Qantas touting for cash upgrades at gate?

[offshore171]

This is in today's SMH Traveller section:

Bad sign
At Narita Airport, I was surprised to see Qantas staff holding handwritten placards offering last-minute paid business-class upgrades reminiscent of a bazaar. Having already paid for an economy fare, I was approached and offered the final business-class seat to Brisbane for an additional $2500. While airlines understandably monetise unsold premium seats, the overt “upgrade hawking” felt oddly inconsistent with the polished image Qantas projects. By contrast, Philippine Airlines offered me upgrade bids discreetly online before departure. Are modern full-service airlines becoming increasingly transactional at the gate?
Joseph Ting, Carina, Qld

Has anyone come across this before with QF? Where does this fit into the upgrade order - do these upgrades get filled before or after pre-requested points upgrades?

 

[TheInsider]

This is in today's SMH Traveller section:



Has anyone come across this before with QF? Where does this fit into the upgrade order - do these upgrades get filled before or after pre-requested points upgrades?

All airports that offer international flights offer an airport upgrade currently.
It's always after all the points upgrades becuase these are processed before check-in anyway.

 

[offshore171]

All airports that offer international flights offer an airport upgrade currently.

Certainly get that bit.

But in terms of them actively touting at the gate, with hand written signs etc, and approaching people unsolicited, has anyone seen this in action?

 

[HMcM]

It's always after all the points upgrades becuase these are processed before check-in anyway.

Not always, QANTAS allows you to have put in for a classic upgrade and it can come through pre-check in or at the gate. So in theory these cash upgrades at the gate could come in before the points upgrade.

 

[TeaKozy]

Maybe the check-in agent had a former gig as an unlicensed taxi operator?…

 

[markis10]

Certainly get that bit.

But in terms of them actively touting at the gate, with hand written signs etc, and approaching people unsolicited, has anyone seen this in action?

There have been previous reports just recently, ex SIN IIRC

 

[Dmac59]

This is in today's SMH Traveller section:

….. Having already paid for an economy fare, I was approached and offered the final business-class seat to Brisbane for an additional $2500.

Given this “final business-class seat” was offered at the gate, one wonders whether the $2500 was negotiable.