Too early for Early Bird Fare?

[auspal]

I booked two return premium economy flights last month to South Africa for August 2015, hoping to get an early bird fare.

Seems I was too early. Just received an email from Qantas advertising their early bird fares for that destination and period and they are significantly cheaper than what I have paid in full. I have contacted Qantas and it would cost me $800 to cancel and re-book. I would still make a saving though. Seems you can be "too early".

I am wondering if I should hang on to the original booking as I have made an upgrade request. Do Qantas look at the price paid for the seat when considering upgrades?

 

[serfty]

... Do Qantas look at the price paid for the seat when considering upgrades?

maybe ... if the actual price paid is a component of the PCV.

 

[auspal]

What does the acronym PCV stand for serfty?

I recall reading a thread somewhere that if you are in Premium Economy and you request an upgrade to Business Class that you have a very good chance. Does anyone know if this is the case?

 

[medhead]

PCV perceived customer value - iirc.

Cancelling shouldn't matter for upgrade request chances. Apparently time of making the request is no longer a factor.

 

[auspal]

Maybe I will cancel and book again then. Thanks .

 

[medhead]

Maybe I will cancel and book again then. Thanks .

Maybe I should've added the caveat that my previous comment was just about time of request no longer being a consideration. I guess there is a risk that a lower cost fare might reduce the chance, as you've already noted. I am not sure about that point.

 

[auspal]

I have already cancelled and rebooked, saved $600 on the fares, but it could have been $1400. I still would think I am in with a good chance of an upgrade given the time frame. Wish I had a crystal ball.

 

[mooingchicken]

I was looking at flights (but to euro) end of june to aug, and they went on sale from SQ and BA (VA and qantas by defult of SQ and BA) just last week.
So it would generally seem flights get released 330days out at standard price, and then the 260-300 day window is then "early bird" but obviously this is going to change airline to airline, location and dates