Question about points upgrades

[Stone]

Sorry if this has been asked previously, I'm only new here.

My wife is looking at making a short trip to Perth. As she would only be there for a few days, I was thinking of maybe even making it business class in at least one of the directions.

My options seem to be:
* Book Saver fares both ways and not let her know that the front of the plane exists
* Book Award Business in one direction, Saver fare in the other
* Book Points + Pay flights in both directions
* Book Flexi fare both ways, and upgrade from Flexi to business (cash cost more, but less points used)

The advantage of option 3 is that with flights planned over the next 6 months, the 80 status credits will take me to Gold with family pooling (something I am unlikely to achieve at other times). If there is a reward business seat available, are you guaranteed to be able to upgrade regarding of current Velocity status when you call the call centre? Or will we only find out closer to the departure date? Am I able to do the upgrade on my wife's behalf given her account is linked to mine through family pooling?

 

[muppet]

Sorry if this has been asked previously, I'm only new here.

My wife is looking at making a short trip to Perth. As she would only be there for a few days, I was thinking of maybe even making it business class in at least one of the directions.

My options seem to be:
* Book Saver fares both ways and not let her know that the front of the plane exists
* Book Award Business in one direction, Saver fare in the other
* Book Points + Pay flights in both directions
* Book Flexi fare both ways, and upgrade from Flexi to business (cash cost more, but less points used)

Hi stone
bad news sorry, points+ pay does not earn anything.
It is however awesome value so i recommend it. Just go J both ways and slide the points bar down to the minimum. It will cost you 13,800 points + $400ish I think - as a business reward (H Class)

m

 

[Deleted member 29185]

The advantage of option 3 is that with flights planned over the next 6 months, the 80 status credits will take me to Gold

You don't mention where your wife will be flying from, but as you mention 80SCs for option 3, I'm assuming you mean option 4 which would place you in zone 3 (1501-3000km)?

Then your calcs would be right (I think) as upgrades earn at base fare rate ie- at flexi fare earn for status and points, or 80SCs for the return trip.

So it seems your choices are:

Saver - cheap + 40SCs rtn
Flexi - not so cheap + 80SCs rtn
Flexi-Business upgrade - not so cheap + points burn but comfortable experience + 80SCs rtn
Business - expensive but a guaranteed comfortable experience + 160SCs rtn

OR

Award flights in either Y or J. Good value but no SCs or points.
Points + pay in either Y or J. Great value but no SCs or points.

For your other questions, I believe you are confirmed business at time of upgrade. If available, you're guaranteed it without waiting until close to the day. You must phone the call centre to upgrade and I recall some members reporting doing that before buying the flexi fare to ensure availability and then do the transaction whilst the call centre is on the line.

You can book for your wife, but I'm unsure if you can upgrade for her. Someone else hopefully will know that............is this a surprise upgrade ?

 

[Stone]

Thank you everyone for your help. Departure is from Sydney.

I think when I do it I'll have her at home so if they need to speak to her they can - enough points in both our accounts for the upgrade. It's not a surprise, just that she probably wouldn't have the patience to be on hold with the call centre.