Qantas launches online auction for business class upgrades with 'Bid Now Upgrades'

[Quickstatus]

Re: QF Introduces Upgrade Bidding

I think the "invitations" potential can be enhanced by buying fares which are more expensive than Rededeals or Sales, and status

 

[drivatruk]

Re: Qantas launches online auction for business class upgrades with 'Bid Now Upgr...

Fewer ODUs for Status pax :evil:

With the lack of interest being displayed here i don't think many pax will purchase the upgrade so UDUs etc shouldn't change a lot....

 

[wandering_fred]

Re: Qantas launches online auction for business class upgrades with 'Bid Now Upgr...

Couple of issues that the proposed reporting of invitation bidding and success will need to resolve before the "enhancement" is considered normal for QF or whether it is of potential benefit (though not cost free) to the flyer.

1. ODUs will still be domestic only I suspect, so invitation for bid will be more of interest (and less potential damage) on international itineraries.
2. The SC earn improvement (if any) could be a incentive to attempt an invitation response.
3. The difference in points requirements versus the upgrade awards needs to have a reasonable value when looking at the required $$ contribution.

But nevertheless, for QF, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

So bring the new reporting thread on. One (separately) already exists for MH and UL.

Happy wandering

Fred

 

[maninblack]

Re: QF Introduces Upgrade Bidding

They should run each seat they auction like an ebay auction with a defined starting and closing time and an instant result and let people bid against each other in real time. It would be addictive and much more fun, like online gaming. The concept they are proposing now is dull and tedious. Not much spark out at Mascot these days is there.

 

[whatmeworry]

Re: QF Introduces Upgrade Bidding

Perhaps people will overbid and cancel their bid 24 ours prior...

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Re: QF Introduces Upgrade Bidding

I think we need to appreciate that QFF is most probably against these type of enhancements and they're being introduced by online sales/ancillary revenue to add new cash to underperforming areas of the business.

QFF probably has very little say when the numbers paint a picture that overall it will benefit the group from a cash position.

Personally I would have positioned it slightly differently that would allow for extra revenue and make plat++ feel good about their membership/loyalty in the process.

 

[boomy]

Re: QF Introduces Upgrade Bidding

There seems to be a few recurring questions around the impact of Bid Now Upgrades on Classic Upgrade Rewards (note the new name . Bid Now Upgrade requests will be processed and confirmed after requests for classic upgrades and classic upgrades are still your best value option with the highest priority. We'll continue to check for classic upgrade requests within 24 hours of departure. There will be no change to the the On Departure Upgrade product and it will still be subject to availabilityThe Bid Now Upgrade FAQs should help you to understand our new upgrade option.

Sounds better now, it was unclear how the upgrade priority is going to work.

That sounds somewhat promising to allay some concerns... Sorry though... for some reason I can't quite bring myself to "liking" the statement just yet...

Same here, I have a feeling this change won't benefit frequent flyers in any way. I would like to say it will even eliminate any chance of getting op-ups but it's so rare anyway that it will probably won't make much difference.
From a personal point of view I like to use my points sometimes for last minute domestic upgrades and this change will probably reduce my chances but it's no big deal, better keep the points for international upgrades anyway.

 

[boomy]

Re: QF Introduces Upgrade Bidding

then you need to choose an airline with private seats in business (CX/AA and the like) or fly first.

i agree sitting on a QF a380 or non-refurb a330, you'd yet a better experience without a seat mate.

Sometimes an interesting seat mate can be a positive thing, especially on day flights but obviously single seats are ideal. Looking forward to fly the refurbished A330.

 

[juddles]

Re: QF Introduces Upgrade Bidding

.....I have a feeling this change won't benefit frequent flyers in any way......

If Qantas can get some extra revenue by filling a few of the seats in a J cabin that is way underbooked on a given flight, that can only improve the Qantas cash situation, which in turn can enable them to spend more in other áreas that may indeed benefit frequent flyers.

