[simongr]

My understanding is that it is the "fullness" of whY that drives the bulk of op-ups - juggling people/space requirements pushes people into J and J people in F (a bit simplistic I know).

The theory then would be to look for flights that have a high combination of heavy whY loads coupled with medium J loads and low F loads (for someone travelling in J already that is). Now if you find that combination going where you want, when you want - dont post it here in case everyone tries to get in on the deal

[simongr]

Originally Posted by Shano

That is why I was surprised that I received an op-up on an award flight.

I think serfty was saying that it was the fact that he buys cheap flights on low load flights that he doesnt get op-up rather than the cheapness of the ticket.

[serfty]

Yep, was referring to Point Upgrades.

Just realised that this thread is about op-ups Looks like I got it mixed up with another thread ...

FWIW, I flew the Thursday night before Good Friday on QF29 showing D8 ... Y0. After SWMBO and I received our points upgrades that morning, D dropped to D4, Y went to Y1 until about noon when it dropped back to Y0.

Of course it was op-up season; that evening at least six Flounge clients were summoned to the service desk for what I expect were operational upgrades ("please bring your BP's with you").

[munitalP]

Ive had (only to business class) op upgrade:

LAX - ALK - MEL
MEL - SYD 3 or 4 times (only ever on the international flights though)
MEL - Alice Springs (first leg of a Darwin Flight)
BNE - MEL 1 (add another because the head steward knew me)
AKL - MEL 1
SIN - MEL 1

I have also had 2 on MEL / ADE / DARWIN and these fares were purchased by Rio Tinto - oh, they were the only fares purchased by Rio Tinto for me as well - makes me wonder if there is a deal going there....

When I check in for international flights, I am always darn near the first in the que, I believe in being early enough to make the most of the duty free areas and of course the lounges. It would be an interesting survey to conduct as to op upgrades are given on a Status / first in best dressed basis...

[JohnK]

Originally Posted by jboyle

Obviously I'm not complaining but is this common or am I just very lucky?

Very lucky.... but good on you and hope you have many more in the future.

I had 2 long haul upgrades from Y to J on the one return trip and I was ecstatic and I was only a mere Silver.

[Commuter]

Originally Posted by Optics

Well I am glad to hear that I am not the only high status QF FFer that is missing out (not on account of you others missing out obviously , just to know it is not only me). I was beginning to think I must have a black mark recorded against my FF No., though I could not think what for unless it was for costing them too much in beverages both in QPs and on-board!). The system really must be based purely on luck, ie the right seat at the right time. I will just keep hoping.

Just a guess, but I think the reason why I haven't been op-uped so far has been due to economy generally being full with just one or two seats left in business class on many of my flights, based on what I can see on the web - and some economy passengers requesting points upgrade. That results in their being upgraded rather than doing an op-up because of 'full economy class'.

[acampbel]

I suppose if I was a Qantas shareholder (with no disillusionment about "loyalty") I would be happy that Op-ups are rare beasts indeed. Even if all J seats that are going to be sold have been, and all upgrades have been satisfied (including any last-minute QC jobbies), there is a disincentive for them to upgrade.

If it was known that Q would fill empty J seats with high paying/status Y pax, then those people would be less likely to pay/request upgrades and Q would then lose some revenue. So like our significant others, Q make it very clear that we are unlikely to get something for nothing unless we are very, very, very lucky.


Cheers,


Andrew

.

[serfty]

Originally Posted by acampbel

... If it was known that Q would fill empty J seats with high paying/status Y pax, then those people would be less likely to pay/request upgrades and Q would then lose some revenue. ...

Also you would end up with situations like woth many flights in the US where so many people are able to upgrade that the quality of service in the pointy-end has been downgraded to something that may be described as being only slightly better than a "QF economy with big seats".

It is very rare that 2 class AA flights in the US take off with any spare seats in First class.

[simongr]

I my limited experience of AA domestic (including JFK-BGI which is a "domestic flight" in a way) I havent seen an empty F or J seat. That's about 10-12 flights in the past year...

[~B~]

I got upgraded to business class on AA/QF LAX - MIA and back....