Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Upgrade from LAX to Melbourne- thoughts??

I recently learned my VIP Upgrade (American) doesn't work on a codeshare. I wanted to upgrade into business class.

1. Does Qantas have similar upgrade certificates available (compared to American)?
2. Any other thoughts/suggestions would be welcome.

QF uses points to upgrade. They are much more difficult to earn than on AA, hence much more valuable (roughly 10 times more!). Earning the equivalent of EXP status on QF results in enough points to upgrade your LAX-MEL flight -- one way. Not like the 8 VIPs that AA gives. Now you know why QF doesn't accept upgrades from AA's plan, they are simply too cheap compared to what QF wants to charge. But take heart, coach on QF is not bad, and you'll enjoy arriving at your destination. I used to fly this route in coach several times a year (years ago) and it is still a great flight (easy for me to say this now, I only fly it in F, but I remember what it was like).

And to get an upgrade trans-Pacific on QF you need to have more than just the QF points or Upgrade Credits. Availability is from the same pool as award seats (U for business class, Z for First Class) and these are really scarce. That means you need to waitlist for the upgrade and the waitlist queue is processed in order of status. So QF's WP elites will be at the top of the list, the SG, then PS, then NB. So without QF elite status, you don't hold much chance of buying an upgrade.

Sit back and enjoy the flight. Remember that the flight is just a means to an end, and Melbourne is a great place to visit.

Oh yes, and I can't neglect to mention that QF offer free booze in the back of the bus http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif.