10 Tips for Getting and Airline Upgrade
Qantas is making scoring an airline upgrade easier for its Frequent Flyer passengers.
In the past, passengers have fibbed, flirted and even ditched their travel companies in a bid to score elusive yet much longed-for airline upgrade.
But now the chances of scoring a seat upgrade are better – at least for the 8.6 million Qantas frequent flyer members out there.
The airline has launched enhancements to its upgrade process it says will make things “smoother” and easier for passengers to use their frequent flyer points to score an upgraded seat.
Upgrades for international flights will now be processed right up to the gate under the new system, instead of being stopped several hours beforehand. Passengers flying on domestic routes who were unable to secure an upgrade will be given the option of registering for an SMS notification if a seat becomes available.
It will also allow partial upgrades. Previously, passengers could only request an upgrade for the entire flight, whereas now they can opt for an upgrade on just one of the flight sectors.
It’s a good move for the airline, which will be able to fill any empty seats. It’s also good news for passengers who were frustrated to be declined an upgrade, only to see there’s plenty of room for them once on board.
“We made the decision to invest in the technology following feedback from our members, who told us it is a source of frustration when their upgrade request is denied only to find there are empty seats on the aircraft when they boarded due to booked passengers not showing or missing connections,” chief executive of Qantas Loyalty Lesley Grant said.
“We completely agreed and have engaged a new system that enables us to reallocate seats right up until the final boarding call, to ensure we can surprise and delight members rather than disappoint."
It is currently only available for solo travellers.
Top 10 tips on getting an upgrade:
In the past, passengers have fibbed, flirted and even ditched their travel companies in a bid to score elusive yet much longed-for airline upgrade.
But now the chances of scoring a seat upgrade are better – at least for the 8.6 million Qantas frequent flyer members out there.
The airline has launched enhancements to its upgrade process it says will make things “smoother” and easier for passengers to use their frequent flyer points to score an upgraded seat.
Upgrades for international flights will now be processed right up to the gate under the new system, instead of being stopped several hours beforehand. Passengers flying on domestic routes who were unable to secure an upgrade will be given the option of registering for an SMS notification if a seat becomes available.
It will also allow partial upgrades. Previously, passengers could only request an upgrade for the entire flight, whereas now they can opt for an upgrade on just one of the flight sectors.
It’s a good move for the airline, which will be able to fill any empty seats. It’s also good news for passengers who were frustrated to be declined an upgrade, only to see there’s plenty of room for them once on board.
“We made the decision to invest in the technology following feedback from our members, who told us it is a source of frustration when their upgrade request is denied only to find there are empty seats on the aircraft when they boarded due to booked passengers not showing or missing connections,” chief executive of Qantas Loyalty Lesley Grant said.
“We completely agreed and have engaged a new system that enables us to reallocate seats right up until the final boarding call, to ensure we can surprise and delight members rather than disappoint."
It is currently only available for solo travellers.
Top 10 tips on getting an upgrade:
- Look the part
- Travel on busy days
- Never, ever, ask for an upgrade
- Flirt your way to a better seat
- Travel solo
- Join a frequent flyer program
- Don’t be an early bird
- Volunteer to be bumped from your flight
- Love a late connecting flight
- Try a white lie
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