Bidding for Upper Class with Virgin Atlantic

[Ari]

We're flying to Miami in February, and as usual we're going Premium Economy out (daytime) and Upper Class back (overnight).

I've noticed that, having booked the seats, we can bid for an upgrade to Upper Class going out. Anyone ever done this and have any idea what a sensible (likely to be successful) bid might be? I have no idea how to pitch it.

[rallye101]

Bit council!!






.......I'm only joking

[Trustmeimadoctor]

We are considering doing it to Orlando in a few weeks but most of upper is empty so we will just ask at check-in as a minimum of 800 from pe > upper we think there will be cheaper availability when we get there

[Ari]

Trustmeimadoctor said:

We are considering doing it to Orlando in a few weeks but most of upper is empty so we will just ask at check-in as a minimum of 800 from pe > upper we think there will be cheaper availability when we get there

Where are you getting that figure from please?

[Trustmeimadoctor]

From the bid to upgrade site that's for 2people 400-900 per person each way

[Ari]

Ah, okay. I didn't realise that they give you a price range. Thank you, that's helpful.

[sleepezy]

Yes, a few times. Always about 10% over minimum and never failed when they have availability (but I suspect is dependent on route).

[AB]

We're flying out to Orlando in April, PE out and UC back and I've bid £1,600 for 4 of us to upgrade on the way out. Not had any response yet.

Seems that's the lower end of the suggested scale but I don't see that it's worth any more and arguably not even that for a daytime flight. It's very much worthwhile on the way back.

[Trustmeimadoctor]

You find out a few days before the flight you should get a call to confirm details

For me upper is better during day as you get to use facilities rather than just sleep

[bobthemonkey]

sleepezy said:

Yes, a few times. Always about 10% over minimum and never failed when they have availability (but I suspect is dependent on route).

Very similar experience here. Only watch out is that technically it doesn’t apply to connecting flights booked on the same ticket, both for seat upgrades and (probably more importantly) lounge access. That being said, in reality it’s never been enforced for the Lounge part.

[Ari]

That's really helpful, thank you!

Good advice about connecting flights, but this is direct, so no problem.

[Ari]

Trustmeimadoctor said:

For me upper is better during day as you get to use facilities rather than just sleep

I can see the logic to that, plus the trip there is longer too (never figured out quite why, head/tail wind I guess).

However the joy of a proper lie-flat bed on an overnight flight for me is priceless! I cannot sleep sitting up, so it makes all the difference in the world.

[Trustmeimadoctor]

I can't sleep sitting up either only managed it on one flight

We are flying from Manchester so miss out on the clubhouse so 'value' is erroded further

The flight is a reward one anyway so it's not exactly cost us much and pe will do if we can get upper also a shame it's a a333 with crappy cabins

[gotoPzero]

I see the 330-900s are coming on line which is great news!

I have flown in all the Virgin aircraft the last 20 years except the A340s and they are all good, but the new A350s are the best by quite a way..

Its about time they sorted the cabins in the 787s too..

[AB]

Trustmeimadoctor said:

You find out a few days before the flight you should get a call to confirm details

For me upper is better during day as you get to use facilities rather than just sleep

The seat is the only facility for me really. Driving both ends so the alcohol is wasted on me and the bar isn't as comfortable as the seat. Flying from Manchester so no Clubhouse.

[sleepezy]

bobthemonkey said:

doesn’t apply to connecting flights

Useful to know as i've only used it for single flights - thanks

Qantas have a similar system - although the bid price tends to have to be much higher to be successful (more limited experience)

[djc206]

sleepezy said:

Useful to know as i've only used it for single flights - thanks

Qantas have a similar system - although the bid price tends to have to be much higher to be successful (more limited experience)

I successfully bid £10 over the minimum for two of us with Air Canada, lucked out that they switched the plane to a 787 (Calgary to Montreal) so a proper business class seat.

A colleague of mine bid a tiny amount over the minimum recently with Virgin and got upgraded. I would assume that most people will bid either minimum or the smallest increment above that. When I did our air Canada bids I figured I’d go for two increments.

[Ari]

Bids start at £1,140 per person. A strong bid is suggested at £1,300 per person.

Given the whole flight (PE out, UC back) is £2,700 per person, that feels a lot!

Never mind, we’ll enjoy UC coming back, and PE is still nice.

[AndyAudi]

Pre Covid since I was flying with Virgin, but I used to just ask at a customer service desk at check in & upgrade with miles & a couple of hundred £

In my opinion not really worth spending in excess of premium economy though for a daytime flight if I’m just going to be reading or watching a film. & whilst the lounge is ok, there were some nice enough places to sit/eat /drink in the terminal.

[Ari]

Booked a lounge at T3 for £72. I'm sure it won't be as swanky as The Clubhouse, but I'm also sure it will be absolutely fine.

Two of us travelling, so at least we get to sit on our own in PE. Might ask the question at check-in, but I think an upgrade out is worth hundreds to me, not thousands.

Also got 41,000 points (no idea whether that is a lot or virtually nothing from the point of view of using them), so I guess that might be an upgrade option.