QF Op-ups

[harvyk]

Hey all,

Just out of interest has anyone been lucky enough to get an op-up to J (or F) when flying on a non-upgradable QF fare? (eg Q \ O)

Not that I'm expecting an op-up on my next flight, but I'm curious if booking in those classes (which is the norm) specifically excludes me from winning an op-up...

 

[samh004]

There was a thread recently that allowed you to redeem upgrades in those classes, so it could be possible, but I think it would depend on your status most likely and PS isn't too high up the scale.

 

[serfty]

Yes, I received an operational upgrade from Y to J on a AKL-LAX flight early last month.

 

[harvyk]

I was given an Op-up on my last flight to the US (SYD - SFO) even as a PS. I was on cheap fares then as well (although I don't know exactly which class I was booked in, so it may have been an upgradeable class)

 

[FlyboyAl]

I flew to lax in May and was upgraded to business from a cheap ticket ($1195 return!) and on the return leg I was also in business.
I don't know what I did to deserve it as I'm a lowly bronze, but it sure made the flight more fun. The interesting thing was coming home that I was not only upgraded from lax - akl - syd, but also through to adl.

I did know it had happened on the international leg before boarding because CMT.com showed the seat number about 3 weeks before I went, but I was not prepared to believe it until I actually had my bum in the seat.

 

[FlyboyAl]

I'm going back again in September to San Fran and back, and I've got my fingers crossed

 

[dede]

I flew to lax in May and was upgraded to business from a cheap ticket ($1195 return!) and on the return leg I was also in business.
I don't know what I did to deserve it as I'm a lowly bronze, but it sure made the flight more fun. The interesting thing was coming home that I was not only upgraded from lax - akl - syd, but also through to adl.

I did know it had happened on the international leg before boarding because CMT.com showed the seat number about 3 weeks before I went, but I was not prepared to believe it until I actually had my bum in the seat.

So is it worth not pre-allocating your seat and hoping that Qantas pop you into a better seat or is it all just random acts of kindness?

 

[Timba-Jet]

On my return leg SFO-SYD, I got an OP-UP to business . My first time in business, I was in heaven. Only if it was a day flight - so i could of enjoyed myself even more!

I'm a QP PS, and this was my first long-haul QF flight (lucky me). I was a on cheap (O) sale fare $1100 return. The check-in agent didn't say anthing, I only realised after seeing my seat number was row 26 instead of 68.

From what i observed, it was a very full flight, and there were many others who were upgraded, and all seats in J were full.

 

[straitman]

Just out of interest has anyone been lucky enough to get an op-up to J (or F) when flying on a non-upgradable QF fare? (eg Q \ O)

Short answer, YES.

Longer answer, three of us were upgraded to J from the cheapest possible ticket and I was the only one with status.

It happens.

 

[Voyages]

I got an op-up with an O class fare, BNE-LAX just last week.

 

[Chicken or Beef]

So is it worth not pre-allocating your seat and hoping that Qantas pop you into a better seat or is it all just random acts of kindness?

Not random at all! There are many factors affecting who gets op upgrades - and I doubt Flyboy will get one for his next trip to SFO as QF keep track of who has recently received one!

Also, you may have noticed lots of school groups from the US are here during their Summer hols - all in economy - flights have been very full, so hence cheap fare upgrades when they run out of top tier status pax.

 

[straitman]

Not random at all! There are many factors affecting who gets op upgrades - and I doubt Flyboy will get one for his next trip to SFO as QF keep track of who has recently received one!

Chicken or Beef,

You say that with such authority. Could you enlighten us to your sources :?:

 

[serfty]

C or B's posting history indicates an intimate association with the industry, especially in relation to Qantas. However, it may be interesting haw proactive on-loading relates to their most recent post.

 

[coyote25]

The original cost of the ticket doesn't seem to play a big factor, I got Op-up'd from award Y to PE on my last MEL-LAX flight which was a happy situation for me.

The flight was very full. CMT was showing full allocation in Y 3 weeks out. Being a WP I thought I had a good chance.

 

[aus_flyer]

QF keep track of who has recently received one!

Then Qantas must really hate some people. I know of people that have been WP for 5+ years and have never received an op-up.

 

[Evan]

Then Qantas must really hate some people. I know of people that have been WP for 5+ years and have never received an op-up.

Which i find pretty amazing since the law of averages would almost dictate that they would have managed a few. I guess they probably travel on services that its not often required, that or always travel J. WP's who travel whY are more likley to be op-up'ed from Y to W or J i would imagine than somebody from J to F which i think would happen a lot less generally.

 

[JohnK]

I have had a number of op-ups on QF on deep discount economy tickets. Some are to do with luck, some are to do with status, some are to do with enticement....

 

[harvyk]

Then Qantas must really hate some people. I know of people that have been WP for 5+ years and have never received an op-up.

and yet my dad got an op-up on EK on the first trip he ever did with them (not a member of their FF program and certainly not a status pax)...

I think it's a matter of pure luck in some cases...

 

[Flashback]

and yet my dad got an op-up on EK on the first trip he ever did with them (not a member of their FF program and certainly not a status pax)...

I think it's a matter of pure luck in some cases...

Likewise for my sister and her husband on the DXB-LHR leg.

 

[serfty]

EK are classic for op-ups. Comparatively few ex OZ PAX have any status with EK and the lists of those traveling with Skywards status often gets exhausted. So then it's really does become luck of the draw.

What this also means for those Oz flyers with any EK status is they frequently do not travel in economy to/from Oz - even if they book it.