Any luck with upgrading a Qantas international sales fare

Going to Osaka later this month on a sales fare. As you are probably aware, international Qantas tickets bought under the sales fare category are ineligible for upgrades. I was wondering if anyone has had any luck upgrading their sales fare at the counter or lounges using their points? Only currently a silver at the moment.

Chances are very low to zero.

Sort of.

On rare occasions, Qantas runs promotions which allow upgrades from international sale fares (I was lucky enough to score one on a flight from Singapore to Brisbane a few years back), but I haven't seen a similar promotion in quite some time.

There is zero chance of applying for a points upgrade at the lounge internationally. Your best bet is to upgrade to an eligible fare bucket, and apply for the upgrade that way, but with the usual caveat that you aren't guaranteed the upgrade.

They tend not do points upgrades at the lounge as they are often too busy. The number of points for such an upgrade would be horrendous. Upgrades are aimed at the flexible fare group and even from the standard discount fare is huge points ask usually more than double the flexible asking rate. Pay the $300 or so extra for a flexible fare from the discount fare is far more sensible.

I didn't think it was possible to upgrade at an international lounge using points?