NZ_Flyer

So a while back I put in a NZD$400 bid for an upgrade SYD-LAX on 07/11/14 - at the bottom of the 'poor' indicator. At the time the minimum bid was NZD$350. A few months later I logged back into modify the upgrade and I see that the minimum bid is now NZD$450 - but my offer of $NZD400 is still there. Received an email on 31/10/14 advising upgrade was under review. Haven't heard anything but today when I logged in again to modify the upgrade, I see that my NZD$400 bid is now showing as 'fair', and at the top of the 'fair' segment too. I haven't seen this occur at NZ with their OneUp, but am assuming that this has something to do with the light load of VA1 (well light Y load in any case - I see only 4 free seats on PE on EF) on 07/11. Will update when I get the accept or reject email.

Received an email today at T-23 hours that upgrade unsuccessful

irishguy28

Does "thought bubble" in this context actually mean "idea" or just "thought"?

A thought bubble is a visual device used in comic strips:



I'm not as familiar with the website as you are, but I've never seen any thought bubbles on the Virgin website...

maggersmagoo

Is it possible to bid on an upgrade from a saver economy fare to business, or are the saver economy tickets not upgradable at all? I'm looking at a trip next year SAN>BNE and SYD>SAN (through LAX). Of course I'd only want to upgrade the LAX segments.

rosscoeau

Did this upgrade offer for LAX BNE PE to J Class, credit card was charged 750.00 for the upgrade and was turned down for it, Virgin are keeping the 750.00 fee saying it part of the terms..Um dodgy or what?

qwertyuiop

That shouldn't be right. Can you please clarify who said they are keeping the money and the exact circumstances of the bid?

transportprof

My annual Aussie business trip is coming up, and this time my internal flights are MEL - OOL and BNE-MEL, both on VX.

I got the offer to bid for an upgrade MEL-OOL today. Has anyone successfully bid for such an upgrade?

Last year I bid the minimum but got turned down, and the entire J cabin on my SYD-BNE flight was empty. You can see my post upthread.

thadocta

Of course you'll never find J award availability on VX on those sectors. Try searching an airline that actually operates those sectors.

Dave

transportprof

Perhaps I mispoke, but VX is trying to sell me an upgrade MEL-OOL to their front cabin. Perhaps it's not biz (J), but some other classification, but it is real (or at least the seats are built into their 737-800s).

As I mentioned, last year I bid money on this upgrade and was turned down. so perhaps they simply don't offer the service even though the plane has the seats?

Any clarifications from the VX experts will be appreciated.

thadocta

Try asking VX (Virgin America) when they will be starting services on these routes. This is the VA (Virgin Australia) forum.

Dave

RTWFF

Yes, a couple of times, MEL-SYD as I felt confident that's the flight I wanted to take. I was successful both times even though I bid the absolute minimum amount. I've no idea how they weigh status (I'm a Platinum) against $$ - if they do at all.

Usually I don't bid as I'd rather pay the extra for a fare where I'll get status credits/points and you don't get those on UpgradeMe bids. Alternatively I buy the cheapest fare on the day I want to travel whatever the time (provided it's the latest possible time I could travel) and then rock up at the airport whenever I'm ready and ask for a Next Available Flight.

By the way even though I don't check any luggage in I find the operators at check-in more accommodating than the ones in the Lounge itself for changing flights. Brisbane I find to be particularly so.

user29

So - if you pay "upgrademe" and you get upgraded YOU DONT get the SC/Points at the upgraded rate?

kraftdinner_

Correct. You earn based on your original fare purchased. I believe this is the case with most (if not all) airlines that offer the ability to upgrade using points, cash, certificates, etc.

RTWFF

I had heard TG give you the upgraded class earning rate IF you've paid for a stand-by upgrade at the airport. VA definitely don't and say so explicitly

kraftdinner_

TG also explicitly says you earn based on fare class purchased - llisted here in clause 9

SQ doesn't have a paid upgrade program, so when you ask to "upgrade" at the airport, the "fee" is the difference between your fare and the business class fare, so in that case you would earn miles at a J rate. But then you've essentially purchased a J fare, so it makes sense. That's the closest thing I can think of to earn more miles on an "upgrade"

Dan Poh

Anyone has got a successful min bid for MEL-SYD? I am keen on the this leg. But have 5 passengers on board this leg