For years, frequent flyer points have been the travel world’s equivalent of hidden treasure. Collected patiently through flights, credit cards, shopping programs and everyday spending, they sit quietly in accounts waiting for the right moment to deliver something special.
Now, new research suggests many Australians are finally cashing in.
A survey conducted by Money.com.au has revealed that four in ten Australians (40%) who requested a seat upgrade on their most recent international flight using frequent flyer points were successful, securing a coveted move into Premium Economy or Business Class.
That figure may surprise travellers who have long assumed upgrades are reserved for airline elites, celebrities or passengers with seemingly supernatural luck.
Yet while the odds are better than many might expect, the reality remains that upgrades are far from guaranteed. Six in ten travellers who applied for an upgrade missed out, despite having enough points to qualify.
In other words, having the points is only the beginning of the journey.
According to Money.com.au Head of Insights Sean Callery, the process is far more complex than simply accumulating a healthy balance.
“Premium frequent flyer members are often first in line for upgrades because airlines reward loyalty. They release a limited number of upgrade seats on each flight, and factors like your fare class, the popularity of the route, the availability of premium cabin seats and when you lodge the request can all influence the outcome of an upgrade request,” he says.
“How you apply for an upgrade can also influence your chances. Airlines often prioritise direct points upgrades ahead of upgrade bids, although each airline has its own process.”
The findings offer a fascinating glimpse into how Australia’s travel loyalty programs are shaping passenger behaviour at a time when international travel demand remains exceptionally strong.
Millennials Leading the Upgrade Charge
If there is one generation playing the points game particularly well, it is Millennials.
The research found that 46% of Millennials successfully upgraded their most recent international flight using points, making them the most successful generation surveyed.
Baby Boomers followed at 39%, while Gen Z recorded a 36% success rate. Gen X travellers trailed the field at 33%.
The results suggest younger travellers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their use of loyalty programs and rewards strategies.
As Callery explains:
“Millennials were also the most likely generation to request an upgrade, so it’s no surprise they’re also the most likely to get one. The old saying applies here you’ve got to be in it to win it.”
It’s a reminder that many upgrades never happen simply because travellers fail to ask.
Qantas Dominates the Upgrade Landscape
When it comes to successful upgrades, one airline loyalty program stands head and shoulders above the rest.
Among travellers who secured a Premium Economy or Business Class upgrade, 58% used Qantas Frequent Flyer points.
Virgin Australia Velocity members accounted for 28% of successful upgrades, while the remaining 14% came through other airline loyalty schemes and travel rewards programs.
The figures reinforce the enormous reach and influence of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program, which remains one of Australia’s largest loyalty ecosystems.
For travellers dreaming of stretching out in a lie-flat Business Class seat on the way to Europe, Asia or North America, points remain one of the most attainable pathways.
Why Some Upgrades Never Happen
Unfortunately, airline upgrades remain a numbers game.
Callery cautions travellers against believing there is a guaranteed formula.
“But ultimately, there’s no secret sauce to success. Two travellers with the same points balance or frequent flyer status can have very different outcomes. If there’s only one seat available and multiple passengers requesting it, someone is going to miss out.”
He adds another often-overlooked reality.
“It’s worth keeping in mind that not all fares are eligible for upgrades. Discount Economy fares, particularly those purchased during airline sales, are often excluded from upgrade programs altogether.”
That detail catches many travellers by surprise after securing a bargain airfare and then discovering their ticket is effectively locked out of upgrade opportunities.
Five Ways to Improve Your Chances
Money.com.au believes travellers can still improve their odds by following several practical strategies.
Maintaining frequent-flyer status remains the most powerful advantage. Airlines reward loyalty, and higher-tier members are routinely prioritised.
Submitting upgrade requests early can also help, particularly when premium cabins are not heavily booked.
Timing matters too. Travelling during quieter periods, avoiding peak holiday seasons and selecting less popular routes may increase availability.
Travellers should also consider upgrade bidding programs offered by airlines, including Qantas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar.
Most importantly, travellers need to actually use their points.
Research by Money.com.au found that 73% of Australians have never requested a flight upgrade using their travel points.
That’s a staggering figure, considering millions of Australians continue to accumulate points year after year without ever testing their upgrade potential.
The Bottom Line
For many travellers, Business Class remains one of aviation’s most desirable luxuries. Champagne before take-off, lounge access, priority boarding and the possibility of arriving refreshed rather than exhausted continue to hold powerful appeal.
The latest data suggests that the dream may be more achievable than many Australians realise.
A 40% success rate won’t guarantee a seat at the pointy end of the aircraft, but it certainly makes the odds look far more attractive than a lucky dip.
In the world of frequent flyer programs, sometimes the biggest mistake isn’t being rejected.
It’s never asking in the first place.
By: Anne Keam – © 2026.
Read Time: 4 Minutes.
About the Author.
Anne Keam’s story begins in Queensland, on a grain farm in the state’s wide western reaches, where the days were long and the lessons simple: work hard, look after your own, and don’t make a fuss. Those early years left their mark.
She later studied Arts at the University of Queensland, before doing what felt natural at the time, heading back home to the family property. But the world was calling. Anne packed a backpack and went looking, spending years on the road and finding herself most alive in South America. She wrote everything down along the way. Those notebooks, full of dust, colour, and curiosity, eventually became her blog, a quiet, personal record of seeing the world and learning from it.
