Qantas Begins Rollout of Points+Cash Upgrade Bidding System

New bidding system allows Qantas Frequent Flyer members to bid on upgraded seats with combination of cash and points prior to flying

Qantas Frequent Flyer members will soon have a new option to upgrade their flying experience. Business Traveller reports the Australian airline is launching a new upgrade bidding system, allowing flyers to bid on business class seats with a combination of available frequent flyer points and cash.

Called “Bid Now Upgrades,” the new system will open one week before a flyer’s scheduled departure. The program will be available to those booked in either economy or premium economy classes. To bid, a traveler needs to submit a minimum bid with both cash and points. While the minimum cash amount will vary, the beginning points bid will start at 3,000 points for domestic flights and 5,000 points for international flights. According to the airline, the upgrade bids will be awarded once all Classic Upgrade Rewards (starting at 5,000 points) are honored. Bids can be increased or decreased up to 24 hours before departure.

“[Bid Now Upgrades are] designed for Frequent Flyers who don’t have a balance high enough to request an upgrade using points alone,” Lesley Grant, CEO of Qantas loalty, told Business Traveller in a statement. “For a member who doesn’t have enough points to submit an upgrade request for their whole family, Bid Now Upgrades offers an alternative chance to travel at the front of the plane with their spouse and children using a combination of money and points.”

According to Business Traveller, the new program will be rolled out on all flights starting this week. The airline did not announce when complete availability across the network could be expected.

[Photo: Qantas]