Upgrades or awards to South America

[smckay]

Anyone have any info on what either upgrades (probably from Y) are like on QF to Santiago or Buenos Aires?
Or, what the probability of getting a J award would be?

I need to go there to catch a ship in Jan 2018 and so far the awards for a) Jan 2017 & b) 350 days out from now are woeful. (Jan 2017 just to see what flights are like on actual dates BTW)

Just wondering if I should spend another 4 hours looking for flights that will never be there or just stump up the cash and be done with it.

If I take a paid flight, how are points or cash upgrades on QF? I suspect little and far apart?

 

[amaroo]

Or, what the probability of getting a J award would be?

Status is the only friend you have on this quest.

I've been lucky enough to request and receive 4 x J and 2 x PE award seats over two return trips this year... doubt I would've received anything without the status.

 

[Mattg]

Both of my SYD-SCL flights were very full in economy but only around ~50% in J. So, I do think there's a chance upgrading could work.

If there's a sale on QF premium economy, that might be a good option. Upgrades from PE to J require fewer points, and the chances are possibly improved as you getting upgraded frees up a PE seat that someone else can be upgraded into.

Also, PE is a pretty good product anyway, so not a bad backup.

 

[smckay]

Yep, there is a PE sale on now for January next year, and it's cheaper than Y.

PE was my preferred anyway, at least if I don't get an upgrade it's a nearly bearable seat. If we do score an upgrade then that indeed is a score.

Now trying to work out the mess that is getting from Sydney to Ushuaia. Qantas don't list it as a destination but can sell you a ticket.