Virgin America Elevate - First-time VX flyer seeking discount, advice for transcon in First

I'm a long-time AA flyer, ready to try Virgin America for an upcoming LAX-BOS red-eye. On a red-eye, I don't like the AA 757's in either cabin, and I'm ready for something different if that's the best AA can offer.

Virgin america asks $899+tax for First. Is any discount available? I will probably pay the asking price, buf if there's a discount code, so much the better.

Google and Fatwallet were unhelpful in terms of current discount codes.

I could buy coach (~$450) and try for an upgrade ($250) at check-in. Savings seem limited but real. What is the risk of others taking the upgrade seats (7 available, ~1.5 weeks before travel)? On AA, substantially all front-cabin domestic seats go out full, thanks to AAdvantage upgrades, but with only cash for upgrades on VX, are things different here?


Many thanks, folks.

I'm a long-time AA flyer, ready to try Virgin America for an upcoming LAX-BOS red-eye. On a red-eye, I don't like the AA 757's in either cabin, and I'm ready for something different if that's the best AA can offer.

Virgin america asks $899+tax for First. Is any discount available? I will probably pay the asking price, buf if there's a discount code, so much the better.

Google and Fatwallet were unhelpful in terms of current discount codes.

I could buy coach (~$450) and try for an upgrade ($250) at check-in. Savings seem limited but real. What is the risk of others taking the upgrade seats (7 available, ~1.5 weeks before travel)? On AA, substantially all front-cabin domestic seats go out full, thanks to AAdvantage upgrades, but with only cash for upgrades on VX, are things different here?


Many thanks, folks.

If you get right on it, at exactly 9pm the night before, you have a good chance. It's a shame that you have to pay $450. On other days that week, it's as low as $149. That would be a real savings.

If you get right on it, at exactly 9pm the night before, you have a good chance. It's a shame that you have to pay $450. On other days that week, it's as low as $149. That would be a real savings.

Is LAX-BOS going out full in F? I know I had to pass on a number of paid F trips between SFO and JFK because no paid seats were available.

It's worth trying for the upgrade to F on a transcon, at least once, just for the experience.

Otherwise, MCS is more than sufficient for Virgin America (I need the extra leg room).

Recently I flew VX for the first time on a revenue F ticket roundtrip from LAX-SEA. I am sold! With only two F rows on their flights and the equivalent of transatlantic business class seats for a domestic flight, I am convinced that VX F beats any other U.S. carrier by a long shot (maybe not UA PS transcon F out of JFK for multiples of the price, but I have never flown that route.)

In any case, I was delighted with the flight and would pay hands down a price under $1K for a roundtrip F flight transcon on VX because the service, particularly the cabin configuration, is so much better than anyone else. The only draw back I say jokingly, is that an elderly family member traveling with me was taken aback when we boarded at the purple lighting and the fact all the plane's shades were drawn. I suspect that is because most people use the onboard internet and entertainment channels that benefit from low lighting in the cabin.