Availability of Upgrades to First Class
 

Hi,

while I don't mind paying the published First Class fares, I noticed that using a coach ticket + paying the $250 for an upgrade is substantially cheaper (< 50%). However, I generally prefer to be fairly certain to fly First Class.

Not knowing much about Virgin America, I have a few questions:
-- Upgrades are only possible through payment on the day of check-in, correct? Or are there other paths to upgrades?
-- My friend who flies Virgin America frequently said upgrades to First Class on the day of the flight are virutally always available. Is that true? What is people's experiences with the availability of upgrades to First Class. I am primarily looking at the routes SFO<->BOS and SFO<->JFK.

Thanks.

Upgrades are available any time after 24 hours prior to check-in. You can upgrade online the day before. (See the FAQ)

To measure general availability, I find it useful to check out the same day of the week for prior flights. It's generally the same.

There was a thread on this subject in late December (the 26th IIRC) in which one poster said he'd scored T-24 upgrades SFO-JFK twice on the early flight. My comment then -- and my experience throughout -- is that the two early am SFO - JFK flights are usually sold out by T-24, but there is usually a seat or two on the 3 pm and the red-eye. I haven't tried SFO - BOS.

The only way to upgrade is to call up your booking at 24 hours or less until scheduled departure, and let the system offer you the chance to "change seats". The sticky has instructions re: how best to do it (i.e. don't check in).