Virgin bid for upgrade
Discussion
SkinnyPete said:
If you are on an empty flight, then the minimum bid can get you upgraded, just keep in mind you are in competition with other passengers who may a bid more.
In short, it’s a gamble, and you don’t find out until 24 hours before the fight.
Blimey! There's a punchup involved too?In short, it’s a gamble, and you don’t find out until 24 hours before the fight.
Bid for upgrade from Economy to Economy Delight last September outbound, booked with points so can’t directly book Economy Delight.
Initial bid £100 (max was £130 on the scale), messaged 2 days before the flight advising outbid, but did I want to increase it so went full £130 as though about flight time / had hurt my back in between booking so a bit of extra legroom would definitely be welcome.
£130 was accepted.
Bigger sliding scale of cost on other classes obviously.
Flew SFO > New York with a different carrier (was meant to be Delta via Virgin, but that’s another story lol) and had booked New York > Heathrow as Premium anyways so no bidding on that one.
Initial bid £100 (max was £130 on the scale), messaged 2 days before the flight advising outbid, but did I want to increase it so went full £130 as though about flight time / had hurt my back in between booking so a bit of extra legroom would definitely be welcome.
£130 was accepted.
Bigger sliding scale of cost on other classes obviously.
Flew SFO > New York with a different carrier (was meant to be Delta via Virgin, but that’s another story lol) and had booked New York > Heathrow as Premium anyways so no bidding on that one.
Edited by lastofthev8s on Sunday 30th March 11:18
I recently had an upgrade "offer" from Virgin for Premium to Upper on a flight back from NY to Manchester and it was the best (or silliest) yet at £4,997, no bidding. Obviously declined that one!
So £5k for an upgrade one way, on top of the just under £3k the premium round trip already cost. It works out at nearly £800/hr extra.
To be fair, I've scored an upgrade to Upper before at £780 out of Atlanta, which was more palatable - I think the scale for that one was starting at £700 and it was a much quiet flight than the NY ones often are.
Sometimes I've found Upper tickets being little different to Premium + upgrade cost, but since most of my Virgin trips are for a client who is adamant they won't pay for anything above Premium I'm left messing around with upgrades which they still get billed for in the end.
As it happens, I'm writing this reply while sat in business on an Aer Lingus flight to Chicago for a different client. No messing with upgrades and it was just over £3k return booked direct.
So £5k for an upgrade one way, on top of the just under £3k the premium round trip already cost. It works out at nearly £800/hr extra.
To be fair, I've scored an upgrade to Upper before at £780 out of Atlanta, which was more palatable - I think the scale for that one was starting at £700 and it was a much quiet flight than the NY ones often are.
Sometimes I've found Upper tickets being little different to Premium + upgrade cost, but since most of my Virgin trips are for a client who is adamant they won't pay for anything above Premium I'm left messing around with upgrades which they still get billed for in the end.
As it happens, I'm writing this reply while sat in business on an Aer Lingus flight to Chicago for a different client. No messing with upgrades and it was just over £3k return booked direct.
LHR to JFK recently, bid the minimum to go from premium to Upper Class recently at £400ish each way fully expecting not to 'win' - email the day before saying I'd been outbid then 12 hours later I'd 'won' again, and did on the way back too (was £8k return if booked in Upper). Calling that a win!
I'm flying LHR to LAX with Virgin on Monday, returning on the reverse route 12 days later. Both flights are in a 787-900 taking around 11 hours +/- 30 mins
I've booked into Economy Delight for both trips and am considering bidding for an upgrade to Premium or Upper class.
According to the website I can bid for an upgrade to either class, but is it worth it given that I've paid just under £800 for the return flight? Or would I be better off asking for un upgrade at check-in?
I could be persuaded to pay more for better comfort. But I don't know how comfortable Virgin Economy Delight is, and nor do I know how much of an upgrade Premium is. I flew business class return with ANA from Paris to Tokyo in 2024 and the lie flat bed was lovely for a 13-14hr flight. That cost £4100, much cheaper than from LHR. And the trip was my 50th birthday so I was willing to spoil myself a little. I think I could be persuaded to pay an extra £900 per flight if I will get much better comfort. That's a "Poor" bid for Upper but "Fair" for Premium. I will likely want to travel with a 2nd suitcase, which I think costs £65 extra but is included with Premium or Upper Class.
