Upgrading from I Class to First?

[spentan]

Hi all,

I have booked a flight SYD-LAX-SYD for my mum and I in January 2012.

It was on the 2 for 1 Business deal thingy, where it worked out to around 11k+, I was wondering though, since I will have the points, and since my mum has never travelled in First Class in all her 61 years, if I could upgrade from I Class (Business Sale) to First?

It does Clearly state that

Qantas Frequent Flyer	Flight Upgrade Awards are eligible on this fare. Flight Upgrades can only be redeemed on Qantas operated flights. Points and Status Credits may be earned on this fare. Classed as Business when Points or Status Credits are earned.

But when I try to do it, it comes up with

Upgrade - not available
An upgrade is not available on this itinerary due to one or more of the following reasons.
not operated by Qantas
restricted or heavily discounted airfare (for example, Red e-Deal flight) or a Classic Award purchased with Frequent Flyer points
does not have an upgradeable class
a discounted Business Class airfare
a prize ticket or a promotional offer
part of a group booking. Contact a Qantas Office for an upgrade
a voucher for future travel
already flown

Is it possible that it is because it is not within 90 days of the flight? or is it because I don't actually have enough points to do the upgrade atm?

Or do I just have to face the reality that it is a "discounted Business Class airfare" and therefore cannot be upgraded to First?

It'd be nice to know if anyone can elaborate?

Cheers

 

[Princess Fiona]

You need to ring to request the upgrade when unable to do so online. All Business class fares are ( currently anyway !) upgradeable but the online facility doesn't work for I.
Good luck

Sorry should also add as I just re-read your post that you cannot request until 90 days before, but as above this is sometimes impossible to do online with I class bookings

 

[Mal]

Give QF a call and they will (should) manually lodge the upgrade request.

It's a known issue with these types of sales and certain ticket types.

 

[cove]

We got the upgrade off I class to First about 30 months ago. It cost 48,000 points each. I don't know if the rules have changed so you should give them a call.
I think our fares were about 3 weeks from outwards flight date.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Should also add that you cannot request points upgrades from an account with insufficient points balance. Maybe look at doing some family transfers, CC spend before the 90 day period begins.

 

[spentan]

Thanks for all your replies

I'm planning on surprising mum with the F Upgrade, so let's see how the CC Spend goes