V-Flyer

Hi
I purchased X class tickets for a family holiday through a travel agent, I would like now to use miles to upgrade. Is it possible to upgrade the ticket class from X to M. I appreciate that this will cost me. Just wondered if it is actually possible.

Thanks
steve

Yes it can be done. The cost will be the difference between what you paid and the cost of the M fare. This can vary depending on many things such as availability and any pre purchase requirements that no longer apply.

However if it's through a travel agent you'll have to call them, who will then likely have to call VS and play a nice game of phone tag.

Tbh though I've never dealt with travel agents!

be very careful!

in the past i've upgraded TA tickets at the airport a few times (never been able to do it online or by calling FC, they would not touch a TA ticket before travel date), but it is not always plain sailing...

a few weeks ago the company TA booked me M fare code tickets as i'd asked for a fare code i could use my miles to upgrade, but when it got to travel date VS said that i could not use miles, and this was because i had...

[...]what we call a nett fare. These are non-published ticket types such as discounted, corporate, travel agent or tour operator fares and can only be upgraded using miles in the following booking classes: W, Y and B.

unless you can get FC to somehow guarantee what the TA does will give you miles upgradable tickets, you may end up in the same situation

Never been able to do this when I booked thru a travel agent

Interesting, come to think of it, when I used to book via a 3rd party site, I always knew I'd had to phone them instead of Virgin but I never had a problem. Granted, it seems YMMV.

Thanks all for your replies.

Looks like it might be more hassle than its worth.

Back to the original plan of lying economy with the kids, and then using the miles for a trip to New York for just the Wife and I. Will make sure I book an upgradeable ticket. the bonus is I will have enough for Upper upgrades for the two of us :-)

ste1010 wrote:Thanks all for your replies.

Looks like it might be more hassle than its worth.

Back to the original plan of lying economy with the kids, and then using the miles for a trip to New York for just the Wife and I. Will make sure I book an upgradeable ticket. the bonus is I will have enough for Upper upgrades for the two of us :-)

Were you looking at going from economy to PE with the kids? If so I would heartily second the idea of saving it and doing UC with your other half. The jump between PE and UC is, IMHO, orders of magnitude bigger than the jump between E and PE.

If you start looking early you should be able to book flights which have availability visible for UC in and out of NYC, a quick phone call to FC and you will have confirmed UC tickets with no stress and no fear of an upgrade never materialising.