Query for Qantas Frequent Flyer members experience upgarding

Baghern on 05/09/2014 - 16:30

I took up the QFF with ANZ card recently and have been reading up quite a bit on the program and users comments regarding its restrictions and difficulty getting upgrades/seats

Can people who have tried/used the points describe their experiences for me?

I plan on using my points for an upgrade to business class on a Qantas flight to Hong Kong/Beijng or somewhere for a holiday sometime in the future. Leaving most likely on a weekday non public holiday period to ensure availability.

I've looked at flight prices and Qantas are on average $300 more 1 way to these locations than my preferred flyer, Cathay Pacific - whose economy is exceptional.

I'd imagine multiple failures to get an upgrade essentially negates the value in the Qantas points

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Comments

  • OutOfComplaintForms on 05/09/2014 - 16:40
    -2

    It's not that hard. Go to Manage My Bookings on Qantas's website and upgrade with your points. Or you could always just do it at the airport.

    It's used to not be a guaranteed thing until you got to the airport, but Qantas have changed their policy, so that unless you voluntary take a dip in their upgrade lottery system (less points required), you should have a guaranteed upgrade.

  • modsec802 on 05/09/2014 - 21:53

    As a Qantas silver member I have never got an international upgrade accepted but just about all domestic ones accepted prior.
    I have heard you need to be platinum or gold to get an international upgrade as they allocate them on FF status.

    • Baghern on 05/09/2014 - 22:49

      Yep read that part from other forums as well, but they were 2011 2012 comments

      Does the fact that I would book on non peak periods and a week day make a difference?

      Or would you think that there is so many FF out there that they're always taken up regardless now

      • Peck on 05/09/2014 - 23:07

        I think that it does. The less popular the flight the more chance of an upgrade. I always try to fly midweek to increase upgrade chances or more elbow room if in economy.

      • mkerr on 07/09/2014 - 16:38

        it's a luck of the draw. the higher your FF status, and fewer others on the plane the more likely you're FF status is up there. i was lucky enough to get my upgrade from economy to business on QF1 syd to london earlier this year as a silver FF.

  • MelbBargainChaser77 on 05/09/2014 - 23:06
    +2

    Also, in order to score that elusive points upgrade, QF make it just that much harder by forcing you to buy a full priced flexi economy fare for international routes in order to be even considered for an upgrade, with no gurentee youll get it, so essentially you pay more than what you have to for an upgrade that 99% of the time will not evenuate if you are a lower rung member, like bronze or silver, and most times even gold.

    • Baghern on 06/09/2014 - 00:16

      You sure, I did a check on Qantas site and the description for all seats excluding sales were available for upgrades. This included standard economy

      • MelbBargainChaser77 on 06/09/2014 - 00:51

        I know that for domestic flight, yes you can use points to upgrade a Red-E deal fare (the cheapest), but for international you much purchase a fully flex economy ticket to be able to upgrade, so no go on the sale fares

  • adamren on 06/09/2014 - 02:48

    See http://www.AustralianFrequentFlyer.com and sign up and peruse the forums. Pretty good.

  • OZB Al on 06/09/2014 - 09:34
    +1

    At one stage I had around three thousand dollars worth of points, but every time I tried to use them it was cheaper to just buy the tickets or fly with someone else. I ended up buying Woolworths wish cards and Coles vouchers, at least they are actually worth something!

    I'm also worried Qantas may "revalue" their points, as some of the overseas carriers have done.

    • Peck on 06/09/2014 - 13:51
      +1

      Wow you are right!! Looking at a Bkk to Syd. booking, the return leg is $379, but if I want an upgradeable return leg it is $533, (+$154) and no guarantee that I would get an upgrade. Emirates is much better, but, by the way that they have been going down hill to match with Qantas, they will soon be the same.

  • meumax on 06/09/2014 - 14:23
    +1

    Instead of spending more on a full flexible Y class fare with no certainty over the upgrade, much better to save up enough to buy the J fare outright on points. At least that way you're guaranteed to get what you booked.

    • MelbBargainChaser77 on 06/09/2014 - 17:07

      J fares are much cheaper and easier to purchase even for QF with buying miles from other carriers when they have sales, ie, USairways miles Alaska Air miles Avianca miles United miles. Most of them currently have some sort of bonus promotion like 40,50 and even 100% bonus miles. If your prepared to invest alot of time to do some research, J fares are certainly more affordable doing it like this. Also using a 28 degrees card to not pay foreign transaction fees is also advised.

      Most of these programs require you to be a member at 12 days days prior to buying these miles, so it doesnt hurt to register accounts with them all, then next time they have a sale you can purchase straight up.

    • csg001 on 06/09/2014 - 17:37

      Good luck finding any QF J/F fares to US or Europe that is not 10 months in advance!

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