Changes to reward flight pricing

OK now I see ... what's the betting that is a classic VS web site typo?

[Neil]

Just checked back to me getting stuck in SFO last year.

A one-way PE to Upper was 12,500 miles.

Wouldn't that have been worked out on the difference between a one way UC and PE reward fare (50k for UC and 37.5k for PE = the 12.5k you were charged) rather than the old standard miles upgrade amounts?

Why can't VS sort out booking upgrades online anyway?

Why can't VS sort out booking upgrades online anyway?

they are. One of the final stages of the new website is supposed to be a new better booking site.

I think those miles amounts are each way flight, the wording underneath says round trip upgrades relate to 2 flown sectors

also in the Q & A section

http://virginatlantic.custhelp.com/app/ ... l/a_id/327

I don't think that the upgrade mileages on the VS site are each way, as it'd mean a return upgrade from economy to upper would be exactly the same miles as a full return UC reward flight, even VS wouldn't do that!!

I don't think that the upgrade mileages on the VS site are each way, as it'd mean a return upgrade from economy to upper would be exactly the same miles as a full return UC reward flight, even VS wouldn't do that!!

the VS page was updated on 23/12

How many miles are needed to upgrade to upper class on each route?

Members can upgrade one way sectors from 20,000 miles from Economy to Premium Economy and Premium Economy to Upper Class, or from 40,000 from Economy to Upper Class

The inconsistencies on VS's website never cease to amaze me. The link Penny provides above clearly leads to a page that refers to miles needed for "one way" sectors, but the link at the outset of this thread leads to a page that quotes identical miles needed but for "round trips". Come on VS, getting your page copy correct is a fundamental basic.......!!

[Neil]

The new levels being discussed in this thread are for a round trip, it clearly states so in the big bold heading that it is" required miles for a round trip upgrade" and then each destination is listed below.

It is frustrating to have two sets of info, but as the new mileage levels don't come in to effect until 1st Feb they still need to quote the old information on the site also, which is why the FAQ's linked to by Penny are correct, but that is currently valid.

Don't get me wrong Neil I follow your logic but the FAQ's page we get from Penny's link was updated just over a week ago. I can't see how it is valid, even for the current miles needed, as it says you need 20000 miles for a one way EC to PE upgrade, but you don't, you only need 10000. Sorry if I've missed something along the way?

the "little red book" page on Upgrades says for return

20,000 for Econ-Premium
40,000 for Premium-Upper
60,000 for Econ-Upper

It is frustrating to have two sets of info, but as the new mileage levels don't come in to effect until 1st Feb they still need to quote the old information on the site also, which is why the FAQ's linked to by Penny are correct, but that is currently valid.

I don't think that is correct. The routes where mileage fares have been reduced seem to be using the new levels now: try booking a return to NYC departing today and returning tomorrow = 80,000 miles.

It looks like routes which are seeing increased redemption costs are having the change delayed until 1/2/12.

Re upgrades, I would guess that the most authoritative page must surely be

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/fr ... /index.jsp

and it makes absolutely no mention of any date from which the changes are applicable. So I assume they are valid now. I suspect the FAQ that Penny found has simply been updated quickly and inaccurately. And the "little red book" tariff must soon be outdated too. After all, neither of these two tariffs differentiates the upgrade cost based on the route....

the "little red book" page on Upgrades says for return

20,000 for Econ-Premium
40,000 for Premium-Upper
60,000 for Econ-Upper

Absolutely Penny, this is the point I was trying to make, ie. that Virgin are saying one thing in one place and something entirely different in another. So the little red book says what you have quoted above but the link you kindly provided earlier states >>

Flying Club Miles needed to upgrade

Members can upgrade **one way** sectors from 20,000 miles from Economy to Premium Economy and Premium Economy to Upper Class, or from 40,000 from Economy to Upper Class.

So based on this page I would actually need 40,000 miles to upgrade from EC to PE - double what the little red book says

I've got 3 PE reward bookings to New York in April (Economy reward and upgrade using the Amex vouchers) - can we upgrade from PE to UC using airmiles?

OK I think I can shed some more light on the pricing of mileage upgrades.

The FAQ cited by Penny claims to be for one-way sectors. I think that this is simply a mistake. It actually gives the new minimum reward upgrade prices for round trips.

The little red book gives (I think) the "old" prices and is presumably yet to be updated.

I can confirm that it now costs 40,000 miles to upgrade a round trip from Economy to UC on the New York route -- as quoted on the main upgrade page:

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/fr ... /index.jsp

I managed to do this today, and the agent mentioned that the levels had just changed.

I've got 3 PE reward bookings to New York in April (Economy reward and upgrade using the Amex vouchers) - can we upgrade from PE to UC using airmiles?

No , Im afraid not. Flights using the Amex vouchers can't be further upgraded with miles.

I'm confused......the worst is, without a full understanding myself, I will not feel confident enough to call and redeem as I feel sure the call centre staff will all have their own interpretations of the "rules"...and total chaos will ensue...

I'm confused......the worst is, without a full understanding myself, I will not feel confident enough to call and redeem as I feel sure the call centre staff will all have their own interpretations of the "rules"...and total chaos will ensue...

Best way is check out what it would cost on BA, and then phone 3 VS call centre agents, and pick the answer that is closer to the answer from step one. )

A change in costs to my advantage.
What next - income tax down, reduction in duty for gin and abolition of APD?

Just another confirmation, the new upgrade miles quoted definitely are return trips, just booked a trip to California for 25K return!

Just another confirmation, the new upgrade miles quoted definitely are return trips, just booked a trip to California for 25K return!

Thank you, well that is a boost, will save me mega miles.

This looks like good news for me too. I have already booked my LHR-HKG-SYD flights for Feb/Mar at the old rates and this weekend I upgraded an SFO-LHR flight for a couple of weeks time and was surprised to see just 12,500 miles taken. I thought it was a mistake, but I now see it is the correct new rate.

Just another confirmation, the new upgrade miles quoted definitely are return trips, just booked a trip to California for 25K return!

Well gutted, having forked out 40,000 miles each not so long ago! That's the way the cookie crumbles though

Has the companion seat info also changed?

Doesn't seem to make sense?
companion seat table

Just another confirmation, the new upgrade miles quoted definitely are return trips, just booked a trip to California for 25K return!

Well gutted, having forked out 40,000 miles each not so long ago! That's the way the cookie crumbles though

Call and ask for a refund

Seriously, definitely worth trying in my mind.