It would depend on the route, the load for the flight and the class you are traveling in - and the class you request. For example, I imagine that you would rarely get an upgrade to business on QF 9 or 10. As a platinum, I have had good luck going from business to first between Australia and LHR. Just last month, my wife and I scored a points upgrade from business to first from SYD to LHR. I'll admit that I was surprised to get it, especially given it was for two people. Besides that, I book domestic flights early so that I can get a guaranteed classic award upgrade. I'm not sure why it's not working for you.
If you try to upgrade domestic flight you will have decent chances. If you try to upgrade sought after international routes like LHR-SYD you will have virtually no chances. So if you in last 24 years trying to upgrade on LHR-SYD route and have one success from ten attempts then I would say it is very good result.
I am platinum and flew QF 1 on Monday last week and got the upgrade from PE to BUS on the SIN-LHR leg. Have requested the upgrade on the QF 2 return but less hopeful. Flew J from SYD-LAX in January and got my upgrade to first. Many years ago managed to get my wife, daughter and myself upgraded to BUS from economy on a flight from SIN-SYD. Most of these upgrades are from sale fare ticket purchases. I always put in my upgrade as soon as I book the ticket.
I'm a Qantas Bronze FF, with no status except Qantas Club membership. I manged to snag a business class upgrade using points on QF35 (MEL-SIN) three months ago. What surprised me even more more was that when I checked in, the Qantas agent told me that a lot of people would be disappointed as they'd been downgraded from business to economy class on that particular flight. Go figure!
I'm a Qantas Bronze FF, with no status except Qantas Club membership. I manged to snag a business class upgrade using points on QF35 (MEL-SIN) three months ago. What surprised me even more more was that when I checked in, the Qantas agent told me that a lot of people would be disappointed as they'd been downgraded from business to economy class on that particular flight. Go figure!
Laterron
Laterron
Member since 03 Mar 2020
Total posts 1
As a platinum QF FF and gold for life
only once in 24 years have I snagged an upgrade for points
Is this the norm or is there a red flag on my profile
Grannular
Grannular
Member since 31 Mar 2014
Total posts 283
Absolutely not normal
mern2001
mern2001
Qantas - P1 Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 10 Apr 2013
Total posts 104
It would depend on the route, the load for the flight and the class you are traveling in - and the class you request. For example, I imagine that you would rarely get an upgrade to business on QF 9 or 10. As a platinum, I have had good luck going from business to first between Australia and LHR. Just last month, my wife and I scored a points upgrade from business to first from SYD to LHR. I'll admit that I was surprised to get it, especially given it was for two people. Besides that, I book domestic flights early so that I can get a guaranteed classic award upgrade. I'm not sure why it's not working for you.
mspcooper
mspcooper
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 09 May 2013
Total posts 457
I would ask "do you apply for upgrades from the cheapest fare"?
What sectors do you request?
do you request upgrades with others (who are on the same booking), or just yourself?
Serg
Serg
QFF
Member since 12 Apr 2013
Total posts 999
If you try to upgrade domestic flight you will have decent chances. If you try to upgrade sought after international routes like LHR-SYD you will have virtually no chances. So if you in last 24 years trying to upgrade on LHR-SYD route and have one success from ten attempts then I would say it is very good result.
sanj747
sanj747
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 01 Nov 2016
Total posts 148
I am platinum and flew QF 1 on Monday last week and got the upgrade from PE to BUS on the SIN-LHR leg. Have requested the upgrade on the QF 2 return but less hopeful. Flew J from SYD-LAX in January and got my upgrade to first. Many years ago managed to get my wife, daughter and myself upgraded to BUS from economy on a flight from SIN-SYD. Most of these upgrades are from sale fare ticket purchases. I always put in my upgrade as soon as I book the ticket.
Ryan K
Ryan K
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 30 May 2013
Total posts 161
I'm a Qantas Bronze FF, with no status except Qantas Club membership. I manged to snag a business class upgrade using points on QF35 (MEL-SIN) three months ago. What surprised me even more more was that when I checked in, the Qantas agent told me that a lot of people would be disappointed as they'd been downgraded from business to economy class on that particular flight. Go figure!
RedWood
RedWood
Member since 04 Sep 2019
Total posts 38
Originally Posted by Ryan K
I'm a Qantas Bronze FF, with no status except Qantas Club membership. I manged to snag a business class upgrade using points on QF35 (MEL-SIN) three months ago. What surprised me even more more was that when I checked in, the Qantas agent told me that a lot of people would be disappointed as they'd been downgraded from business to economy class on that particular flight. Go figure!
quality qantas customer service