What are my upgrade chances? [Best Dates/Times/etc. to book?]

[simbot82]

Hey All,

First the facts:

- Looking to either do perth to LA return (via sydney with at least a stop over either way in sydney) or a RTW taking in SYD, LAX, JFK, CDG, HK (or singapore) then home again with stops at each locations
- Trip is on for Novemeber 15-December 15th unless someone here can tell me why January would be a better option in the long run.
- My wife and 2.5 year daughter will also be coming
- I have 400,000 QFF points to use as cleverly as possible

So my question is what are my chances of an upgrade to business class for at least the longer legs given the destinations and time of year?

And is upgrades in my case the best use of the points


Thanks

 

[Mwenenzi]

..So my question is what are my chances of an upgrade to business class for at least the longer legs given the destinations and time of year?

For 3 passengers the chances are nil to very low for upgrades with QF points. And you can only upgrade eligable QF flights numbers on QF aircraft. Cheaper fares can be non upgradeable

 

[BAM1748]

Suggest you just burn then points on the longest leg in J and see what's left to put in for upgrades.


Matt

 

[JohnM]

I would have thought chances are generally zero to Buckley's. However, you didn't say what airline or class you were booking or your status. All would be important factors. For QF Premium Economy would likely give you better chance of UPG to J, flexible Y would be unlikely unless you had high premium status and discounted Y are non-upgradeable.

 

[simbot82]

Suggest you just burn then points on the longest leg in J and see what's left to put in for upgrades.


Matt

Embarrassing but what is J and the other single letter references I am still searching my way around this super helpful site.

So you are suggesting I buy as much as I can on points for longest leg and apply for upgrades on remaining legs.

I dont mind whom we fly with if they accept QFF points

 

[Hvr]

J = business class.
Y= Economy.

You're better off travelling in Nov-Dec because come January the planes will be full of school holiday travellers.

 

[simbot82]

CHeers.

Forgot to mention both of us are only Bronze FF and we tend to fly once a year

 

[JohnM]

Embarrassing but what is J and the other single letter references I am still searching my way around this super helpful site.

So you are suggesting I buy as much as I can on points for longest leg and apply for upgrades on remaining legs.

I dont mind whom we fly with if they accept QFF points

Again, you need to give some idea of what your status is with whichever airline (sounds like QF is your FF program) and what class of travel you are thinking of booking. Anyone less than Platinum (WP) or Gold (SG) will really struggle to get UPGs.

If, for example, you are Bronze with QF and booking discounted Y class (aka Y-) (eg. N, O, Q, E, G, L, M, S, V, K, B, H fare buckets) on QF, then I'm afraid you can forget any chance of an UPG. (Others may correct some of the details, but I think you'll find this is the guts of it).

UPGs are possible on QF domestic on Red-e deal fares (a relatively recent beneficial change) but not on similar QFi fares. Also, SYD/MEL to LHR/LAX are probably the most difficult sectors to get UPGs on - for anyone.

I'm in anxiety state for a J-F UPG on QF9 next Monday. Y & Y+ (Premium Economy) are chockers, there's still a few seats in J showing and several in F. So there's likely to be some juggling going on. But some Plat1s or other WPs could spoil my dream .

To add insult to injury, you are probably leaving it too late to readily capture award seats. Try starting 355 days out...

 

[JohnM]

CHeers.

Forgot to mention both of us are only Bronze FF and we tend to fly once a year

Our posts crossed, but I think you've answered your own questions in the negative, I'm sad to say .

 

[Mwenenzi]

Embarrassing but what is J and the other single letter references I am still searching my way around this super helpful site.
So you are suggesting I buy as much as I can on points for longest leg and apply for upgrades on remaining legs.
I dont mind whom we fly with if they accept QFF points

Y & various other fare buckets = economy, as the post above
W = Premium economy (Y+)
J & C = Business
F & A = First

Forget about get 3 upgrades : it won't happen. The suggestion above is look a PE or J reward flights on the longest flight. But difficult to find

You can only upgrade eligible QF flights numbers on QF aircraft. QF points cannot be used on any other airline for upgrades

 

[simbot82]

Thanks so much guys, this is a super helpful community here.

As an aside I can't seem to work out how to do one world awards bookings (thats if I even have buckilys chance of getting them this late in the piece)

 

[Mwenenzi]

As an aside I can't seem to work out how to do one world awards bookings (thats if I even have buckilys chance of getting them this late in the piece)

Has to be on the QF web site or phone QF. Awards by phone with QF have fees

 

[simbot82]

Sorry didnt make myself very clear. ROund the world bookings It just takes me to One World

Cheers

 

[Mwenenzi]

Sorry didnt make myself very clear. ROund the world bookings It just takes me to One World

Reward flight have to be through QF.
RTW revenue fares (cash) on the OneWorld site are completely different to QF OneWorld reward tickets

Edit
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-award-140k-280k-420k-8228-22.html#post887436

 

[simbot82]

Ok so I seem to be able to book the following

Perth --> Paris - Economy 15th November
Paris to Perth - Business 8th December

for 500,000 points + 2k in taxes. I will need an extra 100k in points but can hit up my parents and make it back with Woolies card + Macqaurie card and the points awarded by flying

 

[Mwenenzi]

It that points & pay ?
500,000 points & $2000 is far too much in my view to be reasonable value
Points & pay is not a reward flight. Look on the QF web site for the points needed for a straight out award flight

$2000 is NOT taxes. Its taxes & fees to Qantas (profit). Never ever confuse real "taxes" with "taxes and carrier imposed fees"

 

[simbot82]

It that points & pay ?
500,000 points & $2000 is far too much in my view to be reasonable value
Points & pay is not a reward flight. Look on the QF web site for the points needed for a straight out award flight

$2000 is NOT taxes. Its taxes & fees to Qantas (profit). Never ever confuse real "taxes" with "taxes and carrier imposed fees"

That is for 2 adults 1 child classic award (no points+pay) How could I improve?

 

[Mwenenzi]

Ok: for 3 seats

That is for 2 adults 1 child classic award (no points+pay) How could I improve?

You can't A classic award is the best you can do with QF.
And the seats will not last if you do not book them
However most here on AFF (including myself) consider economy awards poor value.
Good value in business. Reasonable value in PE

 

[simbot82]

Ok: for 3 seats
You can't If classic award that the best you can do with QF. And the seats will not last if you do not book them

Ok thanks so much for that i thought it wasnt too bad for 3

 

[Mwenenzi]

Have you looked for DXB-PER business award and CDG-DXB economy paid with cash ? Overnight in business far better than in economy