Upgrading Months Ahead-- Change Fee?
 

I have a question about upgrading, which if already answered, my apologies, but I haven't been able to find it. I'm flying LAX-ORD in May, and purchased a MCS seat both ways. I was reading here again on the VX FT forum about all the beauty of F, and thought I'd consider it for the return trip as it will be a busy trip and I know I'll be tired. I checked prices for this return trip and the current price for F is around $240 more than what I paid MCS. This is the same as if I upgraded at T-6. If I change my flight to first class now, will I be charged a change fee? I would like the confirmed seat rather than trying for a T-6 upgrade that may or may not happen.

Parenthetically, the last time I flew VX in F, my PDB request was orange juice. I needed to take Aleve and did want that as my PDB. The FA said something low under his breath that I did not catch, and I did not get the PDB. Any ideas on why that would be? I hadn't eaten in quite a while so the OJ would have been doubly nice. Is the PDB exclusive of some beverages?

I'm not sure what PDB is, but in F they bring you whatever you ask for if they have it on board. They may not have had OJ (although, that would kind of surprise me)

As for change fees, I'm not sure if that counts as a change or not. You could just call and ask them. Even if there is supposed to be a fee, they may waive it and just charge you the fare difference if you ask nicely. (and, of course, if you used the VX CC, the change fee is waived)

PDB = pre-departure beverage. These terms can be confusing for sure-- I have to use the glossary under the Help file a lot! Perhaps it was that it was harder to obtain than an alcoholic beverage for whatever reason, because the others that asked for those got them.

Thanks for the suggestion to just call-- I'll do that.

I considered getting the VX credit card, but after reading so many issues that people are having with the new card, I've decided to not take that step. I'll wait until they get things a bit more under control before I'll sign up and keep using my other co-branded credit cards!

Oh, departure. I thought you meant pre-flight beverage, but I couldn't figure out how to munge "flight" into a D. I've definitely seen people get non-alcoholic drinks before takeoff, and I've done it myself. I've had to wait a long time once, but that's because I was getting coffee and it wasn't finished brewing. Most likely they either didn't have it, or the FA misunderstood you and thought you asked for something that they didn't have. I would have asked again (or at least clarified what was said)

I think that the issues with the card are mostly just a vocal minority of people complaining. Most people have had no issues at all.

Please report back with what they tell you about the change. I'm curious to know whether that counts as a reservation change or not.

I just got off the phone with VX for the second time tonight. The first time I called, I checked the VX website to confirm that the price was still the same. It was actually a bit lower, so great! Only-- not. I called and the VX CS agent I got said the fare wasn't there, that F was completely sold out. What? It still showed available on my computer, and first had been empty. She said to refresh and the fare would probably go away-- it didn't. She said she was sorry, that she couldn't do anything as F was full. She said that perhaps others had put the seats on hold for 24 hours, but eight people within five minutes?

I did ask about the change fee, and she said as I wasn't changing the flight, only the class, that I wouldn't be charged. Great! Only--

When I got off the phone I checked the flights again and first class showed available, but was now $800 higher than the previous price I'd pulled up. That pushed it up to $1000+ more than the MCS I already had. Curious, I played around some more, and almost every time, I got a different price varying by hundreds of dollars in both MCS and first. MC price stayed the same.

I returned to the computer after a bit, and the original price I'd seen this evening was again posted. I quickly called VX and the CS agent said she saw the same fare and that first was completely empty. She would be happy to upgrade me, but would need to charge a change fee. I explained I had been told earlier this evening I wouldn't be. She excused herself briefly, came back and said that she wouldn't charge me the fee. So, I ended up paying less than $200 more for first than my original MCS seat.

While the agent was on her computer, I mentioned what had happened with the prices, and she said the computers had been crazy all day. All the agents must have been horribly frustrated. I commiserated and thanked her for her help. All's well and I'm happy.

Do you have status on VX?

Regardless, nice to know that it's possible without change fee. I knew UA usually waived the change fee if you are going to a higher fare from a lower fare but didn't know about VX. I have a similar situation with a few reservations, but I have the VX card regardless so I wouldn't be much a test case.

Never had an issue with PDB in F on VX.

No, no status with any airline actually, just Marriott. I travel a fair amount, but leisure. I fly VX whenever possible, but no likelihood of attaining status. Maybe I need to change jobs :p

I do this very often, and find that more than 75% of the time they waive the fee with a polite request and a brief hold for supervisor authorization. I've found its better to Hang Up And Try Again when it doesn't work.