QF survey on a new OW benefit

[Kangol]

Anyone get this survey?

I don't know if other airlines have a similar (to QF) thing where the cheapest Y tickets are not eligible for upgrades, but that part makes sense.

The upgrade priority may be the interesting part. based on status, time requested, fare class or other?

 

[defurax]

Interesting, similar to *A where upgrades can be requested on all carriers in the 2-3 most expensive economy classes.

 

[amaroo]

I like the content of that first page.

 

[Ade]

I didn't get this survey. But it looks like a very good survey

 

[jpp42]

This benefit would be nice, but I wonder if there would be options to limit it on routes where OW airlines are directly competing? For example, I know that I have specifically chosen QF over CX on SYD-HKG due to the chance that I can upgrade. So it seems like QF might want to limit this (in the same way that CX,MH, and UL flights to Australia receive very few status credits).

It would be interesting to know whether this program involves a requirement for OW status to be included in upgrade priority. If OWE is not prioritised above AA Platinum/Platinum Pro, for example, the chance of upgrades on AA flights would be pretty minimal... but I don't know that AA would be interested in that.

 

[downgraded]

But there you have it, same problem QF currently has - want you to buy a more expensive fare to only be eligible to go into the lottery and for most of these flights they are locking Y buyers out of a J upgrade with this process as so many of the flights have PE.

 

[tyrolean]

I found points upgrades quite a nonsense. I did that game with Lufthansa many times. They hand out quite useless upgrade vouchers. The price for an upgradable Economy Ticket is in the range of a Special-Business-Fare with other airlines. I tend to let the vouchers go (or use them on short nonsense routes) and buy the ticket in the class of service that I want to fly. Either all classes are upgradable or I won't use it.

 

[Spongbob]

I could be wrong, but if this becomes reality would it not merely reduce the chances of a QFF member from getting an upgrade?

 

[snabbu]

Yep received it yesterday. To be able to use point for upgrades on other OW member airlines would be nice however I’d guess the points required would be more than the equivalent QF upgrade request.

 

[GlennT]

Whatever scheme is agreed upon, you can bet Qantas will be super-heavy on spin, but light on worthwhile results. Across the OW alliance there will need to be substantial shifts in policy for this to be an attractive proposition. Otherwise it will only present niche opportunities scarcely worth the effort.

 

[NZ_Flyer]

Big thing would be the upgrade priority. Would these be processed after the operating airline has processed all upgrade requests for their own members? I.E. QF could change option to upgrade at the gate and go back to all upgrades having a decision at 24 hours for their own members, then if QF member upgrade cannot be awarded before 24 hours prior to departure then it goes into the general mix of OW upgrade requests which occur from 24 hours up to actual departure with priority being:

CLP1
CL
P1
WP
OWE
SG
OWS
PS QC
PS
OWR

 

[defurax]

If QF limits availability of this OW benefit only to people booked in J, C, W, Y and B then I don't think it will have a big impact.
How does this alliance wide upgrade system work on Star Alliance? When are people using partner miles notified of upgrade success?

 

[tomlee1986]

haven't got it

 

[Libertyscott]

Alliance wide upgrades on Star Alliance are generally very poor value. I have never used it, as the points for Award tickets (using NZ Airpoints mind you, which highly discourages award bookings to others) is not that much more to get a full award ticket.

 

[PineappleSkip]

Sounds tantalising. Yeah, it would mean more competition for QF upgrade seats, but also open up possibilities for upgrade seats on carriers that charge less ridiculously for premium cabins. Swings and roundabouts.

The $64,000 questions are what are the chances of success, and what (and how much) are the upgradable fares on each airline. The thought of yet another giant table in the QFF labyrinth is not so appealing.

Cheers skip

 

[downgraded]

Sounds tantalising. Yeah, it would mean more competition for QF upgrade seats, but also open up possibilities for upgrade seats on carriers that charge less ridiculously for premium cabins. Swings and roundabouts.

The $64,000 questions are what are the chances of success, and what (and how much) are the upgradable fares on each airline. The thought of yet another giant table in the QFF labyrinth is not so appealing.

Cheers skip

Picking random dates in May next year... QF9 comes up as the cheapest QF metal to UK from MEL, 669 for sale vs 971 for saver. So nearly a 50% premium just to enter the lottery!

 

[anabolism]

I believe JL miles can be used to upgrade AA flights, but I'm not sure of the details or if this is still in effect. I know it is possible to upgrade flights among AA, IB, and BA using miles from any of the three, but BA flights are restricted to the most expensive fare buckets, and coach only goes to premium economy. I maintain memberships in a few programs in the hopes of upgrading (e.g., had a CX flight booked in D earlier this year that I tried to upgrade using Asia Miles, but it never cleared).

 

[SeatBackForward]

QF will begrudgingly participate in it. Want a an upgrade on QF flights using QF points no problem. Want to upgrade on CX/MH/JL/BA/AA/AY etc..using QFF points, that'll be triple the price thank you.

I'm still livid at the paltry offering QFF's get flying MH another OW* member on the sectors that QF doesn't fly.

 

[anabolism]

If the way it worked was that you only paid the higher fare amount if your upgrade clears would be one thing, but to have to pay more just to enter a lottery you won't win is silliness.