Philippine Airline launches business class seat upgrade program

Does it make sense to travel in business class after paying full price, when this premium travel class can be yours after you bid for the same, and might even save good money in the process? The answer is simply NOT. Philippine Airline has recently launched a seat upgrade program through a bidding process. Through the airline's “myPAL Upgrade” platform, the customers traveling on economy class ticket would be able to bid for a business class seat, usually sold by international carriers at high prices.

A spokesperson of Philippine's national carrier Philippine Airline said that the main objective behind the 'myPAL Upgrade' program is that the airline wants to significantly increase its revenues from the vacant business class seats it had been flying. Under the process, the “eligible passengers” would be invited by the airline for submitting upgrade bids up to 36 hours prior to scheduled flight departure.

The airline would offer a pre-determined minimum and maximum price for a business class seat on each flight. The bidders would be required to make known their preference within the predetermined price range only. Through this process, the airline will thus come to know the exact amount which the respective bidders are ready to pay for an upgrade. The winning bidders will be later on sent an email informing them about their successful upgrades at least 24 hours prior to their departure.

Philippine Airline in a statement said that the bidders who have finally succeeded in gaining access to the front of the aircraft would be able to enjoy similar benefits and privileges hitherto availed by the customers paying full price for their business class tickets. The benefits provided in business class cabins among others include luxurious seats, on-demand state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment system, menu choices, premium amenity kits, lounge access, additional baggage allowance, and priority boarding and check-in. Moreover, the upgraded customers would be able to take the advantage of business class mileage accrual when traveling up to August 31, 2016.

The “myPAL Upgrade” program will be applicable for travel to select international destinations including San Francisco, New York, Honolulu, Vancouver, Toronto,Sydney, Singapore, Shanghai,Quanzhou (Jinjiang),Taipei, Guam, and others.