Twilight checkin to increase chance of paid for upgrade

Hello,

My first post to the forum, I am flying out to Vegas on Saturday, and would like to try and pay for an upgrade from Economy to PE.

If I can goto Gatwick the day before, and use the Twilight checkin, which I believe opens at midday, would that increase my chances of paying for an upgrade?

As I will not be staying next to the airport, I take it I will not be able to check my bags in, not that it matters, but does that effect my ability to use the twilight checkin service?

In summary, I just wanted to increase my chances of being able to upgrade myself with cash to PE, I've checked the loads on expertflyer, and they seem reasonable.

J6 D4 R4 Z4 W9 S9 K9 Y9 B9 L9 M9 Q9 X9 N9 O9

any advice or thoughts would be great, and finally any idea on the costings?

Many thanks,

General question to anyone - Why is K still showing? Wouldn't that have been removed at T-14days?

You could always check your 'manage my booking' to see if any upgrades are being offered there or give VS a ring.

It is not compulsory to be staying at a hotel to be able to use twilight check-in. The basic premis is being able to check-in and dump your bags the day before you fly.

Just because there is space available in the cabin does not always mean that upgrades will be offered at the airport.

[honey lamb]

There's no problem about using Twilight check-in. Some V-flyers living relatively near LGW have been known to use it and then go home for the night, just bringing their carry-ons the next day

Tonty, they may well accept a paid upgrade as opposed to a miles upgrade. After all, cash is cash!

tontybear and honey lamb, thanks for your replies, and for letting me know that you do need to be staying at the airport to take advantage of the twilight checkin.

I would look at manage my booking for upgrade costs, but as the ticket was booked through a travel agent - this is not the case, as when checking the booking, there is no option for this.

With regard to asking for a paid for upgrade is this done at the checkin desk or the ticket counter - does it matter?

Do you have any idea on costs for upgrade to PE, I have searched the forum and found different ideas on costs ranging from reasonable (say around £200) to costs that would make your eyes water. Also is it possible to jump to Upper Class?

Many thanks,

[mitchja]

I believe you can upgrade with cash (card payments are only accepted) at any check-in desk now as they all have chip&pin terminals. Ask there first, if they can't do it, they will just send you to the ticket desk.

You can upgrade to either Premium or Upper using cash at the airport. Cost wise, a Premium one-way airport upgrade starts in the region of ~£200 and a one-way Upper upgrade starts around the ~£600 mark. Lots of different factors (loads, availability etc) will come into it to determine the actual cost on the day though.

thanks James, I'll post what I find out nearer the time.