V-Flyer

I am on the verge of booking a couple of M to G upgrade fares. This is my second attempt after getting M to G seats last year for Tokyo (subsequently canncelled and changed to ANA after the route was axed). The release date for my preferred return flight is approaching. I have been watching the release of UC reward seats for these flights closely recently. Available seats appear daily on the VS website but soon go, so I assume demand is high.

My question is: at what point do I call Virgin to try and secure the upgrades? Frpm memory I think someone said it was 8am UK time that reward seats were released daily (if at all), but maybe I imagined this? If anyone can confirm or advise I would be grateful. I want to be first in that queue come the day

I think I have found my answer here:

http://v-flyer.com/forum/index.php?f=4& ... ic#p885459

I knew I had read something about 8am somewhere.

I don't think release of reward seats necessarily coincides with seat release.
I think when I booked mine I was on the phone earlier than eight on the day of release.
I checked on line first, saw reward seat availability then got on the phone.
I'll see if I can check my phone bill.
Dick D

Sadly my Virgin Media billing only shows calls above 50p and I call an 01293 number so it's not on there.
Dick D

I have found that reward seats come and go during all times of the day or night as it is done by a computer.
You just need to keep an eye out

If they do not have UC reward availability for my preferred dates but do have PE seats available and I book them as upgrades from an M bucket, then at a later date UC availability appears, is there a charge for making the ticket change on top of the extra ticket price for UC plus taxes?

There shouldn't be a change fee for going to a higher cabin on the same flight.

I would also echo the above comments about the sheer randomness of G availability.

I've also read a few comments on other threads to suggest that sometimes FC can see reward availability that isn't showing online.

Maximus wrote:If they do not have UC reward availability for my preferred dates but do have PE seats available and I book them as upgrades from an M bucket, then at a later date UC availability appears, is there a charge for making the ticket change on top of the extra ticket price for UC plus taxes?

No charge, unless you also do a date change. This is way I normally do it. I got lucky booking next years flight and got the whole lot in one go.
Dick D

Thanks all. I shall see what's available come the day. Fingers crossed.

Lady Luck shined on me this morning

There were no reward seats showing online for flights on the 21 April on the VS website Impatience got the better of me (nothing new there!) and so I called the FC just to see if there was any undisclosed availability.

As ever, they were friendly and efficient. And indeed there were x2 UC upgrades available (just!) on both my preferred outbound and inbound flights to Miami

Our plan will be for a few days in Miami and then hit the road for a slow coast by road down to the Keys. Another trip of a lifetime I have always wanted to go on, so big cheesy grins today

Out on a 747 but returning on an A330 as by then the 747s will have been removed from VS service.

Well done.
I am really happy for you.
Dick D

Yes well done.

When trying to find Gs it seems you should always search for the outbound and return legs separately.

ISTBC but I think VS offer different reward availability in different markets, so for example the website may show no availability for the return leg of an LHR-JFK-LHR itinerary but if you search for JFK-LHR one way there may be availability on the same flight as they want to attract more U.S. customers.

Congrats - it definitely seems to be easier to snare a G by phoning them up than relying on the website.

abraxias wrote:Congrats - it definitely seems to be easier to snare a G by phoning them up than relying on the website.

I agree, they are very helpful and I have been fortunate twice now. Of course I would probably not have been had I wanted Orlando seats in the school holidays (God forbid ).

Well done Maximus, let the planning begin...