I agree that it must be Op-Up season - because now they are even giving them to low-range Golds. Last week I departed SYD for LAX for a week in Texas, and was on a cheapy QF fare. A few weeks before departure I realised that my outward seat assignment was 67C. It's not the back of the plane but even Mr Magoo could see it from there, so I rang to ask if I could have a forward aisle seat like it says on my preference. The rep told me that my original Y seat had become PE due to a aircraft change and because of the pre-allocation system I was then bumped to the back of the plane. I thought she would be able to fix it but instead suggested that I check in early and hope for the best.
On arrival at SYD I mentioned to the desk staff that I had a legal but tight 2:30 connection at LAX and would really appreciate a seat closer to the front. "How about a seat in PE - would that make you happy?" I was a bit annoyed at the sarcastic tone as I hadn't grovelled or made a fuss, but I certainly wasn't going to now so I thanked her and REALLY enjoyed the flight to LAX. Chatting to the guy beside me revealed that he had also been bumped up so I think they had sold some PE manifest as Y and then plucked numbers out of a hat for upgrades.
I was not expecting to be lucky a second time on the return trip last Friday night but Katherine (a lovely, lovely girl) asked me at LAX whether I was travelling in Y or PE. "Well I paid for economy" I said and then raised my eyebrows at her hopefully. She smiled back and handed me another PE boarding pass and I was well made up, to the point that I barely flinched when she said QF108 had been delayed out of New York and would be about an hour late. My colleague who was simultaneously checking in for his earlier QF12 offered to swap but I told him no chance.
But that wasn't the end of it. About 3 hours and 6 Coronas later I made my way down to the gate and gave the gorgeous Katherine a beery smile as I handed her my precious bording pass. The smile cracked a little bit when the cursed machine went beep and Katherine said to her colleague "Moody - 34D" as she ripped the golden ticket to pieces in front of me. Ah well the lords giveth and the lords taketh away, I thought. A new pass was printed for me and my angel Katherine said "You will be travelling in Business tonight if that's OK with you". I then had the best flight of my life, and the best night's sleep in the whole week. I even changed into the unflattering PJs and didn't care who saw me.
So if they are handing out Y>PE>J upgrades to any old Gold FF, there must be significant pressure on economy loads at the expense of the premium cabins. Either that or I was very very lucky.
