Upgrading from PE to UC

Can anybody advise me on upgrading from PE to UC, we booked 5 PE seat with Virgin holidays the flight vs015 on may 21st is showing avaibilty in UC for all 5 of us, tried calling Virgin holidays but couldn't help as they are showing no seats on there system as allocated only so many, if we call Virgin Atlantic can we pay the difference ? The lowest fare at the moment is showing £940, never booked through Virgin holidays before and seem not that helpful.

[buns]

As you have booked through Virgin Holidays then you will be tied to their availability from VS.

In addition, do not forget that the VS15 to Orlando is likely to be a 747, that may have only 14 UC seats.

If VH are offering upgrades for a price, then given the trip is around next years May Half Term, you may have to consider the higher prices being asked

buns

[Neil]

As Buns has said, as you have booked through VH you can only do any upgrades direct with them.

If they don't have enough availability, then they should be able to request additional availability from VS, although there is no guarantee that VS will give them it.

The price you will have to pay will be the VH upgrade price, and that is whatever they determine it to be.

Neil

I book most of my trips with VH - whilst their customer service (at my local branch) is great it does make this kind of thing difficult...

We generally book EC but then look to upgrade through VH at a later date and this has worked out well in the past - however for MCO it is almost pointless for us to look. From EC to PE they want £1,000 to upgrade and to UC its more like £4,000... Also, you cant use miles which is a real gripe for me to be honest.

You have two options - pay what VH want or go for something on the day. You may (and a massive 'may') be able to use miles at the gate (or miles and cash) to do something depending on the staff member and their views on an upgrade. Also - with 5 people getting all of you into UC would be a real risk on the day - so much so I would say almost impossible..!

Or you can pay now and secure the seats and pay it off over the year - this way at least you know its UC on the flights and its sorted.

Just out of interest - on these flights does anyone know the historic loads (or is there anyway one can view these?)...

At the moment VS15 has good availability in higer fare classes in UC. But... its a long way off and VH is notoriouly difficult for upgrading IMO. Also given its a Friday and around half term, I expect Virgin will hold out for lots of $$$. From Expert Flyer:

VS 15 - LGW 05/15/15 1:00 PM
J9 C9 D9 I2 Z0 W9 S9 K9 Y9 B9 R9 L9 U9 M9 E9 Q9 X9 N0 O0

Much as I like UC, I'm in the camp that says on a day flight on medium haul destinations, PE seats are excellent. Overnight on the way back, I'd go for UC if the price is right.

Good luck
Martin