Quickcheck Upgrade Jackpot

[pauly7]

Flew Syd - Mel - Syd on QF.

Checked in online the night before, had 23B allocated already (on 767) so couldn't argue with that.

Went to Quickcheck kiosk to get boarding pass - had been allocated row 4 and upgraded to J! Excellent - an op up via the kiosk when I was already checked in! Nice suprise for that time of morning.

Then coming back I was prompted with 'Upgrade for Points?' on the kiosk when I went to print my BP, sadly no OP UP - this is the first time I have seen that option though - have I just been missing it??! Nice to know you can do it at the machine instead of lining up at QF Club though....

 

[taswegian77]

upgrade at kiosk check in now that is nice option. i wish they did that with international flights. i fly 95% of my flights international and have to rely on the old upgrade lottery, but am happy and expect to fly class paid for.

 

[rwatts]

...Then coming back I was prompted with 'Upgrade for Points?' on the kiosk when I went to print my BP, sadly no OP UP - this is the first time I have seen that option though - have I just been missing it??! Nice to know you can do it at the machine instead of lining up at QF Club though....

I was offered a points upgrade when using the kiosk for a BNE>MEL flight in December. I had already checked in online but wanted to see if any better seats had become available. I had been trying unsuccessfully to upgrade that flight for several weeks despite managing several other flights in the same trip.

Richard.

 

[htchapman]

Flew Syd - Mel - Syd on QF.

Checked in online the night before, had 23B allocated already (on 767) so couldn't argue with that.

Went to Quickcheck kiosk to get boarding pass - had been allocated row 4 and upgraded to J! Excellent - an op up via the kiosk when I was already checked in! Nice suprise for that time of morning.

Then coming back I was prompted with 'Upgrade for Points?' on the kiosk when I went to print my BP, sadly no OP UP - this is the first time I have seen that option though - have I just been missing it??! Nice to know you can do it at the machine instead of lining up at QF Club though....

Nice work.

I have once logged on about 3 weeks ago (approx 5hrs prior to a SYD-MEL) to do OLCI and was allocated 1F. I was booked in Y and couldn't change seat.... So i had to make do with 1F

I wonder if OLCI helps or hidners op up chances...

I've had about 4 op ups already in 09. Two were AKL-SYD, one SYD-MEL and one SYD-ADL. Always on cheap fares...usually booked 3-5 days in advance.

 

[JohnK]

It is possible.

Does using OLCI or QuickCheck hinder ones chances of an op-up? Who knows? There have been reports on AFF of people using OLCI and getting an op-up to business class. Here is one thread posted by Febs that comes to mind.

 

[pauly7]

I was offered a points upgrade when using the kiosk for a BNE>MEL flight in December. I had already checked in online but wanted to see if any better seats had become available. I had been trying unsuccessfully to upgrade that flight for several weeks despite managing several other flights in the same trip.

Richard.

Did another quick day run up to BNE today - did exactly the same as you, checked in online got my seats, went to kiosk to check again and got offered points upgrade on both legs!

Definitely an improvement - I have been noticing that J class on QF domestic is pretty full these days, perhaps this is helping?

 

[JohnK]

Did another quick day run up to BNE today - did exactly the same as you, checked in online got my seats, went to kiosk to check again and got offered points upgrade on both legs!

Is the offer of points upgrade from QuickCheck with upgradeable airfares or el-cheapo red e-deals?

 

[pauly7]

Is the offer of points upgrade from QuickCheck with upgradeable airfares or el-cheapo red e-deals?

Mine were on B and Y class John.

Cheers

 

[albatross710]

I traveled back from Sydney on a Red-e deal today and arrived at the airport early for my flight. The quick check kiosk offered me an earlier flight although not permitted for me to request a change. I was happy that Qantas can offer changes.

 

[htchapman]

I was happy that Qantas can offer changes.

Thats a good change.... I always try travel on cheap Red e-deals, even if that does mean I could spend many hours at the airport if a meeting finishes earlier.

Had some good luck getting changed (from non-changables) at smaller airports but SYD and MEL won't budge.

I do have a chuckle however when I have 2-5hrs to kill in a Dom J Lounge with free beer and often tell the girls on the desk that it would save QF about 15 Bluetounge Lagers if they got me on an earlier flight (or 30 if I have a guest!)

They don't seem to understand - and I happily uphold my end of the bargain (or bar...).

 

[JohnK]

Mine were on B and Y class John.

Well that makes sense Pauly7.

Perhaps I should start using the QuickCheck machines and see if I have any luck getting an earlier flight occasionally.

 

[serfty]

On Sunday I used OLCI from my hotel room ~5am. (6:55pm flight)

• 7D was pre-allocated, no 4/5/6/C/D available - changed to 4F and checked in (why I did this I know not - seemed like a good idea at the time perhaps (well it was OMG o'clock, maybe I wasn't thinking straight)).
  
