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#772135 by hillgj12
21 Mar 2011, 16:29
Hi All,

I am in PE on VS015 28/04/2011 I have just checked the load map on expert flyer and can see only 2 seats taken in UC. Does anyone know when we check in on the day and ask if there is availability what the likely cost would be to upgrade 4 people given it’s practically deserted in there? If they come back with something like £500 for all of us I would be very tempted!!
#772139 by hillgj12
21 Mar 2011, 16:39
I thought it would be more than £500 but was hoping that rather than have it empty they would be prepared to negotiate!! :) after all I will only have the PE luggage allowance or less and they are going to have to crew the UC even with just 2 people in it... they would be more likely be able to resell my PE seats as well. I can’t see the food and bed is worth £500 each at that short notice but hey-ho worth a shot!
#772140 by Neil
21 Mar 2011, 16:40
clarkeysntfc wrote:I don't mean to sound blunt, but it's more likely to be £500 per person.


Even then I think you are being generous.

It will all depend on what your current fare code is, and what the current price is. If they have no need to move people (ie PE isn't full or oversold) then they will just charge the standard price.

The fact that UC is empty really won't mean much in terms of trying to get a reduced price.

Neil
#772141 by tontybear
21 Mar 2011, 16:48
hillgj12 wrote:Hi All,

I am in PE on VS015 28/04/2011 I have just checked the load map on expert flyer and can see only 2 seats taken in UC. Does anyone know when we check in on the day and ask if there is availability what the likely cost would be to upgrade 4 people given it’s practically deserted in there? If they come back with something like £500 for all of us I would be very tempted!!


Just because the cabin is empty it dosen't mean that VS will offer upgrades (paid or otherwise) and even then it won't be for the equivalent of £ 125 per person ! Generally I don't think you can even get from Econ to PE for less that £ 200 per person and from PE to UC will be at least triple that.

Have a look in 'manage my bookings' and see if there are any offers there. They may also appear at OLCI. There is no harm in asking at check-in but be prepared for a cost of something like £ 500 per person
#772142 by JCBR
21 Mar 2011, 16:51
£500 per person would even be termed a bargain - more likely 700-1000 each.
#772143 by David
21 Mar 2011, 16:55
Last month, I was quoted £841 per person to upgrade from p/e to Upper at check-in

David
#772153 by msmith
21 Mar 2011, 17:50
As another reference point I paid about $1900 (or £1100) for a PE -> UC upgrade flying SFO to LHR.

The flight was nearly full, not sure if this makes a difference.
#772160 by Sunshine
21 Mar 2011, 19:05
Last week on a very overbooked plane in economy the bargain price (their words) for a PE to UC upgrade was £850 per person ?|

However I am flying on the 22nd April to MCO in PE and I have just upgraded to UC on miles. I noticed a whole bunch of UC reward seats had suddenly become available in April that weren't there before :D ^)

Perhaps that would be your answer but it depends of course on your ticket code.

Sunshine 8D
#772222 by pjh
21 Mar 2011, 23:41
For our flight to IAD in a few weeks I was offered, on the VS website, an outbound u/g from a cheap PE to a Z for £250pp...which I took.

Three years ago on a flight to ORD I saw the manifest at the CH desk and noticed that only 7 UC seats were taken. When I asked about a one way PE-UC upgrade I was told £1000+ each plus miles....

Paul
#772240 by pvfpaul77
22 Mar 2011, 03:24
These upgrade prices make me realize what a great deal my LAX-LHR flight in July is. $2200 (£1375) for UC return.
#772252 by Neil
22 Mar 2011, 08:42
pvfpaul77 wrote:These upgrade prices make me realize what a great deal my LAX-LHR flight in July is. $2200 (£1375) for UC return.


Is that an MPM fare? Haven't seen a standard fare, even in the sale like that for a long time.
#772254 by pjh
22 Mar 2011, 09:06
Neil wrote:
pvfpaul77 wrote:These upgrade prices make me realize what a great deal my LAX-LHR flight in July is. $2200 (£1375) for UC return.


