Qantas upgrades to be for Gold or higher frequent flyers

I heard it a week or so ago and then again yesterday but can't find a definite answer that Qantas is to introduce only upgrading Gold or higher frequent flyers. Would this be correct? It would then be not possible for silvers or bronze members to attain an upgrade if true.

Priority is already given to status, so in effect that is the policy anyway. Doubt they need to make it an official one.....

I've had two international upgrades approved over the last year. One when I was Bronze and one when I was Silver

This would be a very poor change if introduced. I hope it doesn't happen. As dp said priority is already given to those with status.

Seems unlikely that they would effectively do themselves out of potential revenue. If there's no gold or platinum members interested, why not sell to silver or bronze?

This would possibly decimate the brand value. Let's face it, most members are bronze or silver and the only 2 (useful) uses of points are upgrades or awards. If they take one away, I can see a lot of members taking their business elsewhere. I'm gold but if I couldn't use my points for upgrades if I dropped to silver (which is pretty much my main use of points) I'd shift more flying to Virgin.

Originally Posted by Chrisor

I heard it a week or so ago and then again yesterday but can't find a definite answer that Qantas is to introduce only upgrading Gold or higher frequent flyers. Would this be correct? It would then be not possible for silvers or bronze members to attain an upgrade if true.

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There's a priority list for upgrades.

It takes into account frequent flyer status, Qantas Club status (Chairmans Club) and longevity of membership amongst many other things such as travelling alone, QF staff travel etc.......

Passengers are upgraded by a particular order so that the airline can move passengers up front in order to backfill down the back. This also takes away the decision from the check-in counter. But we'll get to that bit in a minute.

You will find that upgrades do not always happen when a flight is half empty as there's no opportunity to backfill in economy and you're now just costing the airline money for no advantage for them. They'd rather an empty business Class or First Class seat than an empty economy seat.

The last point is that in 99% of cases, an upgrade is already locked in and allocated well before the flight. So there's absolutely no chance when people ask for an upgrade at the counter. It will actually work against you. There's an unofficial saying "if you need to ask, the answer is no".

Upgrades are available to ALL passengers as we all reside somewhere on the list. If there's no gold or silver passengers on a flight and upgrades are required, bronze passengers will be upgraded.

If there's no frequent flyer passengers on board for whatever reason, non FF passengers will be upgraded based on presentation and dress.

If upgrades become too easy then flyers won't buy revenue Business or First Class tickets expecting to get upgrades.