What Triggers an Operational Upgrade

[ausi ski bum]

The elusive Operational Upgrade, OK we have all had one from time to time, well many of us at least but what are the main triggers that create the situation you get one.

For example I have a Premium Economy seat next week to LA, they have changed planes from the 35 seat to the 32 seat version and the cabin is now 100% full but Business has 50 empty seats. If people in economy have requested an upgrade, do they say sorry no or do they offer it and move a few people in PE to Business.

What drives the thinking, does Qantas want to use peoples points, is it about making regular flyers even happier through the occasional upgrade or is it pure dumb luck.

I am trying to work out on my flight to wait and see or apply for an upgrade now using points.

 

[oz_mark]

In my case, they generally appeared during school holiday type periods where economy was full and I got moved up to business. One other was due to a plane downgrade.

But all that was when I was platinum. Since becoming gold, I have only had the one!

 

[harvyk]

If I ever worked out exactly what triggers Op-Up's I'd be a very happy flyer, I'd probably also keep it to myself.

In my case I've only ever had Op-Up's on long haul (AU - US flights), and from what I know they have happened because the Y cabin had been oversold. In my case I've had some Y -> J's (skipping over the PE seats) and some Y -> PE's in there.

I'm also pretty sure that since it was a good friend of mine who was my TA at the time, I was having the VIP flag ticked on the booking, because as soon as he left the TA agency, my Op-Up's also dried up.

 

[simongr]

Aliens

Seriously though the reasons could be anything from overselling, broken seats, whinging families that failed to plan ahead and arrange seats together and aliens.

 

[777]

Being forced to sleep in the airport when you are platinum FF. I can confirm this works based on my experience this morning. Would probably have preferred a hotel all things considered.

 

[opusman]

Heavy/over-booking in a lower class and empty seats in a higher class.

 

[elbarto]

The elusive Operational Upgrade, OK we have all had one from time to time, well many of us at least but what are the main triggers that create the situation you get one.

For example I have a Premium Economy seat next week to LA, they have changed planes from the 35 seat to the 32 seat version and the cabin is now 100% full but Business has 50 empty seats. If people in economy have requested an upgrade, do they say sorry no or do they offer it and move a few people in PE to Business.

What drives the thinking, does Qantas want to use peoples points, is it about making regular flyers even happier through the occasional upgrade or is it pure dumb luck.

I am trying to work out on my flight to wait and see or apply for an upgrade now using points.

We've had one?? I'm still waiting for my first operational upgrade!

I think that people who have requested points upgrades probably get put ahead of operational upgrades, unless there are circumstance where it can't be done. (like two people wanting to upgrade when there's only one seat left)

 

[oz_mark]

Being forced to sleep in the airport when you are platinum FF. I can confirm this works based on my experience this morning. Would probably have preferred a hotel all things considered.

One airline handles IRROPS better than the other.

 

[serfty]

There's a flight I am on Just before Easter next month - it's typical upgrade material:

J9 C9 D3 I7 W4 R0 T0 Y2 B0 H0 K0 M0 G0 E0

Back when I earned most of my SC's from QF flights, I would be almost certainly as a WP be a strong candidate for an operational upgrade.

 

[777]

One airline handles IRROPS better than the other.

Which one? I have a friend who slept in the Qantas Business Lounge in MEL last night while i slept in the Virgin SYD one.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

I agree that aliens are likely to be involved

 

[samh004]

My last OP UP was because I was flying in school holidays and Y was oversold (actually stopped selling in the days leading up to the flight, as in was removed from the booking engine). I was with my mum, and we were both upgraded to J. I'd even thought it might happen.

Didn't happen until I printed BP's in the lounge though

Which one? I have a friend who slept in the Qantas Business Lounge in MEL last night while i slept in the Virgin SYD one.

Not overnight?

 

[chrisb]

What drives the thinking, does Qantas want to use peoples points, is it about making regular flyers even happier through the occasional upgrade or is it pure dumb luck.

I am trying to work out on my flight to wait and see or apply for an upgrade now using points.

It's about making money.

They will process points upgrade from J to F, then PE to J and then if they still have an overbooking issue in PE they will OPUP.

If the change is only 3 seats, I'm guessing they'll get enough PE to J points requests to make things work.

 

[TonyHancock]

If you let them know who you are I'm sure you'll be blessed with many op ups.*

*Of course flying loads with the airline and finding yourself in an overbooked cabin may help.




As an aside I "knew" I was in for a pleasant surprise today when Expertflyer showed my seat as empty early this morning.

 

[JW1003]

As an aside I "knew" I was in for a pleasant surprise today when Expertflyer showed my seat as empty early this morning.

Or an unpleasant one when you given a boarding pass in the middle of a block of 4 against toilet with no recline.

 

[TonyHancock]

Or an unpleasant one when you given a boarding pass in the middle of a block of 4 against toilet with no recline.

How utterly dreadful..does that sort of unpleasantness happen?

 

[JW1003]

How utterly dreadful..does that sort of unpleasantness happen?

Yup - Ask JohnK

Also I and the +1 got downgraded from J to Y at the gate in SYD once, but thats a story for another day

 

[travellerqff]

I've noticed frequent posts on the popular photo app, Instagram, showing people in Qantas First class. Maybe it's staff travel, or maybe op-ups... I can't imagine a full fare paying First passenger boasting their experience on Instagram.

#Qantas #FirstClass #YeahBaby #FirstAllTheWay #ILoveQantas

 

[samh004]

I've noticed frequent posts on the popular photo app, Instagram, showing people in Qantas First class. Maybe it's staff travel, or maybe op-ups... I can't imagine a full fare paying First passenger boasting their experience on Instagram.

#Qantas #FirstClass #YeahBaby #FirstAllTheWay #ILoveQantas

Probably all from Boss Reggie

 

[777]

Not overnight?

In my case from about 1am to 3 or 4am before being woken up. In her case last i saw was a photo of her getting ready to bed down in her qantas issued pyjamas so i assume so.