upgrading to premium economy at the airport

hi, we have paid for our flights using our virgin airmiles but have heard that sometimes upgrades to premium economy are offered at the airport, we are flying from gatwick so if there are seats available in premium economy will we be able to pay the extra and upgrade if we have bought our flight with airmiles, thanks for any advice this is the first time i have used my miles to buy flights, susie

Hello Susie (isn't that a song by Amen Corner?)

I think strictly the answer is no, if you've used airmiles then you can't upgrade with cash, so rules are there if they want to hide behind them.

That said, it all depends on what's happening on the day so it's always worth the ask


EDITED: per Liz's note below, looks like I was giving duff information. Sorry.

I think in theory they could ask for the difference between the cost of an upgradeable ticket class and the class into which miles bookings are made in addition to the upgrade price, but if they offering 'upgrade for x' then I guess that's unlikely.

Paul

thanks, will give it a try and see, fingers crossed they will let us, thanks again, susie

Not familiar with all the T&Cs buy you could always check your 'manage my bookings' page now and see if they are offering the upgrade and if you are happy with the price go for it.

If not, and as Paul says it's always worth asking at check-in - any availabilty would depends on actual loads and your destination.

as far as I'm aware you can still pay to upgrade if have paid for your ticket with miles.

I was doing more or less the same thing the other week, and after enquiring was told it was pretty full, and economy was empty, realised that getting a row of 4 seats in economy to stretch out full length across was better than a PE seat any day. and that's precisely what happened.

If I were you I'd get to the airport and use the automated check in machines. when they give you the option of choosing your seat /re-assigning a new seat, take it just to look at how full or not Economy is. (you can always cancel and stick with original seat) if its very full then maybe an upgrade is worth it. if you see whole rows blocked off to keep the plane balanced, just park yourself as near as possible to them, and grab a row for a fully flat experience superior to any PE seat...