Qantas Courtesy Upgrade Love

I would imagine that if QF can fill the plane with passengers opting to use points, they’ll do that first. Would come down to how loaded the flight was.

Just as a datapoint, I received a complimentary upgrade on a MEL-SYD sector at the start of August (guessing as I’d just qualified for P1) but nothing on a MEL-AKL leg the last week despite there being free seats (Y was completely full, however I had what would seem the only shadow in row 4). For the return flight I requested using points and got was successful T-8. For SYD-BKK id not be chancing it!
 
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Here's an interesting question. I shall fly SYD-BKK this coming Saturday on QF295 and have already applied for a points upgrade to Premium. Does anyone think that will affect my chances of a free upgrade to business? If so, it's tempting to remove the Premium request and keep fingers crossed - any thoughts?

I certainly wouldn't be banking on these compo upgrades, particularly on a popular international route like that. And they will process all the points requests first anyway.
 
I’m assuming the event occurred 4 months ago… Notified of a successful upgrade ahead of a flight, but then denied and returned to the booked cabin at check-in or departure.
Ah. Ok. Yep that happened to us too. Two WP. So not really just a matter of dudding a Silver. Qantas will dud anyone. 😂

Oh nice. I think they're doing it by downgrading Silver - I was booted to the back of the plane after getting the upgrade 4 months ago.☹️
 
I agree. Four domestic flights last week and all full in J. But a SYD-WLG flight in a 737 lightly loaded with spare J seats. No upgrade and had a row to myself.
I flew SYD-CHC last month, only 6 of us in J and we all got a row to ourselves. Y was fairly full. Felt lucky but was probably a lost opportunity for QF to thank any P/P1's on the flight.

I remember the good old days of flying for work and being invited by the FSM in flight to move up to J on the odd occasion.
 

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