U Availability
 

Hello,

As you may remember, I'm trying to get an upgrade to U class on QF2 (2 May).

After checking the Amex ITN site at least once a day (sad sod that I am), I finally saw some U class seats...

F6 A6 J9 D4 U6 Y9 B6 H9 K6 M9 L9 S9 V7 O2

I, of course, quickly rang Qantas and see whether I can be moved.

For some reasons, Qantas said they can't see anything on U. They can only offer me a wait-list, which I'm already on. The lady was also helpful and told me there're about 10 people on that list. But she said she can't see where I'm on that queue, as it was sorted alphabetically.

So, question time...

- How come Qantas can't see any U and I can? Am I seeing things or are they not seeing things?

- Let's say they can also see the 6 U seats list above, will they actually move me (given the lady said there're about 10 people on that list)?

Bonus question:

- If there're U seats available now, how can I grab it?

Thanks muchly. If you can grab me one of these elusive U seats, you'll have my eternal grateful and if possible, a 6-pack of your choice! (Beer, that is...)

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Unfortunatley they are not on the ITN site now.

F6 A6 J9 D4 U0 Y9 B0 H9 K0 M9 L9 S9 V7 O2

It might have been a very temporary thing.

I used an upgrade credit for my Mrs 3 weeks ago and when I phoned the week before hand the QFF CSA said there was no U class on QF168 CNS-BNE when clearly on ITN it was show U7. I told her I was looking at an availability site and it was showing U7. She pressed a few buttons and said she found them by doing a particular class search but they were definately not on the upgrade screen when I first gave her the PRN.

So there are glitches in the system.

With all the other advice go on the waitlist and keep checking manually.

Have the number handy - it will be worth the effort if it pays off.

Like my boss says, 'You tell the travel agent what to do' and never let them tell you if you know what you want http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif.. wise words huh?

I usually checkt the AMEX/ITN site then
I usually check on the qantas website for a free business class seat.
I then call for the upgrade and am sometimes told there is none so I insist that they check again or I hang up and call back.
I very often get someone who knows what they are doing and get the upgrade.

Sounds to me like they released some U class seats, but the FF redemption system was set to not allocate them (since it was busy clearing the wait-list). By the time the res agent looked - and you looked again on ITN - those 6 seats had gone to waitlisted paxs.

Dave

So is there anything specific I can ask the agent to look at should this situation comes up again?

I somehow suspect the seats have gone to those in front of me in the queue and/or those more important than my lowly silver. They may also have gone straight back into J or D.

D is down to 1 this morning, so chances probably aren't too good...

I have had my sister on the wait list for syd-lax since the 21 days cuttof date. She just cleared to business class 11 days out. so it looks like they do try to clear the wait list before putting them in the pot.
BTW I hacve been checking every day and there is constant availability for 7 days then nothing.
I think if you check late 24th early 25th you will get your u class!!

F7 A7 J7 D5 U0 Y6 B0 H1 K0 M1 L1 S1 V0 O0

Still no U, and still on the wait-list...

J and D seem to be fluctuating quite a bit, so who knows what's going on...

How can one tell how full the flight is from these numbers?

Y=6

Means some non restrictions (ie higher fare) economy seats have been sold - so the flight is heavily booked.

The good news is that D=5 - these are the discount J seats. If yield management is still allowing D seats to be sold on a heavily booked flight, then your chance of an upgrade improves, and could clear close to departure.

Given that this flight seem to be filling up (Y=6, J=7) I think they will wait until the last minute to flush the U waitlist. There is not advantage to QF to do it early. This is annoying for those who would like to know if they have been successful, but seems to be QF's way of doing it on flights that look to be full.

I am not an Amex member.Can I still access the AmexITN site?
Could you let me know the webaddress if that is the case .
Ta
Ozflier

FWIW, I think my U came through, woohoo! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

My itinerary said I've got it, but the points haven't came off my statement yet.

I've printed a copy of my initerary out in case anything happens at check-in...

Anyway, this is the latest AMEX-ITN information:

F4 A4 J8 D9 U0 Y6 B0 H4 K0 M4 L3 S3 V3 O2

It's a bit strange how the numbers vary compared to last week...? What're the other classes like L, S, V and O...?

"My itinerary said I've got it, but the points haven't came off my statement yet.

I've printed a copy of my initerary out in case anything happens at check-in..."

If you want to confirm, why not phone up and check, plus try and do ya seat selection too. The big giveaway to an upgrade coming through is the loss of points in your account http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Dave

Thanks for the tip. I called them, and they said it's confirmed. I forgot to mention to they haven't taken my points yet...

They took away my Y seat from my itinerary, so I'm 99% sure I've got the U.

If they still haven't taken my points after the flight, I'll give them a call.

"If they still haven't taken my points after the flight, I'll give them a call."

Umm..if they forget to take the points, don't bother reminding them . Think of it as a give from God (or any other theological or non theological entities) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Dave

Since QANTAS switched CRS systems to amadeus, the U availability is visible for some reason to some CRS' including ITN which suses SABRE technology.

The problem with this is that the "U" class availability - along with other QF booking classes is that it is not 'updated' frequently enough from amadeus to other CRS'.

The only way is to force an entry on the CRS you are viewing, which is impossible to do through websites and only possible through actual CRS systems. That is when you will be able to see actual availability of particular flights.

Something else to consider is the point of sale. Certain airlines offer more seats in particular market compared to another even for the same "booking" class.