 

[boomy]

Re: QF Introduces Upgrade Bidding

If Qantas can get some extra revenue by filling a few of the seats in a J cabin that is way underbooked on a given flight, that can only improve the Qantas cash situation, which in turn can enable them to spend more in other áreas that may indeed benefit frequent flyers.

True. But on the other hand, there was no reason to leave any empty J seats in the first place. I understand raising revenue is important but also maintaining loyalty. QF need to take better care of it's FFs in a very competitive market where they usually don't offer the cheapest fares. I know quite a few people who gave up on QF and switched to booking BFOD because they didn't feel their loyalty was properly rewarded.

 

[TomVexille]

Re: QF Introduces Upgrade Bidding

True. But on the other hand, there was no reason to leave any empty J seats in the first place. I understand raising revenue is important but also maintaining loyalty. QF need to take better care of it's FFs in a very competitive market where they usually don't offer the cheapest fares. I know quite a few people who gave up on QF and switched to booking BFOD because they didn't feel their loyalty was properly rewarded.

By upgrading status pax for free like UA and DL?

 

[clifford]

Re: QF Introduces Upgrade Bidding

By upgrading status pax for free like UA and DL?

That's a very strange comment. What do you mean, or are you being facetious?

I'm a lifetime Exec Plat with UA/CO, so I'd like to know...

 

[TomVexille]

Re: QF Introduces Upgrade Bidding

That's a very strange comment. What do you mean, or are you being facetious?

I'm a lifetime Exec Plat with UA/CO, so I'd like to know...

We all know it's not "free" as you have to have sat in the seat enough to earn the status. But I assume that you're well aware of UA's Complimentary Premier Upgrades.

Complimentary Upgrades for Premier Members | United Airlines

 

[boomy]

Re: QF Introduces Upgrade Bidding

By upgrading status pax for free like UA and DL?

Last minute upgrades is a good and relatively cheap way to maintain loyalty.
I believe AA/US and other airlines do it.

 

[docjames]

Re: QF Introduces Upgrade Bidding

Perhaps Red Roo could clarify if the flights will credit at the booked class earn (disc Y/Y/Y+) or the paid upgrade class (discount J).

"Classic" upgrades obviously the former as points only upgrades.

 

[TomVexille]

Re: QF Introduces Upgrade Bidding

Perhaps Red Roo could clarify if the flights will credit at the booked class earn (disc Y/Y/Y+) or the paid upgrade class (discount J).

"Classic" upgrades obviously the former as points only upgrades.

Booked class

[h=2]Question[/h]If my upgrade offer is accepted, which Qantas Points and Status Credits earn rate will apply?
[h=2]Answer[/h]Qantas Points and Status Credits will be earned at the rate of your original booking.

 

[wandering_fred]

Re: QF Introduces Upgrade Bidding

Given the clarification of SC earn, the $$ to be part of the bid upgrade will need to be very minor (at least for most AFF members).

There has been a statement with respect to upgrade awards taking preference over the new bidding upgrades. WHERE does the full award availability fit into the scheme of things. And even if stated that award seat availability is not going to be affected, given that these new awards will likely bring higher $$ levels to QF, how can QF convince the people who actually fly a lot that full seat awards are not / will not become like "hens' teeth".

Happy wandering

Fred

 

[puppysparkes]

Re: QF Introduces Upgrade Bidding

Is there scope for a thread to document successful / unsuccessful bids? I'm guessing members could screen cap their offers and post the results?

 

[JohnK]

Re: QF Introduces Upgrade Bidding

Expect QF to now resemble AA/UA/DL etc where every premium seat is full....

I would rather Qantas received something when they fill up business class seats rather than the shambles going on now where a small subset of a subset are getting op-ups from non-full cabins.

I get the impression from some posts in this thread that people with high points balances are not going to be targetted. So that would rule me out?

 

[yohy?!]

Re: Qantas launches online auction for business class upgrades with 'Bid Now Upgrades

Interesting, the pnr and surname link was up on the bid page but is now gone have to hope for an invitation I guess