Upgrading...

Hi there, I need a little help if possible?

I recently received an email telling me I had enough points for a 'free' upgrade. I'm flying to SF in Feb so this was a nice email to see before booking. Now, I can book an economy flight for around £460 with an option to upgrade for around £398. The flight is grade N. If I choose 'Economy, flexible' the flight comes in at £1,716, a tad ridiculous for economy...Okay, a few questions;

a) Can I upgrade at the airport using my points?
b) Is an upgrade for both inbound and outbound journeys?

Many thanks.

Confused.

[Nottingham Nick]

Welcome to the site.

This is one of the most common questions asked. To upgrade with points - you need to buy from one of the more expensive ticket buckets - you cannot do it from an N Fare.

See the V-Flyer FAQ's here - faq/4-on-the-ground/27-upgrading-for-miles

Or here on the VS website - http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/fr ... /index.jsp

Nick

Hi Nick, thanks for the prompt reply.

I kinda thought that was the case but was a little shocked at the price of a flexi ticket. It'd be cheaper for me to just buy a PE ticket. Shame as I thought I had been sent a little gift!

[Neil]

You don't need a fully flexible Y class ticket to upgrade, you can buy a L fare, which is more expensive than the lowest fare, but nowhere near as expensive as a full Y fare.

You can get a price for an L code by calling Virhin and specifically asking for it, or there is a place in the VS site where you can get a price for specific fare code, it's in the FC section but I don't have the link right this minute.

Thanks again, I found an L class flight for £760, much better. Just out of curiousity, if I bought the cheaper seat, is there still a chance of maybe paying money plus miles once i get to the airport?

The full flexi ticket is just that - your plans change and you can get your money back or change flights etc. You are paying for that flexibility.

Of course if you do take the flight it does work out pretty expensive especially as you still sat in the same cabin, on the same seat and get the same meals as those on the cheapest tickets.

It is the same as rail fares - buy a flexible get any train ticket and you will pay more than an advanced must be on this particular train fare

So yes the fully flexible Y fare is more expensive that the restricted (and cheapest) K fare in PE.

If you want to see a really eye watering fare look at a J fare - the fully flexible UC fare. Not much change from £6k return to NYC or £ 7k for Sydney !

As Neil says you need an L fare but when you call VS to ask them to also check that there is availabiity in 'U' class for PE or 'G' for an UC upgrade as there must also be availility in these fare bckets.

[honey lamb]

Go into the VS website and on the left hand column click on Flying Club and then Spend Miles. Go to Upgrades/Companion Flights. There is a booking form on the page. If you select Economy it will give you the opportunity of selecting the class of L, B or Y

You'll need to be logged in to your account but it will give you the fare as well as availability

[Neil]

Thanks again, I found an L class flight for £760, much better. Just out of curiosity, if I bought the cheaper seat, is there still a chance of maybe paying money plus miles once i get to the airport?

Yes possibly, if there seats, and more importantly seats they are willing to sell for miles, still available, you will be able to pay to upgrade to the correct fare code and then add miles also.