Free Upgrades

what are the chances of a honeymoon couple who are flying club members and frequent virgin club members getting a free upgrade on what i would call a reasonably empty flight? :X :X

[Neil]

Honestly, very little to absolutely none.

Firstly airlines only upgrade people if they *need* to, because the flight is oversold and they have to move people, a quiet flight is not good for op-ups. Then it will be done in a specific order, with gold card holders been at the top of the list, followed most likely by single travellers on full fares.

The notion that the fact it is your honeymoon will have any impact is an unfounded rumour.

Sorry if it sounds harsh, but better to be realistic than have false hope.

Honestly, very little to absolutely none.

...
The notion that the fact it is your honeymoon will have any impact is an unfounded rumour.

Sorry if it sounds harsh, but better to be realistic than have false hope.

Neil is right.

There was a thread on here a while ago about a newly wed couple dropping hint after hint after hint about their nuptuals in the expectation of an upgrade but whos bubble was burst when they were told by CC (after the umpteenth hint) that there were at least a dozen of newly weds on the flight!

You are probbaly more likely to get something at your hotel if you booked via VH (and assuming you, told them it was your honeymoon!) rather than an upgrade on the plane.

Enjoy your wedding and honeymoon.

Firstly airlines only upgrade people if they *need* to

Which really means VS ... most commercial airlines are more relaxed, some to the point of guaranteeing you free upgrades on certain thresholds of frequent flier mileage.

Then again VS has been know to apply the friends of VS rule - and certainly the FoSRB.

Unfortauntely, for Andy, none of this will include you. You may be given a glass of champers on board ...

[Darren Wheeler]

VS even ran an advert based on it...

the-community/photos/photo?userid=5&albumid=5#photoid=1917

I can't find a larger version so the test is readable.

Looks to me like the text says:

"But it's our honeymoon"

Don't blag an upgrade, fly Premium Economy
With a dedicated check in,
up to eight inches more legroom,
separate cabin and wider seat
all at an affordable fare
there's no need to XXXXXX (can't read this)
Contact 08XXXXXXXX or virgin.com/atlantic

Please feel free to correct me if i'm wrong but don't BA quite offten give upgrade for free from World Traveller to WT+ and from WT+ To Club World? It's just I understand why airline sometimes need to upgrade people if certain cabins are over booked however i've heard of a lot of families being upgraded for free, I thought it was normallt flying club members or people travelling on their own?

[Nottingham Nick]

My impression is that VS and BA only op-up when they have to. ie when a cabin is oversold. It is a long time since I have flown BA, so I am sure regular BA pax will correct me if my impression is erroneous.

US airlines on the other hand, seem to offer upgrade certificates to their higher tier fliers at the drop of a hat.

The net result of this is that BA / VS fliers who want to be sure of sitting in a particular cabin pay for the privilege, and look at an op-up as an unexpected and welcome bonus.

US travellers, on the other hand, think that there is no point in paying extra for premium seats, as they will get a free op-up. They then take it as a personal insult if they don't get an one.

I witnessed a steady stream of United passengers at SYD almost begging the agent in the lounge to give them a free upgrade on the LAX and SFO flights; and then some being quite rude when she told them that there were other pax higher up then pecking order than them.

Nick

I have gold status - I realise free upgrades are completely discretionary and not expecting one at all but would it be better to ask when I check in my luggage or at the gate? And how do you ask at the gate - when you are handing over your boarding pass?

Thank you and sorry to hijack thread but didn't think my query deserved a new one!

[Neil]

You don't usually ask, you get selected, and are either told when you check in, in the CH or when you hear the 'magic beep' when your boarding pass is taken at the gate. I very much doubt asking for a free upgrade would receive any success.

Neil

Don't ask - it's really annoying and you are probably the 192nd in the queue. If you need to ask something then approach the sales desk and ask on the cost of upgrade.

I have to admit that I find it quite rude that people expect/want to know how to be upgraded for free. I am not loaded but consider travelling in a premium class something worthwhile for paying for, why should you blag it? If you've shelled out an extortionate amount of money on a wedding then I think you deserve the upgrade even less!

If someone turns up at the airport and is upgraded on at the choice of the airline then congratulations.

I thought it was normally flying club members or people travelling on their own?

Oh contraire - as Nick says, it's primarily because of the operational need to move people around the cabins when a flight is full.

US travellers, on the other hand, think that there is no point in paying extra for premium seats, as they will get a free op-up. They then take it as a personal insult if they don't get an one.

Indeed - it's kinda irking when I witness this having paid ... and also having team members in the US who get their free upgrades all the time when I, the boss, get's stuck in the back .

You don't usually ask, you get selected, and are either told when you check in, in the CH or when you hear the 'magic beep' when your boarding pass is taken at the gate. I very much doubt asking for a free upgrade would receive any success.

Neil

Couldn't agree more. You don't ask - I think the very act of asking is more likely to drop you down the order if those being asked have any powers of discretion...

US travellers, on the other hand, think that there is no point in paying extra for premium seats, as they will get a free op-up. They then take it as a personal insult if they don't get an one.

Nick

You posted a link about that chap the other week who took his business elsewhere because AA 'fined' him for trying to manipulate the system.

The notion that the fact it is your honeymoon will have any impact is an unfounded rumour.

Damn, Neil you spoilsport - me & SWMBO were expecting an upgrade in a few weeks too B)

Although the latter part of the below sounds encouraging

Please feel free to correct me if i'm wrong but don't BA quite offten give upgrade for free from World Traveller to WT+ and from WT+ To Club World?

No, aside from that we're honestly not expecting anything at all. We booked WT+ because VS PE was £700 more expensive, we couldn't really afford Club or UC and we (errr I, SWMBO has never flown long haul) certainly didn't want to book Y.

My personal view is that you should always book a class of travel that you're happy to stay in if the upgrade deities don't look on you favourably, then you're not disappointed

Cheers
Michael

cheers for allthe replies.. wasnt expecting anything anyway and i think i have pre booked pretty good seats.. the way i look at it its just transport to an amazing honeymoon..