Qantas upgrade definition

[twoharts]

Hi
This has probably been asked before, if so I 'm having difficulty finding it
I am in the process of booking flights PERTH to BOGOTA for me and mine, departing late Sept/early Oct returning early Nov to Melb.
I'm hoping to book and pay for economy(cheap as possible) and use points for upgrading to PE or BUS. When I do dummy runs at the 'CHECK' stage under fare information it says about upgrading, "Flight Upgrade Awards are not eligible on all Red e-Deal fares. Upgrades can only be redeemed on Qantas operated flights". Does this mean upgrades are only available on Qantas planes eg QF27/28 SYD-SCL or are they also on Lan Chile planes but booked under Qantas QF321/322. Are upgrades available on Qantas Oneworld partners say Lan Chile SCL-BOG. Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[markis10]

You can only use upgrade with points options on Qantas operated flights with a QF flight number in your booking, assuming you are in an eligible fare bucket.

 

[moa999]

And on eligible fare buckets.

Pretty much not available on Red e-Deal fares.

* Flight Upgrade Awards are not available on international airfares booked in E, N, O, P, Q or X class, which includes some Qantas Any Seat Awards and some international Red e-Deal fares.

 

[twoharts]

Thanks Markis10, does that mean QF321/322 on LanChile would be able to be upgraded from a suitable fare, how do I find out what class a fare is?

 

[markis10]

Thanks Markis10, does that mean QF321/322 on LanChile would be able to be upgraded from a suitable fare, how do I find out what class a fare is?

No, it needs to have a roo on the tail for upgrades.

 

[twoharts]

Thanks, means I'll be booking QF27/28 direct SYD-SCL
can you answer the second part re what class a fare is

 

[markis10]

Thanks, means I'll be booking QF27/28 direct SYD-SCL
can you answer the second part re what class a fare is

The fare conditions will give you a clue, but it depends on who you book through, for instance Expedia show it on the summary page.

 

[twoharts]

I'll probably be booking through Qantas direct or a close friend who is travel agent

 

[markis10]

I'll probably be booking through Qantas direct or a close friend who is travel agent

Your travel agent friend will be able to tell what fare bucket, much easier than Qantas.com that will always default to the cheapest which is often non upgradable.

 

[twoharts]

Thanks, will go with my friend

 

[drewbles]

I'll probably be booking through Qantas direct or a close friend who is travel agent

One other thing you'll need to keep in mind, that the upgrades are processed based on your Frequent Flyer status. You don't mention what status you have though.

From top to bottom, the order will be:

- Chairmans Lounge
- Platinum 1
- Platinum
- Gold
- Qantas Club Silver
- Silver
- Qantas Club Bronze
- Bronze

I have no idea what the loads on the SCL routes are like in regards to number of elites, but you should be aware that unfortunately you're at the bottom of the pecking order. I would imagine that out of all the routes QF fly, this would be far more leisure than business oriented, so you'd be in with a better chance than say QF1 through to LHR

Good luck with it though! It's a far nicer way to travel when those upgrades do come through.

 

[twoharts]

Thanks drewbles, we are Bronze, haven't done a lot of flying but have 700k FF and over the years have been able to successfully upgrade most times, mainly domestic and NZ, agree its the way to go. like you I figure SCL would be more leisure than business (I'll look at expertflyer) so could be in with a chance if launching from the right fare class. I've looked at via LAX to BOG on awards but virtually nothing available

 

[Mwenenzi]

...I'm hoping to book and pay for economy(cheap as possible) and use points for upgrading to PE or BUS...

As above, the bolded items are self excluding. To get an upgradeable fare you will not buying the cheapest fare. Your chances of an upgrade are low. Worth looking at premium economy seats if available on that route or a straight out award.

 

[twoharts]

I agree with you Mwenenzi, the "cheap as possible" is based on being able to upgrade from Sale/Red e-Deal economy to Business domestically(have done this a few times successfully) and the hope it would also apply internationally, I just did a dummy PER-BOG J return $27k(very uneconomical, there are much cheaper airlines than Qantas for that) and a straight out award takes all our points. I'll probably try for the higher class fares or as you say PE and domestic economy and try for upgrades

 

[markis10]

I agree with you Mwenenzi, the "cheap as possible" is based on being able to upgrade from Sale/Red e-Deal economy to Business domestically(have done this a few times successfully) and the hope it would also apply internationally, I just did a dummy PER-BOG J return $27k(very uneconomical, there are much cheaper airlines than Qantas for that) and a straight out award takes all our points. I'll probably try for the higher class fares or as you say PE and domestic economy and try for upgrades

You wont use up all your points if you have 700K and only two are travelling, Perth to Santiago in J one way is 110K alone, or make it a big trip:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ogram/oneworld-award-140k-280k-420k-8228.html

 

[Buzzard]

Other posters are certainly better informed than I but would a JASA whilst still available represent better value than hoping for an upgrade and also earn some status?

 

[Mwenenzi]

A OneWorld circle pacific ticket will be less than $13.5K. Asumming the $27K is for 2 people. But may need to start in MEL, SYD or BNE. From Perth tickets ex Singapore, HKG or KUL may cost a lot less.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Other posters are certainly better informed than I but would a JASA whilst still available represent better value than hoping for an upgrade and also earn some status?

Very good value because of how the circle works.

Problem is finding J availability.

 

[JohnM]

QF have had some quite good specials on PE fares SYD-SCL-SYD recently. I got one for Nov-Dec at $3.5K but I think they've been down to about $3.3K.

PE should (hopefully) be a good launch-pad for the J UPG. But, if not, I'll being trying PE for the first time which will be interesting in itself.

 

[medhead]

, "Flight Upgrade Awards are not eligible on all Red e-Deal fares. Upgrades can only be redeemed on Qantas operated flights".

In terms of upgrade eligibility you've already quoted the relevant information from qantas. Red e deals are not eligible according to that.