UpgradeMe Points Request Waitlist (LAX)

[VOZ102]

Im SG, Booked in PE on VA7/8 next few weeks. Waitlisted when we booked for 2 people for the upgrade to biz (45k each way).

Anyone had any luck with the waitlist on the LAX flights?

 

[Ausbt]

Yes, on VA1 SYD-LAX. Was waitlisted for a few weeks and then the upgrade was confirmed about a week out from flying from recollection. Good luck. If you post up precise date, someone might be able to search ExpertFlyer for you to see what the loading is like.

 

[VOZ102]

Thanks. I know there is 13 free in J on the way over and 11 on the way back. The numbers make sense but wasn't sure how many waitlisters they clear close to dept. It's annoying that you have to constantly check ahead of the waitlist as there is no consideration of the waitlist if reward seats open up weeks or months in advance.

 

[clipped_wings]

We are waitlisted for August, I imagine the retrofit would not be an issue by then (famous last words eh?) Anyway, I hope to hear something within 5 days of flying but I think there are contributing factors:
* Reward seat availability
* Status
* Initial fare class paid
* Date of waitlist request - this one is a mystery, not sure if it counts or not. I would think a WP coming in later would trump a SG request made earlier.

PE isn't a bad option though. My J waitlist anxiety must pale in comparison to those confirmed J peeps hinging their hopes on a 1:2:1!

 

[VOZ102]

Just a follow up. 5 days before (not at midnight - I checked) the award seats opened up for my flight. I could count atleast 5 seats opened up in Biz. Ofcourse I quickly rang and grabbed them for the upgrade. But if someone got in ahead of me (like a red member) - who knows what would have happened with the "waitlist". Keep checking people. The waitlist didn't help at all this time around.

 

[Denali]

Just a follow up. 5 days before (not at midnight - I checked) the award seats opened up for my flight. I could count atleast 5 seats opened up in Biz. Ofcourse I quickly rang and grabbed them for the upgrade. But if someone got in ahead of me (like a red member) - who knows what would have happened with the "waitlist". Keep checking people. The waitlist didn't help at all this time around.

LAX flights? Unless its changed recently, only SG & WP can upgrade with points on long haul. Of course a red member can outright purchase a reward seat with points so there is that factor.

Congrats on the upgrade!

 

[clipped_wings]

Just a follow up. 5 days before (not at midnight - I checked) the award seats opened up for my flight. I could count atleast 5 seats opened up in Biz. Ofcourse I quickly rang and grabbed them for the upgrade. But if someone got in ahead of me (like a red member) - who knows what would have happened with the "waitlist". Keep checking people. The waitlist didn't help at all this time around.

Great to hear. Could you please clarify if the flights you were checking had previously advised that reward seats in J were marked as "sold out"?
That's the message that I keep getting for my flight (I check every other day). I know our flight isn't until August, but I am hoping that reward seats open up again.

Does "sold out" equate to "no means NO"?

 

[VOZ102]

Great to hear. Could you please clarify if the flights you were checking had previously advised that reward seats in J were marked as "sold out"?
That's the message that I keep getting for my flight (I check every other day). I know our flight isn't until August, but I am hoping that reward seats open up again.

Does "sold out" equate to "no means NO"?

Correct showing as "reward" J sold out - checked every other day like you. I had been checking for flights 3-5 days out to see when they normally opened up. I knew there was still 10+ seats spare in the cabin but was curious how many they would open up. I know only SG & WP can upgrade - but obviously I think they should get first crack at new award seats that open up close to departure (ahead of Red etc. that can purchase outright). If and only when the waitlist has been cleared, then it should leave the rest for others to grab. That's a much better and reasonable system if you ask me. The only down side to the last minute upgrade is that all the window seats are gone already.

 

[clipped_wings]

Correct showing as "reward" J sold out - checked every other day like you. I had been checking for flights 3-5 days out to see when they normally opened up. I knew there was still 10+ seats spare in the cabin but was curious how many they would open up. I know only SG & WP can upgrade - but obviously I think they should get first crack at new award seats that open up close to departure (ahead of Red etc. that can purchase outright). If and only when the waitlist has been cleared, then it should leave the rest for others to grab. That's a much better and reasonable system if you ask me. The only down side to the last minute upgrade is that all the window seats are gone already.

