V-Flyer

Anyone ever been offered a free flight upgrade with va when they are flying a on a special birthday?
Wishful thinking on my part I should imagine ,but thought I'd ask!

No, this really isn't something that ever happens.

There's no harm in asking, but I wouldn't get your hopes up!

I'd be prepared to bet it's one of the most asked questions at check in! Birthdays, anniversaries, honeymoons, they've heard it all and it'll almost certainly be a no. The only time VS offer free upgrades (or 'op ups' as they're known) tends to be when a flight's oversold in economy but there's still space up front.

I'd agree with gumshoe. My very rough maths makes me think it's extremely common:

VS carries around 5.5 million pax per year, so about 15,000 per day on average. Which means it's likely to be a birthday for around 40 VS pax every single day.

It's mine on our return on 22nd April - but as we're already in UC I won't bother asking

ScoobySu

ScoobySu wrote:It's mine on our return on 22nd April - but as we're already in UC I won't bother asking

ScoobySu

That's a perfect excuse why you should ask anyway

There was a story a few years ago (can't remember if it was here or elsewhere) that Mr & Mrs Newly Wed arrived at LGW check-in and Mrs was dropping all sorts of hints about it being a special occasion (flash of wedding ring) and how marvelous it would be if they could be upgraded (another flash of ring) etc etc

Same happened at the gate (the ring flashed again). Then again when they boarded. All this to the embarrassment of Mr Newly Wed who was probably wondering how soon he could file for divorce.

Someone must have warned the FSM because they congratulated the couple but pointed out they had several other honeymooners on board - with the implication that the weren't that special!

Shame, I'm going to New York for my 30th this weekend! To be honest though I've never asked about upgrades (free ones, anyway) and can't imagine I ever would - I'd be too mortified!!

Just too let you all know how rare it is for an "event" to get upgraded....
When flying VS to get married and to honeymoon a number of years ago it wasn't the bride and groom that got upgraded. It was someone else in my same party.
No special event for them, they just checked in last, was in a single and were VS Au on an oversold PE flight.
Got to admit, at the time I was not overly impressed, its funny now tho.

I would never expect to be upgraded on my b'day, but It's worth mentioning it if it's a special one... we flew to ORD on my husbands 40th, we were in PE. I mentioned it to the cabin crew and they made a special announcement and brought us some fizz and chocolates for our little boy. Nice touch VA
My husband was soooo embarrassed !!

I think it's a rarity. Last year we flew back from SFO on my birthday; the gentleman manning the line for security saw it was my birthday on my passport and sent my husband and I to the fast track line. So nice of him! But no upgrade (we were flying with BA and had no status).

No free upgrades but then we were already flying UC. Husband's 50th birthday the night before our flight to Dubai. Just before landing, husband was presented with a very nice bottle of champagne, compliments of the captain! We were not expecting that! (However, it did get us into trouble a little bit with our butler at the Burj Al Arab)

prob got a better chance if you looking glum.
They might take pity on you!

To be fair, aside of normal holidays we do try and do things on birthdays, anniversaries etc. I'm sure others are the same. They say in every 11 people 2 will have the same birthday (perhaps not the same year).....imagine a full aircraft. Add the honeymooners, wedding anniversaries et al. Perhaps you would be better turfing up saying it's a very unspecial day

Thanks for all your replies,some did make me chuckle.I wouldn't of asked for a free upgrade was just wondering if they ever did it automatically. But I guess that is unlikely as you've all stated ,as likely to be many people with something to celebrate.