Help please - Virgin Atlantic Fare Codes

Hi all

I've just been reading the Virgin Atlantic fare codes at the following link on the v-flyer site the-toolbox/fare-codes?code=L

If you read to the bottom about the Complimentary flying club companion reward in classes Y, B, R & L it states that you can combine the complimentary flight with the economy to premium upgrade ' If you utilise the revenue fare for a companion reward, you can then also upgrade that revenue fare to a higher class but not the reward seat. So person A buys the L class revenue fare, and gets a companion reward for person B (booked in T class), person A can then use miles to upgrade to Premium Economy (booked in U class) but person B cannot use miles to upgrade. The exception to this rule is if you have reached the threshold via spend on your Virgin Credit Card for the upgrade award, in this instance you can use the upgrade award to upgrade the Economy Companion seat to Premium Economy'

I have just phoned Virgin Atlantic to confirm this but they are stating this isn't possible. I've also looked on their website and can't find anything there.

Can anyone help please as to who I can speak to confirm this or point me to somewhere on Virgin's site that states this? Can anyone tell me where this information came from and is it still relevant. Any help you can give me would be most appreciated as I'm looking to do just this as I don't want to lose my rewards if at all possible. I only have 3 weeks before I need to use them so a speedy response would be very welcome.

Many Thanks for your anticipated help.

[Neil]

It is correct that the ticket bought with cash can be upgraded with cash or miles to a higher cabin providing there is availability / reward availability if wanting to use miles. There is no reason why VS should be saying this is not possible, I would try speaking to another agent.

You cannot upgrade the 'free' companion seat though.

You cannot upgrade the 'free' companion seat though.

That's not what it says on the fare code description page on this website 'The exception to this rule is if you have reached the threshold via spend on your Virgin Credit Card for the upgrade award, in this instance you can use the upgrade award to upgrade the Economy Companion seat to Premium Economy'

This is the bit i'm trying to confirm....there is no problem with upgrading the revenue fare with flying miles its the companion flight i'm confused about. I have both a companion flight from my virgin CC and an upgrade reward from my virgin CC. The quote above states I should be able to combine them.

Thanks

This is an interesting one. I can't find a condition stating that what you want to do is not allowed. You are not allowed to have the companion seat in a higher cabin than the revenue fare, but you'd be getting around that by upgrading the latter.

Having said that, I have always had the impression that you couldn't upgrade from a companion or PE upgrade voucher. Maybe I'm wrong.

Ok that's understandable but where did the information come from that is posted on this site. Either it's wrong or Virgin have changed their terms since it was written?

[Neil]

Hmmm, that information has been on here for quite a while so I guess it could have been changed by VS.

It is difficult to keep on top of the fare codes as Virgin change things often and it isn't published so it takes a lot of work to keep the fare code rules fully accurate.

It is worth checking again with VS as there are so many reports of one agent wrongly saying no only for someone to ring up and get a correct yes from another agent.

Ultimately is VS still say no, then there isn't much you can do.

Damn!! !

Just out of interest does anyone know who posted the information on this site and where they got it from?

Thanks

[Neil]

Damn!! !

Just out of interest does anyone know who posted the information on this site and where they got it from?

Thanks

The Fare Codes were written initially a long time ago but one of the mods, he was extremely knowledgable about VS and fare codes when it was written so it will have been accurate. Unfortunately for us he doesn't fly VS anymore so his interest in the subject isn't there now.

VS have changed their fare codes a lot recently, but as far as we know the information is still accurate.

Have you called VS again?

Neil

No I haven't called again yet as i'm awaiting a call back from one of their agents who was going to go away and check the exact fare rules.

I'll let you know when I get a response.

Thanks

[Neil]

No I haven't called again yet as i'm awaiting a call back from one of their agents who was going to go away and check the exact fare rules.

I'll let you know when I get a response.

Thanks

Thanks - it would be interesting to see what they say and which rules they are quoting as to why it isn't possible.