UPGrade Costs
 

Based on this below from the sticky is there different costs to upgrade online vs. at the airport kiosk? If so is one or the other cheaper? Thx

Q: Can you get a standby upgrade to first class?

A: Yes. If there are seats available 6 hours or less before departure, you can before check-in. The charge for upgrading depends on the flight distance: 849 miles or less is $70, 850-1499 miles is $110, and 1500 miles or more is $270. The best deal (longest distance within the cheapest category) is SEA-SFO, which still falls within the $70 upgrade. Some have said that you can do it *during* online check-in (OLCI), but I have found that to never work. In fact, if you get through the first page of OLCI, the online upgrade seems to not work. As long as there is a seat, you can upgrade to it. To do it on the web page, go to the page where you can manage the reservation. There will be a checkbox that will allow you to check-in. Do not check it (yet), but note that it is there. If it is not there, you are not within the 24 hours (according to Virgin America's clock). Instead of checking that, press the button that says "change seats". When you mouse over one of the first class seats, it should tell you how much the upgrade will cost, and it should be the price above, instead of the fare difference. Go ahead and select the seat and enter payment information. After you are all done and your credit card has been processed, you can check-in.

There is no difference.

MC to MCS to F or M to F?
 

Do you have to upgrade to MCS at t-24 and then try upgrading to F at t-6? Or can you upgrade MC to F directly? Is the $270 upgrade cost for a long flight for MC to F?

You can go straight from regular coach to F, if available. Yes, $270 is the cost for that on the long hauls.

Is the upgrade cost lower to go from MCS to F?

I was able to upgrade for $160! Nice!

Yep, $110 from MC to MCS; $160 from MCS to F; $270 for MC to F. Of course, net cost is reduced for any bags checked that would have incurred fees in MC.

on the plane?
 

I've hear or read about on the plane upgrade. While we were seated in first, someone asked the pilot as they got on. He said loud and proud if there's still room in first it's never too late to upgrade. Another passenger mumbled it's never too late to take your money!

Yes, you can do it on the plane by selecting it from the menu on Red.

Does anyone else think the upgrade costs to MCS are too high?

What do you think the costs should be?

Let's do a quick reference point, Alaska Airlines.

to "F"
0 - 1,250 $50
1,251 - 2,500 $100
2,501 - 3,750 $150
3,751 and above $200

to MCS, "exit row + food + bag"
849 miles or less is $35
850-1499 miles is $55
1500 miles or more is $110

to "F"
849 miles or less is $70 (+35)
850-1499 miles is $110 (+55)
1500 miles or more is $270 (+160)

If you are checking a bag, then the equation makes more sense.

I would like to see <850 $35, <2000 $60 >2000 $85, thought?

always,
m.

But aren't the Alaska prices you quoted for Airport only, as opposed to T-24 for MCS and T-6 for F? I think there's a measurable value there. If you want to say there should be a different (lower) price for airport buy-up, I agree. I won't even bring up the extra value of 55" seats vs. 38"...

No, these prices also apply for OLCI on AS.

VX was filling SEA-LAX F cabins at $50 day-of-flight upgrade (which is the same price for F on AS on that route). Not so much at $110 (which is MORE than the one-day Y fare on that route). AS doesn't regularly fill their F cabins on SEA-LAX either, even at $50.

I don't remember a $50 day-of-flight Y->F SEA-LAX on VX...but I know you fly that route all the time, so I'll defer to you that it once existed.

I certainly wish it was cheaper. I would use it SEA-x-FLL. Another thing that makes the VX upgrade more valuable is that you aren't fighting against MVP and MVPG who could get upgraded at T-72 and T-24. You also don't have to wait for seats to be "released", as every open seat is available.

Hmmmm can you confirm what you mention here then please for VX. AT T-6hrs I could UPgrade Y to F on VX thru the web for $110 o.w. SEA to LAX. For SEA to SFO it was $70 o.w.

Are you suggesting if done at the airport it's a different price? If so how? That was not my experience this past weekend on SFO to SEA - it was still $70 via the web or at the airport Y to F UPgrade. Thanks