This is great news VOZ102, I think I am going to sit down now and check my pulse, because it's off the charts!

The new J/PE cabins were just posted in a popular thread, what a gorgeous makeover.

 

[antycbr]

Just a follow up. 5 days before (not at midnight - I checked) the award seats opened up for my flight. I could count atleast 5 seats opened up in Biz. Ofcourse I quickly rang and grabbed them for the upgrade. But if someone got in ahead of me (like a red member) - who knows what would have happened with the "waitlist". Keep checking people. The waitlist didn't help at all this time around.

Exactly the same experience - except 2 months out on VA8. You should definitely keep checking and the minute there is award business availability, ring up and get your upgrade done as they basically come from the same inventory.

 

[clipped_wings]

Exactly the same experience - except 2 months out on VA8. You should definitely keep checking and the minute there is award business availability, ring up and get your upgrade done as they basically come from the same inventory.

The amount of VA8 reward seats is unbelievable, alas, there is zippedy doo dah for VA1 I tried asking husband to modify flight to VA8 but got a big thumbs down, he doesn't want to mess things up. As for me, I have no problem diverting to Brisbane.

 

[Denali]

The amount of VA8 reward seats is unbelievable, alas, there is zippedy doo dah for VA1 I tried asking husband to modify flight to VA8 but got a big thumbs down, he doesn't want to mess things up. As for me, I have no problem diverting to Brisbane.

Last year we went via Brisbane to get the upgrade. 14hrs in J Vs avoiding a transit, BNE wins

 

[VOZ102]

Update - was on waitlist for the way back. Didn't get the upgrade even though there was 3 seats in Biz. The Guest Services supervisor had the gall to tell me staff would get those seats over a gold member. He had never heard of waitlist - I had to show him on my phone. Call centre says they don't know when the waitlist would clear or who is on it.

Overall - the waitlist is useless. Just keep checking for inventory for reward seats and ring to upgrade yourself. Overall very disappointed with the whole process.

 

[dzzr]

I'm waitlisted for VA23 J upgrade from Freedom fare and I'm SG. Still no reward fares available <72 hours out but 14 seats available.

Should I be expecting the worst?

 

[serfty]

Chances reasonable ... Keep looking for that award availability ...

VA23
Tomorrow
J7 C5 D5 I0 W7 R7 O5 Y7 B7 H7 K7 L7 E7 N7 V7 Q7 T7 S0

Friday
N/A

Saturday
J7 C4 D3 I2 W6 R4 O0 Y7 B7 H7 K7 L7 E7 N7 V7 Q7 T7 S0

 

[EuroKick]

I'm waitlisted for VA23 J upgrade from Freedom fare and I'm SG. Still no reward fares available <72 hours out but 14 seats available.

Should I be expecting the worst?

Fingers crossed. I'm in the same boat in 2 weeks! Let us know how you go.

 

[dzzr]

I highly doubt it will go through. Been checking the flights over the last couple days and none seem to have any reward seats open up, even if the cabin is half empty..

 

[clipped_wings]

J7 C2 D1 I0 W2 R1 O0 Y7 B7 H7 K7 L7E7 N7 V7 Q7 T7 S7

As of 5 minutes ago

VA23 for 03 Feb

 

[clipped_wings]

I'm waitlisted on VA1 and VA2 in October.

Booked in Premium with cash and currently SG but will be WP after the October journey.

I think our chances are rather bleak these days, but until the moment we board, I live in hope

 

[xtoss]

I wait-listed 25 Jan to LAX and kept an eye on the reward fares and saw availability 5 days out (after realising you need to run the search as a one way).

VA2 back last week was always a tough ask as they kept losing seats in J. No reward fares ever showed up as departure date loomed.

Expert flyer showed only J4 and it was weird, as if you did a dummy booking it would only show three seats to pick
I folded and put in an upgrademe bid just before 48 hours out that was eventually just under a day out

The seat I was assigned was 1D which was not showing on the seatmaps at all. (26 hours out suddenly J magically had 7 seats available)

I had an alert on any Z being released but it never happened.

I assume the later the day goes the more lower bids they accept as it went from 7->4->2 and I assume the other 2 happened somewhere in the last few hours as it was full.

Overall I was fine with bidding but was left so confused as to what point they decide to release reward buckets and what priority people have. The process is not very transparent but I guess it is never meant to be