Qantas upgrades to be for Gold or higher frequent flyers

11 replies

Chrisor

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 07 Apr 2013

Total posts 134

I heard it a week or so ago and then again yesterday but can't find a definite answer that Qantas is to introduce only upgrading Gold or higher frequent flyers. Would this be correct? It would then be not possible for silvers or bronze members to attain an upgrade if true.

dp

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 16 Jan 2015

Total posts 24

Priority is already given to status, so in effect that is the policy anyway. Doubt they need to make it an official one.....

Chris C.

Member since 24 Apr 2012

Total posts 1,116

I heard it a week or so ago and then again yesterday but can't find a definite answer that Qantas is to introduce only upgrading Gold or higher frequent flyers. Would this be correct? It would then be not possible for silvers or bronze members to attain an upgrade if true.

Hi Chrisor, where did you hear this? That's long been Virgin Australia's policy on long-haul international flights, but Qantas has always given priority for upgrades to higher-tier travellers.

Chrisor

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 07 Apr 2013

Total posts 134

I heard it a week or so ago and then again yesterday but can't find a definite answer that Qantas is to introduce only upgrading Gold or higher frequent flyers. Would this be correct? It would then be not possible for silvers or bronze members to attain an upgrade if true.

Hi Chrisor, where did you hear this? That's long been Virgin Australia's policy on long-haul international flights, but Qantas has always given priority for upgrades to higher-tier travellers.



Hi Chris, My sister told me, she is also a QF platinum and she had information from a friend inside Qantas that the upgrade policy is changing. From my understanding no upgrades will be given to anyone less than gold. Just looking for clarification on the information.



pecktorial

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 15 Mar 2018

Total posts 3

I've had two international upgrades approved over the last year. One when I was Bronze and one when I was Silver

Chrisor

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 07 Apr 2013

Total posts 134

I've had two international upgrades approved over the last year. One when I was Bronze and one when I was Silver

I had one once too when I was bronze, personally I hope it stays that way.

mviy

Member since 05 May 2016

Total posts 322

This would be a very poor change if introduced. I hope it doesn't happen. As dp said priority is already given to those with status.

CBR boy

Member since 12 Feb 2015

Total posts 61

Seems unlikely that they would effectively do themselves out of potential revenue. If there's no gold or platinum members interested, why not sell to silver or bronze?

hakkinen5

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 20 Aug 2014

Total posts 193

This would possibly decimate the brand value. Let's face it, most members are bronze or silver and the only 2 (useful) uses of points are upgrades or awards. If they take one away, I can see a lot of members taking their business elsewhere. I'm gold but if I couldn't use my points for upgrades if I dropped to silver (which is pretty much my main use of points) I'd shift more flying to Virgin.

Pappy

Member since 27 Jan 2017

Total posts 1

I heard it a week or so ago and then again yesterday but can't find a definite answer that Qantas is to introduce only upgrading Gold or higher frequent flyers. Would this be correct? It would then be not possible for silvers or bronze members to attain an upgrade if true.


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There's a priority list for upgrades.

It takes into account frequent flyer status, Qantas Club status (Chairmans Club) and longevity of membership amongst many other things such as travelling alone, QF staff travel etc.......

Passengers are upgraded by a particular order so that the airline can move passengers up front in order to backfill down the back. This also takes away the decision from the check-in counter. But we'll get to that bit in a minute.

You will find that upgrades do not always happen when a flight is half empty as there's no opportunity to backfill in economy and you're now just costing the airline money for no advantage for them. They'd rather an empty business Class or First Class seat than an empty economy seat.

The last point is that in 99% of cases, an upgrade is already locked in and allocated well before the flight. So there's absolutely no chance when people ask for an upgrade at the counter. It will actually work against you. There's an unofficial saying "if you need to ask, the answer is no".

Upgrades are available to ALL passengers as we all reside somewhere on the list. If there's no gold or silver passengers on a flight and upgrades are required, bronze passengers will be upgraded.

If there's no frequent flyer passengers on board for whatever reason, non FF passengers will be upgraded based on presentation and dress.


Last editedby Chris C. at Aug 31, 2018, 04:59 PM.

henri9

Member since 24 Apr 2018

Total posts 14

You will find that upgrades do not always happen when a flight is half empty as there's no opportunity to backfill in economy and you're now just costing the airline money for no advantage for them. They'd rather an empty business Class or First Class seat than an empty economy seat.



Interesting. Is there not an incentive for QF (or any airline) to take that opportunity to reduce their FF points liability balance at close-to-zero cost?

mviy

Member since 05 May 2016

Total posts 322

If upgrades become too easy then flyers won't buy revenue Business or First Class tickets expecting to get upgrades.

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