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Problems upgrading flights to UC With VH

PostPosted: 15 Aug 2005, 16:12
by Scorpio
I didnt know this but VH only get a certain number of seats from VA to upgrade in UC.

Even though seats are available i cant get VH to request them for my booking.

Has anyone else experienced this?

I am a fequent flyer (red though).

We are travelling LGW - UVF VS31 25NOV and only required the seats for the o/b sector only. I really found VH not to be helpful at all


Any suggestions?.

PostPosted: 15 Aug 2005, 16:19
by preiffer
Hi Geraldine,

You're experiencing the same as many other members of the site do with regard to VH - there's a set allocation of seats on the aircraft available to buy at their "special price". Once they're gone, that's it.

If you do a search on the forums, you'll find many posts with details of successes & failures of the upgrade strategy with VH, but generally speaking, you'd be very lucky once they've ran out.

They did (recently) change their "late" upgrade prices too - details in this thread - which can make the VH route no more attractive than booking directly with VS.

I'm sure they weren't being intentionally unhelpful - if their "computer says no", then there may genuinely be nothing they can do at this point.

PostPosted: 15 Aug 2005, 16:31
by Scorpio
Thanks Paul,


Well just will upgrade to Premium Economy and dream! [8D]

PostPosted: 15 Aug 2005, 17:16
by BlackCat
It's worth pointing out that the situation has got worse with the installation of the Upper Class Suite: fewer seats ex-LGW and a higher demand. It used to be possible to grab a couple of reward seats easily enough on the Carribean routes, now it's nigh on impossible.

BC

PostPosted: 17 Aug 2005, 10:09
by Scorpio
An update to problem, worth knowing............

Contacted U/C Res and spoke to very helpful girl who said they have NO problem selling VH the seats as we are willing to pay for upgrade.

She said to get Travel Agent to speak to supervisor at VH as this may have more of an effect.

Contacted TA and she said it shouldnt be a problem and will contact VH on my behalf.

PostPosted: 17 Aug 2005, 14:24
by Vegascrazy
Interesting, I have been in a similar predicament, i.e. willing to pay for an upgrade, but VH saying their allocation has run out. In my case there are two J fares left on this flight (LAS-LGW) but VH did not offer these up when I said I was willing to pay! I'm hoping the seats will still be available "on the day", so perhaps a cash upgrade may be possible :)

PostPosted: 17 Aug 2005, 16:49
by Scorpio
Hi,

Well Travel Agent called VH snd again same bliming thing. She has a contact (a sales rep) that she knows and will phone him to see what he can do if anything.

Its the mere fact that Virgin Atlantic say no problem, get Virgin Holiday to contact us and we will sell seats, but Virgin Holidays dont want them! Even though i am paying to them for it! so more money for them, etc!!! Are they stupid?[:p]


I probably will have spent the money by then in November so i wont be upgrading at airport so i will just spend my money elsewhere and not give to Virgin holidays :D

Maybe write a letter...............

PostPosted: 17 Aug 2005, 21:11
by mcuth
Originally posted by motherger
Its the mere fact that Virgin Atlantic say no problem, get Virgin Holiday to contact us and we will sell seats, but Virgin Holidays dont want them! Even though i am paying to them for it! so more money for them, etc!!! Are they stupid?[:p]


On the surface, it does appear to be a bit daft to refuse the extra business - but I do wonder if there's a valid commercial decision behind it (loss leader, not enough profit in the revised price to justify...., etc...)?

Cheers

Michael