Qantas launches 'Bid Now Upgrade' auction for J upgrades
Feb 9, 2015, 7:15 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 1,841
Qantas launches 'Bid Now Upgrade' auction for J upgrades
Qantas will this week launch begin points+pay auctions for business class upgrades on selected domestic and international flights.
More at http://www.ausbt.com.au/qantas-onlin...-class-upgrade
[NB: I'm the author of the article linked above]
- Minimum 3,000 points bid on domestic and 5,000 points on international
- Each bid also needs a cash component, min and max varies but can range from a few hundred dollars to over $1000
- Offer to bid will be invitation-only, skewed towards those who've purchased higher Y fares (eg Flexi/Saver rather than Sale)
- Qantas says Classic Upgrade Rewards will always take priority over Bid Now Upgrades, but could reduce the number of On Departure Upgrade Awards
More at http://www.ausbt.com.au/qantas-onlin...-class-upgrade
[NB: I'm the author of the article linked above]
Feb 9, 2015, 1:16 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP/LTG | UA P
Posts: 13,530
"A poorer use of points than a Classic upgrade"
http://m.smh.com.au/business/aviatio...09-139ibg.html
This sounds like another crap enhancement
http://m.smh.com.au/business/aviatio...09-139ibg.html
This sounds like another crap enhancement
Feb 9, 2015, 2:06 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,991
Over on AFF, Red Roo has posted regarding this.
It seems it's aimed at those with not enough points for an award or upgrade outright.
As upgrades go, they apparently have the lowest priority.
It seems it's aimed at those with not enough points for an award or upgrade outright.
As upgrades go, they apparently have the lowest priority.
Feb 9, 2015, 2:40 pm
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,572
"A poorer use of points than a Classic upgrade"
http://m.smh.com.au/business/aviatio...09-139ibg.html
This sounds like another crap enhancement
http://m.smh.com.au/business/aviatio...09-139ibg.html
This sounds like another crap enhancement
Feb 9, 2015, 3:40 pm
#6
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Wellington
Programs: QFWP (LTSG), NZ (Jade), TG ROP (Forgotten), OZ (Silver), AA (Cardboard), EK (Lowest of the Low)
Posts: 4,669
Anyway many airlines have introduced something similar, NZ is the local example, and some people have reported luck with getting cheap upgrades.
Feb 9, 2015, 3:51 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Programs: QF Platinum (LTS), VA nothing, DL Skymiles
Posts: 178
Air NZ have a similar system where I think the minimum bid is NZ$100? Please correct me if I'm incorrect. The QF system seems to be slightly different where you need to bid 5,000 points for an international upgrade as well as dollars - wonder what the minimum dollar amount is? Anyone know?
Feb 9, 2015, 4:16 pm
#8
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Cairns, Australia
Posts: 924
An email about this hit my inbox this morning. Apparently no mention of on departure upgrades (ODUs), which presumably will be adversely affected.
Thus may be useful "enhancement" for some, but maybe not necessarily good for those with higher status and plenty of points...thus yet another effective lessening of WP benefit set.
Love the way QF fails to qualify where those ODUs will fit in the scheme of things...ignore the bad news and hope the ever faithful will be blind to the downside...
Thus may be useful "enhancement" for some, but maybe not necessarily good for those with higher status and plenty of points...thus yet another effective lessening of WP benefit set.
Love the way QF fails to qualify where those ODUs will fit in the scheme of things...ignore the bad news and hope the ever faithful will be blind to the downside...
Feb 9, 2015, 5:26 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: QF Gold LTG (ow Saph), HHon Silver, Marriot Gold
Posts: 2,927
Not sure about the "poorer use"
IF a Disc Y - J Classic/ODU is 10,000 points,
but you can put in a bid for 3,000 pts (and $0) (I think)
Well the Bid Now system is better value if it gets hit
IF a Disc Y - J Classic/ODU is 10,000 points,
but you can put in a bid for 3,000 pts (and $0) (I think)
Well the Bid Now system is better value if it gets hit
Feb 9, 2015, 5:27 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 223
I've wondered when they were going to do this as it seems to have been a great success for Air NZ. Many of my colleagues bid and are successful on upgrading this way but as I've put my loyalty towards OW I've never had the chance. Cant be a bad thing for the majority of people.
I wonder will the system tell you whether your bid is realistic or not? Allowing you to bid a bit higher if you've obviously got too low a bid?
I wonder will the system tell you whether your bid is realistic or not? Allowing you to bid a bit higher if you've obviously got too low a bid?
Feb 9, 2015, 5:47 pm
#12
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,572
I've wondered when they were going to do this as it seems to have been a great success for Air NZ. Many of my colleagues bid and are successful on upgrading this way but as I've put my loyalty towards OW I've never had the chance. Cant be a bad thing for the majority of people.
I wonder will the system tell you whether your bid is realistic or not? Allowing you to bid a bit higher if you've obviously got too low a bid?
I wonder will the system tell you whether your bid is realistic or not? Allowing you to bid a bit higher if you've obviously got too low a bid?
Feb 9, 2015, 6:44 pm
#13
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,795
Feb 10, 2015, 3:56 am
#14
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: Qantas WP, LTG , Delta, SPG, Priority Club
Posts: 303
Qantas launches 'Bid Now Upgrade' auction for J upgrades
Based on the screenshot I saw, there is a dial showing strength of the bid. I flew Virgin from MCY to SYD yesterday and received an email offering for me to bid cash for an upgrade. However the minimum bid was $219 - no thanks!
Feb 10, 2015, 5:59 pm
#15
Join Date: May 2005
Location: SJC
Programs: NZ*G, QF NB, UA 1K, AA ExecPlat, IHG PlatAmb, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, ZE1 PC
Posts: 2,636
I've wondered when they were going to do this as it seems to have been a great success for Air NZ. Many of my colleagues bid and are successful on upgrading this way but as I've put my loyalty towards OW I've never had the chance. Cant be a bad thing for the majority of people.
I'm disappointed to see it spreading to QFF, but not really surprised.