Virgin upper - bidding for it

[Louis Balfour]

Some of us are off to NYC and, when checking our seats earlier, Virgin offered me the opportunity to upgrade to Upper Class for £3500.

I ummed and ahhed for a bit and thought, "hey, what the heck, it's only £3500". Clicking through on the offer, it turns out that it's £3500... per person. The sum of this exceeds the current cost of flights, the hotel cost and a good chunk of spending money. I cannot justify it.

There is the option however to bid for a seat. Has anyone done this?

I realise that bidding may consign me to the "A bit Council" thread, but I am not proud.

[Louis Balfour]

djc206 said:

It’s common with a lot of airlines. Never bid the absolute minimum, loads will do that. Never bid the next increment up, loads of people will do that thinking that everyone will have bid the minimum, bid the next increment up.

Sounds like a top tip. Thank you.

[Louis Balfour]

yellowbentines said:

Louis Balfour said:

it turns out that it's £3500... per person.

Yes, and? Oh right, you're serious.

This is the second time in as many days someone has publicly admitted their reluctance (or heaven forbid, inability) to pay the necessary to ensure a pleb-free vacationing experience, and I'm starting to wonder if PH should perhaps implement some form of tiered forum membership to stop this place going to the dogs.

Your, YB (BA Executive Club 'Blue' member with well over 100k avios don't you know)



In a more useful sense, log onto the Virgin Atlantic website after booking and check how much it is to upgrade. I did this for some upcoming USA flights and the cost to upgrade was less than the minimum bid on the bidding system - weird glitch perhaps but worth a look. Failing that Virgin split economy on some aircraft and you can often pay a little more and get into a smaller section midway down the aircraft instead of being at the very back in amongst people smoking and sitting on crates of chickens no doubt.

Well the good news is that the price has dropped. It's now £3250 per seat. The bad new is that's one way. JFK to LGW.

It makes me feel poor and like I should have worked harder at school.

[Louis Balfour]

m3jappa said:

Louis Balfour said:

yellowbentines said:

Louis Balfour said:

it turns out that it's £3500... per person.

Yes, and? Oh right, you're serious.

This is the second time in as many days someone has publicly admitted their reluctance (or heaven forbid, inability) to pay the necessary to ensure a pleb-free vacationing experience, and I'm starting to wonder if PH should perhaps implement some form of tiered forum membership to stop this place going to the dogs.

Your, YB (BA Executive Club 'Blue' member with well over 100k avios don't you know)



In a more useful sense, log onto the Virgin Atlantic website after booking and check how much it is to upgrade. I did this for some upcoming USA flights and the cost to upgrade was less than the minimum bid on the bidding system - weird glitch perhaps but worth a look. Failing that Virgin split economy on some aircraft and you can often pay a little more and get into a smaller section midway down the aircraft instead of being at the very back in amongst people smoking and sitting on crates of chickens no doubt.

Well the good news is that the price has dropped. It's now £3250 per seat. The bad new is that's one way. JFK to LGW.

It makes me feel poor and like I should have worked harder at school.

As lord sugar above comments theres currently another thread about this.

Why anyone would spend 7k extra to go to and from new york is beggars belief tbh. Plain fking stupid and i bet you will find the majority of those doing it cant actually afford it (by afford i mean they don't notice they are paying for it) but they like to make out they can so they dont have to sit with the 'plebs'

I mean seriously, a family of 4 could expect to pay 28k on top really?

Like your self i feel i should have worked harder at school

I bet almost no one is paying £8k return for one of those seats. It will be people with air miles, discounts or family who work for Virgin.

[Louis Balfour]

Griffith4ever said:

m3jappa said:

For me its not a jealousy thing, i am genuinely pleased to see people do well, its more a case of how the fk have you done it

Start/ own your own business. If it does well, the money snow balls after a while. Nothing like working for a company. (and don't have kids if you want a head start).

m3jappa owns his own business and I believe he is quite successful.

I own businesses and have done fairly well, though nothing amazing.

But I never cease to be amazed by the people I meet on holidays that I have really had to stretch myself to afford.

[Louis Balfour]

DeejRC said:

Biz class is generally £2k ish rtn pp to the Americas. .

It's working out nearer £8kpp rtn.

[Louis Balfour]

Griffith4ever said:

Understood.

Perhaps they blow everything on their annual extravegance. I know some people do. They spend nowt on cars and booze etc, and then chuck £20k at a 2 week holiday without blinking, then return to a very modest life at home.

Think you're right.

[Louis Balfour]

The G Kid said:

sleepezy said:

Assuming it hasn't changed recently this is correct - you can't go wrong and they take very good care of you - all very quick

Thanks. Looking forward to this lounge, as seems to be a lot people saying it's very good.

If you see us, can you slip us out a sandwich and some crisps? We'll be the ones in the queue for prols, watching sadly as the elite enjoy the luxury of Upper.