How to Use Qantas Points for Upgrades: A Complete Guide to Classic Upgrade Rewards

Upgrading your flight with points is one of the most satisfying ways to use your Qantas Frequent Flyer balance. Instead of spending points on a full award ticket, you can request an upgrade from a paid economy or premium economy fare to a higher cabin, enjoying more space, better dining, and lounge access without the full points outlay. This guide covers everything you need to know about Qantas Classic Upgrade Rewards, including eligibility, how to request, what affects your chances, and how to improve them even without elite status.


What Are Qantas Classic Upgrade Rewards?

Classic Upgrade Rewards allow Qantas Frequent Flyer members to use Qantas Points to move from a lower cabin to a higher one on eligible Qantas-operated flights. Unlike buying a business class ticket outright with points, an upgrade is a request—it is not confirmed until closer to departure, and availability depends on many factors. The number of points required is fixed based on your route and original fare class, as shown in the Qantas Upgrade Reward Points tables.

Upgrades are possible on most Qantas domestic and international flights with a QF flight number, including some codeshare services operated by partner airlines but marketed by Qantas. You cannot use Qantas Points to upgrade on flights operated solely by partner airlines like Emirates or American Airlines (though other programs may allow this).

Eligibility: Who Can Request an Upgrade?

Not every ticket is eligible for a Classic Upgrade Reward. Here are the key requirements:

• Qantas Frequent Flyer membership: You must be a member and have sufficient points in your account. Family transfers are allowed, so you can pool points from family members if needed.
• Eligible fare types: Upgrades are only available on paid Qantas fares (not award tickets or staff travel). The fare must be booked in an eligible booking class. Generally, the more flexible and expensive your fare, the better your upgrade priority. The following fare types are eligible:
  • Domestic: Red e-Deal, Flex, and Premium Economy (where available). Sale fares (e.g., some Red e-Deal subclasses) may not be eligible.
  • International: Sale, Saver, Flex, and Premium Economy. Deep discount sale fares (e.g., some international Sale classes) are often excluded.
• Flight number: The flight must have a QF flight number and be operated by Qantas. Codeshare flights with a QF number operated by another airline (e.g., QF-coded Emirates flight) are sometimes eligible, but check the specific flight.
• Cabin: You can upgrade from Economy to Premium Economy or Business, from Premium Economy to Business, or from Business to First (on A380 aircraft). You cannot skip cabins (e.g., Economy to First directly).
• Points: You need the full points amount at the time of request. If your upgrade is confirmed, points are deducted immediately.

Always check your fare conditions before booking. If upgrade eligibility is a priority, consider booking a Flex fare, which often has higher priority and fewer restrictions.

Types of Upgrade Rewards and Points Required

Qantas uses a zone-based chart for upgrade costs. The points required depend on the route, the cabin you are upgrading from, and the cabin you are upgrading to. Below is a simplified table for popular routes (one-way, per person):

Points values are indicative as of 2025 and may vary slightly. Always check the Qantas website for the latest chart.

Note that taxes and carrier charges are not additional when upgrading; you only pay the points. If your upgrade is not successful, points are refunded.

How to Request an Upgrade

You can request an upgrade at the time of booking or any time before departure, as long as the request window is open. The request window varies by status level:

• Platinum One and Chairman’s Lounge: From the time of booking.
• Platinum: From the time of booking.
• Gold: From the time of booking.
• Silver: From 7 days before departure.
• Bronze: From 24 hours before departure.

To request, log in to your Qantas Frequent Flyer account, go to “My Bookings,” select the eligible flight, and choose “Upgrade Request.” You can also request during the booking process on qantas.com. If you are a Bronze member, you will only see the upgrade option within 24 hours of departure if availability exists.

You can request an upgrade for multiple passengers in the same booking, but each must have their own points balance or be part of a family transfer arrangement. Points are deducted from each member’s account if confirmed.

Upgrade Priority and Success Factors

Upgrades are not first-come, first-served. Qantas uses a priority system to rank upgrade requests when more requests exist than seats. The official priority order is:

1. Qantas Frequent Flyer status: Platinum One and Chairman’s Lounge members have top priority, followed by Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Within the same status tier, higher status levels (e.g., Platinum vs. Gold) get priority.
2. Fare class: Within the same status tier, passengers on higher fare classes (e.g., Flex vs. Sale) have priority. A Bronze member on a Flex fare may have lower priority than a Gold on a Sale fare, but exact weighting is not public.
3. Time of request: If status and fare class are equal, the time of request may be used as a tiebreaker.

This means that even without elite status, you can improve your chances by booking a higher fare class. However, on popular routes with many elite members, upgrades for Bronze members are rare. For the best shot, aim for off-peak travel times, midweek flights, or routes with multiple daily frequencies.

