Thank you Qantas - first upgrade for me!

[Zippy7]

Date: Sunday 19th August
Flight: QF127

Usually I find travelling pretty boring, so it was good that I was able to convince a colleague to join me on this flight up to HK (he was heading up, but was originally thinking a day later).

I was able to select my seat, but my colleague couldn't (the woes of being PS), but that was nothing the team on the hotline couldn't fix for me.
The main pre-flight angst was that this was going to be on a 747 (turns out to be VH-OJL), instead of a newer A380.
But 16A/B was selected and we figured that would be a good space to relax.

On Sunday, I got to the airport and was given a very pleasant surprise - My colleague and I were both upgraded to first class.
I can't remember much, nor the exact words they said, but I was very excited to be in 4E, instead of 16A.
I vaguely remember grinning ear to ear, and declaring that this was the first time I had ever received a free upgrade.
I probably made some stupid Lleyton Hewitt-style fist pump (or 2), but instead of "cmon", I might have croaked "yeah!".

Tim was brilliant up front looking after us, even though it was a full flight.
Apparently there were quite a few complimentary upgrades from J to F, and I'm guessing they might have handed out a few Y to J upgrades as well.

Anyway, I am very happy to have received my first ever freebie upgrade, and even more happy it was an upgrade to F.

Thank you Qantas for looking after this ordinary WP (and I'm just a plain WP, not a super duper WPP or WPO)

After hearing of so many others getting upgrades, I definitely feel "loved" now

 

[SeatBackForward]

Well done, I'm at HKG right now, waiting on QF88, no chance of an upgrade on this flight, I'm already checked in, and besides, already in J, can't get upgraded on this flight!

 

[scheps]

seems like qantas is upgrading a lot lately, or is it just me who thinks this way

 

[TheInsider]

seems like qantas is upgrading a lot lately, or is it just me who thinks this way

Just you, because it aint happening on the day, unless of the usual oversales.

 

[mannej]

When you mention that the PS colleague of yours could not select a seat, was that the seat next to you as PS have access to Advance Seat selection with QF.

 

[tuapekastar]

Nice! Can't say I've copped one yet but as long as I hear of people getting them I live in hope.

 

[Platinum A332]

With the 747 on this route, the complimentary upgrade to F is the only thing that would make flying J worth it when compared with the great J product over at CX.

 

[Zippy7]

When you mention that the PS colleague of yours could not select a seat, was that the seat next to you as PS have access to Advance Seat selection with QF.

I think it was because 16AB are exit rows upstairs in J on 744?
Not sure, haven't been PS for a few years, so don't recall what is and what is not selectable.

 

[Zippy7]

Nice! Can't say I've copped one yet but as long as I hear of people getting them I live in hope.

Well, it does happen, just not when you expect it
I would've preferred being bumped when travelling with the family, but I'll take whatever is offered.
It's also a very nice first time upgrade, so I'm not gonna complain!

 

[Zippy7]

With the 747 on this route, the complimentary upgrade to F is the only thing that would make flying J worth it when compared with the great J product over at CX.

Having traveled on the new business class on CX, I can say that yes, it is nice to get a newer plane, better menu, and generally better service (and definitely better sleeping on their A340).
However, I would point out that on this recent trip, I received noticeably better service on QF128/127 than I did on CX684/685.
YMMV

 

[JohnK]

seems like qantas is upgrading a lot lately, or is it just me who thinks this way

I think it is just you.

 

[Scarlett]

I think it is just you.

Not sure why QF doesn't upgrade people more often, if there's seats available.
I flew a couple of domestic J flights recently and was surprised by the number of empty seats.
Flight 1 mostly full in J so no issue.
Flight 2 about half full J cabin - CSM moved one chap up after all pax loaded but from the discussion sounded like he'd given up his Y seat for something. After takeoff another two were upgraded, but there were still 2 of the 12 seats vacant.
Flight 3 had four vacant seats including 2D and 2F together.
Flight 4 had only 3 / 12 J seats filled. The remainder were empty throughout the flight.
Crew were excellent on all flights.

Surely even if the system didn't generate the red beeps for upgrades at boarding, the CSM would've looked through the pax loadsheet once all were on board and tapped a few customers on the shoulder for a more comfy seat up front?

I would imagine it's good business sense to give the odd PS or SG an upgrade when there is a free seat, as a thanks for flying with us.

Even if it is something like limited J meals on board, surely you just give them the comfier seat but still with the economy meal. On the 4th flight they could've had all 3 of us in the J cabin in row 1 and then upgraded Y pax for rows 2 and 3 but still with Y meal.

So, can anyone explain - why fly with empty J seats?

 

[TonyHancock]

So, can anyone explain - why fly with empty J seats?

If QF upgrade, at no cost, their most frequent flyers as a matter of routine then those flyers would never purchase J fares.

Upgrading PS and SG pax serves only to frustrate the rapidly growing number of WP's.

 

[JohnK]

If QF upgrade, at no cost, their most frequent flyers as a matter of routine then those flyers would never purchase J fares.

If you want to sit in business you are not going to wait for the op-up lottery. You will either pay the asking price for the business ticket or use points to upgrade

 

[TonyHancock]

If you want to sit in business you are not going to wait for the op-up lottery. You will either pay the asking price for the business ticket or use points to upgrade

Unless, of course, the airline you fly with routinely upgrades their most frequent flyers. Which is why QF does not do that...I suspect.

 

[JohnK]

Unless, of course, the airline you fly with routinely upgrades their most frequent flyers. Which is why QF does not do that...I suspect.

There may be some difference between routine and occasional. Personally I do not think there are enough spare seats in business class to op-up most frequent flyers.

If your strike rate of op-up was not any better than 20% (1/5) you would not bother relying on op-ups and you will book business, or purchase business award ticket or purchase flexible economy and upgrade to business using points.

 

[TonyHancock]

There may be some difference between routine and occasional. Personally I do not think there are enough spare seats in business class to op-up most frequent flyers.

If your strike rate of op-up was not any better than 20% (1/5) you would not bother relying on op-ups and you will book business, or purchase business award ticket or purchase flexible economy and upgrade to business using points.

There is a massive difference between routinely and occasionally. My point is that QF does not routinely op up frequent flyers, presumably because if it did frequent flyers would not book J fares. It would devalue the J product.

 

[nuxie1]

Not sure why QF doesn't upgrade people more often, if there's seats available.
I flew a couple of domestic J flights recently and was surprised by the number of empty seats.

So, can anyone explain - why fly with empty J seats?

The domestic upgrade process is very different to the international. If J isn't full, it is usually possible to upgrade in the lounge with points. Also you can get confirmed upgrades domestically if the right fare bucket is available. Giving free upgrades significantly lowers the value of paying for or upgrading to business. Several american airlines upgrade to fill the upper cabins so theres not a spare seat.

I don't think the domestic upgrade process needs to change at all.