Using points to upgrade during the booking process

[abbas10]

Hello,

I’ve travelled a bit over the years as a tourist. I’m an elderly citizen now. I have QF frequent flyer points. I’m considering another trip to London, then to Ottawa Canada, over to LA and back home to Melbourne around September. But I don’t want to do the MEL to LHR sector in cattle class as a right thru sector with no stops (fuel stop a given). I know I could stop over at a city in Asia for a few days but that would of course add to the costs of the holiday and the number of days available to me. My questions are. If I book an economy fare with my Travel Agent can they use some of my points to upgrade me to say business for that sector. Or would I have to book on line with QF and during that process use my points, seat availability permitting. I know QF does not fly LHR to Ottawa etc so would that mean I’d have to book the entire trip via the One World website and hence not be able to use cash and points. Finally are there health insurance policies I can take out before booking that would offer a refund if I fell ill before the trip.

Thanks for any feedback

 

[Anna]

If you book a QF economy fare from MEL to LHR you can apply for a points upgrade but it is not guaranteed that you would get it and you would not find out until 24-48 hours before you travel. If you want to be certain of being in business you should book business, either in cash or on points.

Yes there are travel insurance policies that cover travel cancellation costs if you become ill but the insurer will need to know what pre existing conditions you have before deciding whether to cover you, and for what premium. Some conditions may be excluded. You have not said how old you are but some insurers have upper age limits.

I am not an expert in Oneworld awards and you have not said how many points you have, but I suggest you search on AFF to see if there is info about whether a Oneworld round the world award would suit you, and how to book one.

 

[mannej]

Hi Abbas10,

Using points to upgrade international fares are a lottery, as they don't get confirmed until much closer to the date of travel.
As for the other OW carriers, you cannot use QFF points to upgrade on them.

Easiest way to guarantee travel in premium cabins on QF - pay for it unfortunately.

 

[significance]

You can use points to request an upgrade on a flight booked by a travel agent, but you can only do so after the flight has been ticketed and paid for.

 

[abbas10]

Thank you everyone for your replies. Much appreciated. For the record, I'm 62 and have 220,000 QF points.