Upgrade at the airport MEL-LHR just last leg?

[dlam]

Hello everyone,

First time post here. Have been gleaning all the info I can get from you guys but have been silent until now. New to this strangely addictive world!

In any case, I have a J class booked from MEL-LHR in April next year and have already applied for a points upgrade (I hope applying so for in advance won't negatively affect my chances ...?) I ticked the box to say I agree to an "upgrade at the airport" if my classic upgrade doesn't come through. I noticed in the T&Cs that in the event of this happening it'll only be for the last leg, which on this itinerary is just the short one (comparatively) DXB-LHR.

Is this always the case? Thanks in advance!

 

[Princess Fiona]

Hello everyone,

First time post here. Have been gleaning all the info I can get from you guys but have been silent until now. New to this strangely addictive world!

In any case, I have a J class booked from MEL-LHR in April next year and have already applied for a points upgrade (I hope applying so for in advance won't negatively affect my chances ...?) I ticked the box to say I agree to an "upgrade at the airport" if my classic upgrade doesn't come through. I noticed in the T&Cs that in the event of this happening it'll only be for the last leg, which on this itinerary is just the short one (comparatively) DXB-LHR.

Is this always the case? Thanks in advance!

Welcome to AFF
Applying so far in advance does not affect your chances.
The gate upgrade is applicable only for the second sector of a two sector flight. The points deducted will only be the cost for that sector i.e. 15K DXB-LHR
Another important thing to note is that gate upgrades can only be given to single passengers.

Good luck !!

 

[juddles]

What is the rationale behind this? If there is a spare seat in the higher class, wouldn't it be better for the airline to upgrade you on the first leg?

 

[mviy]

It would be better for the airline for you to pay the higher cash fare for both legs.

If they upgrade you for both legs they'd prefer to upgrade to the same seat for both legs. At the gate this may well be highly unlikely. I wonder whether limitations of the computer system would be a factor.

Gate upgrades may become available due to e.g. a connection missed at the last minute, but they may not. They wouldn't want to gate upgrade for the first leg then disappoint for the second leg. Op-ups obviously could cause exceptions.

Also sharing the gate upgrades around means that more customers at least get some upgrade. Coming back home gate upgrades would be for the longer DXB-MEL leg.

 

[BD1959]

It would be better for the airline for you to pay the higher cash fare for both legs.

Of course they would, but points have a value and classic upgrades presumably cover the cost of a cheaper (revenue bucket) F seat; if such a seat is also open at time the gate opens - why wouldn't they offer it?

If they upgrade you for both legs they'd prefer to upgrade to the same seat for both legs. At the gate this may well be highly unlikely. I wonder whether limitations of the computer system would be a factor.

Gate upgrades may become available due to e.g. a connection missed at the last minute, but they may not. They wouldn't want to gate upgrade for the first leg then disappoint for the second leg. Op-ups obviously could cause exceptions.

If the likelihood of a gate upgrade is dependent mostly on a missed connection or a no-show, wouldn't the upgrade most likely be for a seat which is all the way through?

Regards,

BD

 

[Boca68]

I recieved an upgrade at the gate in MEL, for MEL-LHR from Y+ to J. It was about 2 years ago. But it was for both sectors, i.e. MEL-DXB & DXB-LHR.Not sure if the 'only second sector' applies.

(unless I'm missing something here? Which is a distinct possibility )

 

[mviy]

If the likelihood of a gate upgrade is dependent mostly on a missed connection or a no-show, wouldn't the upgrade most likely be for a seat which is all the way through?

There are other factors. Some seats are taken from MEL-DXB by those who don't go on to DXB-LHR but rather to other destinations.

They might give a gate upgrade the whole way through in some instances, I guess, but I would think normally there would be very few of these available, so they wouldn't want to set such expectations. One reason for going over and above their stated policies would be for operational reasons (needing to upgrade more due to overbooking Y).

A friend of mine applied for a gate upgrade but got it from DXB to LHR only. My friend would have loved to get it for the whole way through, but even getting it for the second leg made a big difference.

 

[BD1959]

There are other factors. Some seats are taken from MEL-DXB by those who don't go on to DXB-LHR but rather to other destinations.

Yes, I realise that, but I was specifically responding to your point when they *are* due to missed connection/no show.

Regards,

BD

 

[mviy]

By the time you get to gate upgrades most of the seats in premium cabins will already have been allocated. I think from a customer satisfaction point of view upgrade on the second leg only would be better than upgrade on the first leg then disappointment on the second.

Coming home, getting a gate upgrade on the DXB-MEL/SYD leg would probably be difficult unless high status.

It's in QANTAS's interests to make upgrades not too easy to get especially for low status travellers so that more customers that want to travel in the higher cabin pay cash for the fare rather than relying on an upgrade.