Is that an MPM fare? Haven't seen a standard fare, even in the sale like that for a long time.


Possibly because it's ex USA rather than ex UK? Haven't there been discussions before about differential pricing in this respect?
#772255 by chumba
22 Mar 2011, 09:14
Sunshine wrote:
However I am flying on the 22nd April to MCO in PE and I have just upgraded to UC on miles. I noticed a whole bunch of UC reward seats had suddenly become available in April that weren't there before :D ^)

Sunshine 8D


I too noticed last night that there seems to be quite a few reward seats opened up for MCO on and around the 22nd. y)

We have bagged a couple for the 22nd which FC are currently holding whilst we try to sort some accommodation out. If we can then i'll be accompanying sunshine to the sunshine. :D
#772259 by Neil
22 Mar 2011, 09:43
pjh wrote:
Neil wrote:
pvfpaul77 wrote:These upgrade prices make me realize what a great deal my LAX-LHR flight in July is. $2200 (£1375) for UC return.


Is that an MPM fare? Haven't seen a standard fare, even in the sale like that for a long time.


Possibly because it's ex USA rather than ex UK? Haven't there been discussions before about differential pricing in this respect?


I usually check the US fares at sale times and when I am booking, just because I like to see what the differences are, and still haven't seen those sort of fares in years. I actually remember seeing that type of fare quoted one way on the US site not that long ago.

We have however, had a few members saying they have had excellent MPM fares for the West Coast around that figure.
#772270 by hillgj12
22 Mar 2011, 11:52
If we can get for c.£500 each is it really a once in a lifetime experiance? I am all for trying things once at least you can say you have done it!! and you do only live once after all...
#772271 by Hev60
22 Mar 2011, 11:55
My PE -> UC Upgrade price for our trip to BOS in May is currently showing at £779 per person, per leg.


I never realised before I joined this forum and started to read the posts just how fortunate I have been with VS.

I've flown to Boston (love the city) three times in the past five years and have been upgraded from PE to Upper class twice. The PE tickets had been purchased at a discounted sale fare price, which I guess makes it even more lucky. Obviously didn't get all the usual UC perks but the cabin made for a comfortable journey.
#772273 by Neil
22 Mar 2011, 12:06
hillgj12 wrote:If we can get for c.£500 each is it really a once in a lifetime experience? I am all for trying things once at least you can say you have done it!! and you do only live once after all...


Erm - I'm not sure I would call it that necessarily. Yes it is very nice and a hell of a lot nicer than travelling in Y, but it is still only a 9/10 hour flight.

As with anything, it is what is important to you and how you want to spend your money.

We have flown UC a few times now, mainly thanks to miles. While I would love for us to be able to travel like that all the time, when it comes down to parting with my hard earned cash, there are times when I have chosen to fly Y or W knowing I could use the money for something else instead.

Firstly, I don't honestly think you will get an upgrade for £500 per person, but if you get a good price then you just have to decide if *you* think it is worth it.

Thanks,
Neil
#772274 by hillgj12
22 Mar 2011, 12:09
Thanks Neil... Love the idea of it but you are right it is a lot of money and perhaps miles + is a better idea. Maybe next time :D
#772281 by JCBR
22 Mar 2011, 12:38
Hev60 wrote:
My PE -> Obviously didn't get all the usual UC perks but the cabin made for a comfortable journey.


I think the only perk you would have missed is the limo service ?
#772283 by DarkAuror
22 Mar 2011, 12:46
JCBR wrote:
Hev60 wrote:
My PE -> Obviously didn't get all the usual UC perks but the cabin made for a comfortable journey.


I think the only perk you would have missed is the limo service ?


It would depend on where Heve60 got upgraded. If it was at the gate then there would have been no CH experience, just the cabin.
#772285 by honey lamb
22 Mar 2011, 13:07
DarkAuror wrote:

It would depend on where Heve60 got upgraded. If it was at the gate then there would have been no CH experience, just the cabin.

If you get a free op-up at check-in you can't use the CH
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