airline · Qantas Frequent Flyer
Qantas upgrades
Qantas offers an upgrade program: eligible passengers can place a bid to upgrade to a premium cabin (such as Premium Economy or Business), and are only charged if the bid is accepted. Availability depends on fare/cabin type, route, and timing.
Check your Qantas upgrade eligibility
See if your booking can be upgraded — enter your booking reference and last name in a secure form, right in the chat. Your details are never shared with the assistant.
Check eligibility →Products offered
- Bid UpgradeOpen page →
Offer an amount within a set range to upgrade to a higher cabin or cabin category. You're only charged if your bid is accepted — if it loses, there's no charge.
- Seat Blocker (Empty Seat)Open page →
Pay to keep the seat(s) next to you empty for more personal space — branded by carriers as Empty Seat, Neighbour-Free Seat, Double Comfort, Bubble Seat, and similar.
- Cabin upgrade paths
- Economy → Premium Economy · Economy → Business
- How to upgrade
- Visit Qantas's official upgrade page and enter your booking reference and last name to see available upgrade offers: https://www.qantas.com/ca/en/manage-booking/upgrade/bid-now-upgrade.html
- Loyalty program
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
From Qantas's own upgrade pages
“Bid Now Upgrades Place a bid for an upgrade to a premium cabin. Enjoy flexible ways to pay using cash, or a combination of cash and Qantas Points, if your bid is accepted. On this page About Bid Now Upgrades Eligibility How Bid Now Upgrades work Benefits”
Source: qantas.com · checked Sep 21, 2026
“Neighbour Free seating A220 Economy Neighbour Free gives you more space to relax in Economy. When you reserve Neighbour Free, the seat next to you remains free throughout your flight. On this page About Neighbour Free Check your Neighbour Free eligibility How does it work? What does it look like? Fr…”
Source: qantas.com · checked Sep 21, 2026
Frequently asked
Does Qantas offer upgrades?
Qantas offers an upgrade program: eligible passengers can place a bid to upgrade to a premium cabin (such as Premium Economy or Business), and are only charged if the bid is accepted. Availability depends on fare/cabin type, route, and timing.
What upgrade options does Qantas offer?
Qantas offers Bid Upgrade, Seat Blocker (Empty Seat). Upgrade paths cover Economy → Premium Economy; Economy → Business.
How does Qantas's bid (offer) upgrade work?
You name an amount — within a range shown for your booking — to move up to a higher cabin. It's an offer, not a fixed price: you're only charged if Qantas accepts it. If your offer isn't accepted you pay nothing and keep your original seat.
How do I check if my Qantas booking can be upgraded?
Check your specific booking with Upgrade Agent: enter your booking reference and last name and you'll see the upgrade options and price ranges available on your flights — you don't need to dig through Qantas's website. Visit Qantas's official upgrade page and enter your booking reference and last name to see available upgrade offers: https://www.qantas.com/ca/en/manage-booking/upgrade/bid-now-upgrade.html
Who is eligible for a Qantas upgrade?
Eligibility depends on your fare type, route, and how close to departure you are — not every fare or flight qualifies, and offers usually open within a window before departure. The reliable way to know is to check your specific booking rather than assume.
When am I charged for a Qantas upgrade?
Only if your offer is accepted. With bid upgrades the charge happens when the upgrade is confirmed — typically in the days before departure. If your offer isn't accepted, there's no charge.
How will I know if my Qantas upgrade offer was accepted?
Qantas notifies you — usually by email — if your offer is accepted, typically shortly before departure. Until then your original booking stands, and you can review your offer's status where you submitted it.
Can I change or cancel my Qantas upgrade offer?
A pending offer can usually be changed or cancelled any time before it's accepted, from the page where you submitted it. Once an offer is accepted and charged, the upgrade is confirmed.
How much does a Qantas upgrade cost?
There's no fixed price — you offer within a range shown for your booking, which varies by route, cabin, and demand. You choose where in that range to bid; higher offers can have a better chance of being accepted, though the exact acceptance formula isn't published.
Can I keep the seat next to me empty on Qantas?
Qantas offers an empty-seat option — you can offer to keep the adjacent seat (or seats) free for more space, subject to availability. As with bid upgrades, you're only charged if the request is granted.
Can I use Qantas Frequent Flyer points or miles for a Qantas upgrade?
Qantas's loyalty program is Qantas Frequent Flyer. Depending on the route and the offer shown on your booking, upgrades may be payable with points/miles as well as cash — the options available appear when you check your specific booking.
What cabins can I upgrade to on Qantas?
Upgrade paths on Qantas cover Economy → Premium Economy; Economy → Business. The exact options depend on your booked cabin and the specific flight.
Can I change or cancel my Qantas upgrade bid after submitting it?
Yes — a Qantas upgrade bid can be changed or cancelled any time until Qantas makes its decision. Once a bid is accepted it's final and your card is charged. To update or withdraw it, use Qantas's Manage My Booking / offer page, or check your booking here (booking ••••••e + last name) and I can help you modify or cancel it.
When is my card charged for a Qantas upgrade bid?
Only if your bid is accepted. Submitting a Qantas upgrade bid authorizes your card for the bid amount, but nothing is charged unless Qantas accepts it — if the bid is declined or expires, the authorization is released and you pay nothing, keeping your original cabin. If it's accepted, the card you provided is charged the amount you offered and your upgrade is confirmed.
When will I find out if my Qantas upgrade bid was accepted?
Qantas decides upgrade bids before your flight — often close to departure, once the operator knows how much cabin space is left. You'll be notified by email either way at the address on your offer. You don't need to keep checking, but you can see your bid's current status any time by checking your booking here (booking ••••••e + last name) or on Qantas's Manage My Booking page.