Page 1 of 1

Upgrade Bids?

PostPosted: 24 Jun 2014, 22:40
by tonymc
Hi,

I have seen the option to bid for an upgrade mentioned a few times on various forums.

We have a K class PE booking made through Delta flying MAN-MCO (VS073/4). When I log into my booking, I have been able to request seats, but cannot locate any option to bid or pay for an upgrade for the return leg.

Just wondering if this is because it was booked via Delta and/or if the class of ticket precludes a paid upgrade?

Any light that could be shed on this very much appreciated.

Thanks.

Re: Upgrade Bids?

PostPosted: 25 Jun 2014, 08:15
by dickydotcom
Personally I wouldn't bother.
I did a PE earlier this year to MCO
the minimum bid was never less than £900 to upgrade. I think that was per leg.

Dick D

Re: Upgrade Bids?

PostPosted: 25 Jun 2014, 08:34
by mrsw
I recently had a Delta booking, where one of the sectors was in VS metal. I think when I went to select seats on the VS flight an option was there for bidding for upgrade. I didn't bother clicking through it based on what I've heard/read here, also I think it's available on selected routes.

Re: Upgrade Bids?

PostPosted: 25 Jun 2014, 09:00
by Smid
I think the one time I saw one, it went from 1200 to 1800 each way. I'd take that as a pointless PR exercise in which VS seems to excel (like the companion voucher).

Re: Upgrade Bids?

PostPosted: 25 Jun 2014, 09:11
by mrsw
Also I understand that it's usually available from EC to PE, rather than from PE to UC. I may be wrong though.

Re: Upgrade Bids?

PostPosted: 25 Jun 2014, 09:22
by Smid
Well, it might be more common EC to PE, but I've booked PE tickets and seen it. Only ever flown EC once and before the bid system came in.

Re: Upgrade Bids?

PostPosted: 25 Jun 2014, 09:24
by joeyc
tonymc wrote:Just wondering if this is because it was booked via Delta and/or if the class of ticket precludes a paid upgrade?


Hi Tony,

It does not make a difference that it was booked through Delta - you'll still be logging into the VS booking system and a K fare would be one eligible for a paid upgrade to UC so no probs there either.

The thing with the bids is that they are only included on some routes and are never guaranteed to appear. It is a simple push by VS to get people into their premium cabins if the route needs it.

As you are not seeing it, that simply means that VS are not running the bid programme on your flight.

If you are looking to upgrade with money the best bet would be to give VS (or DL) a call and see how much they want. They may run a promotion at the airport check in too, I've seen a few interesting ones over the years.. (from a 'bargain' $2000 upgrade from ECO into UC to a 2 for 1 deal on a pair of ECO to PE upgrades)

Never stop trying to turn left 8D

Re: Upgrade Bids?

PostPosted: 25 Jun 2014, 12:24
by gumshoe
Smid wrote:I think the one time I saw one, it went from 1200 to 1800 each way. I'd take that as a pointless PR exercise in which VS seems to excel (like the companion voucher).


Hardly pointless for VS if people are paying over the odds for upgrades!

It's the oldest marketing trick in the book - something the supermarkets excel at. Make people think they're getting a good deal when they're really not.