10 Tips on Getting an Airline Upgrade
Qantas makes scoring an airline upgrade easier for passengers
A passengers in the first class suite on a Qantas A380. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied
But now the chances of scoring a seat upgrade are about to get even 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.
See below for top 10 tips on scoring an upgrade
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 passenger annoyed 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 “no-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.
The move followed a trial in May.
Top 10 tips on getting an upgrade:
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A passengers in the first class suite on a Qantas A380. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied
- Qantas announces enhancements to its upgrade process
- Says it will make it easier for passengers to be upgraded
But now the chances of scoring a seat upgrade are about to get even 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.
See below for top 10 tips on scoring an upgrade
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 passenger annoyed 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 “no-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.
The move followed a trial in May.
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
Back to Travel Tips
Find out where the BEST HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS are?
Compare prices across lots of sites for flights and accommodation
