Using Velocity Upgrades
Oct 4, 2011, 1:20 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Dunedin, New Zealand
Programs: Air New Zealand Airpoints - Gold Elite, Velocity - Platinum, Qantas - Gold
Posts: 180
Using Velocity Upgrades
I, like many, have taken advantage of the status match that Virgin Australia were offering recently. I'm just wondering what the best value way to use my 4 complimentary upgrades would be?
To use the upgrades for the majority of Virgin's flights, it looks like it will just upgrade my fare from a Flexi fare to a Premium one, but most of the Premium benefits are ones that Platinum members receive anyway, aren't they?
It also looks like the best value would be to use the upgrades to go to Business Class, however, the only Business offering appears to be for flights to/from Perth. At least that's the only ones that I can find for Australian domestic flights.
Keen to hear people's thoughts as to how they use their upgrades? Also, am I correct in assuming that I can gift upgrades? I thought I read that somewhere.
To use the upgrades for the majority of Virgin's flights, it looks like it will just upgrade my fare from a Flexi fare to a Premium one, but most of the Premium benefits are ones that Platinum members receive anyway, aren't they?
It also looks like the best value would be to use the upgrades to go to Business Class, however, the only Business offering appears to be for flights to/from Perth. At least that's the only ones that I can find for Australian domestic flights.
Keen to hear people's thoughts as to how they use their upgrades? Also, am I correct in assuming that I can gift upgrades? I thought I read that somewhere.
Oct 4, 2011, 4:20 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: OOL/DOH
Programs: QF LTS WP, Avis Pres Club, HH Diam.
Posts: 3,192
I have not yet attempted to use mine, but you are correct in it is an upgrade from Flex to Premium/Business. At this time the only Business routes are MEL/SYD/BNE-PER (RT), although more are supposed to be coming.
I thought you can only gift for someone flying with you - but I may be wrong.
I thought you can only gift for someone flying with you - but I may be wrong.
Oct 6, 2011, 8:32 am
#3
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: HAJ / BUD / SYD
Programs: LH SEN, BA Gold, AF Plat, Velocity Plat, IHG RA, HHonors DIA, EC Priv Elite, Hertz Pres Circle ...
Posts: 180
I agree, at this moment the trans-Australia connections to/ from PER give you an excellent saving/ burning ratio. The fare difference for my particular dates in October were 798 for Flexi (the fare you need to get in order to be able to request an upgrade) comparing to the standard business fare of ~ 2600. I ended up not booking a flight to PER, but I will go to Brisbane tomorrow using 2 of the 4 complimentary upgrade vouchers.
About two weeks ago, I made the booking through the phone and I requested an upgrade to premium right at the moment of booking. The process couldn't be any easier.
The route is SYD-BNE-SYD, so it's no doubt not the best burning ratio, but I had to book a flexi fare anyway, so it seemed to be reasonable to take the chance...
About two weeks ago, I made the booking through the phone and I requested an upgrade to premium right at the moment of booking. The process couldn't be any easier.
The route is SYD-BNE-SYD, so it's no doubt not the best burning ratio, but I had to book a flexi fare anyway, so it seemed to be reasonable to take the chance...
Oct 6, 2011, 5:23 pm
#5
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: HAJ / BUD / SYD
Programs: LH SEN, BA Gold, AF Plat, Velocity Plat, IHG RA, HHonors DIA, EC Priv Elite, Hertz Pres Circle ...
Posts: 180
That's a smart idea - I would do the very same if I could. However, I am going back to Europe in the near future and I'm not sure if my upgrade voucher would simply just expire as I had no chance to use them at all within the next 12 month.
Oct 6, 2011, 6:27 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Sunny SYDNEY!
Programs: UA Million Miler. (1.9M) Virgin Platinum. HH Diamond + SPG Gold
Posts: 32,330
I looked yesterday, and lowest fare SYD-PER is $169 each way. Somewhat different from $798. 
From what I understand Platinums can enquire at lounge for upgrades within a 3 hour time frame from flight, and if lightly booked they are done for $50 to $100 or so - no cert needed.
From what I understand Platinums can enquire at lounge for upgrades within a 3 hour time frame from flight, and if lightly booked they are done for $50 to $100 or so - no cert needed.
Oct 6, 2011, 7:11 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Dunedin, New Zealand
Programs: Air New Zealand Airpoints - Gold Elite, Velocity - Platinum, Qantas - Gold
Posts: 180
Oct 6, 2011, 7:21 pm
#8
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: OOL/DOH
Programs: QF LTS WP, Avis Pres Club, HH Diam.
