Qantas business class upgrade requested, approved, then rejected!

We were very excited to hear that our requested upgrade to business class from flexible economy had come through for our flight LAX to MEL on the 7th January 2017.  (Points deducted from our account.). But when we checked-in we were told it had been rejected.  When we asked why, we were told that there were no seats available.  We showed them the text message of approval and the status on our booking on the Qantas iPhone app.  But we were met with that look and tone from the check in staff of "we don't care so take the economy or leave it, no skin off our backs".  We are reasonable and educated people, so, if presented with some explanation we would have accepted the downgrade albeit with some disappointment.  

Did they refund you your points at least?

No, not yet.

What is your status in QF program?

Had a similar thing a while back on domestic service DRW - BNE, was told the upgrade should never have been processed as seats weren't available, not much I could do. Worst thing was my exit row seat I had was gone also as I had been allocated 1C when my upgrade came through, enjoyed the 4 hour trip in row 22. As you say the worst thing is the staff who have that " take it or walk" attitude.

That is very unusual but I do think your status would have played a role here. I reckon that maybe some senior executive in Qantas or some VIP Chairman's Lounge member needed a seat at short notice and so they looked at who had been upgraded from economy and bumped them back down again. If there were others upgraded who were for example Platinum then I reckon they would have kept their business class seat. I agree that the Qantas staff should have made more of an effort to explain things although if my scenario above is true then I can understand why they would not have wanted to 'share' this info!

Not good and should of been explained.

I am not surprised at all after a recent forced downgrade when we had paid for business PER-JFK for myself and my wife. Furthermore we we gold going on to platinum (now), so I do not think that status gets you what you want. Qantas are very arrogant now. There was no compensation.