Qantas touting for cash upgrades at gate?

[TheCollecter]

The Melbourne fake taxi touts are exactly what it reminds me of

My thoughts exactly! Is OP sure this wasn’t at MEL?

 

[Flyfrequently]

There was a sign at SIN Check-in counters to ask about Upgrades. I didn't enquire on my flight though.

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Any idea if it was Y/Y+ to J @elanshin ?

 

[andye]

WY were offering on board cash upgrades in May. The J cabin was pretty thinly populated

 

[Brissy1]

Last week, missB syd-hkg on hong Kong Airlines was offered j for $900 at check-in. Not sure why she texted me that , but to be clear I replied "suck it up princess". Got the "fine then" text reply

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Last week, missB syd-hkg on hong Kong Airlines was offered j for $900 at check-in. Not sure why she texted me that , but to be clear I replied "suck it up princess". Got the "fine then" text reply

Not a bad price! I think it was about $600 for the reverse? Which would be worthwhile for the overnight flight back. But i think it’s strictly economy class catering if you upgrade that way.

 

[Brissy1]

Not a bad price! I think it was about $600 for the reverse? Which would be worthwhile for the overnight flight back. But i think it’s strictly economy class catering if you upgrade that way.

I might have to shout her $600 if it comes up, I've never flown HKAirlines (actually had never heard of them before), but for a lie flat seat overnight,

 

[transpactraveller]

I really hope this is only being offered after all points upgrades are confirmed, but given I've had more unsuccessful points upgrades than successful ones, and seeing that they're so actively promoting cash upgrades, I wonder if they are now keeping some seats excluded from points upgrade to make them available for these cash upgrades?

 

[tm84]

There was a sign at SIN Check-in counters to ask about Upgrades. I didn't enquire on my flight though.

When I flew a week or so ago (QF2), I saw that sign and asked. They only offered Economy to PE - was SGD909.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

This is definitely new, although in the past they were offered in code-share situations.
So, for example, on SCL-SYD, LATAM would offer paid upgrades until departure.
This wasn't offered SYD-SCL.
I remember because while it was relatively easy to get into business on staff travel for SYD-SCL, it was basically impossible for SCL-SYD.
Twice on SCL-SYD I was allocated a seat in J only to lose it at the airport due to a last minute cash upgrade, and be downgraded to PE.
I was particularly bitter when I managed to snag 1A - an old first class seat - on the 747 only to lose it at the last minute.
If this becomes the norm it will make it all but impossible for staff to ever travel in business class.

 

[Pvcmenace]

I flew Scoot plus Sin-Mel a couple of weeks ago only 7 of the 35 seats in cabin were filled on take off. A passenger from economy moved up to plus about a half hour after takeoff so seems to have upgraded from that point. Cabin crew delivered him the meal etc.

 

[Rayesfeg]

Last week, missB syd-hkg on hong Kong Airlines was offered j for $900 at check-in. Not sure why she texted me that , but to be clear I replied "suck it up princess". Got the "fine then" text reply

I have experienced similar with HK Airlines:

For SYD>HK route there was an onboard announcement made to purchase the final J class seat - it was in HKD and from memory it was ridiculously cheap, something like $300 AUD. Mrs R was keen to take it, I gave the go ahead, pushed the call button - staff came over and went back to the galley only to come back to be told that it's not available. No other pax had made their way to the front or had pushed the call button so not quite sure what had happened there. Wasn't a big deal - It was an empty flight so we ended up with a row of 4 middle seats to ourselves anyway - 'business class' on the cheap

In the reverse direction in transit TPE > HKG >SYD - asked at the transit desk and was quoted AUD $3k per person to upgrade. No thanks.

 

[Ade]

make upgrade calls once the plane has boarded.

Slightly OT: So have Air Cambodia, Indigo, Air India Express.

 

[fifo]

This has been a thing in USA for ages. Ie the touting at gate. I'm not surprised since I read there was an American Airline (not for sure aa, a yank carrier) executive who moved to Qantas somewhat recently. It's also reflected in most other things Qf is doing like ram packing all planes, canceling flights to optimise seats in the planes that do run etc

 

[Shaggy]

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

 

[clifford]

an American Airline (not for sure aa, a yank carrier) executive who moved to Qantas somewhat recently. It's also reflected in most other things Qf is doing like ram packing all planes, canceling flights to optimise seats in the planes that do run etc

Not to mention the demise of pointsclubplus and the change of benefits towards credit card ownership, such as earning SC on award tix.

It's a retrograde step in my view, but I imagine Qantas couldn't see past the dollar signs. Par for the course. We shall remember.