Flying Club upgrades to Upper Class
Sep 11, 2015, 10:43 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 2
Flying Club upgrades to Upper Class
I've just bought flights in Premium Economy Class S flying LHR-SFO in late October, but when I tried to upgrade using Flying Club points (I have more than 60K), I was told there was nothing available. How long in advance do you need to book?
Sep 11, 2015, 10:58 am
#2
Moderator, Virgin Atlantic
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: www.V-Flyer.com
Programs: VS Red, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium - earned out of our own pocket!.
Posts: 2,390
Welcome to Flyertalk.
Your S class fare is eligible for a miles upgrade, but there must be award availability in Upper (G bucket) for this to happen.
If you look back in this forum - the availability of G's is a much discussed topic. They can be released at any time from the -T-330 day mark, right up to the day of travel.
I am afraid the only reliable way to find them is to keep checking.
There have been quite a few comments recently about award seats becoming available close to travel dates.
Good luck.
Nick
Your S class fare is eligible for a miles upgrade, but there must be award availability in Upper (G bucket) for this to happen.
If you look back in this forum - the availability of G's is a much discussed topic. They can be released at any time from the -T-330 day mark, right up to the day of travel.
I am afraid the only reliable way to find them is to keep checking.
There have been quite a few comments recently about award seats becoming available close to travel dates.
Good luck.
Nick
Last edited by Nottingham Nick; Sep 11, 2015 at 6:42 pm
Sep 28, 2015, 8:39 am
#5
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 150
keep checking..if you have KVS it helps. I got upgrades ways out for Oct 6 DEL - NYC no issues. The res agents are pretty good in terms of telling you which flights have a good chance of opening up if they are not available at time of booking.
Sep 29, 2015, 5:39 am
#6
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: LHR
Posts: 396
In addition to checking for G release on the site, you can upgrade at the airport if there are UC seats available. I asked at check-in last Friday at LAX knowing there were still 3 UC seats left (checked on expertflyer.com) and got my upgrade from B class. It was a peak time flight too, 6pm departure from LAX on a Friday.
Suggest checking in early if possible.
Suggest checking in early if possible.
Sep 29, 2015, 8:44 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,192
Even though there may be space available VS does not always offer miles or cash upgrades at the airport.
And I've been at a check-in desk where someone else was pointing at e.g. expert flyer on their phone going 'look you have empty seats'
No harm in asking though.
And I've been at a check-in desk where someone else was pointing at e.g. expert flyer on their phone going 'look you have empty seats'
No harm in asking though.
Sep 30, 2015, 4:53 am
#8
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: LHR
Posts: 396
Agree, may not always work. In my case, the agent called someone and got approval.
Oct 6, 2015, 8:44 am
#9
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 6
Does anyone know if premium economy tickets booked on an H fare are upgradeable? I can find few current references to H fares at all on the Virgin-Atlantic website, although it appears that they used to be included as one of the upgradeable fares. Thank you.
Oct 6, 2015, 9:00 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: VS Gold, QF Gold
Posts: 33
H class is not upgradeable (only W & S are). Lately bookings via the web site have been trying really hard to book you into H, so you need to pay attention (and pay more) for upgradeable classes.
Oct 6, 2015, 9:53 am
#11
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA EXP; Marriott BonVoy Titanium Elite, Marriott LT Plat.
Posts: 1,717
Thanks!
Oct 6, 2015, 10:07 am
#12
Moderator, Virgin Atlantic
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: www.V-Flyer.com
Programs: VS Red, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium - earned out of our own pocket!.
Posts: 2,390
The website simply books you into the cheapest bucket still available.
There used to be the option to specify that you wanted a flexible (upgradable with points) bucket, but that facility was 'enhanced' away a couple of years ago and if you want a flexible fare now, you have to book by phone.
Nick
There used to be the option to specify that you wanted a flexible (upgradable with points) bucket, but that facility was 'enhanced' away a couple of years ago and if you want a flexible fare now, you have to book by phone.
Nick
Oct 6, 2015, 10:25 am
#13
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: VS Gold, QF Gold
Posts: 33
You can click the "View Fare Breakdown" link on the right hand side of the page once you've selected your flights to see the fare classes. As Nottingham Nick says, the web site will always drop you into the lowest fare class available, so if you want to book online, you'll have to choose the higher fares you see, which will (usually) be W/S.
Otherwise a phone call to the call center is required.
Otherwise a phone call to the call center is required.
Oct 6, 2015, 2:44 pm
#14
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA EXP; Marriott BonVoy Titanium Elite, Marriott LT Plat.
Posts: 1,717
You can click the "View Fare Breakdown" link on the right hand side of the page once you've selected your flights to see the fare classes. As Nottingham Nick says, the web site will always drop you into the lowest fare class available, so if you want to book online, you'll have to choose the higher fares you see, which will (usually) be W/S.
Otherwise a phone call to the call center is required.
Otherwise a phone call to the call center is required.
Much appreciate the tip...
Oct 9, 2015, 3:23 am
#15
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Wolverhampton
Programs: BA Silver, Hilton Diamond, Marriot Gold, Radisson Gold, Amex Platinum
Posts: 1,607
It's a crapshoot with upgrades. Eastbound tend to be less available than westbound. If Upper is sold out on the plane you are in, then tough luck.
However, if you check reward availability close to now, you'll see far more seats available than around 330 days time. It's the matter of keeping on top of it. I was watching for three at one point to Vegas, but only two came available, eventually, and never one on the return (people seem to think that sleeping is the point of Upper. Not me).
However, if you check reward availability close to now, you'll see far more seats available than around 330 days time. It's the matter of keeping on top of it. I was watching for three at one point to Vegas, but only two came available, eventually, and never one on the return (people seem to think that sleeping is the point of Upper. Not me).
