Long Haul Points Upgrade

[Marty_]

Hi all,

Normally I fly J for work CBR > LAX, but am heading over to the USA for leisure in March next year.

I don't especially want to spend the $ for a full-fare J trip, but economy is quite torturous for me as I am 6'7"+ with a big frame and have rheumatoid arthritis. This makes me keen to do a points upgrade from Flexi to J.

There are no reward seats available on the flights I'm checking (of course), but if was to go on the waitlist I am (1) Platinum and (2) reasonably confident that by flying through BNE there will be spare J seats on the plane... So...

Question: will I get the spare seats simply because they're available? Or do they have to be spare designated "reward" seats in particular?

Just weighing up the probabilities...

Thanks!

 

[williamsf1]

Question: will I get the spare seats simply because they're available? Or do they have to be spare designated "reward" seats in particular?

Just weighing up the probabilities...

Thanks!

They release more upgrade/ reward seats closer to the date(around the -72hr mark) to clear the waitlist and also the upgrade me bids. It is a lucky lottery .. however being a PLAT will help your chances

 

[Marty_]

Thanks... I guess I have to decide whether it's worth paying the extra $1K for flexi over saver to qualify.

 

[williamsf1]

Thanks... I guess I have to decide whether it's worth paying the extra $1K for flexi over saver to qualify.

Keep your eye on Happy Hour or sale fares in PY … sometimes can be cheaper than a flexi Y fare.

 

[clipped_wings]

After experiencing J this week, I'd happily pay the PE saver fare and waitlist to upgrade. Our flights both ways indicated that no seats had been booked for the rear J cabin right up till 48 hours before departure. Then, the cabin filled up almost immediately, so I guess it was a lot of upgrading, as there was certainly no reward seat availability for those dates.

One thing to note: My husband is only 6'1 and he said it was tough fitting in and turning over in the new suites, due to the location of the tray table, which doesn't retract all the way. He said it dug into his hip, so he had to sleep on his back the whole flight. I'm 5'3 if I fluff my hair up, so no problem for me, but I felt sorry for my man.

 

[BAM1748]

After experiencing J this week, I'd happily pay the PE saver fare and waitlist to upgrade. Our flights both ways indicated that no seats had been booked for the rear J cabin right up till 48 hours before departure. Then, the cabin filled up almost immediately, so I guess it was a lot of upgrading, as there was certainly no reward seat availability for those dates.

One thing to note: My husband is only 6'1 and he said it was tough fitting in and turning over in the new suites, due to the location of the tray table, which doesn't retract all the way. He said it dug into his hip, so he had to sleep on his back the whole flight. I'm 5'3 if I fluff my hair up, so no problem for me, but I felt sorry for my man.

I think many people J people often book late simply to suit their schedules, there is a J seat left unbooked for any walk ups, so someone can be lucky and get an upgrade after check in but before boarding if no walk up full fare sale happens.

 

[Marty_]

One thing to note: My husband is only 6'1 and he said it was tough fitting in and turning over in the new suites, due to the location of the tray table, which doesn't retract all the way. He said it dug into his hip, so he had to sleep on his back the whole flight. I'm 5'3 if I fluff my hair up, so no problem for me, but I felt sorry for my man.

It's not perfect, but it's sure better than economy. I also have to sleep on my back.

Interestingly, 1K actually has a significantly longer bed due to a large foot-well type space that goes behind the linen cupboard in front of the seat. People rarely choose it because of its proximity to that cupboard (accessed regularly by FA's) so I always snap it up so I can stretch out.

 

[clipped_wings]

It's not perfect, but it's sure better than economy. I also have to sleep on my back.

Interestingly, 1K actually has a significantly longer bed due to a large foot-well type space that goes behind the linen cupboard in front of the seat. People rarely choose it because of its proximity to that cupboard (accessed regularly by FA's) so I always snap it up so I can stretch out.

That is an excellent observation Marty - if the opportunity ever presents itself again, I would use this information to our benefit. I just loved the seats and how responsive they were to all the controls. My snug little bed was a slice of heaven for those 14 hours and I kept pinching myself that my business class dream was really happening.

 

[fewings85]

Just tapping into this thread to save starting a new one.

im in a similar boat. Was no award seats left so I booked a full fare economy, PE save was a lot more, for my SYD-LAX trip (VA1). I'm Gold Status. The business class cabin at one point was completely full! So I thought my chances of an upgrade was done. Now it seems there is 5 seats left available (Flight is Feb 23) Still not any available as an away just full fare paying or any seat award at the moment. This is the first time I've used the upgrade me points scheme so I don't know how I will fare. What would my chances be? She did say when I called that I had requested waitlist early so I might have a good chance if seats do become free but as the cabins full already its pretty low, as that was at the time when there was 0 seats free in the J Cabin. But as I said now its showing 5 seats available.

I'm guessing it will be as stated above, if those seats don't fill they wont leave them free will they? They will work there way through upgrades and bids? Which do they tend to look at first upgrade requests or the upgrade me bids? I'm thinking the upgrade me bids but I hope not or do they look at status first rather then the type of upgrade request? I'm also guessing that whichever they look at first will be first to then see platinum's first followed by Gold flyers then after that who requested the upgrade first.

What do you think my chances are? I may try calling again.

 

[Flying Fox]

As WP you can call and ask if they will release you a reward seat.

Worst they can say is no.

 

[clipped_wings]

We got the email of a successful waitlisted points upgrade on the Monday before our Thursday flight. Husband was SG and we waitlisted a couple of months before. There were probably about 4 spare seats in the J cabin.

Could you please let us know if you have success? It's nice to know when someone is handed a Golden Ticket!

 

[fewings85]

will do


ill try call tonight when I get home from work see if I have any luck otherwise it might just be a pray and hope! Ill let you know either way.

 

[el_rooto]

As WP you can call and ask if they will release you a reward seat.

Worst they can say is no.

Just called the velocity serivice centre and apparently they don't open up seats for award flights?

 

[Flying Fox]

Just called the velocity serivice centre and apparently they don't open up seats for award flights?

Oh my mistake as I assumed that this was with QF. Sorry about that.

However, good to know that VA don't don't this.

 

[fewings85]

seems to be more and more seats available each time I check on my flight, at one point it seemed only 2 left, then there was 4 now it is showing as 7 seats available. I'm still not holding my breath for that upgrade but I'm keeping on the waiting list anyway. Obviously 2 of those 7 are kept for walk up cash purchases but it still leaves 5.

Here's hoping, flight is Thursday midday.