Upgrading to J - LAX to Anywhere

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mrdctau

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I have to do a quick self-funded trip to LA in June so will be booking on economy or discounted economy, but I'm hoping to upgrade in at least one direction and hopefully both. There are no award seats in J available around my needed dates, but fingers-crosses something will open up closer to the time of travel. I'm Melbourne-based, but if it increases my chances of getting an upgrade I'd be happy to route via SYD or BNE. Does anyone know which of LAX-MEL (QF94), LAX-SYD (QF12 or QF108) or LAX-BNE(QF16) has better upgrade chances?
 
Sample of one, so take this with a large shaker of salt, but I've had more success getting upgrades when flying as a OneWorld Emerald on non-Qantas flights. Case in point: Flying BA to London on a discount economy ticket, was upgraded at the gate for free to Premium Economy for both legs (Sydney-Singapore, Singapore-Heathrow). Flying AA to New York from London (or vice versa, can't recall) on a discount economy ticket, was upgraded at the gate for free to Business. Both these trips were booked directly with BA and AA respectively, ie were not QF code shares.

On the other hand, I've never been upgraded when flying Qantas metal or Qantas codeshare, either domestically or internationally. This just might mean that Qantas is better at yield management... but if it means I'm more likely to get bumped up a class or two, then I say bring on more airlines with poor yield management! :p

I realise you're talking about paid upgrades, but thought I'd offer my two cents anyway.
 
I don't have any "status", indeed I let my Qantas Club membership expire in the past couple of years as I don't fly as regularly as I used to; so I will need to cough up some of my points (virtually all of which are from credit card spend and sign-on bonuses) for the upgrades. I'm more than happy to part with 45,000 or 72,000 for a 14 hour flight.
 
I second the BNE-LAX suggestion. QF93/94 are usually packed with zero availability of awards and near zero chance of upgrades, followed closely by the flights to/from SYD. BNE flights, as has already been pointed out is on 747, and has far better availability.

On a different, but related note, if you end up buying discount economy, make sure if it is in a fare bucket that allows you point upgrades; not very many fare buckets do.
 
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I don't have any "status", indeed I let my Qantas Club membership expire in the past couple of years as I don't fly as regularly as I used to; so I will need to cough up some of my points (virtually all of which are from credit card spend and sign-on bonuses) for the upgrades. I'm more than happy to part with 45,000 or 72,000 for a 14 hour flight.

Unfortunately with no status you will most likely not see the upgrade with points come through on this route, although it is always luck of the draw. In my own experience, being WP on a PE fare will almost certainly get the upgrade. NB on a discount Y fare would be a 5% chance if you are lucky.
 
I have to do a quick self-funded trip to LA in June so will be booking on economy or discounted economy, but I'm hoping to upgrade in at least one direction and hopefully both. There are no award seats in J available around my needed dates, but fingers-crosses something will open up closer to the time of travel. I'm Melbourne-based, but if it increases my chances of getting an upgrade I'd be happy to route via SYD or BNE. Does anyone know which of LAX-MEL (QF94), LAX-SYD (QF12 or QF108) or LAX-BNE(QF16) has better upgrade chances?
Have you had a look at routes to LAX via NAN on FJ?
 
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