so definitely keep the faith!!

Was a little disappointed with the service from one of the two hostesses, she was actually quite rude and grumpy to most the passengers except for two regulars in front of us. Still though, was a great experience and am thankful that Qantas offered it to us!

 

[zig]

Well done, glad you both enjoyed it What route did you fly?

 

[krazy1]

Well done, glad you both enjoyed it What route did you fly?

Honolulu to Sydney.

Would I be right in thinking that the business class on these planes (767) is definitely a lot more old school than the recent advancements in business class like sky beds etc?

 

[markis10]

Honolulu to Sydney.

Would I be right in thinking that the business class on these planes (767) is definitely a lot more old school than the recent advancements in business class like sky beds etc?

Yes, pretty much a very early this century product.

 

[opusman]

Qantas invented business class after all, and if you want to see what it was like when they did, this flight is a good opportunity

 

[markis10]

Qantas invented business class after all, and if you want to see what it was like when they did, this flight is a good opportunity

LOL, it's hardly 1979 product.