• ~5:15pm at the airport (6:55pm flight) I employed Quick check and was able to select 6C - my original 7D was still available to me ... Printed the flimsy 6D BP.
  
• Dropped checked luggage at the "Bag Drop" and went to lounge
  
• Using Wi-Fi in the lounge, I checked again around 5:40 and 4C showed free - grabbed at it immediately, but received a message that it was gone and to click REFRESH . On doing this it showed as taken.
  
• Tried again around 5:55pm and 4C was again showing as free, this time I was able to grab it.
  
  
  
• As I could not print out the new BP (I did save the .pdf) I went to the J lounge service desk where the agent was happy to print a "proper" BP out with the 4C allocation.

 

[JohnK]

• Using Wi-Fi in the lounge, I checked again around 5:40 and 4C showed free - grabbed at it immediately, but received a message that it was gone and to click REFRESH . On doing this it showed as taken.
  
• Tried again around 5:55pm and 4C was again showing as free, this time I was able to grab it.
  
  
  
• As I could not print out the new BP (I did save the .pdf) I went to the J lounge service desk where the agent was happy to print a "proper" BP out with the 4C allocation.

I have gone into OLCI a number of times before check-in but assumed that once your were checked-in it would not be possible to use QuickCheck or OLCI again.

There are always people on flexible tickets changing flights at the last minute. This is very handy to know and may help ease some of the disappointing seat allocations I have been getting recently.

 

[Groundfeeder]

I have gone into OLCI a number of times before check-in but assumed that once your were checked-in it would not be possible to use QuickCheck or OLCI again.

John,

I always recheck, even in the QP, to see if a better selection is available.

I've jagged exit row windows half an hour before departure in some cases.

 

[pauly7]

Well that makes sense Pauly7.

Perhaps I should start using the QuickCheck machines and see if I have any luck getting an earlier flight occasionally.

You sure should! I have been on Red-e deals and have been offered to move to earlier flights via the kiosk - twice now.

My protocol now is
1) check in online, get best seat as close to the 24hr cut in time
2) check again if not satisfied whenever I can
3) check on the Quickcheck kiosk

 

[JohnK]

You sure should! I have been on Red-e deals and have been offered to move to earlier flights via the kiosk - twice now.

My biggest concern would be which seat I would be allocated on the earlier flight. I would not mind an aisle down the back in exchange for getting home earlier but middle seats and window seats are a totally different story. And the beauty about switching to an earlier flight is that you lose your hard fought allocated seat on the original flight.

 

[seaneos]

Thats a good change.... I always try travel on cheap Red e-deals, even if that does mean I could spend many hours at the airport if a meeting finishes earlier.

Had some good luck getting changed (from non-changables) at smaller airports but SYD and MEL won't budge.

I do have a chuckle however when I have 2-5hrs to kill in a Dom J Lounge with free beer and often tell the girls on the desk that it would save QF about 15 Bluetounge Lagers if they got me on an earlier flight (or 30 if I have a guest!)

They don't seem to understand - and I happily uphold my end of the bargain (or bar...).

Thats a very good point!! I bet they just look at you and think "what a alcho!" good argument though!

 

[albatross710]

My biggest concern would be which seat I would be allocated on the earlier flight. I would not mind an aisle down the back in exchange for getting home earlier but middle seats and window seats are a totally different story. And the beauty about switching to an earlier flight is that you lose your hard fought allocated seat on the original flight.

I'd hope that you could decide to stay with your later flight if you didn't like the seat. I guess that is really a question of the 'business rules' that the IT guys have implemented....can a passenger take an earlier flight then renge if they don't like the seat? At what stage has your flight been changed?
Would be an interesting marketing case study, what 'price in time' are JohnK, Albatross710 & others prepared to accept for moving from an aisle row to a middle seat? No doubt would change on Friday afternoons I'd imagine would depend on how your day has gone.

Getting home 30 minutes earlier but being squahed between two weightlifters? no chance.

 

[JohnK]

I'd hope that you could decide to stay with your later flight if you didn't like the seat.

Interesting point. I think with QuickCheck once you change flights your old seat allocation is gone and is fair game for anyone. I guess you could run over to the check-in desk and ask for old flight and allocated seat back but it may already gone.

Would be an interesting marketing case study, what 'price in time' are JohnK, Albatross710 & others prepared to accept for moving from an aisle row to a middle seat? No doubt would change on Friday afternoons I'd imagine would depend on how your day has gone.

Getting home 30 minutes earlier but being squahed between two weightlifters? no chance.

When I have been asked at check-in if I want to move to earlier flight I have asked what seats are available. I have been offered a seat down the back and I have declined the offer to get home 1/2 hour earlier.

Now if I am on the last flight of the night and/or flight has been cancelled and the only option was a middle seat or getting home the next day then I would take the middle seat. Coming back to Brisbane is not an issue as I can stay at home in Sydney and come back up the next morning....