Upgrading at the airport using miles - any tips?

Hi All,

On VS24 back from LAX tonight. Sabre suggests that Upper is pretty quiet (well, at least 9 seats free)... I'm hoping to use some miles to upgrade from PE.

The potential snag with the upgrade is that I'm booked with VH (which aren't supposed to be upgradable.) I've tried calling the flying club and they're not playing ball because of my VH fare bucket, but they said to try at the airport.

So.... what's the best way to try this at the airport? Planning to get there early. Should I go to the ticket desk first or is it best to check-in? Or does it not really matter? With Upper seemingly quiet, will it particularly matter which fare bucket I'm in?

Any other thoughts or suggestions would be gratefully appreciated.

[:)]

[Neil]

Hi,

It is a tough question to answer accurately. The rules state that you should have to upgrade your non flexible fare to an upgradable fare code first and then use your miles to upgrade, if they are able to upgrade you with miles at all. Saying that though, there have been occasions when people have been able to use miles with the wrong fare code, but this is not standard practice.

There are many factors that could affect what response you get, if the flight is wide open in all classes then it is likely to be a no, or you have to follow the rules. If Y or PE are overbooked and UC is open, then you could be doing them a favour by upgrading so you could get a positive response.

I would probably say to go to the ticket desk first, as they will be the ones who will be able to sort anything if you are able to upgrade.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.
Neil

* VS - VIRGIN ATLANTIC AIRWAYS ** 000 WE 16SEP
VS 024 J4 D4 R7 Z4 W4 S7 K4 Y7 B6 L6 M2 Q0 X0 N0

Could be worse, it's definitely not empty in Economy though

Flight looks open to me - op ups or cheap upgrades unlikely then.

quote:Originally posted by eejp1007
* VS - VIRGIN ATLANTIC AIRWAYS ** 000 WE 16SEP
VS 024 J4 D4 R7 Z4 W4 S7 K4 Y7 B6 L6 M2 Q0 X0 N0

Could be worse, it's definitely not empty in Economy though


Looks odd to me, why S7 and only W4, W should always be equal to or higher than S availability ...

I get...

J9 D8 R8 Z8 W9 S8 K8 Y6 B6 L5 M5 Q4 X0 N0

from KVSTool (Sabre mode)

Either way, I'm not getting my hopes up based on the comments above. Thanks all.

[RichardMannion]

You never know until the day though, what airline is going to turn down extra cash at the moment if it is an easy request to accomodate. I think you will struggle trying to use miles though.

last time I flew in PE I offered miles to upgrade but they wouldn't do it as I was on a K class fare. Got to the gate however and got the magic beep! Would have made sense to take my miles but I'm not complaining !!