Upgrades to LA - January 2008

[NM]

How does it work if we pay for the economy flights and someone else puts in an upgrade request for us (who is on higher status)? Is that possible or does the upgrade have to come from the FF number that is attached to the booking?

If you have an eligible relative who has higher status, then the upgrade waitlist priority will be based on the higher status of the requesting member. So that is a good move if you have a suitable relative. Obviously the points must be available in their account when the waitlist is processed on 14th January.

And would anyone suggest any other flight numbers which would have a better chance of an upgrade than QF 11? I noticed there is also QF 107. We're aiming to stay in Las Vegas on the night of the 15th (their time) so we get our 4 nights before Tahiti, how we get there is not a big deal for us. We are actually going to be departing from Perth if that makes a difference (but figured we have to go via Sydney either way).

QF175 from BNE is often a better chance for upgrade to business class than the SYD-LAX options. Or even QF73 SYD-SFO.

 

[tinky]

If you had asked me on Tues I would have said it was who ever puts in the request, however I read yesterday on the QF website that it works on whoever has the lowest status level out of the requester and the traveller.

- guess they had too many higher status people requesting upgrades for NB's.

 

[Sequel]

If you have an eligible relative who has higher status, then the upgrade waitlist priority will be based on the higher status of the requesting member.

No longer true, from QF website Frequent Flyer - Using Points - Flight Upgrades

Upgrades are allocated according to your membership level: Platinum Frequent Flyers first, followed by Gold, Silver and then Bronze. When using your points to upgrade an eligible family member with a lesser priority, that member's priority will apply.

 

[NM]

No longer true, from QF website Frequent Flyer - Using Points - Flight Upgrades

That is a significant change to the way it has worked previously. Any idea when this change was made? If it not reflected in the Terms and Conditions.

 

[tinky]

QF175 from BNE is often a better chance for upgrade to business class than the SYD-LAX options. Or even QF73 SYD-SFO.

Thanks - will check out this option.

 

[Sequel]

That is a significant change to the way it has worked previously. Any idea when this change was made? If it not reflected in the Terms and Conditions.

Not sure, only came accross it by chance yesterday.

 

[serfty]

14.3.5 Flight Upgrades will be awarded to Members according to their Qantas Frequent Flyer status levels in the following order: Platinum Members first, then Gold Members, then Silver Members and then Bronze Members.

Interesting ...

Is a Flight upgrade "awarded" to the Nominator or the Nominee?

If the Nominee, then the revised Flight Upgrades web Page would apply.

However, if it to the nominator, then the site is contradicting itself.

If the former (nominee) is correct, how does this change affect couples travelling together, one WP and one NB when the upgrade for both is requested by the WP? (Or in my case WP and PG).

 

[NM]

If the former (nominee) is correct, how does this change affect couples travelling together, one WP and one NB when the upgrade for both is requested by the WP? (Or in my case WP and PG).

And how would it affect me when upgrading myself. If my ticket is issued in my name but with my AA FF number in the booking, then QF has no record of my current QF FF status. But they do know about the status of the account from which the upgrade has been waitlisted. Since I have had 100% success rate with such upgrade requests, even with very short time on the waitlist, it would seem the priority was processed based on the then Platinum FF status of the paying account and not the non-status of the passenger being upgraded. But its a few months now since my last such upgrade was processed, so things may have changed in that time. Such a change has not been communicated to FF members other than vis the additonal sentence added to the web site.

 

[MelUser]

If this rule change is retrospective then it is grossly unfair. Let me explain: I am travelling to LA In NOV, returning Dec. I am bronze however upgrader is WP. Request was put in 90 days before flights [ie before this "rule change" took effect].

I would prefer to be processed under the old rule - ie higher status of the two because request was put in before rule change. I am happy (not happy but accepting) of rule change for future upgrade requests.

Any thoughts on the (in some cases) retrospectivity of the change [ie taking something away from someone who was is the process using the currently understood position]?

 

[Sequel]

You have definately opened a can of worms with this one Tinky!!

 

[MelUser]

Does anyone know what this rule means:

"14.3.2 Once an upgrade has been requested, all PIN number changes between the time a Flight Upgrade is requested and the time the flights departs, must be advised to Qantas reservations, otherwise the Flight Upgrade request will not be processed."

Are they talking about the upgrader or upgradee (assuming that they are different)?

What if there are 2 passengers travelling together and another person requests an upgrade for them both (ie rule - it must be all on reservation or none at all). Which PIN are they talking about. PIN of sponsor/upgrader, PIN of passenger 1 or PIN of passenger 2 or any of the 3 PINS?

What would there be to tell reservations - presumably they have access to the system through QF's computers?

 

[serfty]

PIN of Nominator/Sponsor who's points are being used.

I guess this is necessary so points can be deducted from the account.

 

[tinky]

Ok our trip is booked finally

I can't believe that Qantas direct on their website was the cheapest option (and I rang at least 3 travel agents).

I hope we've made the right decision booking QF107 instead of QF11 to go from Sydney - LA (based on the probability of getting an upgrade) but I guess our chances are slim either way? Which flight would you guys have chosen?

I also asked the operator about a higher status member requesting an upgrade for a lower member and how the website says it's the lower members status that counts. The gentleman said that that has existed for quite a while and that it was people's perception that a higher status person requesting an upgrade for a lower status person would push them up the queue, but that it wasn't fact.