Qantas Considers Auctioning Off Seat Upgrades

Qantas passengers may soon be able to bid on seat upgrades that would allow them to hop from economy to business or first class.

In looking for new ways to engage travelers, Qantas has devised a plan to auction off seating upgrades. With the help of focus groups, the Australian flag carrier has created a model that allows flyers to combine cash and frequent flyer points for a chance to bid on the best seat.

Qantas reportedly plans to make the program available on domestic and international flights, although the primary target is believed to be premium cabins on overseas flights.

According to Peter Keene, a Sydney resident who participated in Qantas’ research sessions, travelers would be sent an email from Qantas a week before their flight and given the opportunity to bid on an upgrade.

The upgrades will be available throughout the plane, wherever spare seating is available, and to all passengers, meaning even those who booked an economy seat would be able to take bid on the best seats. Passengers seeking upgrades with frequent flyer points would still have first pick of available seating, but any remaining seats would be auctioned off to fellow flyers.

No date for implementation of the auction program has been announced. When asked for further information, a Qantas representative told the Australian Business Traveller: “We’re always looking at new ways to reward our customers but we don’t comment on speculation.”

Similar upgrade auction programs are already being used by Virgin Australia, Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, Etihad Airways and a number of other airlines.

[Photo: Qantas]