Qantas Frequent Flyer - Low-Status Upgrade Clearing

I was wondering if anyone with lowly PS status (such as myself) has found out about an international upgrade coming through more than 24 hours in advance under the new system, or if QF makes PS members wait until 24 hours ahead as a matter of policy?

(I ask because I have a flight next week with Mrs Adelaide_Matthew, also a PS, but we're on different PNRs - thus, there is a risk one upgrade might come through and another not. If we found this out more than 24 hours in advance, we could cancel the successful upgrade and only lose the 5000 point fee (we'd prefer to sit together); but if they make us wait until 24 hours, then we lose the ability to cancel without losing all the points.)

I am a PS, and I am waiting on an upgrade request for a flight in two days time.
Mine has not come through yet. If you don't get an answer from someone else before then, I'll let you know how far out mine clears (or doesn't).

I am also interested, and worse off as a lowly NB/QP. In my case, we'll have two on the same PNR looking at the upgrade, but only I have QP.

I've never had an upgrade not granted (even as NB) but I understand this is very much the exception rather than the rule. I definitely wouldn't be trying it with two people on different PNRs, though.

I generally request the upgrade about a week from departure and get confirmation that it has been approved within a day. I actually didn't realise you could not get the upgrade until I started reading FT.

But then I've never requested an upgrade on what I'd call a trunk route. Always flights to or from Townsville, Darwin, Alice Springs etc

I've gotten all but 1 upgrade I've asked for. I've cleared upgrades at all status levels.
I only upgrade international flights.

But then I've never requested an upgrade on what I'd call a trunk route. Always flights to or from Townsville, Darwin, Alice Springs etc

There is no wait list requirements for domestic flights; if there is business award availability, the upgrade is issued immediately

The poster was asking about international flights and I would say it is unlikely that the upgrade, if going to be granted, will be awarded outside of the 24 hours period; not to say it will never happen , but I would work on the expectation that if granted it will be within 24 hours of departure and plan accordingly

I've had upgrade to J as NB from hkg-syd. As PS also had upgrade on sale fare (which is non upgradable, but had email from QF if I wanted to burn points to J) syd-lax...!!!

I've gotten all but 1 upgrade I've asked for. I've cleared upgrades at all status levels.
I only upgrade international flights.

I've not had that kind of luck in that past - the only upgrade I've put in for was the two of us on SYD-LAX (on the same booking, I was PS), and we failed. I did note that an email from QF last year indicated 60% success for PS members applying for international upgrades.

I'm hoping this SIN-FRA will be a happier result :-)

(Part of the reason for not applying often is that I'm often on cheap fares, so can only apply if there is an email invitation waiving the usual rules - as there was over the last few days; the other is reluctance to burn points frivolously - I find the pain of Y is tolerable on most flights under 10 hours.)

I've not had that kind of luck in that past - the only upgrade I've put in for was the two of us on SYD-LAX (on the same booking, I was PS), and we failed. I did note that an email from QF last year indicated 60% success for PS members applying for international upgrades.4 Sep 2009, Bronze, Y > W QF 11. Cleared (additional opup to J)
23 Sep 2009, Bronze, Y > W QF32. Failed (flight also diverted due weather/fuel and sat at KUL for 2 hours)
2 Oct 2009, Silver, Y > W QF10. Cleared (though had crappy middle seat due to JL being unable to check me in at KIX and getting last seat at SIN transit desk)
15 Aug 2010, Gold, J > F QF30. Cleared
26 May 2011, Platinum, W > J QF93. Cleared (booked R fare instead of discount Y on purpose only to allow for a 'cheaper' upgrade possibility 45,000 points vs 72,000 points)
30 May 2011, Platinum, W > J QF12. Cleared (as above)
20 Oct 2011, Platinum, J > F QF32. Cleared
25 Oct 2011, Platinum, J > F QF10. Cleared

I know that data isn't the plural of anecdote, but if it helps: I applied (as a Silver) for W -> J upgrades on HKG-SYD-HKG in August last year, and both cleared.

I think that both cleared more than 24 hours before the flight. I can't now swear to it, though, as I wasn't really paying close attention on the basis that there was nothing I could do but accept that qué será, será.

I just had my upgrade from Y -> W go though, and it cleared.
Also, it wasn't until within 24 hours that it did. I did not receive the SMS message as Qantas advertised, and I had to log in online this morning to find out (flight at 11pm tonight).

Well, we are two happy PSs - our upgrades Y-J came through about 30 hours ahead (no text message though).

We weren't seated together, but I managed to shift so we are now.

The flight was looking pretty open in J - showing J9 C9 D9 I9 before, now it's showing J4, C4, D4, I4. (The seat map, however, is only showing two empty seats - perhaps a couple of platinum shadows are there: I was initially put in 13J upstairs, but moved and it isn't showing available any more.)

Cheers, good for you.

I'll still tossing up whether to try SYD-BKK (or VV) for Mrs TK and I for 80k points, or use them for something else.

The new timing SYD-BKK is better, but a pity that the 332 is used. Decisions, decisions.