VA main cabin select, are all foods and drinks really free? same day upgrade cheaper?
Mar 25, 2010, 1:09 am
#16
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: VX, UA 2P
Posts: 968
Reservations hold time is typically 15mins+, which puts me at a disadvantage...
Oh and you also have to wait for the phone agent to read you a script about the benefit of upgrading to MCS or F...
Mar 26, 2010, 1:07 am
#17
Join Date: Dec 2007
Programs: Enough to travel better
Posts: 2,020
Jan 30, 2011, 10:54 pm
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,655
So, on a flight length of SFO/SEA, what are the meal choices (Y/MCS?) - it is just about 2 hours but the website says *Selections may vary by route and time of flight. (as a modifier for the "Offered for flights over 2 hours.")
Jan 30, 2011, 11:23 pm
#19
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Miami, FL, USA
Posts: 4,049
Feb 8, 2011, 12:42 pm
#21
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: London
Programs: AS MVP 75K, IC AMB, BA GOLD
Posts: 48
order food quickly in MCS
My family and I flew SFO-SEA last Sunday. We were sitting in MCS but the food orders were sold out within 5 minutes of the ordering system being turned on. The items were literally disappearing from the menu as we watched and we couldn't get to "checkout" quickly enough.
So in this case, the "free food" benefit was completely useless. Lots of people in Main Cabin got meals but we got nothing.
IMO, if VX is going to offer this benefit, they need to reserve a certain quantity of meals for MCS.
So in this case, the "free food" benefit was completely useless. Lots of people in Main Cabin got meals but we got nothing.
IMO, if VX is going to offer this benefit, they need to reserve a certain quantity of meals for MCS.
Feb 9, 2011, 12:13 am
#22
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Miami, FL, USA
Posts: 4,049
My family and I flew SFO-SEA last Sunday. We were sitting in MCS but the food orders were sold out within 5 minutes of the ordering system being turned on. The items were literally disappearing from the menu as we watched and we couldn't get to "checkout" quickly enough.
So in this case, the "free food" benefit was completely useless. Lots of people in Main Cabin got meals but we got nothing.
IMO, if VX is going to offer this benefit, they need to reserve a certain quantity of meals for MCS.
So in this case, the "free food" benefit was completely useless. Lots of people in Main Cabin got meals but we got nothing.
IMO, if VX is going to offer this benefit, they need to reserve a certain quantity of meals for MCS.
Feb 9, 2011, 9:36 am
#23
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: London
Programs: AS MVP 75K, IC AMB, BA GOLD
Posts: 48
According to the FA, this is just the way it is. They don't stock enough meals/snacks for everyone and it's first-come, first-served. But the experience changed the way I think about MCS. From now on, I'll purchase it based on the extra leg-room, free booze, free luggage only and not count on the meal.
Feb 9, 2011, 9:40 am
#24
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Miami, FL, USA
Posts: 4,049
According to the FA, this is just the way it is. They don't stock enough meals/snacks for everyone and it's first-come, first-served. But the experience changed the way I think about MCS. From now on, I'll purchase it based on the extra leg-room, free booze, free luggage only and not count on the meal.
Feb 9, 2011, 9:50 am
#25
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: AA Gold,DL Gold
Posts: 858
Never had this problem in MCS.
I think the key issue is that SFO-SEA is a short haul flight and not fully catered with meals, if any at all, mostly snacks.
Transcon MCS has some popular items sell out but I've never had zero food options.
I think the key issue is that SFO-SEA is a short haul flight and not fully catered with meals, if any at all, mostly snacks.
Transcon MCS has some popular items sell out but I've never had zero food options.
Feb 9, 2011, 10:21 am
#26
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA 1K 25 years/2MM, Honors LT Diamond, AVIS & Hertz Prez Club
Posts: 4,753
I'm wondering what the time of day was and when the last time the plane was catered was. If, for example, that plane flew SFO-LAS-SFO-SEA and had a catering first thing that morning, it could have been low on supplies for the SFO-SEA segment. But I agree, this is an unusual situation.
Feb 10, 2011, 9:59 pm
#27
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 21
Yep, haven't seen that on the SFO/SEA run (I'm usually on a morning or evening flight). I've only ever seen snacks/candy/packaged boxes on that flight, and I'm surprised enough people would want those for them to sell out so quickly. Of course, sometimes I just go with the ginormous Snicker's bar.
Feb 11, 2011, 10:51 pm
#28
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 424
When doing an upgrade online within 24 hours of flight, how do I upgrade my seats to Main Cabin Select with the $35 fee? Do I go to the itinerary and select "change flight" and then select the new seat at the lower fare? Or is it on web check-in? Or is there a special way that I am missing?
Also, is there a discount within 24 hours to upgrade to First Class as well?
Also, is there a discount within 24 hours to upgrade to First Class as well?
Last edited by ethanwa; Feb 11, 2011 at 11:02 pm
Feb 12, 2011, 6:45 am
#29
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: BOS
Posts: 2,315
It is now a 6 hour in advance opportunity for first class, looks like still 24 for MCS. Directions here:
http://virginamerica.custhelp.com/cg...i=&p_topview=1
http://virginamerica.custhelp.com/cg...i=&p_topview=1