Tips to Maximize Your Upgrade Chances

While there is no guaranteed way to secure an upgrade, these strategies can help:

• Book Flex fares: They are more expensive but often have higher upgrade priority and fewer restrictions. If upgrade is a must, the extra cost may be worth it.
• Travel during off-peak periods: School holidays, weekends, and peak business travel times see more elite members competing for upgrades. Choose Tuesday or Wednesday flights, or less popular departure times.
• Check upgrade availability before booking: Some tools and forums (e.g., ExpertFlyer) allow you to see upgrade seat availability (often labeled “U” class for business upgrades). If there are zero U seats, your chances are slim.
• Be flexible with routing: Instead of a direct Sydney–London flight, consider routing via a less busy hub like Perth or taking a Qantas flight to Asia and connecting on a partner (though upgrades on partners are not allowed with Qantas Points).
• Pool points with family: Use Qantas Family Transfers to consolidate points into one member’s account, allowing a single upgrade request for multiple travelers.
• Request early (if status allows): Platinum and Gold members should request as soon as possible to get ahead of others in their tier. Bronze members can only request at T-24, so focus on last-minute availability.
• Consider bid upgrades: Qantas also offers “Bid Now Upgrades” on some flights, where you can pay cash (not points) to bid for an upgrade. This is separate from Classic Upgrade Rewards and may have different availability.

What Happens After You Request?

After submitting your upgrade request, you can view its status in “My Bookings.” The status will show as “Requested” until it is either confirmed or declined. Qantas typically processes upgrades at different times based on status:

• Platinum One and Chairman’s Lounge: Up to 7 days before departure.
• Platinum: Up to 3 days before departure.
• Gold: Up to 24 hours before departure.
• Silver: At the airport on the day of departure (often at check-in or at the gate).
• Bronze: At the airport on the day of departure.

If your upgrade is confirmed, you will receive an email and your booking will be updated. Points are deducted immediately. If not confirmed, your points remain untouched, and you travel in your original cabin. You cannot cancel an upgrade request once submitted, but you can call Qantas to remove it if needed.

Upgrading on Partner Airlines

As of 2025, Qantas Points cannot be used for upgrades on partner-operated flights, even if booked with a QF code. For example, you cannot upgrade a Qantas-issued ticket on an Emirates-operated flight. However, some partner airlines allow you to use their own miles to upgrade on Qantas flights. If you have status with another Oneworld airline, you may be able to use that program’s miles for Qantas upgrades, but rules vary.

For travel on American Airlines, British Airways, or other partners, you would need to use that airline’s own upgrade instruments. Qantas Points are strictly for Qantas-operated flights with a QF flight number.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Assuming all fares are eligible: Always check the fare rules before booking. Sale fares, especially on international routes, may be ineligible.
• Not having enough points: Points must be in your account at the time of request. If you transfer points from credit cards or partners, ensure they post before the upgrade window closes.
• Ignoring married segment logic: If your itinerary has multiple segments, an upgrade may only clear if all segments have availability. Requesting an upgrade on a single segment might be declined if the system expects you to travel in the same cabin throughout.
• Relying on upgrades for special occasions: Upgrades are never guaranteed. If you must travel in business class for a honeymoon or important meeting, it is safer to book a business class award ticket directly.

FAQ

Can I use Qantas Points to upgrade a flight booked with cash?

Yes, that is exactly how Classic Upgrade Rewards work. You must have a paid eligible fare and request an upgrade using points.

Do I earn status credits and points on the upgraded fare?

You earn status credits and Qantas Points based on the original fare class you booked, not the upgraded cabin. So if you booked a Flex economy ticket and upgraded to business, you earn Flex economy credits.

Can I upgrade multiple passengers in one booking?

Yes, as long as each passenger has enough points in their own account or you use family transfers. Points are deducted from each individual’s account.

What if my upgrade is not confirmed?

If your upgrade is not confirmed, you fly in your original cabin and your points are not deducted. You can try to request again on a later flight if you change your booking, but this may involve fees.

Can I upgrade a Classic Flight Reward ticket?

No. Upgrades are only available on commercial paid fares, not on tickets booked with points (Classic Flight Rewards or Points Plus Pay).

How far in advance can I request an upgrade?

It depends on your status: Platinum One, Platinum, and Gold can request from time of booking; Silver from 7 days before departure; Bronze from 24 hours before departure.

Are there any fees to request an upgrade?

There is no fee to request a Classic Upgrade Reward. You only pay the required points if confirmed.

References

1. Qantas Frequent Flyer Upgrade Rewards page: https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/use-points/flight-upgrades.html (accessed 2025)
2. Qantas Upgrade Reward Points table: https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/use-points/flight-upgrades/upgrade-tables.html (accessed 2025)
3. Executive Traveller: “How to upgrade on Qantas using points” https://www.executivetraveller.com/how-to-upgrade-on-qantas-using-points (2024)
4. Point Hacks: “The ultimate guide to Qantas upgrade rewards” https://www.pointhacks.com.au/qantas/upgrade-rewards-guide/ (2025)
5. Australian Frequent Flyer: “Qantas Upgrade Success Rates” https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/qantas-upgrade-success-rates/ (2025)