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Non-upgradable S Fare

Posted:
08 Dec 2009, 13:26
by jmechan
Hey all,
Wondering if anyone's come across this before - I'm booked to travel this weekend, by work, in S class. My understanding was that this was upgradeable to Upper. However, having spoken to FC, they say it's booked in S but on a special 'IT' fare, i.e. a special fare they give to travel agents, and as such I can't upgrade it.
So has anyone seen this before and does anyone have any suggestions? I'm guessing I can ask again at checkin but would ideally like to sort it out beforehand if possible. Any thoughts?
Jon

Posted:
08 Dec 2009, 16:34
by eejp1007
Yep this is correct.
The only upgradeable fare is either bought direct from Virgin Atlantic or a 'published fare' which is exactly the same as the ones available on the website but the agents can book it and then add their own service charge.
All bookings, irrespective of class, that are booked using a discounted contract are not allowed to be upgraded.
Ed

Posted:
08 Dec 2009, 17:25
by jmechan
Bum!
So my W return fare (as it's not discounted) should be fine to upgrade, subject to G availability of course.
So what do you think my chances are of upgrading at the airport? Will they be more lenient perhaps or am I just doomed to failure...?
Cheers,
Jon

Posted:
08 Dec 2009, 17:39
by Guest
quote:Originally posted by jmechan
So what do you think my chances are of upgrading at the airport? Will they be more lenient perhaps or am I just doomed to failure...?
Cheers,
Jon
From what I have read on this forum, the T&C's often go out of the window at the airport and if they want to get a bum on an UC seat then they may well take a stack of miles or even for a fare code that looked 'non upgradeable' the day before ...... so I wish you good luck and a fair wind as they say. [y]

Posted:
08 Dec 2009, 17:45
by jmechan
I thank you kindly sir. Fingers crossed!

Posted:
08 Dec 2009, 18:04
by eejp1007
Exactly, once your flight is under airport control then they can do whatever they want and the airport is the best place to have friends or to try to do things.
If your W class flight was booked through a travel agent who used their contract rates then that will not be upgradeable too.

Posted:
14 Dec 2009, 01:28
by gliderpilot
My S fare also had IT on it, but still managed to upgrade at the airport. My colleagues are just a tad miffed as for some reason I had an S ticket on the return leg and they had a K. No idea why that would be!

Posted:
14 Dec 2009, 15:07
by barnstaple
quote:Originally posted by eejp1007
Exactly, once your flight is under airport control then they can do whatever they want and the airport is the best place to have friends or to try to do things.
If your W class flight was booked through a travel agent who used their contract rates then that will not be upgradeable too.
Actually W and Y contract fares can be upgraded (probably because these fare classes are vary rarely contracted) it is just the slightly more restrictive S and econ equivalents that can't be unless they are published.

Posted:
14 Dec 2009, 22:30
by jmechan
Upgraded at the airport, no problem. Not sure what'll happen on the way back though as the flight is looking pretty full. Will probably have to wait til the airport anyway for there to be G availability.
Thanks,
Jon