Jetstar BidCash Business Class upgrades

[Saab34]

7News ran a story on this tonight.
‘Bid Cash’ is coming for Y upgrades.

Looks like still perhaps a week or two away and yet to be repainted. Cabin looks now complete, looks like they still working underneath with parts off.

First look at the new international Jetstar cabin

Travellers will now be able to bid for an upgrade for the first time.

7news.com.au

 

[moa999]

Customers eligible for a BidCash upgrade will receive an email in the days leading up to their flight, pending the availability of business class seating. Bidding on flights to Ho Chi Minh, for example, starts at $180.

Interesting they highlight SGN in the example.
SYD-SGN 2/wk and MEL-SGN 3/wk currently.

And a link to the Jetstar website for the upgrades.

https://www.jetstar.com/au/en/flights/business-class-upgrades

Interestingly only available on fares booked on jetstar.com sites.. so presumably not Qantas or any other code shares.

Have a end of year SYD-ICN trip that's allowing A$210-800 bids in both directions using a pretty familiar Red to Green style slider

 

[Saab34]

They are moving to a higher density premium cabin which does carry some risk on the commercial side, certainly could be some opportunities to get hold of some cheap upgrades.

I was quite surprised they opted for such a high premium cabin, I’d expect a bit of trial and error on pricing/upgrades etc while the commercial teams try and work out how to maximise revenue over the older configuration.

 

[Rayesfeg]

Have a end of year SYD-ICN trip that's allowing A$210-800 bids in both directions using a pretty familiar Red to Green style slider

Out of curiously, would you mind sharing a screenshot of the upgrade bidding page?

 

[moa999]

Out of curiously, would you mind sharing a screenshot of the upgrade bidding page?

For SYD-ICN. Also have the return on same PNR (booked under recent return for free deal).

You need to move both sliders, lock in using the orange bid button, then another Review and Pay takes you to a screen to enter cc details (MC/ Visa only)

 

[Rayesfeg]

View attachment 500737


For SYD-ICN. Also have the return on same PNR (booked under recent return for free deal).

You need to move both sliders, lock in using the orange bid button, then another Review and Pay takes you to a screen to enter cc details (MC/ Visa only)

Thanks for that! Very clean looking page. I do find those sliders slightly annoying when I want to lock in a specific price - it can be niggly to get it to a round number.

If you don't mind me asking, have you put in a bid? If so, are you able to adjust your bid up or down after submitting your initial bid and is there any indication that you have been outbid by others?

 

[moa999]

Haven't t put in a bid, but assume one would be able to change bids and much like the QF/VA systems there might be some form of email notification.

Ill wait to see what comes of any points exchange ratio.

 

[dylarr]

Interesting they highlight SGN in the example.

I just checked a historical 'You have been selected to upgrade!' e-mail sent by JQ for SYD-SGN in 2019 and the offer was $239 back then. So if you were successful on the minimum bid for this route ($180) with the new 'BidCash' system it would represent great value. I wonder if you can also purchase a Business Max bundle if successful.

 

[Mattg]

Jetstar now offers the option to bid for an upgrade to Business Class, with a system called "BidCash". Jetstar says that upgrade bids will start from $180.

https://www.jetstar.com/au/en/flights/business-class-upgrades

Anyone tried this yet?

 

[dajop]

I put in a lowest bid for next Monday flight MEL to SIN. Just for the hell if it. My chances are between nil and zero. Business class was already full when I booked the flight.

 

[clifford]

I put in a lowest bid for next Monday flight MEL to SIN. Just for the hell if it. My chances are between nil and zero. Business class was already full when I booked the flight.

Surely, you don't fly JQ in Y for 7+ hours on a 787? Ah, no, just tesing the waters?

 

[henrus]

Does it come with QF international lounge access

 

[moa999]

Does it come with QF international lounge access

Prior paid upgrades haven't.. Its to Business not Business Max.

(Yes I know there was some irony in this give the QF lounge changes on 30 Jun, but Business Max will still get you in)

 

[Albert Hoffman]

Surely, you don't fly JQ in Y for 7+ hours on a 787? Ah, no, just tesing the waters?

These sorts of posts really bring the vibe of this forum down.
AFF is not ALFF. (Australian Luxury Frequent Flyer).

Plus of course there's this.

My plan is to buy a return for free flight, avoid purchasing seats and luggage, and snap up an upgrade for BBR (Bargain Bragging Rights).
Can I afford just buying business class outright?
Sure but I'm an Ozbargainer at heart!

 

[dajop]

Surely, you don't fly JQ in Y for 7+ hours on a 787? Ah, no, just tesing the waters?

7+ hours in Y, is 7+ hours in Y, whichever the carrier (perhaps JL 787 is the best option but they don't fly MEL-SIN). Done it before, will do it again, I survive.

I've said before JQ7 (MEL-SIN) is not for the faint hearted due to a high probability of delays or cancellation. But I have the advantage of flexibility - I don't need paid accommodation in either MEL or SIN. So no big deal if delayed, and don't really need to back in SIN on Monday night (other than a dental appointment on Tuesday which can be moved).

The timing suits and the QF economy isn't worth the $600 premium it is charging over Jetstar for the same timed flight - and forget award bookings. (noting 1 month of premium streaming which allows downloads is less than $20, and cafeteria quality meal $20? A few drinks $20.-30 if I really want to level the experience). Plus I have a bulkhead seat which has ample legroom.

 

[dajop]

My chances are between nil and zero. Business class was already full when I booked the flight.

3 seats opened up . I upped my bid slightly over the minimum. And as a result I will have some time to ponder the definition of "between nil and zero", whilst sitting in row 1 enjoying my lunch a few drinks.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

7+ hours in Y, is 7+ hours in Y, whichever the carrier (perhaps JL 787 is the best option but they don't fly MEL-SIN). Done it before, will do it again, I survive.

Errr… as pointed out above… 7 hours on a JQ a321 with a 28-29 inch pitch makes QF economy at 31 inches seem like premium!!

I did a a321 MEL-SYD a couple months ago as QF sold out (as in not a single seat from lunchtime onwards). The JQ flight was refreshing (no priority boarding or anything, first come, first served )… but boy.. at 6’3 i couldn’t even move my knees, and that was with the small of my back pressed hard against the seat (no slouching).

I couldn’t even imagine that for anything longer than an hour!

 

[dajop]

Errr… as pointed out above… 7 hours on a JQ a321 with a 28-29 inch pitch makes QF economy at 31 inches seem like premium!!

I’m not sure where I suggested 7 hrs on an A321. To SIN it’s a 787 which is different.. That was my point of comparison with Qantas. But heck if you’re happy to pay $850 one way for the privilege of flying on an A330 on QF, vs $250 on Jetstar 787, then go for it. If spending $850 it’s going to be either ScootPlus or Jetstar “Business” for me on the route.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I’m not sure where I suggested 7 hrs on an A321. To SIN it’s a 787 which is different.. That was my point of comparison with Qantas. But heck if you’re happy to pay $850 one way for the privilege of flying on an A330 on QF, vs $250 on Jetstar 787, then go for it. If spending $850 it’s going to be either ScootPlus or Jetstar “Business” for me on the route.

The 7 hours is to Bali (maybe 6.5!).

The difference between JQ and QF can be as little as $200 return out of Sydney.