Upgrade to Business Class using points! Is it worth it?

[JohnK]

... Would it be a good idea to try to upgrade to business class using 40,000 FF points? ...

JohnK,

IMO, upgrades from WHY to J are generally still the most cost effective use of FF points.

It's a pain for me that most of my WHY flights these days are in a non-upgradeable class (N, O, Q) and as such rarely have the chance to do so.

So, if your booking class permits it, I suggest you go for it.

Darn, why is this a hard decision? It was booked in N class from QF website but I paid $75 to change the return flights to V class, or $150 to change both ways, in case I wanted to upgrade! This was the flight QF decided to be really helpful to me after turning my original award flight upside down.

I had no problem paying for 3 short-haul return trips in D class on AY because I felt they were good value. I would not hesitate to part with my hard earned to fly business class regularly but the prices are just so high and not worth it in my opinion.

Upgrading one way SIN-MEL (measly 7 hour flight) seems a waste when I could almost have another trip to SE Asia in August/September and just worry about the fines. BTW thanks for the seat map, it looks a lot better than checkmytrip.

Silly question but if availability in business class cabin can you request upgrade with points at check-in? On the last trip I was led to believe that it is possible!

Aaarghhhhh!!!!

 

[Dave Noble]

Silly question but if availability in business class cabin can you request upgrade with points at check-in? On the last trip I was led to believe that it is possible!

Nope

15.3.1 Requests for Flight Upgrades can be lodged by phoning Qantas or, if you hold an E-Ticket at qantas.com, between 90 days and 24 hours before scheduled departure from the first port of the flight. Requests for Flight Upgrades will not be accepted within 24 hours of scheduled departure from the port of origin.

Dave

 

[aus_flyer]

You can't upgrade at checkin, but if you have already requested an upgrade, you will (in theory) be advised at checkin whether you were successful.

 

[serfty]

... Silly question but if availability in business class cabin can you request upgrade with points at check-in? On the last trip I was led to believe that it is possible! ...

Whoever was leading you to beleve that may have been confusing the ability to get an "on Departure" upgrades from QP's for Oz domestic Qantas flights as well as domestic legs of Qantas International flights.

These can only be done from QP's at Qantas Club Service Desks.

More information here: On Departure Upgrades.

 

[serfty]

... Upgrading one way SIN-MEL (measly 7 hour flight) seems a waste when I could almost have another trip to SE Asia in August/September and just worry about the fines. ...

FWIW, your (V Class) SIN-MEL journey alone will net you either 4687 (PS) or 5625 (SG) ff points depending upon your status at the time of your flight.

 

[JohnK]

... Silly question but if availability in business class cabin can you request upgrade with points at check-in? On the last trip I was led to believe that it is possible! ...

Whoever was leading you to beleve that may have been confusing the ability to get an "on Departure" upgrades from QP's for Oz domestic Qantas flights as well as domestic legs of Qantas International flights.

Talk about the blind leading the blind. :?

... Upgrading one way SIN-MEL (measly 7 hour flight) seems a waste when I could almost have another trip to SE Asia in August/September and just worry about the fines. ...

FWIW, your (V Class) SIN-MEL journey alone will net you either 4687 (PS) or 5625 (SG) ff points depending upon your status at the time of your flight.

It will be the latter. I have worked out that I will receive ~26,749 FF points from this trip including 5,000 FF points loyalty bonus. Almost half the cost of the upgrade.

* edited to add loyalty bonus

 

[Mal]

IMHO, Intl Upgrades are by far the best use of points. Especially good if you're a Plat or Gold, because you have a better chance of getting them.

Since Fuel fines were introduced, I no longer see value in award tickets outright. Asian full Y fares are also not too bad especially in peak periods (~$2400++ vs ~$1500++ or so), so that can also help with reducing the points but increasing the value.

I have had 4 successful Intl upgrades in the last year with points, very well spent in my opinion. Plus, you still get status credits towards requal from your ticket.

 

[JohnK]

IMHO, Intl Upgrades are by far the best use of points. Especially good if you're a Plat or Gold, because you have a better chance of getting them.

You are right, I think that this would be the best use of points and would also give you peace of mind being at the pointy end of the aircraft.

In hindsight I should have tried for an upgrade on QF10 last Friday. Apparently business class was full so not sure whether an upgrade would have come through or not with my lowly silver status but I should have tried anyway.

The flight in economy as I documented elsewhere was hell.

 

[auriga]

I have worked out that I will receive ~26,749 FF points from this trip including 5,000 FF points loyalty bonus. Almost half the cost of the upgrade.

* edited to add loyalty bonus

i am a bit puzzled by how you got to that number, from a mel-sin rtn trip?

 

[QF WP]

That's because he has a number of nested tickets (intra-Asian J flights with AY).

 

[JohnK]

I have worked out that I will receive ~26,749 FF points from this trip including 5,000 FF points loyalty bonus. Almost half the cost of the upgrade.

i am a bit puzzled by how you got to that number, from a mel-sin rtn trip?

Quite easy really. It wasn't a simple MEL-SIN return trip. It was a SYD-BKK return trip via woop woop and a few sidetrips. The SYD-BKK return trip via woop woop only costs marginally more than a SYD-BKK direct return and all you have to do is be prepared to travel a few extra hours.

I have QF silver status so long haul points on QF are *1.25, short haul minimum of 1,000, on AY J class points are *1.25 and I should have been QF gold status for return flight SIN-MEL so points are *1.5 and also flights would have triggered next loyalty bonus of 5,000 points. The flights were

SYD-BNE QF Y 1,000 points
BNE-SIN QF Y 4,768 points (3,814 + 954)
SIN-BKK AY Y 897 points
BKK-HKG AY J 1,330 points (1,064 + 266)
HKG-BKK AY J 1,330 points (1,064 + 266)
BKK-SIN AY J 1,122 points (897 + 225)
SIN-BKK AY J 1,122 points (897 + 225)
BKK-HKG AY J 1,330 points (1,064 + 266)
HKG-BKK AY J 1,330 points (1,064 + 266)
BKK-SIN AY Y 897 points
SIN-MEL QF Y 5,624 points (3749 + 1875)
MEL-SYD QF Y 1,000 points
Loyalty Bonus 5,000 points

Revised total of 26,750 points!