The return flight is mostly overnight, but the outbound is mostly during the day.
Bid guidance according to their sliders...
Outbound:
Upper Class
£845+ Poor
£1355+ Fair
£1855+ Good
£2345+ Strong
£2845+ Excellent
Premium
£365+ Poor
£965+ Fair
£1550+ Good
£2145+ Strong
£2740+ Excellent
Return
Upper Class
£719+ Poor
£1284+ Fair
£1839+ Good
£2399+ Strong
£2974+ Excellent
Premium
£263+ Poor
£858+ Fair
£1438+ Good
£2028+ Strong
£2658+ Excellent
I've booked into Economy Delight for both trips and am considering bidding for an upgrade to Premium or Upper class.
According to the website I can bid for an upgrade to either class, but is it worth it given that I've paid just under £800 for the return flight? Or would I be better off asking for un upgrade at check-in?
I could be persuaded to pay more for better comfort. But I don't know how comfortable Virgin Economy Delight is, and nor do I know how much of an upgrade Premium is. I flew business class return with ANA from Paris to Tokyo in 2024 and the lie flat bed was lovely for a 13-14hr flight. That cost £4100, much cheaper than from LHR. And the trip was my 50th birthday so I was willing to spoil myself a little. I think I could be persuaded to pay an extra £900 per flight if I will get much better comfort. That's a "Poor" bid for Upper but "Fair" for Premium. I will likely want to travel with a 2nd suitcase, which I think costs £65 extra but is included with Premium or Upper Class.
The return flight is mostly overnight, but the outbound is mostly during the day.
Bid guidance according to their sliders...
Outbound:
Upper Class
£845+ Poor
£1355+ Fair
£1855+ Good
£2345+ Strong
£2845+ Excellent
Premium
£365+ Poor
£965+ Fair
£1550+ Good
£2145+ Strong
£2740+ Excellent
Return
Upper Class
£719+ Poor
£1284+ Fair
£1839+ Good
£2399+ Strong
£2974+ Excellent
Premium
£263+ Poor
£858+ Fair
£1438+ Good
£2028+ Strong
£2658+ Excellent
Honestly, premium is fine. I usually go premium, especially if kids are with me, UC if no kids as it's wasted.
I'd say 50% of the time my bid for UC from Premium is accepted at the lowest. Occasionally go a little higher but their 'good' is not worth it.
I've never tried to bid for premium as I'd always book it to begin with.
I'd say 50% of the time my bid for UC from Premium is accepted at the lowest. Occasionally go a little higher but their 'good' is not worth it.
I've never tried to bid for premium as I'd always book it to begin with.
I've flown Economy Delight and Premium before with Virgin and whilst the latter was nice, it didn't quantify the uplift in £ for me.
Economy Delight was more than ample legroom (I'm 6'3), Premium you got glassware and a glass of champagne on boarding, and yes some more leg room but not required IMO.
I suppose if you have the reddies then go for it!
ETA: These flights were transatlantic so 10hr+. Also we have asked at the desk before for a price check on an upgrade with Virgin.
Economy Delight was more than ample legroom (I'm 6'3), Premium you got glassware and a glass of champagne on boarding, and yes some more leg room but not required IMO.
I suppose if you have the reddies then go for it!
ETA: These flights were transatlantic so 10hr+. Also we have asked at the desk before for a price check on an upgrade with Virgin.
Not answering your direct question, but another way I look at these decisions is what about upgrading other aspects of your trip eg hotels / meals. No point spending £4k on a flight if your hotel is only okay, divert some of your budget to things like a much nicer hotel or hotel room.
Also remember the complete premium econonmy v business class experience. Business is all about the complete backage, departure and arrival lounges etc.
Also remember the complete premium econonmy v business class experience. Business is all about the complete backage, departure and arrival lounges etc.
On my last trip to LA, the wife & I usually book premium economy seats both ways, but on the return leg (LAX-LHR) decided to bid for an upgrade to upper class.
