Upgrades in the new era of traveling

There’s no greater sound than the SMS upgrade notification 24 hours before your international Qantas flight, or for some, getting stopped at the gate as you’re about to board with your economy ticket. A freshly printed business class ticket is all yours. The joy of upgrading flights with points cannot be matched. One of the best ways to upgrade with points is through Qantas classic reward upgrades.

Unfortunately, this seems to be a distant memory from a bygone era for most.

Qantas’ network has reopened significantly, with 64 domestic and 32 international destinations now on offer. The number of leisure travellers has increased by 130%, and we’re seeing domestic passenger demand at an all-time high.

This is excellent news for the nation's carrier but not such great news for passengers wanting to upgrade on flights. Qantas is strategically reopening routes, ensuring the demand is there and matching the capacity with the demand.

Holding on to around 1.4 billion dollars in flight credits, Qantas has passengers with credit to burn, filling planes with and competing for a limited number of seats. Data from Australia's Department of Infrastructure shows outbound seat utilisation was 81.6% and inbound seat utilisation was 85%. Leaving very few seats available, let alone premium upgrades.

In this current climate, those without gold frequent flyer status or higher should strongly consider using cash or rewards to buy a business class fare. It’s doubtful these flyers will have much luck, given the high utilisation rates and sheer passenger competition.

Platinum & Platinum One, Economy and premium economy passengers wishing to snag a business class upgrade to North America or Europe would increase their chances flying on Tuesday-Thursday flights to/from Brisbane or Melbourne and avoiding Sydney/Perth.

Of course, it's important to remember that point redemption rates can vary greatly depending on destination and fare type factors. But with some careful planning and strategic use of points, upgrading your flights can be the most rewarding experience. So go ahead and treat yourself – your future self will thank you for it!

Good luck, upgraders!

Image source: Qantas