Qantas touting for cash upgrades at gate?

[LondonAussie]

And do you get the additional status credits or just the ones for your original fare class?

Has this been confirmed?

BA’s cash airport upgrades used to earn QF SC’s at the upgraded cabin, was a great earner for many years, until a random unannounced change last year. Now only earn at the original cabin.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Had the same sign out at HND this week, we did get a points upgrade for 3, plus a couple other pax by the looks…there were 5 j seats empty in Expert Flyer the night before the flight, .but the J cabin was full when we boarded

Empty seats in the Expert Flyer seat map may just be unallocated.
You need to do a flight availability search to identify any remaining bookable places.

 

[exLXCXFF]

Not at the gate, but very prominently just now in the App (via notification), 1 hour ahead of boarding.

 

[transpactraveller]

Not at the gate, but very prominently just now in the App (via notification), 1 hour ahead of boarding.

Did it show a price?

 

[exLXCXFF]

Did it show a price?

12,500 Qantas Points - no cash fare shown.

 

[sudoer]

Not at the gate, but very prominently just now in the App (via notification), 1 hour ahead of boarding.

12.5k is the usual classic upgrade cost for discount Y to J on domestic routes under 600 miles. This feels more like digitising the existing On Departure Upgrades benefit (previously available from service desks and the old check-in kiosks) than a new initiative. Assume you are at least Gold, QC or PC+?

 

[opusman]

Like all things Qantas, $2500 seems way overpriced considering you don't get lounge access, priority luggage, maybe not even the J SCs? Neil Perry's food is not THAT exciting.

 

[exLXCXFF]

12.5k is the usual classic upgrade cost for discount Y to J on domestic routes under 600 miles. This feels more like digitising the existing On Departure Upgrades benefit (previously available from service desks and the old check-in kiosks) than a new initiative. Assume you are at least Gold, QC or PC+?

Gold, yes.

 

[encryptededdy]

I've seen this quite a few times at check-in in Japan, especially for ANA (sign saying you can upgrade to Business on NHxx_ for however much JPY).

 

[dairyfloss]

Also spotted the signs at ZQN when heading home to SYD, last week.

 

[Rayesfeg]

Also spotted the signs at ZQN when heading home to SYD, last week.

Did the sign indicate a cost or just indicate to approach staff?

 

[dairyfloss]

Did the sign indicate a cost or just indicate to approach staff?

Same ‘ask us’ signs as shown above. I can’t ever see them publishing a general price for these types of upgrades.

 

[sudoer]

Sign was up at SYD F check-in when Mrs sudoer was dropping her bag for a recent work trip.

Asked about the cost and was told it 'wasn't applicable to her flight.'

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

They wont put a price, as it probably varies from flight to flight, depending on the demand, and what seats in the premium cabin that is empty and can be "bought" for.
This put a spanner in the works for high status members tho, if they are now putting money ahead of high status members/
===
Better to use P+P to get that premium seat before all else, for my trips now.
At least then 99.9% I know that J seat will be mine to keep.

 

[Flyfrequently]

At SATS premier check in Singapore last Tuesday


Didn't enquire

 

[elanshin]

They wont put a price, as it probably varies from flight to flight, depending on the demand, and what seats in the premium cabin that is empty and can be "bought" for.
This put a spanner in the works for high status members tho, if they are now putting money ahead of high status members/
===
Better to use P+P to get that premium seat before all else, for my trips now.
At least then 99.9% I know that J seat will be mine to keep.

I doubt it'll trump high status CR upgrades. Those generally come through at T-60 or T24 for relatively empty and if its relatively full then the $$$$ cost for those last seats will be quite high.

Even then there can still be last minute gate upgrades for various reasons. (I got one from SIN - MEL after an unsuccessful sms, likely the last J seat).

 

[SeatBackForward]

At SATS premier check in Singapore last Tuesday
View attachment 518386

Didn't enquire

Saw the same at WLG Check-In last month.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

OffT: in the end, tho, there is always the cheaper comfort seat booking with QF, have to phone up, but if you are not in the lounge access side, or already have that via LT status, phoning up and buying a comfort seat booking is cheaper, and at the least you know you have the seat next to you as empty, or take a chance with the NFseating system (neighbour free), ... both these you know the cost before hand. OnT.
Buying that upgrade at the counter, you dont know how much it will cost.