I bid £500 per seat, not really excepting to win, but I got an e-mail the day before the flight to say that it was accepted.
I bid £500 per seat, not really excepting to win, but I got an e-mail the day before the flight to say that it was accepted.
Lowest or lowest plus £20 or £30 will probably work going out. Coming back seems more popular so a bit hit and miss.
Personally, I don't think premium is worth it, You are sat in a seat on a plane, seat is just a bit bigger. UC is a bed, better food and service plus the clubhouse, I consider that a better deal.
All that said, I mostly just sit in economy, last few flights lhr to lax I've paid £500 return and I consider that value for money!
Personally, I don't think premium is worth it, You are sat in a seat on a plane, seat is just a bit bigger. UC is a bed, better food and service plus the clubhouse, I consider that a better deal.
All that said, I mostly just sit in economy, last few flights lhr to lax I've paid £500 return and I consider that value for money!
goingonholiday said:
Lowest or lowest plus £20 or £30 will probably work going out. Coming back seems more popular so a bit hit and miss.
Personally, I don't think premium is worth it, You are sat in a seat on a plane, seat is just a bit bigger. UC is a bed, better food and service plus the clubhouse, I consider that a better deal.
All that said, I mostly just sit in economy, last few flights lhr to lax I've paid £500 return and I consider that value for money!
I'm overweight unfortunately and my bum and lower back are in agony after a couple of hours sitting in an aircraft seat. Maybe I'll doe up on co-codamol before flying. Or take a memory foam cushion. Or stump up.Personally, I don't think premium is worth it, You are sat in a seat on a plane, seat is just a bit bigger. UC is a bed, better food and service plus the clubhouse, I consider that a better deal.
All that said, I mostly just sit in economy, last few flights lhr to lax I've paid £500 return and I consider that value for money!
Personal experience being currently a bit on the chunky side at the moment is that I found premium on 787-900 a bit awkward with the table as it pops up from the seat side rather than from the seat in front. You possibly may feel a bit hemmed in between the fixed seat sides if you tend to like sitting a little side on as it were / no taking advantage of vacant seats to put your legs up.
Have a look at the virtual onboard as you will understand better what I mean https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=zaTSRhrXxZo&...
Have also travelled on economy delight for the extra legroom over normal economy (Manchester / Las Vegas) and found it fine.
Flew Manchester / NYC upper class in February with lie flat bed and recommend the left hand side (port side) on 787-900 due to the three seats across configuration as the left side is the most private as you have a low wall running the length of the back of the whole middle section of seats (no seat in upper is truly cubicle like on 787-900, your feet etc are visible).
The middle and right (starboard) seats do overlook each other to some degree, see virtual onboard link https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=6vFfXkMzeF1&...
I’m travelling Heathrow to San Francisco in June in upper on an A350-1000 which has a 4 seat across proper cubicle type arrangement which would give the most privacy. I think I would only upgrade to upper if that is the configuration in future personally.
https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=Lsn6JSLxHpM&...
Have a look at the virtual onboard as you will understand better what I mean https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=zaTSRhrXxZo&...
Have also travelled on economy delight for the extra legroom over normal economy (Manchester / Las Vegas) and found it fine.
Flew Manchester / NYC upper class in February with lie flat bed and recommend the left hand side (port side) on 787-900 due to the three seats across configuration as the left side is the most private as you have a low wall running the length of the back of the whole middle section of seats (no seat in upper is truly cubicle like on 787-900, your feet etc are visible).
The middle and right (starboard) seats do overlook each other to some degree, see virtual onboard link https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=6vFfXkMzeF1&...
I’m travelling Heathrow to San Francisco in June in upper on an A350-1000 which has a 4 seat across proper cubicle type arrangement which would give the most privacy. I think I would only upgrade to upper if that is the configuration in future personally.
https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=Lsn6JSLxHpM&...
I fly Virgin quite often and prefer the older reverse herringbone myself on the 787s and A330s.
I thought I would prefer the newer cabins in the A350s but now having flown it the only thing thats better IMHO is the IFE and the actual fact its an A350 which is my second favourite aircraft behind the A380.
I always sit on the single row side as you get one cabin crew member for that side which means you get better service, IME.
