AU psychology

Am I going crazy?

I have a couple of bookings for future travel and like any good v-flyer I check them frequently for upgrade opportunities.

Recently the possibility arose of upgrading an economy leg to JFK to UC with miles. I was quoted a price of £278 + miles and for some reason that just seemed more than I was expecting (that dratted fuel surcharge), so I declined it. I could still do it but somehow just think it is not worth it. :0

Right now I could also upgrade a return leg of a different trip from JFK with miles (from economy to UC). But I can't really be bothered -- it's such a short flight. :0

I could also upgrade one outbound leg to NYC from Y to UC for £493. Bizarrely I am more tempted by that than a miles upgrade (more TPs and no need to phone VS at all). :0

It is weird. Until recently I had been upgrading all my bookings with miles or with cash. But since acquiring a gold card, the attractiveness of UC has waned a lot because the lounge access is a given. And on short day sectors who needs a flat bed?

What I am starting to wonder is whether the onboard bits of UC are really worth it. My reluctance to spend any more money indicates one possible answer.

I am sure it is not supposed to be like this! Has anyone else experienced the same feelings?

I know what you mean about the short flights and UC during the day. I've never felt the need to fly UC on a 6 hour daytime flight at the extra price of circa £1500 for cheese plates, high tea or champagne. I know a few shops that would be glad for that cash.

Yep definitely. Lounge access, use of upper class checkin and some times ability to sneak up to the upper class bar.. some of the perks of AU, love it.

I usually go for PE seats for the outbound, and only upper on inbound where I need to get some sleep (going straight back into work ) Never turn down an op upgrade or some of the mileage deals I snag at the airport - another thing offered to AU holders when they are looking at a full(ish) flight.

With the loyalty it takes to get to AU, the question should be do you believe that we deserve the upper class perks when we travel? I would say definitely. y)

Totally agree.
When my company went PE only on East Cost flights I shuddered.
The reality of it is that a 6 hours day flight there is simple to do in PE and Y as the bed will never come out. If you choose your seat well in PE and are prepared to put a bit of a sprint on your can get out quick as well.

On the return, even if a night flight once you have got up, set up and start to snooze, I can never get straight off, I get 3 1/2, 3/3/4 hours. I can get that in PE.
I haven't upgraded with miles for a good while due to that.
Cash, yes, the TP and extra miles are always nice

I've never felt the need to fly UC on a 6 hour daytime flight at the extra price of circa £1500 for cheese plates, high tea or champagne.

Quite -- I was thinking about food and drink in particular. You pay a crazy premium for food and wine which in most other circumstances would be a severe disappointment (e.g. the afternoon tea sandwiches... or the current tomato soup starter).

PE food is equally edible, and I've never had a problem getting a G&T in the middle of a flight.

On the return, even if a night flight once you have got up, set up and start to snooze, I can never get straight off, I get 3 1/2, 3/3/4 hours. I can get that in PE.

Agree -- and in UC I am always tempted to stay up more to 'enjoy' the product (i.e. eating another meal unnecessarily just after having one in the lounge).

Heretical thoughts!

I will always do whatever I can to get into UC (except pay).
For me miles is perfect and is pretty much spend neutral as on a PE ticket you earn about what you spend in miles to upgrade so why not.

In practice - apart from Dubai - none of the flights are really six hours. You end up sitting in the seat for at least 7+ hours (you have at least half an hour sitting before you depart).

No mater the time of day I always welcome a napping opportunity and privacy

I will always do whatever I can to get into UC (except pay).
For me miles is perfect and is pretty much spend neutral as on a PE ticket you earn about what you spend in miles to upgrade so why not.

That's fine if you're on an upgradeable PE fare. I'm almost always on the cheapest economy fare (or if not, a K), and the cash costs of "upgrading with miles" (yeah right -- miles + cash, more like) are becoming quite irritating.

I fully understand your point but lets not foret that VS just lost 80m quid - if they don't protect as much revenue as possible they will close down.

Yes I agree with you. I think that what I am trying to say is that, for me at least, the benefits of AU make it much less desirable to upgrade on shorter sectors, even at relatively low cost using miles.

I would have thought that this implies that the differential between the onboard and ground products is quite significant -- for me at least. So I upgrade less, and VS gets less revenue from me -- a small drop in the £80m ocean, but a drop nonetheless.

Well I just asked flying club out right if it was worth renewing AU with them - yeah AU psych.. 8D

Was told that they are moving away from companion tickets at renewal as people hardly ever use them and as an example at 80TPs you can now get a round trip cabin upgrade for 2 people. Not sure on what us lowly people get at 40TPs or whether or not the CH invites are still handed out at 60, but it looks like info is beginning to trickle out or maybe I am just a bit behind things and this has been given out before ?|

Regardless, I hope that they expand the rewards on the ground as well as going all out in the air y)

Interesting debate.

I only ever upgrade to UC on overnight flights, or 10 hours plus flights where I'm likely to grab a few hours sleep.

Frankyl, there is more leg room in PE than UC, unless you put your feet up on the otterman thingy...but I don't find that quite as comfortable.

If money/miles were no object, of course I'd choose UC all the time, but in my circumstances, I don't consider the outlay worthwhile on just about any day flight (apart from LAX/SFO maybe).

Was told that they are moving away from companion tickets at renewal as people hardly ever use them and as an example at 80TPs you can now get a round trip cabin upgrade for 2 people. Not sure on what us lowly people get at 40TPs or whether or not the CH invites are still handed out at 60, but it looks like info is beginning to trickle out or maybe I am just a bit behind things and this has been given out before ?|

Interesting -- I don't think this has been posted before. I wonder what the qualifying fares and conditions will be.

Having said that, 80TPs is quite a lot! I wonder what the renewal bonus will be, if not a compaion voucher.

Interesting -- I don't think this has been posted before. I wonder what the qualifying fares and conditions will be.

Having said that, 80TPs is quite a lot! I wonder what the renewal bonus will be, if not a compaion voucher.

Knowing VS I think it will be geared more to their corp flyers. i.e you will have to be travelling on an upgradable fare ticket (eg. W or S) and still have to pay taxes. I can see these vouchers are effectively going to be take the place of any miles you may use.

As for renewal bonus, the agent I spoke to didn't go into detail at what people got at 40TPs. Either it has not been shared with their staff yet or they have been told not to tell people - my guess is the former. How about a nice silver pen? or more than likely a milleage "bonus" - to keep people flying with them.. ):