Upgrades? Pffttt

[serfty]

Doesn't a February launch sound unrealistic considering we are in November and there has been very limited information released by Qantas to date?

If this report is accurate, expect a February announcement with an August implementation.

 

[Dave Noble]

... and often it can be quite subjective as to whether a change is a 'new benefit' or a 'benefit limitation'

Well, based on what has happened before, they seem to be capable of validly distinguishing between adding a new option that was not previously available with no 6 month notice to a change which affects current earning/redemptions for which a 6 month notice was given

It is quite possible that they may just be adding new options and not going to be making any changes to existing facilities and that there will be no 6 month notice

Dave

 

[JohnK]

If this report is accurate, expect a February announcement with an August implementation.

Probably time to book the next Oneworld RTW award before any changes are considered. I was thinking of August/September 2009 but may have to bring that forward to avoid August implementation.

 

[oz_mark]

Probably time to book the next Oneworld RTW award before any changes are considered. I was thinking of August/September 2009 but may have to bring that forward to avoid August implementation.

You could wait to see if there are any changes to OneWorld RTW redemptin rates.

 

[JohnK]

You could wait to see if there are any changes to OneWorld RTW redemptin rates.

That is what I meant to say. If any significant changes occur in February then it will bring forward any plans I had for 2009. I think there will be significant changes anyway including more FF points for awards or at least less awards available at normal award rates forcing people to use more FF points for anytime awards.

 

[MelUser]

Y-> J points upgrade just came through on QF 93 MEL to LAX tomorrow for 2 pax.

You can get upgrades, you just have to look at flight loadings very carefully and be prepared to change flights accordingly.

The QF system upgrade system works.

 

[Sprucegoose]

After flying to the US previously in economy, I decided this time to use points to upgrade and possibly have a more comfortable trip.

On the trip out Brisbane to LAX I did not get my upgrade, and even though I had paid extra for the ticket in order to opt for an upgrade. I was seated between a mother with a 3 week old on one side, and a mother with a 16month and 4 yo on the other....

The trip home, again I was told that my upgrade was unsuccessful due to business class being full... although upon leaving the plane it was evident that some of the business class seats had not been used...

I have emailed the airline, and received a generic spam like email, with no apology or explanation.

Does anyone have advice on what I can do to avoid this happening in the future... I just couldnt go through it again lol

Cheers

You aint got no status missie.

When you spend .25m + per year you gotta bit of weight to throw around. When you run companies that spend $5m plus a year - ya got more weight to chuck around.

Get some status love!!!

cheers SPRUCE

 

[Sprucegoose]

Y-> J points upgrade just came through on QF 93 MEL to LAX tomorrow for 2 pax.

You can get upgrades, you just have to look at flight loadings very carefully and be prepared to change flights accordingly.

The QF system upgrade system works.

Sure does work - well done and enjoy the flight.

 

[MelUser]

Thanks - although this flight was in Nov last year. Also received an upgrade on the return leg in Dec 07 - QF 94 - 2 pax Y-J.

By the way received an upgrade this month on BA - 3 pax Y-J. Was not requested so unsure of reason(s).

 

[NYCguy]

You aint got no status missie.

When you spend .25m + per year you gotta bit of weight to throw around. When you run companies that spend $5m plus a year - ya got more weight to chuck around.

Get some status love!!!

cheers SPRUCE

Couldn't have put it better myself.

Oh, and there are sometimes screaming kids in Biz too. Even First!

 

[MelUser]

Just got back from HK and and had a guy moaning to me in HK business lounge (QF) that he hadn;t received his upgrade from Y to J. I said that I was travelling in paid J so wasn't an issue (for this trip). He said that he flies Aus to HK in Y and return in Y and always gets an upgrade (other than this trip). I then pressed him for his status and he said "Silver". Having said that, F was 7/14, J was full, PY had about 9 passengers out of 30? - PY is lcoated in that part of the cabin which is J on US flights including 1 man who insisted in using the J toilet - didn;'y bother me expect that J was full and I was upstairs and only 1 of the 2 upstairs J toilets was working! This unpleaant man was held back on arrival in MEl while all J Passengers left the aircraft.

I saw the unsuxcessfuly upgrader at customs in Mel - he had travelled in Y, had 3 seats to himself and had surveived the journey! This caused me to question the money that was spent on my J trip!

 

[JohnK]

I saw the unsuxcessfuly upgrader at customs in Mel - he had travelled in Y, had 3 seats to himself and had surveived the journey! This caused me to question the money that was spent on my J trip!

I have managed to survive quite a few trips in WHY and hopefully will be able to survive many more. I would rather keep the money....

 

[NYCguy]

...he had travelled in Y, had 3 seats to himself and had surveived the journey! This caused me to question the money that was spent on my J trip!

Eh, if there had been a 100% load in all classes, he would have still been crammed into the same Y seat, but without two extras to stretch out on. You, on the other hand, would still have remained in your J seat, and enjoyed a comfortable, restful night.

 

[maxkerr]

Join the Velocity program. No hassels about transferring points to only one airline, use your points to book Business with V Australia. If there is a seat unsold at the time you make the booking, you get it and it is guaranteed.

