International Upgrade Chances?

Javaboy32 · #1 (**permalink**) 14th August 2007, 05:59 PM

Hi all,
newbie to the forums here. Thanks for such a wonderful resources!

My wife and I will be doing the big jaunt to Europe next year, and are looking into an upgrade on the longest leg of the flight.
This is likely to be either QF9 or QF31, SIN-LHR on 23 Mar 2008. We've both got enough points to upgrade.

My question is, barring a minor miracle, I'll be losing Silver status before then. How likely are a couple of Bronze-level peons to get upgrades on one of these flights, given the popularity of the leg, the fact that it unfortunately lands on Easter Sunday, and that anyone who's flown anywhere in the last twelve months gets their upgrades ahead of us?

If it's completely unlikely, how do we make it likely? Will forking out for Qantas Club membership get us over the line, IYHO?

Thanks in advance!
Martin

opusman · #2 (**permalink**) 14th August 2007, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Javaboy32

My wife and I will be doing the big jaunt to Europe next year, and are looking into an upgrade on the longest leg of the flight.
This is likely to be either QF9 or QF31, SIN-LHR on 23 Mar 2008. We've both got enough points to upgrade.

You should bear in mind that if you are booked MEL-LHR via SIN on the same flight number you can't just upgrade one leg - you can only upgrade the whole way.

One way around this if you only want to try for the SIN-LHR upgrade is to do QF9 MEL-SIN and then switch to QF31 for the London leg (it's only an extra 30 minutes or so on the ground in SIN I think). And as a bonus you get more SC's.

Commuter · #3 (**permalink**) 14th August 2007, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Javaboy32

How likely are a couple of Bronze-level peons to get upgrades on one of these flights, given the popularity of the leg, the fact that it unfortunately lands on Easter Sunday, and that anyone who's flown anywhere in the last twelve months gets their upgrades ahead of us?

If it's completely unlikely, how do we make it likely? Will forking out for Qantas Club membership get us over the line, IYHO?

Probably not very likely that you'll get an upgrade, since anyone with a higher status gets the priority on points upgrade. I also don't think getting a Qantas Club membership would help you to get an upgrade.

You could certainly put the request in and see if you get it (nothing to lose, is there?) but I wouldn't fork out for a Qantas Club membership to increase your chance, because I doubt it would help you much (if at all). You can put the $600+ for the better use...

Javaboy32 · #4 (**permalink**) 15th August 2007, 10:55 AM

Hi guys,
thanks for the replies!
Mercifully, I'm coming from PER, so it's QF71 to SIN, and then onto the long-haul.
We figured that all we could do is try! Guess we'll just have to apply and leave it in the laps of the gods.

Thanks again,
Martin

NM · #5 (**permalink**) 15th August 2007, 12:26 PM

There are some things that can help to improve your chances. Firstly choose your day of travel carefully. Avoid peak times like school holidays, remembering that different states have different holiday dates. secondly choose the day of the week carefully. Most business class demand (both paid and high status member upgrade requests) are on days that suit business travellers best. So that means avoid travelling on Friday through Monday. Tuesday through Thursday is generally quieter. This also has the advantage that if the upgrade is not successful, at least there may be a few spare seats around the economy cabin.

serfty · #6 (**permalink**) 15th August 2007, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NM

There are some things that can help to improve your chances. Firstly choose your day of travel carefully. Avoid peak times like school holidays, remembering that different states have different holiday dates. ...

Bit hard to do given that Easter travel is involved:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Javaboy32

... on one of these flights, given the popularity of the leg, the fact that it unfortunately lands on Easter Sunday ...

NM · #7 (**permalink**) 15th August 2007, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by serfty

Bit hard to do given that Easter travel is involved:

Then chances are not good. All those other holiday-makers with higher FF status will be ahead on the waitlist. At least the load of paying business class passengers may be light on that day.

Chucksta · #8 (**permalink**) 15th August 2007, 05:22 PM

Scheduled for a 7.30pm international departure. It is now 3.20pm here (less than 5 hours before departure time)

Logged into QFF and it still shows biz class is waitlisted, economy confirmed.

Does this mean the upgrade will not clear in time?

What are the chances the upgrade will clear in the next few remaining hours before the flight leaves?

Chucksta

NM · #9 (**permalink**) 15th August 2007, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chucksta

Scheduled for a 7.30pm international departure. It is now 3.20pm here (less than 5 hours before departure time)

Logged into QFF and it still shows biz class is waitlisted, economy confirmed.

Does this mean the upgrade will not clear in time?

What are the chances the upgrade will clear in the next few remaining hours before the flight leaves?

Chucksta

Chances are most unlikely at this time.

pksw · #10 (**permalink**) 16th August 2007, 02:47 PM

Don't like your chances. A friend of mine just tried for an upgrade on a similar flight (Melb - HK - London) as a silver member, but missed out on using points to upgrade. (and flying out on a Wednesday)

That's what annoys me - that you only find out at the time of checkin whether the upgrade is successful. It would be nice to be able to definately know, or to have the option to spend more points to get a "guaranteed" upgrade.

I've redeemed all my QF points because of the difficulty in getting the flights I want, and the changes to the value of points over the years.