SAA – bid for business class

SAA has introduced
Step-Up, an online
bidding system
that gives customers the
opportunity to upgrade
their seat from economy to
business class.
The success of the
client’s offer depended on
a combination of factors,
including the amount
offered for the upgrade, the
original economy-class fare
purchased, the passenger’s
SAA Voyager status, and the
number of seats available
for upgrade, SAA said in a
statement.
Customers will receive an
email seven days before
their scheduled departure,
informing them of available
seats in business class.
The email contains a link
to the Step-Up tool, where
the customer will be able to
place their bid. If the email
address in the booking is
that of the travel agent, the
agent can follow the link
and bid on behalf of the
customer. Alternatively, the
travel agent may pass the
email on to their customer
to action.
All bids close 72 hours
before departure.
Customers can view, modify
and cancel their bid before
this cut-off. They are then
notified 24 hours before
departure of the outcome
of their bid. Successful
customers’ credit cards will
be charged with the amount
they have bid. Unsuccessful
passengers retain their
original itinerary and pay
nothing.
The programme has been
launched on selected routes
and will be extended to
more routes in the near
future.