Qualifying Economy Fare For Upgrade

Hi all
Still quite new V flyer
I would like some help in trying to get a qualifying up-gradable fare ticket in economy and when is it the best time to purchase.
I have been trying online, but I always end up getting X and O, is there something I'm doing wrong? or would it be best to call Virgin Atlantic direct, though I like to check fares online.

My plan is to travel LHR - YYZ- JFK -SJU - LHR in 1st week in June 16 , any advice would be appreciated

You used to be able to check for M fares (the cheapest upgradable bucket) on the VS website but no longer - as you say it just defaults to an O or X now which is useless.

If you know how to use ITA Matrix you can use that to price up your itinerary. If not you'll need to call Flying Club who are normally extremely helpful when it comes to pricing up the best option (which you'd need to do anyway to grab your upgrades).

[mitchja]

You won't be able to do any of that route directly on VS unfortunately.

When you say YYZ - that's Toronto, Canada which VS don't fly to (though they did briefly but pulled it after 9/11).

The only other place VS fly to in Canada is Vancouver (YVR), but VS are pulling that route come the end of this summer season (that service ends 11th October 2015) so you won't be able to fly that route on VS metal next year at all unfortunately.

If you book with VS they will fly you LHR to YVR via Seattle (SEA) on Delta (DL) which you won't be able to upgrade using VS miles sorry.

VS also don't fly directly to or from SJU either any more sorry. You would have to do that route via JFK or ATL on a mixture of VS & DL if you want some VS flights.

Hi
Thank you so much for your advice. I will try and use the ITA Matrix . I do not mind changing to get to SJU or I just may miss out Toronto altogether and choose another destination instead. Thanks again