Qantas Frequent Flyer - Now Paid Upgrade at WLG

I just checked in and noticed that there are signs stating you can pay to upgrade to Business Class from WLG on the Trans Tasman sector only.
Small set of conditions:

Any fare class
Cost $450NZD
No Business Class luggage allowance
No Business Class special meals but yes to regular J catering
Remains in the original fare class so not FFP or SC for J:(

I was told it only started this week.

Is the first step in a race to the level established by UA with their upgrade / buy up policy for the front cabin?

Regardless of whether you get lounge access or priority tags on luggage (which mostly don't work in SYD, not sure about MEL), I don't think it's worth it...

I wonder who gets the money given there's no J class points and SC, it suggests it's not a ticket reissue, and therefore more like an op-up...

That's interesting. Has there been any sort of announcement about this? It could just be a trial run.

Often Qantas have trans-tasman business saver specials for about ~NZ$600 each way, but only when you start the journey from NZ. I generally keep a lookout for those. Those fares do earn full business class SCs.

Qantas business class trans-tasman to me is overpriced considering you can get it cheaper from their opposition (NZ, EK) and in a widebody if you want.

Qantas business class trans-tasman to me is overpriced considering you can get it cheaper from their opposition (NZ, EK) and in a widebody if you want.

But not out of WLG ;)

Without the SCs no good, and similar to what JQ often offers although YYMV with SCs :-)

Remains in the original fare class so not FFP or SC for J:(


Half empty glass today?

Seems reasonable that the earning would stay the same

Given the cheapest economy ( ex tax ) is $240 vs $1440 for C class, $690 for the upgraded offering can be pretty decent

I would agree with richie that if travelling from a location with decent options, QF is significantly overpriced for what is basically domestic business class; ex WLG not too many choices though

If leaving from somewhere like Auckland, base fares on EK of $740 for a purchased business fare would be a better option imo; there is also LA at $550 , but that is [a] on LA and [b] at ridiculous o clock

... there is also LA at $550 , but that is [a] on LA and [b] at ridiculous o clock

The LA advantage is fully flat beds and perfect timing if you are happy with OMG o'clock. Also you avoid the SCL ground handling procedure (or lack of) which is always a plus. Oh, the other variable is whether the flight operates.

The LA advantage is fully flat beds and perfect timing if you are happy with OMG o'clock. Also you avoid the SCL ground handling procedure (or lack of) which is always a plus. Oh, the other variable is whether the flight operates.

Well, for me, LA is a last resort both for airline and time of day. The ridiculous o clock costs me an extra nights accommodation and a silly getting up time. The $190 saving is easily offset by the nights accommodation. The 7pm departure of EK works much better timing wise for me to get home.

For those in AKL, not so bad if wanting an early arrival in Sydney

Agree with Dave, LA works if you are AKL based (although I detest flights that early), but if not then the hotel + cab fee means it isn't worth it.

The WLG upgrade is interesting... I don't think the product is worth it personally, but very interesting QF are trialling this.

Well, for me, LA is a last resort both for airline and time of day. The ridiculous o clock costs me an extra nights accommodation and a silly getting up time. Just do what I do when I catch it, spend the night in a nightclub, when they kick me out (usually around 0200) get a cab out to the airport, find a seat, check-in when check-in opens.

Easy!

Dave

Just do what I do when I catch it, spend the night in a nightclub, when they kick me out (usually around 0200) get a cab out to the airport, find a seat, check-in when check-in opens.


Sounds absolutely awful to me; even worse than having an early get up at hotel

I'll just stick to the evening departure on EK thanks

Out of AKL, LA usually works for me....I generally take 6:00 7:00 flights around the place anyway.
EK sometimes works for me as well.
Out of WLG I personally would pay for the upgrade if the SC were for J but that is just me.;)
To get the paid upgrade you are directed to go to the ticket office.
They had to ask for Station Manager about the points etc.
J on my flight was 7/12 with 1 couple travelling together.
I suspect that this ay be a trial, not an effort to boost J sales, but hey if the seat was empty and someone was willing to give QF the additional revenue then why not....okay there will be those willing to take the risk but I do not think WLG is the market for that behaviour.

$450 is a bit steep for what you get. I have reached QF plat so the lounge is not a bonus for me.

On a separate note, I have been op-upped on QF twice recently (WLG-MEL and SYD-HKG) and got SP and points at the upgraded rate. Last op-up was on the LAX-AKL, but that was on board,so no jackpot (though moving up a couple of rows to the last J-class seat was jackpot enough).

And (I have mentioned this before), I have paid for upgrades on JQ at the check-in desk and got the full SP's and points as a J-class (more than the QF points for a regular J fare between SYD and HKG).

they had a sign that it was available at AKL too, for AKL-BNE. $4-500 from memory. Not worth it IMHO, without getting J SC's, to upgrade for a 3 hr flight.

With a bit of planning and luck, an I class fare for WLG-SYD can be had for NZD$600 and comes with proper business class points and SC's.

With a bit of planning and luck, an I class fare for WLG-SYD can be had for NZD$600 and comes with proper business class points and SC's.
It has been a long time since it was that low....last was $1300 NZD return. This coming from SYD while on an I fare, with Double SC:D

I just booked one 2 days ago. :)

I just booked one 2 days ago. :)
Thanks I have been looking regularly for a couple of weeks and they last discount, before the ADL specials were higher, $1300NZD.
I checked early 3 days ago and noticed regualr prices it must have changed very soon after that and I have just seen the flights I want are now at the price point you mentioned!:D

Thanks I have been looking regularly for a couple of weeks and they last discount, before the ADL specials were higher, $1300NZD.
I checked early 3 days ago and noticed regualr prices it must have changed very soon after that and I have just seen the flights I want are now at the price point you mentioned!:D

What destination did you see for the good rate. I looked the last couple of days and they were, and still are >$1k each way for a Business Sale fare

I jagged some of the cheaper ones a couple of weeks ago to fly later this month

WLG-SYD has biz savers for $NZ 599 outbound and $NZ675-ish (I can't recall) for return. Dates in Aug and Sep.

WLG-SYD has biz savers for $NZ 599 outbound and $NZ675-ish (I can't recall) for return. Dates in Aug and Sep.

Thanks

Departing Oz it is still $1k. I had a look on the NZ site and can see the fares you talk of.

Looks just like the fares Oz had a couple of wks ago. I see the am flight is pretty full in J, but the afternoon flight (red eye :() shows 9 seats still left, with availability in I, but still $1k.

Is there a way for me to book on the NZ site, then change the date of the NZ to Oz fare to after the Oz to NZ? (or will I risk losing the whole ticket or be up for changing both in and out so the NZ to Oz bit is first chronologically)?

Thanks

Departing Oz it is still $1k. I had a look on the NZ site and can see the fares you talk of.

Looks just like the fares Oz had a couple of wks ago. I see the am flight is pretty full in J, but the afternoon flight (red eye :() shows 9 seats still left, with availability in I, but still $1k.

Is there a way for me to book on the NZ site, then change the date of the NZ to Oz fare to after the Oz to NZ? (or will I risk losing the whole ticket or be up for changing both in and out so the NZ to Oz bit is first chronologically)?
No not wih these fares. The best you can do is one way from NZ.
My last few flights have never had less than 8 out of 12 seats filled and I generally do not fly the busy flights either.