If you are going to be flying more than once a year and you spend more than £10k a year on your credit cards then get a Virgin Atlantic credit card (plus) which costs £160 a year but gets you 1 companion voucher once you spend over £10k and you can also buy points 2 or 3 times a year at a discount.
The only down side is they have bumped up the points needed to fly now, you used to be able to get an LAX / NYC / MIA flight for <100k points but now its more like 200k-300k+. That said, if you are flexible on dates you can find red ticket offers which are usually 80-100k points each way.
I thought I would prefer the newer cabins in the A350s but now having flown it the only thing thats better IMHO is the IFE and the actual fact its an A350 which is my second favourite aircraft behind the A380.
I always sit on the single row side as you get one cabin crew member for that side which means you get better service, IME.
If you are going to be flying more than once a year and you spend more than £10k a year on your credit cards then get a Virgin Atlantic credit card (plus) which costs £160 a year but gets you 1 companion voucher once you spend over £10k and you can also buy points 2 or 3 times a year at a discount.
The only down side is they have bumped up the points needed to fly now, you used to be able to get an LAX / NYC / MIA flight for <100k points but now its more like 200k-300k+. That said, if you are flexible on dates you can find red ticket offers which are usually 80-100k points each way.
Flew to SFO last Oct with Virgin. Booked Premium but bid for Upper and c2 days before our flight I got a message to say that my bid was successful, cost was £600 pp.
Whole experience was very nice, separate security line and lounge at Heathrow were very welcome
. then once in the air the nicer food, flat beds and general service were excellent. I know it was a fair bit of money but it was our wedding anniversary trip my wife said that it was money well spent 
Whole experience was very nice, separate security line and lounge at Heathrow were very welcome
. then once in the air the nicer food, flat beds and general service were excellent. I know it was a fair bit of money but it was our wedding anniversary trip my wife said that it was money well spent gotoPzero said:
I fly Virgin quite often and prefer the older reverse herringbone myself on the 787s and A330s.
I thought I would prefer the newer cabins in the A350s but now having flown it the only thing thats better IMHO is the IFE and the actual fact its an A350 which is my second favourite aircraft behind the A380.
I always sit on the single row side as you get one cabin crew member for that side which means you get better service, IME.
If you are going to be flying more than once a year and you spend more than £10k a year on your credit cards then get a Virgin Atlantic credit card (plus) which costs £160 a year but gets you 1 companion voucher once you spend over £10k and you can also buy points 2 or 3 times a year at a discount.
The only down side is they have bumped up the points needed to fly now, you used to be able to get an LAX / NYC / MIA flight for <100k points but now its more like 200k-300k+. That said, if you are flexible on dates you can find red ticket offers which are usually 80-100k points each way.
Ahh, the new 'dynamic pricing' I thought I would prefer the newer cabins in the A350s but now having flown it the only thing thats better IMHO is the IFE and the actual fact its an A350 which is my second favourite aircraft behind the A380.
I always sit on the single row side as you get one cabin crew member for that side which means you get better service, IME.
If you are going to be flying more than once a year and you spend more than £10k a year on your credit cards then get a Virgin Atlantic credit card (plus) which costs £160 a year but gets you 1 companion voucher once you spend over £10k and you can also buy points 2 or 3 times a year at a discount.
The only down side is they have bumped up the points needed to fly now, you used to be able to get an LAX / NYC / MIA flight for <100k points but now its more like 200k-300k+. That said, if you are flexible on dates you can find red ticket offers which are usually 80-100k points each way.
popular routes/dates can see UC reward flights for a million airmiles 
If you don’t get the upgrade, log in the check what purchasing one will cost just before the flight.
I bid £1500 for an upgrade to upper when purchasing at the time was about £2500 more. During my holiday the purchased upgrade went up to £5000 and I didn’t get my bid. As soon as I got the email rejecting my bid a day before the flight, I had one last look and upgrading to Upper was £800.
I bid £1500 for an upgrade to upper when purchasing at the time was about £2500 more. During my holiday the purchased upgrade went up to £5000 and I didn’t get my bid. As soon as I got the email rejecting my bid a day before the flight, I had one last look and upgrading to Upper was £800.
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