Virgin America upgrades - TIP
#32
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: Amtrak Select Plus, Marriott Platinum, Marriott Lifetime Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,122
#33
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP, Hhonors Gold, National Executive, Identity Gold, MLife Gold
Posts: 2,687
#35
Join Date: Dec 2007
Programs: Enough to travel better
Posts: 2,020
Upgrade to MCS is more than just a free bag. You get more legroom, a dedicated overhead carryon bin, all the drinks are free, all the meals are free on demand and all the IFE is free on demand.
#38
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: SPG Plat, Emerald Exec., PC Plat, AA, CO, DL, UBS Charter Card, Palladium Card, Amex Plat
Posts: 1,694
No.(Unless you're confused.) The only upgrade that you can get at T-24 is MCS, that includes ONE free bag not two. FC gets you 2, but that can only be done at T-6.
#39
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Malibu, Ca
Programs: LHW
Posts: 42
MCS isn't horrible as its a trans-con but still $30 for MCS or $60 for FC seems like no brainer to me.
Thanks for the tips and advice.
#42
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: LAS
Posts: 70
I flew Virgin for the 1st time Super Bowl Sunday SFO-DFW, and bar none, this is the best bang for the buck, even when purchased 4 days before the flight leaves. Upgrade to FC was $110, got first choice on food, excellent IFE, baggage free, and excellent service. Right now Virgin America is the best kept secret out there. No regrets giving up AA for this. We requested wheelchair service at our arrival destinations and it was waiting for us when we got there.
The only negative was I had to bypass my local SMF and drive to SFO to take advantage of Virgin. But since AA wanted an arm and a leg for coach and Virgin was available for a third of the price from SFO before upgrading, it was worth the drive, both ways. Wouldn't do it before, but now I'm more than willing to drive an extra 2 hours for what Virgin offers flyers.
Upgrading online was simple for SFO-DFW to Main Class Select, but I waited until I got to the airport for the FC upgrade. So unless things have recently changed, here is where they get you > once you upgrade to Select, you cannot upgrade to First online. You have to do it at the airport. The other option is to buy coach and wait until the FC window opens, then hope seats are available. The negative to that is the Select seats may be full by then. I opted to at least guarantee I had Select seats, willing to forgo FC seats if they sold out before I got to the airport. And just like today, Virgin had computer issues on the return flight. Thankfully I called their customer service who took care of the upgrade over the phone. I am very pleased with Virgin.
The only negative was I had to bypass my local SMF and drive to SFO to take advantage of Virgin. But since AA wanted an arm and a leg for coach and Virgin was available for a third of the price from SFO before upgrading, it was worth the drive, both ways. Wouldn't do it before, but now I'm more than willing to drive an extra 2 hours for what Virgin offers flyers.
Upgrading online was simple for SFO-DFW to Main Class Select, but I waited until I got to the airport for the FC upgrade. So unless things have recently changed, here is where they get you > once you upgrade to Select, you cannot upgrade to First online. You have to do it at the airport. The other option is to buy coach and wait until the FC window opens, then hope seats are available. The negative to that is the Select seats may be full by then. I opted to at least guarantee I had Select seats, willing to forgo FC seats if they sold out before I got to the airport. And just like today, Virgin had computer issues on the return flight. Thankfully I called their customer service who took care of the upgrade over the phone. I am very pleased with Virgin.
#43
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: BWI
Programs: AA Platinum, Starwood Gold, Fairmont Platinum
Posts: 84
I am still a bit confused about the upgrade. Once you upgrade from MC to MCS online within the 24 hour window, does it mean that you can't upgrade online to FC within the 6 hour window (i.e. you have to do the FC upgrade at the airport or phone as canddmeyer indicates below)?
I flew Virgin for the 1st time Super Bowl Sunday SFO-DFW, and bar none, this is the best bang for the buck, even when purchased 4 days before the flight leaves. Upgrade to FC was $110, got first choice on food, excellent IFE, baggage free, and excellent service. Right now Virgin America is the best kept secret out there. No regrets giving up AA for this. We requested wheelchair service at our arrival destinations and it was waiting for us when we got there.
The only negative was I had to bypass my local SMF and drive to SFO to take advantage of Virgin. But since AA wanted an arm and a leg for coach and Virgin was available for a third of the price from SFO before upgrading, it was worth the drive, both ways. Wouldn't do it before, but now I'm more than willing to drive an extra 2 hours for what Virgin offers flyers.
Upgrading online was simple for SFO-DFW to Main Class Select, but I waited until I got to the airport for the FC upgrade. So unless things have recently changed, here is where they get you > once you upgrade to Select, you cannot upgrade to First online. You have to do it at the airport. The other option is to buy coach and wait until the FC window opens, then hope seats are available. The negative to that is the Select seats may be full by then. I opted to at least guarantee I had Select seats, willing to forgo FC seats if they sold out before I got to the airport. And just like today, Virgin had computer issues on the return flight. Thankfully I called their customer service who took care of the upgrade over the phone. I am very pleased with Virgin.
The only negative was I had to bypass my local SMF and drive to SFO to take advantage of Virgin. But since AA wanted an arm and a leg for coach and Virgin was available for a third of the price from SFO before upgrading, it was worth the drive, both ways. Wouldn't do it before, but now I'm more than willing to drive an extra 2 hours for what Virgin offers flyers.
Upgrading online was simple for SFO-DFW to Main Class Select, but I waited until I got to the airport for the FC upgrade. So unless things have recently changed, here is where they get you > once you upgrade to Select, you cannot upgrade to First online. You have to do it at the airport. The other option is to buy coach and wait until the FC window opens, then hope seats are available. The negative to that is the Select seats may be full by then. I opted to at least guarantee I had Select seats, willing to forgo FC seats if they sold out before I got to the airport. And just like today, Virgin had computer issues on the return flight. Thankfully I called their customer service who took care of the upgrade over the phone. I am very pleased with Virgin.