Using Black CC voucher for Econ -> PE Upgrade

Hello,

When using the voucher following a spend on the black Virgin Atlantic Credit card for an economy to PE upgrade, do I:

a) Need to buy a certain class of Economy seat, and if so can this be bored through website?
b) Need to check the available reward seats on the website to see availability, or is this a completely different system?

Thanks, Stevey

You need a PE reward available. You can check online, its supposedly the same system the call centre in Swansea use.
Then phone up, they will use your voucher, charge you PE tax & deduct the equivelent of E miles.
You do not need E seats available, just PE.
Also, they will split PE upgrade one way for 2 people.

Don't forget the best time to use these is when there is an economy reward sale on. I got a PE seat to JNB for 18500 in the sale last Jan (plus PE taxes of course)

Thanks both for replying. Wonder if its safer booking when I see a reward seat, or holding off until a reward sale..... dilemma!

[Nottingham Nick]

Which route (s) and time (s) of year are you looking at?
Both factors make a huge difference on reward availability and best course of action.

Nick

This time round it would be MCO to LGW one way, 2 adults and an infant.

I've read this can be a hard to get route.

This time round it would be MCO to LGW one way, 2 adults and an infant.

I've read this can be a hard to get route.

It can be difficult to get Upper but PE is usually a bit easier, especially if you book early and go outside school holidays.
On the three times I've booked Upper reward seats, PE were there at the time of initial purchase 11 months before my return flight date. I suggest you spend some time doing dummy bookings to get a feel for what is available.
Dick D

Thank you! I was lucky enough to get UC for us on the outbound flight.

So, sorry to be a dumbass about this, I should keep an eye on the website, if there is PE availability I should phone straight away and book? Or, should I hope for economy and PE availability, book the economy and then phone to upgrade?

So for 2 adults and 1 infant in economy (one way) i would need 44625miles + £347.88 taxes. Use the free voucher to upgrade, and I would need 44625 miles but slightly more in taxes at £534.88?

Thanks for your help, its really appreciated!

Thank you! I was lucky enough to get UC for us on the outbound flight.

So, sorry to be a dumbass about this, I should keep an eye on the website, if there is PE availability I should phone straight away and book? Or, should I hope for economy and PE availability, book the economy and then phone to upgrade?

So for 2 adults and 1 infant in economy (one way) i would need 44625miles + £347.88 taxes. Use the free voucher to upgrade, and I would need 44625 miles but slightly more in taxes at £534.88?

Thanks for your help, its really appreciated!

Don't worry, it has taken me ages to see how these work. As Eggtastico has said you don't need Economy availability, so check for PE availability and phone up. They will take your miles for the E price and voucher to upgrade, plus the taxes for the PE.
Dick D

Thank you Dicky D.
I'm turning into some sort of maniac mile collected now!

Thank you Dicky D.
I'm turning into some sort of maniac mile collected now!

The worst thing about being an mmc is when you miss an opportunity like buying something direct and finding shops away were giving quadruple miles.
Dick D