Points upgrades on International Long Haul Intl. Anyone have any success?

[bigbadbyrnes]

Since introducing this benefit as detailed here:

https://www.velocityrewards.com.au/content/ProgramBenefits/TermsConditions/index.htm#13

has anyone had any success in using their points to do any upgrading?

With no evidence at all, I suspect that the seats available to be upgraded to are probably very limited. Seems a monumental risk if you buy economy tickets in the hope you can upgrade to premium without knowing anything about the actual availability of seats on the flight. Anyone have any experience or information about this?



Safe flying,

CB

 

[Deewhy]

Is there at least a way to check loadings in the cabin for the flight you are taking? Is this something EF can do for you?
I'm looking at trying my luck in a few weeks. See how we go.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Is there at least a way to check loadings in the cabin for the flight you are taking? Is this something EF can do for you?
I'm looking at trying my luck in a few weeks. See how we go.

Yes you can do this on EF

 

[simongr]

Expertflyer [-]or seatcounter.com[/-] does exactly this for you. They can tell you what fare buckets are available for sale and that would indicate general chances - i.e. lots D and I availability would indicate a lightly loaded business cabin and thus more chance of u[grades coming through.

 

[Moopere]

Heres an example SYD-AUH from EF:

J4 C2 D2 I0 W9 R9 O6 Y9 B9 H9 K9 L9 E9 N9 V9 Q9 T9


DJ's domestic and short haul upgrades come from Q class, which itself appears to come from general business stock. Its possible that VA's upgrades, which are Z class, also come from business stock and not only from awards stock (so...maybe from J and C??)

 

[mannej]

seatcounter doesn't work, and hasn't for a few years now.

 

[james4321]

My understanding is that you need to have sufficient points at the time you make the booking and that the points will be deducted at the time the upgrade is confirmed, so I would guess that it would make sense to call and check availability for the upgrade at the time of making the booking, ie literally have a booking on line and ready to finalise at the time of calling to check upgrade availability.

 

[williamsf1]

I have noticed a few members have had success with upgrades on Long Haul flights… It has been mentioned in previous threads ( but cannot find)

It was also mentioned that they are booked into Z class ( same as a redemption fares)

Only issue is it can only be done 7 days to 24 hrs prior to departure of each flight

 

[james4321]

Only issue is it can only be done 7 days to 24 hrs prior to departure of each flight[/QUOTE]

Oh .. my suggestion probably wont work then. So in effect its a big gamble to book with the intent (hope) to upgrade to Bus ?

 

[Moopere]

Too much of a gamble in my view. You have to have a Flexi rather than a Saver in order to be in the running for a J upgrade, but if you don't succeed then you're left with an overpriced flexi ....

 

[Deewhy]

Only issue is it can only be done 7 days to 24 hrs prior to departure of each flight

Oh .. my suggestion probably wont work then. So in effect its a big gamble to book with the intent (hope) to upgrade to Bus ?[/QUOTE]

You'd have to book a flexi y or y+ ticket to get to j.

 

[Shy180]

Oh .. my suggestion probably wont work then. So in effect its a big gamble to book with the intent (hope) to upgrade to Bus ?

You'd have to book a flexi y or y+ ticket to get to j.[/QUOTE]

Glad i saw this thread! Just about to go with a VA long haul option and IMHO the rule below makes this option worthless (to me) as it does not suit my travelling needs

12.11 Upgrade Using Points can be redeemed by calling the Velocity Frequent Flyer Membership Contact Centre between 7 days and 24 hours prior to the desired time of departure.

So really this is a last minute 'if we haven't sold all the seats you can give us some points and we will think about upgrading you' type of deal.

Back to the drawing board....

 

[james4321]

Just had another look at the T&C's and noticed this:

12.6 Flight Upgrades will be allocated to the Member based on the availability at the time of booking.(my emphasis)

So - if I book a flexi say tomorrow for a flight for say 7 February 2013, does this clause mean that the upgrade allocation (if available) occurs tomorrow? That seems to conflict with this clause:

12.11 Upgrade Using Points can be redeemed by calling the Velocity Frequent Flyer Membership Contact Centre between 7 days and 24 hours prior to the desired time of departure.

which suggests that the allocation occurs between 1 and 7 February 2013 (in my example) ie "between 7 days and 24 hours prior to desired time of departure".

Further to that I dont understand the use of the word "desired" in that clause - if I have already booked then surely its an actual time not a desired time. So what does the word "desired" indicate?

 

[Moopere]

My read of that would be:

12.11, You can only upgrade using points 7d-24h before departure

12.6, You ring to "book" the upgrade as per 12.11, and at that time, 7d-24h before departure, your upgrade will be allocated based upon availability at that time.

So, yes, when you book, you'll get an immediate allocation - but you are barred from booking until 7d-24h before departure.

I guess one could wait until 7d before to book the flexi ticket and thereby reduce the chances of ending up 'stuck' with a flexi you can't upgrade ... but there would be other risks associated with that of course.

 

[D-Man]

Instead of being stuck with an expensive flexi seat you would be better to purchase an O or R seat (for less than flexi Y) and try and upgrade that.

 

[Bolthead]

I have noticed a few members have had success with upgrades on Long Haul flights… It has been mentioned in previous threads ( but cannot find)

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-upgrades-with-points-41816-6.html#post666290

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-upgrades-with-points-41816-6.html#post666414

I had a win with long haul upgrade.... both my wife and daughter where on the same trip (to Europe) but different flights and they had no luck.