Sorry RAM but I completely disagree - it appears a very reasonable system to sell seats that WERE NOT purchased through the existing options already available. They get processed AFTER usual points-upgrade requests are processed.
No, not all usual points upgrade requests. This happens 7 days before departure and is decided 12 to 24 hours before departure - so the playing field for upgrades has been changed.
However:
- they have no certainty and are likely to totally eliminate "Upgrade at Airport" upgrade request option.
- offer can be rescinded at any time (by Q)
- no explanation of how 'successful' bidding will be determined ie: value of points vs cash, will calculation vary depending upon point value achieved by customer on previous point redemptions (discriminate against knowledgeable customers perhaps to 'enhance' Q revenue stream at your expense?)
- likely to have the same impact as ebay and other online auctions where a reasonable proportion of bidders get caught up in the "I must win this" approach and bid to levels that are uneconomic.
- also no explanation of how normal Q (and some other airlines) business practice of overselling business class tickets on flights will work with this system
Apart from that not a problem.
Just to clarify. If customer X regularly has achieved a points redemption value of say 6 cents/point vs customer Z of .8 cents/point then will the algorithm treat 1 point at the same value for both or not? Will an offer of 5,000 points + $400 made by said customers be treated equally assuming same FFer status etc? Or will it discriminate to maximise earnings for Q at the expense of the least profitable bid? Normal online auctions are time stamped for priority order and do not accept multiple bids above number of items available.
Detailed T&Cs will be interesting to read.
Or will it be a case where they are not publicly available as with other Q procedures that are supposed to be available on written request? (Still waiting Red Roo...).
Qantas Upgrades | Qantas
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Highlighting in red by RAM}
‡ If your Bid Now Upgrade offer is successful,
the original fare conditions of your booking will apply to your upgraded booking. You will be entitled to all inclusions of the upgraded class except for Chauffeur Drive. Product offering varies by aircraft type. Aircraft and product offering are subject to change
†
Lounge access eligibility is based on class of travel for your next onward flight, Qantas Club membership or the Frequent Flyer membership tier. See lounge access for details. Qantas Club membership and access is subject to the terms and conditions of the Qantas Club, available at qantas.com/qantasclub.
± Skybeds are available on our A380, A330 and B747 aircraft. Skybed not available on Trans-Tasman and Noumea flights. Business Suites to be progressively introduced on A330 aircraft from December 2014.
Ω Business class meal or special meals
may not be available in the upgraded class of travel.
# On-demand inflight entertainment systems on board selected aircraft only.
** Checked baggage limits vary by route, aircraft type and date of travel.
Checked baggage limits
may also increase in accordance with travel class booked and Qantas Frequent Flyer tier status. View checked baggage allowances for limits.
Follow the FAQ link:
o find out more about Bid Now Upgrades take a look at our FAQs
Maybe some teething problems:
