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Is PE to/from EWR worth it?

PostPosted: 05 Feb 2009, 13:33
by dtickner
Hi all,
I am off to New York for the first time on Weds 11th, just checked my booking details online and they are offering 238 per person to upgrade both legs.

Not sure if I will do both, but they are offering 109 on the return leg to upgrade.

Now I am wondering if this is worth it?

It is an Airbus A340 600 I believe.

We fly out on Weds 11th at 8pm, arriving at EWR at 11.25 and we return on Monday 16th, leaving EWR at 8am and landing back here at Heathrow at 8pm. We have to go to work the next day!

So my thinking is that we will be excited on the way out, but on the way back, it might be nice to pay the 109 and upgrade so that work the next day is a bit more bearable!

What do people think?

Many thanks!

PostPosted: 05 Feb 2009, 13:43
by Sealink
Definitely for that price.
I agree about the outbound - excitement keeps you going! But at the end of the holiday why be cooped up down the back?

PostPosted: 05 Feb 2009, 14:34
by locutus
If you only upgrade on the way back, imagine how you'll be feeling as you walk past PE as you make your way down the back. I'd do both, but definitely on the way back.

What are loads like on the way out there? If you can nab a few economy seats to yourself, then that may be better value than a full PE cabin.

PostPosted: 05 Feb 2009, 14:39
by DMetters-Bone
I concur too, that is a very good deal PE would be a nice added treat to your holiday.

Look forward to reading what you do and make sure you do a TR [y]

Dominic

PostPosted: 05 Feb 2009, 14:47
by tontybear
Bear in mind that on the way back your luggage allowance will be 2 * 32kg in PE rather than 2 * 23kg in Econ so factor that into your calculations too. The £-$ rate is creeping back up and I'm sure the sales are still on ! (Dont forget to collect your 11% discount card for internationa visitors in Macy's)

Here the baggage allowance page on the VS website

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/pa ... ypiece.jsp

PostPosted: 05 Feb 2009, 14:52
by Neil
Another vote for both ways, but at worst on your in bound, it makes the flights so much more comfortable.

PostPosted: 05 Feb 2009, 15:01
by PeterStansfield
Here's another vote for upgrading both ways. It's only money after all...

Think of all the nice things about Premium

-Premium check in
-Champagne before take off
-MUCH bigger & more comfy seat
-more luggage
-more mileage points

Do it!

PostPosted: 05 Feb 2009, 15:05
by dtickner
Haha thank you all for the wonderful comments and help. I am very very tempted to do it both ways :-) Or at least try and pay at the airport for the outbound, if I decide to do it on a whim.

Are the prices they are quoting me now online likely to be better than if I ring up / ask at the airport?

Thanks again guys!

PostPosted: 05 Feb 2009, 15:14
by dtickner
Argh!! I have just clicked on the 'upgrade for £109 inbound' button, and it only offers me the chance to upgrade on the way out , or both ways, not the inbound on its own!!

So now I need to either upgrade both or none it seems! Or try and ring up...

PostPosted: 05 Feb 2009, 15:17
by Neil
Not sure why it is not letting you just upgrade the inbound, if you can do it both ways.

The price you are been quoted is very good, leaving it until on the day/at the airport is a risky strategy, not only could there not be any availability, but I imagine the price would probably be higher also.

Neil

PostPosted: 05 Feb 2009, 15:29
by tontybear
Hi

I put your flight details into the VS booking engine and its offering the upgrades (I wont mention the basic fare in case yours was more lol) for

outbound - £139
inbound - £ 99

still £ the 238 quoted but it looks like there are some shifts between the two - you mentioned £ 109 inbound

The advantages is if you do the upgrade now you KNOW you will deffo be in PE rather than chancing it at the airport. Also doing it now means you'll have a better choice of seats (don't forget to look at the seat maps and comments)

And depending on what time you will be able to get to LHR before your flight, rather than do PE on the way out another option may be spending £ 60 on using the CH

PostPosted: 05 Feb 2009, 15:42
by ukcobra
quote:Originally posted by PeterStansfield
Here's another vote for upgrading both ways. It's only money after all...

Think of all the nice things about Premium

-Premium check in
-Champagne before take off
-MUCH bigger & more comfy seat
-more luggage
-more mileage points

Do it!




Not seen the Champagne in PE for a long time, every time I ask, it's Sparkling Wine.

Agree with the advice though. PE both ways from me.

PostPosted: 05 Feb 2009, 17:04
by pjh
quote:Originally posted by tontybear
And depending on what time you will be able to get to LHR before your flight, rather than do PE on the way out another option may be spending £ 60 on using the CH


I thought that option was only available if you'd booked through VH ?

Paul

PostPosted: 05 Feb 2009, 17:46
by tontybear
Thanks Paul

I thought you could and stand to be corrected but maybe dtickner could ask when he phones to sort his upgrade out !

Chris

PostPosted: 05 Feb 2009, 18:17
by mavml
I've just done this on LHR-IAD - paid £218 each to upgrade both ways - my first time in PE and at that price it was well worth it.

With these prices though, a lot of people are taking the offer up it seems - PE was full outbound and almost fun on the return, so I wouldn't wait until the airport to try - it will almost definitely be more expensive, if available at all.

PostPosted: 05 Feb 2009, 18:26
by slinky09
If you have the money, why not! It will be hugely more comfortable with better service and a much easier check in. I would certainly check the seating plan because if there are two of you then sitting in the pairs on the side of PE is just lovely. Waiting for the day = risk which you alone must balance up but if I had the dosh, I'd splash it in a dash!

PostPosted: 05 Feb 2009, 18:33
by pjh
Yep, I'd agree. If you have the money, it's a bargain.

I just tried to see what it would cost to upgrade PE-UC for my ORD trip at Easter...a mere £1,110 each return. [:w] Mind you, it's almost spot on the difference between the current sale fare and the sale fare I paid for my PE tickets so fair do's.

PostPosted: 05 Feb 2009, 19:15
by Treelo
Upgrade, upgrade, upgrade every time for that price. You know it makes sense [y]

PostPosted: 05 Feb 2009, 19:46
by Slipperman
No brainer for me, if I were doing it.

Sadly it's over a grand for PE upgrade on our Vegas trip (£3600 for the family.....another no brainer [:0] )

PostPosted: 07 Feb 2009, 21:48
by G-MIDY
With out doubt worth the money.
On a couple of journeys over night from JFK I've enjoyed the comforts/privileges of PE with *A gold status. A quiet Y cabin gives ample opportunities for a 'lie flat' bed [;)]
When you wake up wander back to your PE seat for a pre-landing coffee and muffin!
good luck!

PostPosted: 09 Feb 2009, 21:15
by Guest
I would certainly do both ways at that price. The last time we upgraded to PE at the airport it was £500 each way for the 2 of us

PostPosted: 09 Feb 2009, 22:38
by Roxy-Popsy
Go on, you know you want to...................
Will wait for your TRs![y][}:)]

PostPosted: 17 Feb 2009, 14:57
by dtickner
Hi all,

Unfortunately back from an amazing 5 nights in NYC :-(

I didnt upgrade in the end, but was glad I didnt! Economy was only half full both ways, so as soon as the seatbelt sign went off, I legged it up the plane and claimed a middle row of 4 for myself and my girlfriend. V happy!

So we had the luxury of more space, without the cost!