188,000 points required plus taxes for a return flight and your seat is guaranteed.

 

[JohnK]

Join the Velocity program. No hassels about transferring points to only one airline, use your points to book Business with V Australia. If there is a seat unsold at the time you make the booking, you get it and it is guaranteed.

I am not sure what you are comparing. Qantas is one airline within the Oneworld Alliance whereas Velocity is one airline with a few partners.

Personally I feel Qantas FF wins over Velocity 9 times out of 10 but that is just my own opinion. When is Velocity going to provide the ability to book a RTW award for 140,000 points with up to 35,000 miles, up to 16 sectors and up to 5 stopovers?

188,000 points required plus taxes for a return flight and your seat is guaranteed

That might be the case with V Australia but what about premium awards on partner airlines?

 

[AviationNZ]

188,000 points required plus taxes for a return flight and your seat is guaranteed.

Do you know what the situation with taxes is?? I saw from a dummy booking that you can use points, but how about using $$$??? Do you know roughly what these taxes would be on a SYD-LAX return in J???

 

[clifford]

I am not sure what you are comparing. Qantas is one airline within the Oneworld Alliance whereas Velocity is one airline with a few partners.

Personally I feel Qantas FF wins over Velocity 9 times out of 10 but that is just my own opinion. When is Velocity going to provide the ability to book a RTW award for 140,000 points with up to 35,000 miles, up to 16 sectors and up to 5 stopovers?


That might be the case with V Australia but what about premium awards on partner airlines?

I think you have hit the nail squarely on the head, John.

That's why I don't transfer my miles to "Virgin" (and you thought QF's taxes and charges were high)...

 

[JohnK]

I think you have hit the nail squarely on the head, John.

That's why I don't transfer my miles to "Virgin" (and you thought QF's taxes and charges were high)...

I still think QFs taxes and surcharges are way too high but I know I will get much better value form QFF than Velocity....

 

[maxkerr]

You will only get a seat with Qantas if there are still some available for FF's. In 10 years of membership of the Qantas FF program, I have only once been able to redeem anything from Qantas and that was an upgrade from economy to business, Hong Kong-Sydney.

The Velocity and Asia Miles programs guarantees you a seat when booking if there are seats available and if you check out the partner airlines, you will get just about as much coverage using them as you will One World.
Why am I suggesting the Velocity program as against Qantas? Points can only be transferred to Qantas after 31st March if you agree that all points gained on your credit card are transferred to Qantas. They want the lot regardless.

I once was a Qantas shareholder, I have supported Qantas over the years and used them as a preferred carrier. Owing to their attitude about points transfer and the new system introduced by them, I am afraid their greed and lack of ability to supply rewards seating even though there will be empty seats on the flight has killed my loyalty. Qantas has shot themselves in the foot.

I have now joined both the Velocity and Asia miles programs. I can transfer points to either program as required and find that if there is a seat available on the flight, then I get it and that is not a stand-bye situation.

When comparing points required, generally Virgin require less points than Qantas when flying within Australia and to and from New Zealand. With the Velocity program partners flying internationally, they are on a par with Qantas and sometimes less required. Today I booked a return flight with Virgin Atlantic Sydney-Hong Kong return business class, points required, 68,190 and have guaranteed seating. This flight is for 5th May out of Sydney and return date open. Qantas requirement for the same flight, 120,000 if seating available. No guarantees and must have return date.

 

[nlagalle]

You will only get a seat with Qantas if there are still some available for FF's. In 10 years of membership of the Qantas FF program, I have only once been able to redeem anything from Qantas and that was an upgrade from economy to business, Hong Kong-Sydney.

The Velocity and Asia Miles programs guarantees you a seat when booking if there are seats available and if you check out the partner airlines, you will get just about as much coverage using them as you will One World.
Why am I suggesting the Velocity program as against Qantas? Points can only be transferred to Qantas after 31st March if you agree that all points gained on your credit card are transferred to Qantas. They want the lot regardless.

I once was a Qantas shareholder, I have supported Qantas over the years and used them as a preferred carrier. Owing to their attitude about points transfer and the new system introduced by them, I am afraid their greed and lack of ability to supply rewards seating even though there will be empty seats on the flight has killed my loyalty. Qantas has shot themselves in the foot.

I have now joined both the Velocity and Asia miles programs. I can transfer points to either program as required and find that if there is a seat available on the flight, then I get it and that is not a stand-bye situation.

When comparing points required, generally Virgin require less points than Qantas when flying within Australia and to and from New Zealand. With the Velocity program partners flying internationally, they are on a par with Qantas and sometimes less required. Today I booked a return flight with Virgin Atlantic Sydney-Hong Kong return business class, points required, 68,190 and have guaranteed seating. This flight is for 5th May out of Sydney and return date open. Qantas requirement for the same flight, 120,000 if seating available. No guarantees and must have return date.

I don't know how you have never been able to get anything from Qantas in the past, I cannot tell you how many flights I have booked with points over the years, as well as upgrades. You must have an incredible amount of bad luck.

I don't know what you are getting at with the guarantees? You book an QFF award flight and you have that seat. I have never booked a seat and not gotten it. You can book a one way ticket with QFF if you want, half the points required.