My wife and I are flying Quantas from LAX to Sydney and do not have miles other then NWA and can not afford the 18,000 first class ticket. Are there any suggestions on how to get upgraded?

Thanks

Learning to spell Qantas correctly could be a good start!

Sorry, unless you have elite status with Qantas (and the appropriate number of FF miles/certificates) the only way to insure an upgrade is to purchase one.

If by suggestions you mean telling the Gate Agent you deserve an upgrade to first class because it's your honeymoon, anniversary, your birthday or other special occasion - that only works in the movies and on TV.

Like A_Traveller said if you don't have elite status with Qantas either pony up the price for the first class ticket or travel back in steerage with the rest of us.

areinert: With the greatest of respect, I'm intrigued as to why one would think that Qantas, or any other airline for that matter, would award upgrades to non-members of it's Frequent Flyer programmes.

It's difficult & often impossible for those of us who have "paid our dues" and very substantial $$$'s over the years as QF Frequent flyers & QF Club members to get upgrades using those hard earned points & upgrade certificates. Frankly I would be extremely unimpressed if I thought QF were further reducing the upgrades available to it's FF members by handing them out to non-members.

I have been a Qantas Club member for more than 10 years and have yet to be upgraded on any flight. This is in spite of me writing a nice letter to Travel and Leisure Australia praising the FC service!

Also Qantas does not sell upgrades at the airport, unlike BA and some US airlines.

Have been a Qantas Frequent Flyer member and Qantas Club member for many years and have never once been upgraded with the exception of when we had to do a mercy dash to the US and got moved from the Qantas flight to an United flight. I even have a very close friend who works for Qantas and her view - never ask at check in as you are even less likely to get an upgrade. I even get Bonus upgrade points to use and still have never got to use any of them. My advice be like the rest of us

Qantas Economy Class is quite good anyway! Unlike British Airways.

Mucky tribe got upgraded by BA once en route to Australia. I just smiled and said good morning! The check in girl must have been in a great mood !!

She obviously decided that anyone who had battled to Heathrow with 2 children and Mrs Muck, 2 tons of baggage and still managed a smile and good morning, just must be worth an upgrade..lol

Muck

Let's just say it's fate/luck/whatever!

Carylspall,
Are you suggesting my smile made no difference ???

I'm very disapointed after all the effort I put in..




;-)

Muck

I'm sure Mucky's smile WAS the deciding factor, even though he's given absolutely no credit to Mrs. Mucky who was probably looking quite sad and disappointed at that point, nor to the MuckyKids (not to be confused with McKids), who I'm sure were adorable and well behaved after a long flight!

Melodie

Obviously Mucky is a real charmer!

Nah, she probably felt sorry for me !!

;-)