Posts: 3,192
I looked yesterday, and lowest fare SYD-PER is $169 each way. Somewhat different from $798.
From what I understand Platinums can enquire at lounge for upgrades within a 3 hour time frame from flight, and if lightly booked they are done for $50 to $100 or so - no cert needed.
From what I understand Platinums can enquire at lounge for upgrades within a 3 hour time frame from flight, and if lightly booked they are done for $50 to $100 or so - no cert needed.
Oct 6, 2011, 10:16 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,994
is that benefit still available since the 4 comp U/G certs came into play? I know I used it as a Gold before Plat came out but was not aware it remained after the latest program enhancements. It would be great if it was still there, there always seems to be PE availability between OOL and anywhere...
To use the complimentary upgrades you need a Flexi fare, which for SYD-PER starts at $389 one-way.
For best benefit on SYD/PER you need to look for the 330 aircraft - be careful with this, check and re-check when booking.
Oct 6, 2011, 11:23 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2000
Programs: UA 1k, AA EXPLT, NZ GE, VA PLT Hyatt Diam, Marr Plat, HH Diam
Posts: 3,445
Agree with others. Flew BNE-PER in J using an upgrade. Nice meal service. The new J seats on the 737s aren't very comfortable, unfort. Hard and almost no recline. Great service tho, with a few kinks to be worked out (warm beer, and flight ran out of ice after a few hours).
Oct 6, 2011, 11:52 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: OOL/DOH
Programs: QF LTS WP, Avis Pres Club, HH Diam.
Posts: 3,192
"The Taster" has gone the way of the Dodo and is no longer available.
To use the complimentary upgrades you need a Flexi fare, which for SYD-PER starts at $389 one-way.
For best benefit on SYD/PER you need to look for the 330 aircraft - be careful with this, check and re-check when booking.
To use the complimentary upgrades you need a Flexi fare, which for SYD-PER starts at $389 one-way.
For best benefit on SYD/PER you need to look for the 330 aircraft - be careful with this, check and re-check when booking.
Oct 7, 2011, 4:51 am
#12
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: HAJ / BUD / SYD
Programs: LH SEN, BA Gold, AF Plat, Velocity Plat, IHG RA, HHonors DIA, EC Priv Elite, Hertz Pres Circle ...
Posts: 180
I looked yesterday, and lowest fare SYD-PER is $169 each way. Somewhat different from $798.
From what I understand Platinums can enquire at lounge for upgrades within a 3 hour time frame from flight, and if lightly booked they are done for $50 to $100 or so - no cert needed.
From what I understand Platinums can enquire at lounge for upgrades within a 3 hour time frame from flight, and if lightly booked they are done for $50 to $100 or so - no cert needed.
Anyway, I flew SYD-BNE today and I was pleasantly surprised when I entered the aircraft: the 737 already had the new business class style Y+! So no red Y 3-3 seats with an empty seat in between, but two rows each having four (2-2) American domestic first class style seats. These seats were very comfortable and don't compare to the previous Y+ I experienced three weeks ago on DJ...
Oct 8, 2011, 2:58 pm
#13
Join Date: Jan 2000
Programs: UA 1k, AA EXPLT, NZ GE, VA PLT Hyatt Diam, Marr Plat, HH Diam
Posts: 3,445
Sure, but the saver fare won't be eligible for the upgrades. To request an upgrade, you need to book a flexi fare which costs ~ 390 AUD each way. I haven't heard about those lounge / cash upgrades, but some weeks ago I realized that another Platinum member was upgraded from Y to Y+ upon boarding (by the purser "as a valued platinum frequent flyer I would like to offer ... ").
Anyway, I flew SYD-BNE today and I was pleasantly surprised when I entered the aircraft: the 737 already had the new business class style Y+! So no red Y 3-3 seats with an empty seat in between, but two rows each having four (2-2) American domestic first class style seats. These seats were very comfortable and don't compare to the previous Y+ I experienced three weeks ago on DJ...
Anyway, I flew SYD-BNE today and I was pleasantly surprised when I entered the aircraft: the 737 already had the new business class style Y+! So no red Y 3-3 seats with an empty seat in between, but two rows each having four (2-2) American domestic first class style seats. These seats were very comfortable and don't compare to the previous Y+ I experienced three weeks ago on DJ...
Nov 16, 2011, 2:24 am
#15
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Australia
Programs: Too many
Posts: 1,096