Changes to ODU's?

chooms · #11 (**permalink**) 3rd September 2008, 04:51 PM

Ok - lounge dragon replaced with young guy. Opportunity to try again.

Was met with this response: "I am sorry sir but there are no upgradable fares left."

I asked for clarification as to whether he meant seats or fares and he repeated his first line.

Should I be reading this as there ARE J seats available - just not allowing people to upgrade them.... or..... there are no J seats available full stop.

Maybe the rumours are true... QF cutting back on upgrades and not filling the J cabin?

If this is true - not happy Qantas. I earn points on actual flights, not credit cards and I believe I should be able to use my points that I have earned.

I will pay a visit to the lav mid flight and check the occupancy situation of seats in J.

EDIT: seatcounter now showing D:0 J:2

Platy · #12 (**permalink**) 3rd September 2008, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chooms

Ok - lounge dragon replaced with young guy. Opportunity to try again.

Was met with this response: "I am sorry sir but there are no upgradable fares left."

I asked for clarification as to whether he meant seats or fares and he repeated his first line.

Should I be reading this as there ARE J seats available - just not allowing people to upgrade them.... or..... there are no J seats available full stop.

Maybe the rumours are true... QF cutting back on upgrades and not filling the J cabin?

If this is true - not happy Qantas. I earn points on actual flights, not credit cards and I believe I should be able to use my points that I have earned.

I will pay a visit to the lav mid flight and check the occupancy situation of seats in J.

EDIT: seatcounter now showing D:0 J:2

I'm with you, Chooms, but in the time period that I have been flying QF and trying for upgrades there have been many times when could not get upgrade despite seats empty in J in flight (this discussed extensively in other posts so not meaning to re-start a well worn cascade of argument and counter argument on that topic).

Dunno if anything is different in the new system...maybe that exit row doesn't sound too bad after all...

simongr · #13 (**permalink**) 3rd September 2008, 05:06 PM

If it was J0 D0 then I would expect the cabin to be full or QF to be short staffed on the flight and unable to service a full J cabin. Now that it is J2 I guess there were cancellations.

chooms · #14 (**permalink**) 3rd September 2008, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simongr

If it was J0 D0 then I would expect the cabin to be full or QF to be short staffed on the flight and unable to service a full J cabin. Now that it is J2 I guess there were cancellations.

cancellations, hence available J seats - but I am told I cannot use my points to upgrade to one of these seats.

When did Qantas announce this? I cannot see any changes in the rules.

Its quite funny because I was actually having a conversation with James Strong about a few things airline wise yesterday up here in Cairns....

Platy · #15 (**permalink**) 3rd September 2008, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chooms

cancellations, hence available J seats - but I am told I cannot use my points to upgrade to one of these seats.

When did Qantas announce this? I cannot see any changes in the rules.

Its quite funny because I was actually having a conversation with James Strong about a few things airline wise yesterday up here in Cairns....

As I have found out the hard way, just because seats are empty doesn't mean that you will be allowed access to them via ODU.

QF are not that motivated to letting you use your points to try earnestly to fill all J seats with ODUs. Many reasons have been aired on this forum already. Some of us feel QF should make more effort to fill all seats (like AA, apparently), but others seem to disagree.

Looks like your flight is delayed until at least 1745, which should give time for at least one more Crown Lager - personally I'd be enjoying the extra drink in the QP!!!

simongr · #16 (**permalink**) 3rd September 2008, 05:20 PM

Maybe it is about catering - I am reaching here....

Platy · #17 (**permalink**) 3rd September 2008, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simongr

Maybe it is about catering - I am reaching here....

Maybe that's unlikely if those two J seats were recent ( ie 60 minutes before flight) cancellations (as appears to be the case)???

Dave Noble · #18 (**permalink**) 3rd September 2008, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chooms

cancellations, hence available J seats - but I am told I cannot use my points to upgrade to one of these seats.

When did Qantas announce this? I cannot see any changes in the rules.

Its quite funny because I was actually having a conversation with James Strong about a few things airline wise yesterday up here in Cairns....

There is nothing in the rules that says that they will make any unsold seats available to upgrade.

Dave

serfty · #19 (**permalink**) 3rd September 2008, 05:29 PM

Certainly is often about catering; some years ago when travelling as a party of four BNE-MEL I tried for ODU's for all (Sat evening 763).

I was told in an honest and open manner there was only one available seat for upgrade (out of ~15 empty) due to catering orders etc.

chooms · #20 (**permalink**) 3rd September 2008, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Noble

There is nothing in the rules that says that they will make any unsold seats available to upgrade.

Dave

true Dave Noble, I have just never had this happen to me before.

Every time I have used points for ODU (usually personal travel) I have always got one except when J was full.

This is the first time that I have been denied and J isnt full (according to seatcounter).

We have just had a third change to lounge dragon.. trying one last time.