Trials on for last-minute ‘at the gate’ upgrades Qantas frequent flyers

Australia’s flag carrier Qantas Airways recently announced that it will no longer let its seats go empty on its flights whether it’s in Premium Economy, Business Class or First Class. The airline has started last-minute ‘at the gate’ upgrades trials for its frequent flyers so that it may be easy for them to utilize their points and fly into their preferred premium cabins.

The airline is currently testing this program on selected international flights ahead of a mid-June launch for all international flights.
Qantas Airways in a statement said that the passengers will be required to request for an upgrade in advance with frequent flyer points. The airline expects that with this new system in place every empty seat in premium economy or business class flights as well as the A380s high-style first class cabins will be filled up.

The airline stated that the frequent flyers will be encouraged to put their points towards formal upgrade requests as part of their booking. With the introduction of this new system, frequent flyers will likely see fewer free upgrades now.