Reward Flights & Upgrading Seats

Hi there, wonder if you can give me your opinions/information on the following. Myself and my husband have approx 200,000 airmiles and we have been lucky enough to book Prem. Economy reward flights from LGW to MCO on 25/09/2009 and returning on the 09/10/2009. I have been checking every day but I have never seen any Upper Class seats available for the return date. Do you think that they might release some UC seats later in the year? or even on the day of return? Would it be worth phoning Flying Club and if so when?.

Hope someone has some suggestions.[?]

[Neil]

Hi and welcome to V-Flyer.

UC reward flight which are booked in to a G fare code are usually very hard to come by on the MCO route, especially during the busier periods. It is only a small UC cabin and they can usually can sell the fares for cash rather than miles, but they are obtainable (I am flying on some myself next week, although ex MAN).

There is a chance, that some may become available before your flight, but the only thing you can do is either phone FC regularly or keep trying to make dummy reward bookings on the VS site. The best chance now might be in the week leading up to your flight, if UC is still fairly empty then revenue management might decide to release some more G's.

Neil

Hi, I agree with the information that you have given me and I will keep trying throughout the year. At least I was able to book Prem.Economy so I am not complaining.[:)]

[ChuckC]

Majella,
Welcome to V-Flyer.

Regarding your quest to snag two Upper seats on the MCO route, always try to book as far in advance as possible. Also, since you have PE seats (and they are certainly a comfortable alternative) and you have additional miles available don't hesitate to get to the airport early on your day of departure and inquire at the ticket counter as to availability of upgrades.

Keep us posted.

Chuck-

Hi

I managed to book 2 reward EC to UC on miles (120k for both of us return) for November this year, but did it on the 11 month earliest booking window. There were a few left and I could see those and more on the VA website when making a dummy miles booking.

quote:Originally posted by ChuckC
Majella,
Welcome to V-Flyer.

Also, since you have PE seats (and they are certainly a comfortable alternative) and you have additional miles available don't hesitate to get to the airport early on your day of departure and inquire at the ticket counter as to availability of upgrades.

Keep us posted.

Chuck-


Funnily enough, we flew LGW - MCO on 13/2. I had 2xK and 1xU.

I knew there were 5 U/C seats available.

Tried to upgrade using miles (I know K's aren't technically upgradable, but stranager things have happened - like having a K upgraded as happened coming back from ORD!)

They said that they have absolutely NO flexibilty on this at LGW and would not even upgrade the U.

So, they could have mopped up 60k miles from their balance sheet at no real cost and made this AU (and family) very happy - but 'rules is rules'! I did offer to upgrade to an S but they said none were available.

So, in answer to the opening post, either VS lied to me at LGW (because I checked the U)or you have no chance.

quote:Originally posted by spiceke
quote:Originally posted by ChuckC
Majella,
Welcome to V-Flyer.

Also, since you have PE seats (and they are certainly a comfortable alternative) and you have additional miles available don't hesitate to get to the airport early on your day of departure and inquire at the ticket counter as to availability of upgrades.

Keep us posted.

Chuck-


Funnily enough, we flew LGW - MCO on 13/2. I had 2xK and 1xU.

I knew there were 5 U/C seats available.

Tried to upgrade using miles (I know K's aren't technically upgradable, but stranager things have happened - like having a K upgraded as happened coming back from ORD!)

They said that they have absolutely NO flexibilty on this at LGW and would not even upgrade the U.

So, they could have mopped up 60k miles from their balance sheet at no real cost and made this AU (and family) very happy - but 'rules is rules'! I did offer to upgrade to an S but they said none were available.

So, in answer to the opening post, either VS lied to me at LGW (because I checked the U)or you have no chance.

I think at airports it's usually case of either can't be bothered or don't know how to do it so just say no. I was told at UVF that I couldn't upgrade because they don't have the ticketing equipment necessary to do that at the airport!

Might sounds like a silly question but Im confused about spending miles. Is it 25,000 miles per way or is that for a return flight? (thats based on economy to NY)

Also... forgot to ask. I have almost 20,000 and my husband has 25,000 we have already booked with VH but if I were to change the points to VH vouchers can I use them on my existing booking?

[mitchja]

It's 25,000 miles for a return flight and yes, if you wanted to, you can transfer them to VH vouchers to pay for an already booked VH package. Never done it myself, but I think all VS do is send you vouchers, which you then send to VH.

20,000 miles will get you a £100 VH voucher.

Regards

thanks James - I think we will maybe keep them and try to get to New York in December if that's the case!

Hi There, I have recently come across this forum and find it very interesting, Whilst the subject of reward fights, We have been upgrading from econ to Prem for 20000 miles for a while now, but have in the last 2 years only been able to get miles plus money, and that was booking on the first day possible (336 days) I believe, am I right in thinking that Virgin could be doing away with this one?
Also does anyone know when, if ever the VS043/044 flights will have the Prem refit, apologies if this seems a bit drawn out.

many Thanks in advance

Reg G

quote:Originally posted by regg0
Hi There, I have recently come across this forum and find it very interesting, Whilst the subject of reward fights, We have been upgrading from econ to Prem for 20000 miles for a while now, but have in the last 2 years only been able to get miles plus money, and that was booking on the first day possible (336 days) I believe, am I right in thinking that Virgin could be doing away with this one?


Hi Reg and welcome

I'd think VS will only offer upgrades if they don't feel confident that they can sell PE outright or get some kind of cash contribution. If you're flying to LAS and back I guess they'd be pretty confident of being able to get cash for every PE seat.

Paul

quote:Originally posted by regg0

Also does anyone know when, if ever the VS043/044 flights will have the Prem refit, apologies if this seems a bit drawn out.



Given the current economic climate, I can't see it happening for a while.

Hi I am new to all this and I have booked a holiday with VH I ahve been booked onto a flight out in fare code V but on the way back I am in flight code B does this mean that I can call virgin atlantic to upgrade my return to PE as I am booked on a code B seat.

quote:Originally posted by fragile
Hi I am new to all this and I have booked a holiday with VH I ahve been booked onto a flight out in fare code V but on the way back I am in flight code B does this mean that I can call virgin atlantic to upgrade my return to PE as I am booked on a code B seat.


Hi and welcome.

ISTBC but I think if you book through VH you have to upgrade through VH.

Paul