Successful/unsuccessful RU/elite APD upgrades
Mar 19, 2026 | 9:49 pm
#1861
Join Date: Feb 2024
Location: NZL
Programs: NZ*G, QFF, Accor Gold Plus Explorer, EVTStays Gold
Posts: 757
Flying AKL-SIN on Apr 10. Elite using RU. Didn't get immediate confirmation like I did for return leg start of May. 17/44 BP seats available based on dummy booking - based on experience how good are the chances that it will go through given am three weeks out from flight?
Mar 20, 2026 | 12:41 am
#1862
Join Date: Feb 2026
Location: NZ
Posts: 15
100% success rate for me so far as I've worked up the tiers 
Flight Date: Nov 2025
Route: AKL - IAH
Class: PE to J
Type: RU
Status: Silver
Result: Success (Lounge)
Flight Date: Dec 2025
Route: AKL - JFK
Class: PE to J
Type: RU
Status: Gold
Result: Success (Gate)
Flight Date: Jan 2026
Route: IAH - AKL
Class: PE to J
Type: RU
Status: Gold
Result: Success (Check-In)
Flight Date: Feb 2026
Route: AKL - IAH
Class: PE to J
Type: RU
Status: Elite
Result: Success (Gate)
Flight Date: Mar 2026
Route: JFK - AKL
Class: PE to J
Type: RU
Status: Elite
Result: Success (Gate)
Flight Date: Mar 2026
Route: AKL - MEL
Class: Y to J
Type: SHRU
Status: Elite
Result: Success (Cleared a couple of weeks out)
Flight Date: Nov 2025
Route: AKL - IAH
Class: PE to J
Type: RU
Status: Silver
Result: Success (Lounge)
Flight Date: Dec 2025
Route: AKL - JFK
Class: PE to J
Type: RU
Status: Gold
Result: Success (Gate)
Flight Date: Jan 2026
Route: IAH - AKL
Class: PE to J
Type: RU
Status: Gold
Result: Success (Check-In)
Flight Date: Feb 2026
Route: AKL - IAH
Class: PE to J
Type: RU
Status: Elite
Result: Success (Gate)
Flight Date: Mar 2026
Route: JFK - AKL
Class: PE to J
Type: RU
Status: Elite
Result: Success (Gate)
Flight Date: Mar 2026
Route: AKL - MEL
Class: Y to J
Type: SHRU
Status: Elite
Result: Success (Cleared a couple of weeks out)
Mar 21, 2026 | 3:22 pm
#1863
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Asia Pacific
Programs: Virtuoso Travel Advisor - Hyatt, Hilton, IHG, Marriott, Accor & more
Posts: 1,411
Flight Date: 21 Mar 2026
Route: AKL - SYD
Class: cash J to Luxe x 2
Type: n/a
Status: Elite x 2 (not Elite Partner)
Result: Found out when scanning the mobile boarding passes at the lounge.
Route: AKL - SYD
Class: cash J to Luxe x 2
Type: n/a
Status: Elite x 2 (not Elite Partner)
Result: Found out when scanning the mobile boarding passes at the lounge.
Mar 24, 2026 | 12:34 am
#1864
Join Date: Aug 2025
Posts: 8
Flight Date: mid-April 2026
Route: PER - AKL NZ176
Class: PE - J
Type: RU
Lodged: 18 March 2026
Status: Elite
Result: *update* confirmed at T-7, woohoo!
Not surprised as heaps of availability on the B777 (I deliberately tried to go for this flight rather than the other showing a B787) - stoked as I usually find this upgrade on Perth-AKL hard to come by, competing with FIFO folks etc coming home from WA.
Route: PER - AKL NZ176
Class: PE - J
Type: RU
Lodged: 18 March 2026
Status: Elite
Result: *update* confirmed at T-7, woohoo!
Not surprised as heaps of availability on the B777 (I deliberately tried to go for this flight rather than the other showing a B787) - stoked as I usually find this upgrade on Perth-AKL hard to come by, competing with FIFO folks etc coming home from WA.
