Free Upgrades - An Update.
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Back from my round the world trip, which was great and all, but just had to add this update to the forum.
Before we flew, my partner and I checked this forum extensively for hints on how to get free upgrades on flights . All forumites said that upgrades are very very rare, and even then they only go to status people i.e. out of the realm of reality for most of us bronzie folk.
My partner was a Bronze with only about 120 Status Credits, although they had just joined Qantas Club a month before the trip so we could both have lounge access on most of our flights, and I was a bronze who had never flow with Qantas. Our view of upgrades was grim.
On our first flight of the trip, which was a QF from Brisbane to Los Angeles direct, we checked into our economy, went to the QC lounge and had a few beers before departure. We checked at the desk for other seats in economy to try and get a better spot with a spare seat between us, but were told it was a busy flight, and it wasn't an option.
At the gate, we got an upgrade to business. So sweet. Made the trip so good. We though it was a fluke.
However, after a Cathay flight from rome to Hong Kong, with a short wait for another Cathay connecting to Denpasar (before the latest attack, thank god..), we got upgraded to business again at the arrival gate in Hongkong... which also gave us access to the lounge during the 4 hours wait (lucky, because QC would not have covered that flight!).
Well, by now we thought all our luck was used up. But on the final leg, from Darwin to Brisbane, we were sitting in the QC lounge in Darwin, and agreed to use some of the points we had earned on the trip for an upgrade. The attendent said that it was still too early, but she would see what would come available. An hour later we were paged, and she presented us with new business boarding passes, with the comment "You have just travelled so far, I couldn't bear to take those hard earned points off you". Another free upgrade.
So, all in all, 3 free upgrades in a total of 14 flights, two with Qantas and one with Cathay.
So the upgrades arent uncommon for the common, despite what people say. All in all, just be VERY polite, smile heaps, and you can get those freebies.
Cheers.
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After re-reading it, then you and your SO were very fortunate. Being friendly to the CSA's and FA's certainly helped. You would have been in a dream in J from BNE/LAX - a great flight to really make full use of the benefits.
Excellent to hear you enjoyed it so much...now you've got the bug, start planning your next trip
__________________ FF Programs: QFF Gold (OW Sapphire) QC Life, LTSilver & 57.5% to LTG, AAdv (24.35% to LTG), NW. Hotel: PC Plat, Hyatt GP Gold, HHonors Gold, SPG, Marriott Rewards, PriorityGUEST. Car Rental: Avis Pref, Hertz No 1 Cards: Amex Plat, Visa Plat.
Flown 585 sectors totalling 821,765 miles since March 03, 1988 (ba97.com)
So the upgrades arent uncommon for the common, despite what people say. All in all, just be VERY polite, smile heaps, and you can get those freebies. Cheers.
Hi brisbull,
Great to hear about your recent upgrade success . Your comment about manners is very apt; after all, it costs nothing and ...
I know the general consensus is that frequent flyers are rewarded first, though perhaps the opposite is true? After all, if one was a drug dealer, would you give the samples to a "junkie" or someone experimenting
So the upgrades arent uncommon for the common, despite what people say. All in all, just be VERY polite, smile heaps, and you can get those freebies. Cheers.
Hi brisbull,
Great to hear about your recent upgrade success . Your comment about manners is very apt; after all, it costs nothing and ...
I know the general consensus is that frequent flyers are rewarded first, though perhaps the opposite is true? After all, if one was a drug dealer, would you give the samples to a "junkie" or someone experimenting
Member of: AA Exec Plat; QF LTG; PC Plat; HHonors Gold
Posts: 9,857
Re: Free Upgrades - An Update
Quote:
Originally Posted by brisbull
I know the general consensus is that frequent flyers are rewarded first, though perhaps the opposite is true? After all, if one was a drug dealer, would you give the samples to a "junkie" or someone experimenting
My parents had a similar experience on their first ever QF flight after joining up. They we upgraded on BNE-SIN on their way to London. So I wonder if there is some sort of "Welcome to the club :wink: " gift that is sometimes offered?
Congratulations on scoring those elusive upgrades. And that for reporting back with your experience. Now its time for the full trip report .
oh Brisbull!! When I think of how many miles (how many uncomfortable flights, cold flights, etc etc) I have flown internationally IN ECONOMY to maintain my gold status EVERY YEAR for the last 4 years with Qantas, and the only upgrade I have received was between Brisbane and Cairns. (that is a lot of miles in economy every year!!!)
I read about your trip and the green eyed monster was looking your way!
I did a RTW mid-year, and was very lucky with upgrades, getting upgraded from J to F in 3 out of a possible 4 long-haul flights: Sydney-HK, HK-Rome and London-NY. Didn't ask to be upgraded, and was pleasantly surprised at the gate. Always dressed pretty casually to check in (jeans and t-shirt), so appearance had little to do with it. Also got upgraded from Singapore to Sydney last week, on a very cheap economy ticket (in which points upgrades were not permitted), so was pleased again.
OK so i have a question - how exactly are upgrades offeredand what's the process of getting your new seat allocation?
Does the computer just randomly pick someone? Or does the nice person at the gate do the picking and how do they know that there are seats available because I already have my seat allocated from the checkin counter?
I haven't actually ever seen someone been offered an upgrade so I'm curious as to the process. Thanks for any insights.
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