UPGrade Costs
Sep 18, 2010 | 10:56 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: SEATTLE, WA USA
Programs: UAL, AA, AS, CX
Posts: 1,980
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.
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.
Sep 25, 2010 | 4:02 am
#3
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Long Island, NY, USA
Posts: 1,338
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?
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.
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.
Sep 25, 2010 | 9:42 am
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Piggly Wiggly "Shop the Pig!" Preferred Shopper
Posts: 60,728
You can go straight from regular coach to F, if available. Yes, $270 is the cost for that on the long hauls.
Sep 28, 2010 | 10:15 am
#5
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Long Island, NY, USA
Posts: 1,338
Sep 28, 2010 | 11:45 am
#6
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Piggly Wiggly "Shop the Pig!" Preferred Shopper
Posts: 60,728
Oct 10, 2010 | 6:29 pm
#7
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Colton, CA
Programs: Marriott Gold Newb, Virgin America Elevate Founding Member, Continental Minion, Delta Skyminer
Posts: 52
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!
Oct 10, 2010 | 7:18 pm
#8
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Miami, FL, USA
Posts: 4,104
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!
Oct 10, 2010 | 8:20 pm
#11
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 85
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.
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.
Oct 11, 2010 | 12:51 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Miami, FL, USA
Posts: 4,104
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.
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.
Oct 11, 2010 | 5:51 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 21,286
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"...
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.
Oct 11, 2010 | 7:13 pm
#14
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Miami, FL, USA
Posts: 4,104
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.
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 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.
Oct 11, 2010 | 7:20 pm
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: SEATTLE, WA USA
Programs: UAL, AA, AS, CX
Posts: 1,980
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.
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.
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