Last edited by zmjp; Apr 10, 2026 at 6:25 pm
Mar 26, 2026 | 7:18 am
#1866
Join Date: Sep 2023
Location: NZ
Programs: AirNZ Platinum
Posts: 172
Flight Date: mid March 2026
Route: NZ6 AKL-LAX
Class: Y to PE
Type: EAPD
Status: Elite
Result: Confirmed immediately on booking October 2026
Flight Date: late April 2026
Route: NZ5 LAX-AKL
Class: Y to J
Type: Double RU
Status: Elite
Result: Confirmed immediately on booking October 2026
Route: NZ6 AKL-LAX
Class: Y to PE
Type: EAPD
Status: Elite
Result: Confirmed immediately on booking October 2026
Flight Date: late April 2026
Route: NZ5 LAX-AKL
Class: Y to J
Type: Double RU
Status: Elite
Result: Confirmed immediately on booking October 2026
Mar 26, 2026 | 2:07 pm
#1867
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG/BKK
Programs: NZ Koru Plat, TG*G, QF G, Accor Plat
Posts: 12,962
Flight Date: Sep 2026
Route: NZ284 AKL-SIN (77W)
Class: PE to J
Type: Elite RU
Lodged: At booking 22 Feb 2026
Status: Elite
Result:Pending Cleared 27 Mar, approx 6 months out. Must have released some R class
Family member with fixed dates so they didn’t bother to call about R class - but still somewhat surprised it didn’t immediately clear. I made a dummy booking and can see there are 9 pax in J with allocated seats (based on the grey ‘head’ silhouettes) - presumably the 2 R class usually released have already been taken.
Route: NZ284 AKL-SIN (77W)
Class: PE to J
Type: Elite RU
Lodged: At booking 22 Feb 2026
Status: Elite
Result:
Family member with fixed dates so they didn’t bother to call about R class - but still somewhat surprised it didn’t immediately clear. I made a dummy booking and can see there are 9 pax in J with allocated seats (based on the grey ‘head’ silhouettes) - presumably the 2 R class usually released have already been taken.
Mar 29, 2026 | 10:20 am
#1868
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: DRW
Programs: OW Sapphire, *A Gold
Posts: 279
Flight Date: mid March 2026
Route: NZ24 AKL-YVR
Class: Y to PE
Type: EAPD
Status: Elite
Result: Confirmed in the lounge at AKL, circa T-3 hours (after check in had closed, however dummy booking checks showed 4 PE fares available. PE went out full)
Flight Date: early April 2026
Route: NZ23 YVR - AKL
Class: Y to PE
Type: EAPD
Status: Elite
Result: Confirmed at approximately T-14 days, guessing R class released.
Route: NZ24 AKL-YVR
Class: Y to PE
Type: EAPD
Status: Elite
Result: Confirmed in the lounge at AKL, circa T-3 hours (after check in had closed, however dummy booking checks showed 4 PE fares available. PE went out full)
Flight Date: early April 2026
Route: NZ23 YVR - AKL
Class: Y to PE
Type: EAPD
Status: Elite
Result: Confirmed at approximately T-14 days, guessing R class released.
Mar 29, 2026 | 11:17 am
#1869
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG/BKK
Programs: NZ Koru Plat, TG*G, QF G, Accor Plat
Posts: 12,962
Flight Date: mid Nov 2026
Route: NZ284 AKL-SIN
Class: Y to J
Type: 2x RU (gifted)
Lodged: At booking 29 Mar 26
Status: Silver (Elite Partner)
Result: Pending
Flight Date: mid-late Dec 2026
Route: NZ284 AKL-SIN
Class: PE to J
Type: RU (gifted)
Lodged: At booking 29 Mar 26
Status: Elite
Result: Pending
Route: NZ284 AKL-SIN
Class: Y to J
Type: 2x RU (gifted)
Lodged: At booking 29 Mar 26
Status: Silver (Elite Partner)
Result: Pending
Flight Date: mid-late Dec 2026
Route: NZ284 AKL-SIN
Class: PE to J
Type: RU (gifted)
Lodged: At booking 29 Mar 26
Status: Elite
Result: Pending
Last edited by Thai-Kiwi; Mar 30, 2026 at 5:50 pm
Mar 29, 2026 | 2:36 pm
#1870
Join Date: Apr 2019
Programs: AirNZ Airpoints
Posts: 40
Flight Date: early Aug 2026
Route: NZ288 PVG-AKL
Class: PE to J
Type: Elite RU
Status: Elite
Result:
1st try pending - searched on Expert Flyer and saw that 5 BP seats have been booked, should've done more research since the travel date is flexible
2nd try immediately cleared - called up asking how many R class available: 1 BP seat booked; 2 R available, paid $60 to switch to the date with availability
Also the PVG route is getting slightly more difficult to use RU now with the increase in transiting passengers. Premium cabins across March have been full majority of the time despite 6x weekly services (travelled to/from F1 Shanghai GP during the DXB/DOH closures and only had luck with elite RU from Y->PE on the return segment). There's also an ad at PVG check in advertising cash upgrades and it was approx 9999 RMB (~2500 NZD) to go from PE to J I think? Not sure if the gate agents can hold up RUs to prioritise cash upgrades, but with the drop in NZD RMB exchange rate there may be increased uptake for those.
