Qantas FF & Cathay Pacific bookings

[big_RED]

Hi all,

I wanted to post in this thread but it was closed: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....rogram/qantas-ff-and-cathay-pacific-8181.html

My boss is a platinum QF FF member and we're needing to fly to Hong Kong a number of times this year for business.
I know you can book award seats directly on Qantas, and it returns either Qantas or Cathay Pacific flights.

But what are our upgrade options? e.g:

1. Book directly through Cathay Pacific using $$$ for Economy. Then use qantas points to upgrade. I've read some articles and it seems you can only upgrade from economy to premium, and from premium to business (not economy to business). Is this correct? And can you use Qantas points to upgrade?
2. Book through Qantas using award seats, and get whatever you want (economy - business)
3. Book through Qantas and use points + play and get whatever you want

I'm really wanting to find out can we book direct with CX and use Qantas points to upgrade to a higher cabin?

Thanks for the help.

 

[TomVexille]

To answer your question. QFF points can only be used for upgrades on QF operated flights

 

[yohy?!]

if you don't have the option to switch to Marco Polo/Asia Miles as your frequent flyer program then you will need to stick to booking QF flights - upgrades on HKG flights ex-SYD are usually pretty achiveable (my strike rate as platinum was 80% on 3-4 annual trips over the last few years).

premium economy is usually reasonably priced to compete with CX and from there upgrades to business would be ahead of economy to business upgraders (except for those of a higher status than platinum), the amount is points required is pretty good also

 

[big_RED]

To answer your question. QFF points can only be used for upgrades on QF operated flights

Thanks!

if you don't have the option to switch to Marco Polo/Asia Miles as your frequent flyer program then you will need to stick to booking QF flights - upgrades on HKG flights ex-SYD are usually pretty achiveable (my strike rate as platinum was 80% on 3-4 annual trips over the last few years).

Ok, so we'll book specifically QF flights, and not CX flights through the Qantas website.
When you say upgrades are achievable, do you mean when you book a QF economy seat, paying points to then upgrade?

 

[yohy?!]

Thanks!


Ok, so we'll book specifically QF flights, and not CX flights through the Qantas website.
When you say upgrades are achievable, do you mean when you book a QF economy seat, paying points to then upgrade?

Yes that's correct - economy to business upgrades on the A330 or if you are travelling ex-SYD on a 747 flight then you can book PE and pay less points to upgrade to J

 

[big_RED]

Yes that's correct - economy to business upgrades on the A330 or if you are travelling ex-SYD on a 747 flight then you can book PE and pay less points to upgrade to J

Thanks for the confirmation guys.
Happy for this thread to be closed.

 

[Ansett]

Remember if Booking Y to ensure that it is an an upgrade-able fare bucket in other words that means stay away from Red E Deals and try and book mid week.

 

[travelislife]

And that point's upgrades are a lottery. I.e. There is no way to 'confirm' an upgrade using points. Though your chances are higher as a WP.

 

[drewbles]

You can, however, with QF put a points upgrade request to J in with fallback to W if it doesn't clear. You don't have to only upgrade to W from Y.

 

[medhead]

Remember if Booking Y to ensure that it is an an upgrade-able fare bucket in other words that means stay away from Red E Deals and try and book mid week.

sometimes when there are "Sale" fares Red-e-deals become upgradable. But always need to check the fare conditions.

 

[big_RED]

Remember if Booking Y to ensure that it is an an upgrade-able fare bucket in other words that means stay away from Red E Deals and try and book mid week.

Thanks, I know about this 'trap' so will make sure to let my boss know as well.

And that point's upgrades are a lottery. I.e. There is no way to 'confirm' an upgrade using points. Though your chances are higher as a WP.

Agreed, unfortunate system, but with platinum level it seems like it's more likely to stick.

You can, however, with QF put a points upgrade request to J in with fallback to W if it doesn't clear. You don't have to only upgrade to W from Y.

Good point. Thanks.