Desk Upgrades

Hello All

So another flight booked - and another long countdown...

Still, excited to be flying again and have something confirmed, so I can now start the other part I love and that's the planning of the actual holiday.

After booking with VH I have enquired about upgrade's, but they are out of my reach. However, I was told that on the day of the flight I can ask at the desk... Now I have done this before and been told its anywhere upto £1,000 (in JFK they don't even talk about it they just point at a printout)...

I have never asked about using points though and this was pointed out to me as an option. Now at the moment I can because I booked with VH - but once I check in the 'contract' is with VS so they can do this.

Has anyone done this and does it work - also are the same quantities required and would I have to pay for a class change of my original ticket?

Dan

[Neil]

Miles upgrades, in advance or on the day, really require you to be in the correct fare code, VH don't usually book in to one of the upgradable ones, so even on the day, if the agent does their job correctly, you will be required to pay the difference to the next available and upgradable fare code, then use miles, all assuming there are miles seats available.

Sometimes, if the agent doesn't do their job correctly, or doesn't know the rules, or if VS know they are over sold and are going to have to move people, they might take miles regardless of fare code.

It's always worth asking, worst they can say is no!

Haha - thanks Neil..!

I just wondered if anyone else had tried this. I would guess in Heathrow the staff will be a lot sharper, but in the US they may not be as the staff are not from Virgin...?

Perhaps I shall try and add to a trip report..

We asked about an upgrade at Vegas, we were on an "H" PE ticket from VH and it cost £1,000 each one way. linda

In my experience at the US airports check in staff are normally happy to sell upgrades - for cash or miles - if there are still unsold seats.

As Neil says, officially you'd need to have an upgradable ticket to use miles but anything can happen at check in so just flash your most charming smile and ask.

At the UK airports they do tend to be stricter I think.

@mallin - £1000 each one way would, I think, take you up to (or pretty close to) the standard UC fare. The cash upgrade prices they quote at the US airports, often on a laminated notice at check in, don't tend to be bargains but I suspect quite a few people buy them assuming they are. It's like putting sweets next to the check out at Tesco - an impulse buy.

We didn't take the offer Gumshoe, although the couple behind us did.

I also saw that at JFK a few months back - and I thought it was because the staff couldn't be bothered to check for prices..!

To be honest, if at the end of a holiday I had £1,000 then something had either gone very wrong (or if it was to Vegas very right!). But for me its a bit much for an impulse purchase like a kinder egg at Tesco.

I only have enough miles to go from ECO to UC for 1 way (unless I leave the wife behind) and that's where it gets harder to decide. Outbound and I cant really enjoy it (well, the CH and Booze!) as I have to drive when I get there... On the way back its a night flight - so is it worth it?

I shall check at both ends - but im a little annoyed I didn't think of this when I had PE at JFK and could have done it! Grrrrrr

I wanted to upgrade from the cheapest PE to upper on the way back from MCO.
There was only one seat and it was going to be £950.
We stayed together in PE.
Dick D

I also saw that at JFK a few months back - and I thought it was because the staff couldn't be bothered to check for prices..!

Nope, all about making some extra £££s.

The thinking being, I assume, that having a price list on check in makes it look like a special offer. When it really isn't.

I only have enough miles to go from ECO to UC for 1 way (unless I leave the wife behind) and that's where it gets harder to decide. Outbound and I cant really enjoy it (well, the CH and Booze!) as I have to drive when I get there... On the way back its a night flight - so is it worth it?

Depends on destination.

If it's New York, Boston or Washington I'd be tempted to save my miles for another day and stick to PE as it's such a short flight.

For somewhere more distant I'd say upgrade the return. Worth it for the flat bed alone - plus of course you get a lounge on departure and (if arriving at LHR) Revivals when you land.

Depends on destination.

If it's New York, Boston or Washington I'd be tempted to save my miles for another day and stick to PE as it's such a short flight.

For somewhere more distant I'd say upgrade the return. Worth it for the flat bed alone - plus of course you get a lounge on departure and (if arriving at LHR) Revivals when you land.

That's a great point - and not having to drive once I land I can very much enjoy the UC experience from MCO to LGW..! Plus a nap and a few drinks at the bar.

Honestly, I think this may be the last time I book through VH as you really don't get any flexibility when booking to do anything with your miles (aside from 10,000 miles giving you £50) which is just bonkers!