Virgin Holidays is an upgrade possible?

Hi, I have a few questions which I'm sure have been answered individually but not sure if I put all the scenarios together things might change!?

Anyway, I am off to Barbados and have booked through Virgin Holidays and I am flying PE out and Upper Class back. I am using the Club House at Gatwick on the day of departure as well. I wanted to upgrade to UC on the outward flight but was told that I couldn't upgrade as there were no seats left in UC.

Friends we are travelling with booked their flights separtely and have got UC seats and when choosing their seats said that all but 4 were available. I understand that maybe Virgin Holidays only have a specific quota they can sell but here comes my question...

When I'm in the Club House am I more likely to be able to get the oportunity to upgrade through the concierge? I'm not after anything for free, I'm happy to pay or even using my airmiles? Also as I booked through Virgin Holidays I'm guessing that my ticket won't be a flexible one and the upgrade would be dependant on this?

I'm also a member of the Frequent Virgin Program operated by Virgin Holidays if that may help?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers

Tom

[HighFlyer]

Hi Tom,

Yes you are likely to have a greater chance upgrading in the Clubhouse as available seats could be opened up, but not always. I'm not sure on the exact science behind this, but if VS have a full flight in PE and are looking to shift people up a cabin, or if loads are light and there are lots of free seats they'll often bend the rules to accomodate passengers, but dont take it as a given. Sometimes they'll not budge an inch from the rules, which for you, will likely be an H class VH PE fare that is not upgradeable with miles. Sadly, being a Frequent Virgin wont help you here as it is an entirely seperate program from VS.

You can offer to pay to upgrade, they'll either refuse, or they'll offer a price based on either a flat fee or will involve you buying yourself up to a flexible fare then paying the difference. The latter can be very costly.

It is commonly said that all bets are off at the airport. Do ask and see what the response is, if you make it clear that you are willing to pay (in miles or cash) and are not after a freebie they'll probably be more accomodating but with only 14 seats in Upper from LGW it can be hard to find spare seats on the day of departure. Where are you flying to?

Thanks,
Sarah

[mitchja]

Hi Tom

Yes, you can upgrade most Virgin Holiday booked VS flights at the airport with cash, depending of availability though.

I've upgraded a couple of VH booked PE flights to Upper in the past for ~£600 one-way at the airport (although both times they where trans-Atlantic flights)

You can't use miles to upgrade any VH booked fare though, sorry and being an FVC member really doesn't make any difference.

Regards

Thanks for your responses, much appreciated.

Sarah,I'm flying to BGI.

Next time I'll know to go straight UC from the time of booking with VH!

Cheers

Tom

I wouldn't book with VH as the last 2 times I have asked for a quote, they have tried to charge me £1400 more than booking direct with VA! [V]

[Decker]

With VH YMMV - I've booked my last 4 flights through them as they were substantially cheaper than VS direct.

[Nottingham Nick]

It always pays to shop around - just because VH were more expensive previously - doesn't mean they will always be.

Nick

At christmas we were flying out PE to LAX and asked if we could pay to upgrade outbound. They said £1200 each. I said could you do a special offer if you upgraded 5 of us. They came back with £1000 each. I remember several years back when they only wanted £1000 to upgrade all 5 of us!

Oh if only....................
5 for £1000 upgrade
i would take 5 people with me for that price!!! pay the PE and the upgrades as well
LOL
Scarlet

hope the 'offshore account' can stand it,,,,,,,,,,[ii]