The mysteries of Upgrades

Hello-

I was a Gold member about 5 years ago, but lost my status as I was not traveling USA<->UK. Now a change at work has resulted in the need to travel to the UK much more often in the coming years.

I have a few general questions regarding upgrades from PE to UC. Although my search for previously posted answered has not helped much, I would appreciate any links to recommended reading on this topic or some pointers.

(1) First of all, how hard is it these days to get upgrades from popular destinations, such as SFO<->LHR? A quick search of the available "free" ticket dates produces sparse results (even mid week) compared to what I remember a few years ago. Also, I used to be able to snatch a last-minute upgrade for many of my flights, but after trying some mock miles bookings in recent days and netting no availability for subsequent days, that looks much less likely. Have things changed that much?

(2) Where can I read about the rules for "bidding" on an upgrade? Cannot find this on the Virgin site.

(3) Is there any kind of waitlist for upgrades when none are available at booking? If so, is the waitlist ordered by status (Silver, Gold etc)?

Many Thanks (and apologies for newbie-style questions)

Hello-

I was a Gold member about 5 years ago, but lost my status as I was not traveling USA<->UK. Now a change at work has resulted in the need to travel to the UK much more often in the coming years.

I have a few general questions regarding upgrades from PE to UC. Although my search for previously posted answered has not helped much, I would appreciate any links to recommended reading on this topic or some pointers.

(1) First of all, how hard is it these days to get upgrades from popular destinations, such as SFO<->LHR? A quick search of the available "free" ticket dates produces sparse results (even mid week) compared to what I remember a few years ago. Also, I used to be able to snatch a last-minute upgrade for many of my flights, but after trying some mock miles bookings in recent days and netting no availability for subsequent days, that looks much less likely. Have things changed that much?

(2) Where can I read about the rules for "bidding" on an upgrade? Cannot find this on the Virgin site.

(3) Is there any kind of waitlist for upgrades when none are available at booking? If so, is the waitlist ordered by status (Silver, Gold etc)?

Many Thanks (and apologies for newbie-style questions)

1.There are a dearth of ex-USA G seats at the moment.Remember that to upgrade a fare it needs to be booked in the appropriate fare class ( either as pure mileage or as an upgradeable revenue fare).
2. BFU ( if applicable for your fare class, will show in MMB).
3.VS don't utilise waitlists for upgrades and only " op-up" where absolutely neccesary (even then there's a protcol....).
DL

OK, thanks.

The link on the Virgin site explaining bidding for upgrades seems to be broken at the moment, so I will try again tomorrow. I'm trying to figure out what a "typical" bid would be, etc.

Bid For Upgrade is, I believe, only available for Economy to PE, not PE to UC. At least it certainly used to be.

And even then it's only offered on certain routes - at launch it was just one of the New York and Orlando flights.

Your best bet, if no UC reward seats become available before you check in, is to ask at the airport on the day. If they've still got unsold UC seats, they'll normally offer upgrades there. Of course you then take the risk that it may be full.

Bid For Upgrade is, I believe, only available for Economy to PE, not PE to UC.

I don't think that's right - I think it is possible to bid for UC from PE, but I don't understand any more which flights are eligible.

The bid for upgrade option will appear in your booking when you log into it.

i currently have one for a PE to UC trip LGW-MCO.

if you use the slider to say how much you will pay, it changes a box to show how good a chance of being accepted the bid is from no chance to good chance.

I have noticed several times that the bid needed to get a 'good chance' is pretty much the same as paying up to that cabin anyway so if you are willing to bid up then may as well buy up.

I also have the option to upgrade either EC to PE on outbound and PE to UC on return this is the LGW-MCO / MCO-LGW route , the PE to UC upgrade min bid at the moment is 950 but to get into the good section it would be 1200

Hello-

I was a Gold member about 5 years ago, but lost my status as I was not traveling USA<->UK. Now a change at work has resulted in the need to travel to the UK much more often in the coming years.

I have a few general questions regarding upgrades from PE to UC. Although my search for previously posted answered has not helped much, I would appreciate any links to recommended reading on this topic or some pointers.

(1) First of all, how hard is it these days to get upgrades from popular destinations, such as SFO<->LHR? A quick search of the available "free" ticket dates produces sparse results (even mid week) compared to what I remember a few years ago. Also, I used to be able to snatch a last-minute upgrade for many of my flights, but after trying some mock miles bookings in recent days and netting no availability for subsequent days, that looks much less likely. Have things changed that much?

(2) Where can I read about the rules for "bidding" on an upgrade? Cannot find this on the Virgin site.

(3) Is there any kind of waitlist for upgrades when none are available at booking? If so, is the waitlist ordered by status (Silver, Gold etc)?

Many Thanks (and apologies for newbie-style questions)

1.There are a dearth of ex-USA G seats at the moment.Remember that to upgrade a fare it needs to be booked in the appropriate fare class ( either as pure mileage or as an upgradeable revenue fare).
2. BFU ( if applicable for your fare class, will show in MMB).
3.VS don't utilise waitlists for upgrades and only " op-up" where absolutely neccesary (even then there's a protcol....).
DL

West Coast yes, but is there not better availability east coast?

What I find Funny is that the slider for pe to upper class on my booking to las vegas starts at 1,500 which is poor and 4000 which is top end acceptance one way. What i find funny is that when i called virgin they said they can give me the upgrade one way for 830.00 one way...............

I have a PE flight booked from LGW to MCO. The bid upgrade slider starts at £950 but the booking shows upgrade for £899. Yesterday that price dropped to £304 so I immediately tried to upgrade but nothing happened. I contacted customer services and was told the price was £899. Yet another glitch in their IT. But even at the £899 I can't see why anyone would bid £950.
Dick D