Route: NZ288 PVG-AKL
Class: PE to J
Type: Elite RU
Status: Elite
Result:
1st try pending - searched on Expert Flyer and saw that 5 BP seats have been booked, should've done more research since the travel date is flexible
2nd try immediately cleared - called up asking how many R class available: 1 BP seat booked; 2 R available, paid $60 to switch to the date with availability
Also the PVG route is getting slightly more difficult to use RU now with the increase in transiting passengers. Premium cabins across March have been full majority of the time despite 6x weekly services (travelled to/from F1 Shanghai GP during the DXB/DOH closures and only had luck with elite RU from Y->PE on the return segment). There's also an ad at PVG check in advertising cash upgrades and it was approx 9999 RMB (~2500 NZD) to go from PE to J I think? Not sure if the gate agents can hold up RUs to prioritise cash upgrades, but with the drop in NZD RMB exchange rate there may be increased uptake for those.
Mar 29, 2026 | 3:19 pm
#1871
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 3,681
Flight Date: early Aug 2026
Route: NZ288 PVG-AKL
Class: PE to J
Type: Elite RU
Status: Elite
Result:
1st try pending - searched on Expert Flyer and saw that 5 BP seats have been booked, should've done more research since the travel date is flexible
2nd try immediately cleared - called up asking how many R class available: 1 BP seat booked; 2 R available, paid $60 to switch to the date with availability
Also the PVG route is getting slightly more difficult to use RU now with the increase in transiting passengers. Premium cabins across March have been full majority of the time despite 6x weekly services (travelled to/from F1 Shanghai GP during the DXB/DOH closures and only had luck with elite RU from Y->PE on the return segment). There's also an ad at PVG check in advertising cash upgrades and it was approx 9999 RMB (~2500 NZD) to go from PE to J I think? Not sure if the gate agents can hold up RUs to prioritise cash upgrades, but with the drop in NZD RMB exchange rate there may be increased uptake for those.
Route: NZ288 PVG-AKL
Class: PE to J
Type: Elite RU
Status: Elite
Result:
1st try pending - searched on Expert Flyer and saw that 5 BP seats have been booked, should've done more research since the travel date is flexible
2nd try immediately cleared - called up asking how many R class available: 1 BP seat booked; 2 R available, paid $60 to switch to the date with availability
Also the PVG route is getting slightly more difficult to use RU now with the increase in transiting passengers. Premium cabins across March have been full majority of the time despite 6x weekly services (travelled to/from F1 Shanghai GP during the DXB/DOH closures and only had luck with elite RU from Y->PE on the return segment). There's also an ad at PVG check in advertising cash upgrades and it was approx 9999 RMB (~2500 NZD) to go from PE to J I think? Not sure if the gate agents can hold up RUs to prioritise cash upgrades, but with the drop in NZD RMB exchange rate there may be increased uptake for those.
Mar 29, 2026 | 4:01 pm
#1872
Join Date: Apr 2024
Location: Kapiti / Wellington
Posts: 147
Flight Date: early Aug 2026
Route: NZ288 PVG-AKL
Class: PE to J
Type: Elite RU
Status: Elite
Result:
1st try pending - searched on Expert Flyer and saw that 5 BP seats have been booked, should've done more research since the travel date is flexible
2nd try immediately cleared - called up asking how many R class available: 1 BP seat booked; 2 R available, paid $60 to switch to the date with availability
Also the PVG route is getting slightly more difficult to use RU now with the increase in transiting passengers. Premium cabins across March have been full majority of the time despite 6x weekly services (travelled to/from F1 Shanghai GP during the DXB/DOH closures and only had luck with elite RU from Y->PE on the return segment). There's also an ad at PVG check in advertising cash upgrades and it was approx 9999 RMB (~2500 NZD) to go from PE to J I think? Not sure if the gate agents can hold up RUs to prioritise cash upgrades, but with the drop in NZD RMB exchange rate there may be increased uptake for those.
