V-Flyer

I'm flying to MCO on 25th June on VS071, we've booked with VH and are travelling PE both ways. There is three adults and 2 kids travelling. I've done a load check and the situation is as follows :-

J9 D9 R9 Z9 S9 Y1 B1 L1 M0 Q0 X0 N0 O0

My question is, what are the chances of our party being up-graded to UC? And is there any particular way of enhancing these chances? None of us have any miles with VS, I'm a regular flyer with CO.

I just wondered how they go about filling the UC cabin if it's not booked.

Very much depends on if Y and W are over-sold.

Unless there is a need to create space further back, operational upgrades are highly unlikely.

If they do, then there are a multitude of factors that will decide who gets lucky.

First choice is likely to be those offering miles at check-in. Then is goes into things like FC status etc.

To be honest, it would be unusual for a party of 5 to be upgraded to Upper. There will be singles and pairs which are easier.

Never say never, but if I were you, I wouldn't hold my breath.
Sorry.

The only way to enhance your chances of an upgrade is to remember your credit card.

A380 wrote:I just wondered how they go about filling the UC cabin if it's not booked.

I think the short answer is they don't, unless, as Darren says, they have oversold in the other cabins. I flew to Chicago last year on a flight where only 7 of the 40+ seats in UC were taken, and when I enquired about an upgrade with miles they stuck to the published rules of cash to get to an upgradeable fare code plus the miles. They were clearly in no hurry to fill the seats.

It did mean we got excellent service in PE as some of UC crew were deployed to assist in PE.

Paul

I agree - just because there is space dosent mean they will offer upgrades unless you are willing to cough up miles and / or cash.

If they do offer operational upgrades you will probbaly be at the end of the queue due not having any FC miles or tier points.

Plus being 5 of you won't help either.

In Nov 2008 I was flying to Chicago and was booked in PE and upgraded to UC. they wanted the fare difference from my K fare into the next bucket plus the miles - despite UC being only 1/2 full once I got in there!

In mid Feb I was on the VS1 to EWR and there were only 19 of us in UC on a 747. 11 upstairs and 8 in the bubble (and at least one was a staff partner). The whole of the B Zone was deserted - very eerie when walking to stretch legs / go to the bar !

I suppose they could have upgraded people in PE etc but they need to protect the 'value' for the people who actually paid the fare. If there were lots of free upgrades just because there was space then no one would book into UC because they would expect to be upgraded.

Thanks for all the replies, looks like I'm going to have to settle for better service in PE

This is my first PE experience so very much looking forward to it and hopeful of bubble seats.

A380 wrote:This is my first PE experience so very much looking forward to it and hopeful of bubble seats.

y) PE in the bubble is a great experience..