Virgin America upgrades - TIP
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NC
Programs: AAConciergeKey/1MM, DL DM/2 MM, UA Gold,Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 11,914
#18
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 460
No, it'll display a message that you can only purchase a FC upgrade within 6 hours of the flight.
If you try the seat change option within 24 hours but outside that 6 hour timeframe, you'll be advised that you can either upgrade to Main Cabin Select or purchase a full fare FC seat instead.
If you try the seat change option within 24 hours but outside that 6 hour timeframe, you'll be advised that you can either upgrade to Main Cabin Select or purchase a full fare FC seat instead.
Last edited by cringle; Feb 14, 2011 at 8:59 am
#21
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: BOS
Posts: 2,308
Ok, help me out, because it looks like the faq's were updated after the change from 24 hour to 6 hour upgrade windows by just changing 24 to 6 and they really don't make sense. The "check in now" dialog will appear at the 24 hour mark, but that does not signal you can upgrade to first of course.
More significantly, I should not go into olci, where the first screen gives me the option to change my seat and also an option to upgrade? Seems like the easiest way - it doesn't work? Either through picking a new first class seat or checking upgrade?
And I don't go to change flight to select F, but instead just change seats in manage my inventory?
Sorry for the confusion - trying to avoid wasting precious seconds!
Can you do this by phone and is that a good option?
More significantly, I should not go into olci, where the first screen gives me the option to change my seat and also an option to upgrade? Seems like the easiest way - it doesn't work? Either through picking a new first class seat or checking upgrade?
And I don't go to change flight to select F, but instead just change seats in manage my inventory?
Sorry for the confusion - trying to avoid wasting precious seconds!
Can you do this by phone and is that a good option?
#22
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Miami, FL, USA
Posts: 4,045
Ok, help me out, because it looks like the faq's were updated after the change from 24 hour to 6 hour upgrade windows by just changing 24 to 6 and they really don't make sense. The "check in now" dialog will appear at the 24 hour mark, but that does not signal you can upgrade to first of course.
More significantly, I should not go into olci, where the first screen gives me the option to change my seat and also an option to upgrade? Seems like the easiest way - it doesn't work? Either through picking a new first class seat or checking upgrade?
And I don't go to change flight to select F, but instead just change seats in manage my inventory?
Sorry for the confusion - trying to avoid wasting precious seconds!
Can you do this by phone and is that a good option?
More significantly, I should not go into olci, where the first screen gives me the option to change my seat and also an option to upgrade? Seems like the easiest way - it doesn't work? Either through picking a new first class seat or checking upgrade?
And I don't go to change flight to select F, but instead just change seats in manage my inventory?
Sorry for the confusion - trying to avoid wasting precious seconds!
Can you do this by phone and is that a good option?
#23
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SJU
Programs: Amex FHR elite travel agent, Ritz Stars, Hyatt Prive, Four Seasons Preferred Partner and others
Posts: 1,519
I was able to upgrade a reservation online during OLCI at the 6 hr mark LAX-JFK from main cabin select to F for $160 last Monday - there was a button that said upgrade to first class for $160.
#24
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Miami, FL, USA
Posts: 4,045
I still recommend not checking in until the upgrade is complete. What can it hurt? If you do it during OLCI and something goes wrong, you will need to call reservations to "un-check-in", and you'd better hope that they're not in the middle of one of their long call center delays.
#25
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: BOS
Posts: 2,308
After having gone through this, I think the correct way to do it is via online check-in.
Once you select your itinerary and choose "check in" you will see an option to upgrade to MCS (if available) and an option to upgrade to first (if within 6 hours of departure). To avoid getting shut out I would click "choose seats" at this point, and then proceed to select your MCS or first class seat. The applicable upgrade charge will display, and you can easily proceed through the payment process. Interestingly, this does not check you in, and you need to go back and select "check in" again.
If you are trying to upgrade to first soon as the window opens, looking at the seating chart avoids having to keep refreshing the prior page to wait for the "upgrade" option to appear.
I think this is just an update to your original strategy and take advantage of the new functionality they have added.
Once you select your itinerary and choose "check in" you will see an option to upgrade to MCS (if available) and an option to upgrade to first (if within 6 hours of departure). To avoid getting shut out I would click "choose seats" at this point, and then proceed to select your MCS or first class seat. The applicable upgrade charge will display, and you can easily proceed through the payment process. Interestingly, this does not check you in, and you need to go back and select "check in" again.
If you are trying to upgrade to first soon as the window opens, looking at the seating chart avoids having to keep refreshing the prior page to wait for the "upgrade" option to appear.
I think this is just an update to your original strategy and take advantage of the new functionality they have added.
#26
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 72
Great information!
Does anyone know if you have to upgrade every seat on the reservation during this process? I ask because I purchased an extra standard seat for $99 in case I didn't get the First upgrade. I don't really want to upgrade an extra seat into first. ha-ha!
Thanks.
Does anyone know if you have to upgrade every seat on the reservation during this process? I ask because I purchased an extra standard seat for $99 in case I didn't get the First upgrade. I don't really want to upgrade an extra seat into first. ha-ha!
Thanks.
#27
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Miami, FL, USA
Posts: 4,045
Great information!
Does anyone know if you have to upgrade every seat on the reservation during this process? I ask because I purchased an extra standard seat for $99 in case I didn't get the First upgrade. I don't really want to upgrade an extra seat into first. ha-ha!
Thanks.
Does anyone know if you have to upgrade every seat on the reservation during this process? I ask because I purchased an extra standard seat for $99 in case I didn't get the First upgrade. I don't really want to upgrade an extra seat into first. ha-ha!
Thanks.
#28
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Brisbane Australia
Programs: QANTAS Club Silver, PC Royal Platinum Ambassador
Posts: 107
#29
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 72
Does Main Cabin Select upgrade to first cost as much?
Therefore, no reason to upgrade to Main Cabin Select @ 24 hour mark and First @ 6 hour mark because there is no price difference if going from main cabin select to first compared to regular to first ? Thanks.
Therefore, no reason to upgrade to Main Cabin Select @ 24 hour mark and First @ 6 hour mark because there is no price difference if going from main cabin select to first compared to regular to first ? Thanks.