I'm moving back to the UK and have 50k Qantas FF points to burn (gold member) as I'm most likely won't be coming back OZ any time soon.

I'm moving back to the UK and have 50k Qantas FF points to burn (gold member) as I'm most likely won't be coming back OZ any time soon.

My partner and I are flying Qantas (economy) back to London via Dubai with a two day stop over. What is the likelihood of using my points to get us both upgraded for the last leg of the trip? Is it worth me booking both our trips separately? I would have enough points for both of us to potentially be upgraded to business - is the best way to use the points? If we are not successful with the business upgrade will Qantas offer us premium economy instead? Any thoughts ect would be most appreciated.

Hi Flybytom,

I do think upgrades are a good way to use points. It is easier to get an upgrade using QFF points if you are flying QF metal, rather than EK metal (even if you booked as a QF ticket). Whether it's worth it, only you can answer that - one would prefer to use the upgrade on the longer night sector SYD-DXB, rather than the shorter daytime flight to Europe, but an upgrade is always nice.

If you don't use your points to upgrade or are unsuccessful, there are plenty of short-haul BA destinations on which you can burn off your QFF points - you can book these online, but sometimes you may need to call the QFF centre to book by telephone. 

Thanks for this - it really for the experience and the only way I really get to ever fly business.. It would be great to upgrade on the longer flight - but we don't have the points. 

I agree with dragonfly. International upgrades are a good way to use QFF points, just make sure the ticket you book is in a ticketing class or 'bucket' which can be upgraded, as the cheapest tickets are usually not eligible. If you buy economy then I think you'd only have enough points (25k each) to bump into premium econom. If you request business class and it doesn't come through then I don't think you are offered premium economy as a fallback. You might want to consider flying from Melbourne instead of Sydney as both routes use the A380 but I'm told Melbourne always has fewer flyers so there should be a better chance of an upgrade, of course if you are in Sydney that means paying for a SYD-MEL fare plus the extra travel and hassle.

I thought it was 24k per person from Dubai to Heathrow  - discount economy to Business?? Yes, I'm flying from Melbourne so hoefully might give us a greated chance

 "....of course if you are in Sydney that means paying for a SYD-MEL fare "

Not necessarily so - in many cases they are lots of flight options to chose from for the same price, including the positioning flight.