Another Upgrade Question

Afternoon,

I’ve accumulated 50,000 miles over the past six months so thought I would try and get a PE upgrade from Econ for myself and partner. I’ve read this forum quite intensively and understand that using miles to upgrade is mostly down to flexibility.

Looking at the 2011 school terms: Easter is late April. Half term is at the beginning of June. I’ve settled on getting away anytime in May as long as I have between 13 and 17 days in the States.

I’ve just been on the phone to VA and asked for the availability on PE reward flights into IAD or BOS with a return from IAD, BOS or ORD (if it was the later section of May)… The best they could do is a flight into JFK in late April.

I think I’ve been very flexible with my dates and destinations but I’m left feeling, what’s the point of collecting the miles?

If I bought an Econ MPM ticket and then 2 PE reward seats became available, would I be able to upgrade my X to L, then use 20,000 to upgrade?

Thanks,

Mike

[Neil]

Hi Mike,

You can upgrade a MPM ticket to a higher revenue fare code, and there is no fee to do it. You would then be able to use miles to upgrade in the normal way.

You do have to be flexible with dates as you say, but you do seem to have picked a busy period, although I must say I am surprised you are struggling to get a PE miles seat to NYC during May, as it is a highly supplied route.

I would try and do some dummy miles booking on the VS website, and see what the availabilty calendar gives you as options, might be easier than asking FC to check every day.

Neil

I've just looked at BOS in May next year, and for two adults I see many options out and back in PE ... as Neil says, look yourself then call FC with your preferred dates?

You can upgrade a MPM ticket to a higher revenue fare code, and there is no fee to do it. You would then be able to use miles to upgrade in the normal way.

That's great news. Thanks Neil.

You do have to be flexible with dates as you say, but you do seem to have picked a busy period, although I must say I am surprised you are struggling to get a PE miles seat to NYC during May, as it is a highly supplied route.

Sorry - I think my post might have been confusing. I was trying to get to BOS or IAD and the best VA could do was JFK and not even near my requested dates.

I would try and do some dummy miles booking on the VS website, and see what the availabilty calendar gives you as options, might be easier than asking FC to check every day.

I've just looked at BOS in May next year, and for two adults I see many options out and back in PE ... as Neil says, look yourself then call FC with your preferred dates?

Now I'm at a slight loss... How do I know they have reward seats in PE (using the 20,000miles upgrade rather than MPM) without calling and asking? Or if there's an available MPM for PE does that mean I can book a qualifying Econ fare and use miles to upgrade?

Thanks for your help both - really appreciated!

Mike

[honey lamb]

Now I'm at a slight loss... How do I know they have reward seats in PE (using the 20,000miles upgrade rather than MPM) without calling and asking? Or if there's an available MPM for PE does that mean I can book a qualifying Econ fare and use miles to upgrade?

Thanks for your help both - really appreciated!

Mike

To find out if they have reward seats in PE simply log on to your FC account and then do a dummy booking using the "Spend Miles" option. It should show you what dates reward flights are available

To find out if they have reward seats in PE simply log on to your FC account and then do a dummy booking using the "Spend Miles" option. It should show you what dates reward flights are available

Never knew that! Thank you...

So after finding some useable dates and entry and exit points I've been quoteded the below... Into IAD and out of BOS.

£805 - 20,000 miles - limited dates
£882 - 7,500 MPM - any dates at the moment
£950 - Normal price - majority of dates

Think I'll just go for the £882, save 25,000miles and fly at dates suitable to me.

Thanks for everyones help.

Mike

[Neil]

Just a reminder that you won't earn any miles or TP's on the MPM fare.

You know far more about VA than me but is that still the case for Econ fares as well?

23 Mar 2010 Reward: milesplusmoney, LHR-MIA Economy o/way -2000 0
23 Mar 2010 Virgin Atlantic, LHR-MIA Discounted Economy Class 2215 2

Edit:

And for my return...

01 Apr 2010 Reward: milesplusmoney, MCO-LGW Economy o/way -2000 0
01 Apr 2010 Virgin Atlantic, MCO-LGW , Economy Class 2168 2

[Neil]

Yes it is for all MPM fares.

There have been instances in the past when people have got miles and TP when on a MPM fare for some unknown reason, but it certainly isn't the norm and is clearly stated in the T&C's, so just be prepared to not earn any, and if you do, bonus.