Route: NZ288 PVG-AKL
Class: PE to J
Type: Elite RU
Status: Elite
Result:
1st try pending - searched on Expert Flyer and saw that 5 BP seats have been booked, should've done more research since the travel date is flexible
2nd try immediately cleared - called up asking how many R class available: 1 BP seat booked; 2 R available, paid $60 to switch to the date with availability
Also the PVG route is getting slightly more difficult to use RU now with the increase in transiting passengers. Premium cabins across March have been full majority of the time despite 6x weekly services (travelled to/from F1 Shanghai GP during the DXB/DOH closures and only had luck with elite RU from Y->PE on the return segment). There's also an ad at PVG check in advertising cash upgrades and it was approx 9999 RMB (~2500 NZD) to go from PE to J I think? Not sure if the gate agents can hold up RUs to prioritise cash upgrades, but with the drop in NZD RMB exchange rate there may be increased uptake for those.
Mar 30, 2026 | 2:59 am
#1873
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG/BKK
Programs: NZ Koru Plat, TG*G, QF G, Accor Plat
Posts: 12,962
Flight Date: late July 2026
Route: NZ146 BNE-AKL 789v2
Class: 2x PE -> J
Type: 1x Gifted SHRU, 1x SHRU (Elite)
Lodged: 13 Jan 2026
Status: Silver (Elite partner) and Elite
Result:Pending. Cleared today 5 months ahead
Friend offered to gift an expiring SHRU, so that was lodged for Mrs TK first. I was unable to lodge mine (as noted above), so called. Agent noted it was being difficult, but 2 hours later it showed as pending on my app. Agent also proactively noted to me that with manual lodgments, they can make a note whether or not the 2 pax are willing to split the PNR if only 1x R class becomes available. We are happy to be split (Mrs TK will go in biz no matter - her turn.)
Route: NZ146 BNE-AKL 789v2
Class: 2x PE -> J
Type: 1x Gifted SHRU, 1x SHRU (Elite)
Lodged: 13 Jan 2026
Status: Silver (Elite partner) and Elite
Result:
Friend offered to gift an expiring SHRU, so that was lodged for Mrs TK first. I was unable to lodge mine (as noted above), so called. Agent noted it was being difficult, but 2 hours later it showed as pending on my app. Agent also proactively noted to me that with manual lodgments, they can make a note whether or not the 2 pax are willing to split the PNR if only 1x R class becomes available. We are happy to be split (Mrs TK will go in biz no matter - her turn.)
Mar 30, 2026 | 5:42 pm
#1874
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG/BKK
Programs: NZ Koru Plat, TG*G, QF G, Accor Plat
Posts: 12,962
Flight Date: early Dec 2026
Route: NZ103 AKL-SYD (777 ex-CX)
Class: PE to J
Type: SHRU
Lodged: At booking 30 Mar 26
Status: Elite (family member)
Result: Cleared immediately. R class checked prior but not how many.
Flight Date: early Dec 2026
Route: NZ104 SYD-AKL (77W)
Class: PE to J
Type: EAPDU
Lodged: At booking 30 Mar 26
Status: Elite (family member)
Result: Cleared immediately. R class checked prior but not how many.
Flight Date: early Dec 2026
Route: NZ104 SYD-AKL (77W)
Class: PE to J
Type: SHRU (gifted)
Lodged: Day after booking 31 Mar 26
Status: Elite (myself)
Result: Pending.
My bad as family member is joining me on a SP run / weekend jaunt to SYD was onto things more quickly than me, and must have snaffled the last R class seat LOL. First drinks on them!
Route: NZ103 AKL-SYD (777 ex-CX)
Class: PE to J
Type: SHRU
Lodged: At booking 30 Mar 26
Status: Elite (family member)
Result: Cleared immediately. R class checked prior but not how many.
Flight Date: early Dec 2026
Route: NZ104 SYD-AKL (77W)
Class: PE to J
Type: EAPDU
Lodged: At booking 30 Mar 26
Status: Elite (family member)
Result: Cleared immediately. R class checked prior but not how many.
Flight Date: early Dec 2026
Route: NZ104 SYD-AKL (77W)
Class: PE to J
Type: SHRU (gifted)
Lodged: Day after booking 31 Mar 26
Status: Elite (myself)
Result: Pending.
My bad as family member is joining me on a SP run / weekend jaunt to SYD was onto things more quickly than me, and must have snaffled the last R class seat LOL. First drinks on them!
Last edited by Thai-Kiwi; Mar 30, 2026 at 5:49 pm
Apr 1, 2026 | 5:30 pm
#1875
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG/BKK
Programs: NZ Koru Plat, TG*G, QF G, Accor Plat
Posts: 12,962
Anecdotal evidence is that manually lodged RUs seem to take longer to clear even when there is R class….