Virgin Australia PE to Business upgrade using points help...for 2 people same flights

[strtrek]

hey all,

need some info from those of you who know the easiest/ correct way to do this.

flying SYD-LAX-SYD jan 16 / feb 14 2016 (aprox dates)

I have 100k va points and want to use 45K pp to upgrade from PE to Business on the leg home LAX-SYD.

1. what are my chances if i book the day the flights are released (331 days out?)

2. do i book on the phone with plat line and just pay the phone booking charge? do we pay booking charges as a plat.?

3.is there anyway i can check online if these seats are available, and are they classed as award seats or in a different category.

4.how many of these seats per flight do they allow, and is it easier to get seats if book hubby on VA2 and I come back via Bris va8?

5.stressing much and i still have 2 months to wait......

6. If i get another 45K points between now and jan 2016, how easy (availability) is it to apply to PE fare to upgrade to business for hubby syd-lax?

thanks in advance

Karen

EDIT: just found this little gem..... http://www.australianfrequentflyer....siness-class-upgrade-international-48520.html

 

[pythonisman]

Re: Virgin Australia PE to Business upgrade using points help...for 2 people same fli

1. what are my chances if i book the day the flights are released (331 days out?)

Probably pretty good. January is a peak month but if you book as far out as possible it'll help.

3.is there anyway i can check online if these seats are available, and are they classed as award seats or in a different category.

Yep. Flights in the "award" bucket are also used for upgrades. If there's an award seat available there's (in my experience, and others that I can find) an upgrade available.

2. do i book on the phone with plat line and just pay the phone booking charge? do we pay booking charges as a plat.?

I get on the phone to confirm the upgrades are available first, while having the booking system on my computer ready to go with my booking. I hit the button to pay and give them my confirmation number, and ask for the upgrades.

4.how many of these seats per flight do they allow, and is it easier to get seats if book hubby on VA2 and I come back via Bris va8?

5.stressing much and i still have 2 months to wait......

6. If i get another 45K points between now and jan 2016, how easy (availability) is it to apply to PE fare to upgrade to business for hubby syd-lax?

Again it all comes down to availability. Ideally you could have all the points ready to go and pick flights that will get you there.
One of the partner credit card offers (St.George, Amex etc) can net you 50-60k Velocity points pretty quick, sure you'll have to pay a few hundred $ for the card fee, but in my opinion that's peanuts if you're effectively using that cash to "buy" the upgrade on your flight.

Good luck, and hope it all ends up in your favour!

 

[strtrek]

Re: Virgin Australia PE to Business upgrade using points help...for 2 people same fli

thanks mate

Im just over thinking the whole thing (obsessing is more like it)
the hubby is happy to fly PE, but I really do want to treat him with business on the way back (then i can schedule our sju-lax flight the same day and connect straight home...)

waiting waiting waitiing

just another quick question...when do the cheaper PE flights kick in in Jan??? looking at leaving around the 9-12th...or should i push dep back a few days (less time in walt disney world..dang!)

once again
thanks
Karen

 

[Denali]

Re: Virgin Australia PE to Business upgrade using points help...for 2 people same fli

The new J seats should be in place by the time you take your trip - if you can upgrade, you should.

I phone the VA line and enquire about availability and then book/upgrade then and there. Ask them to waive the phone booking fee due to the upgrade/having to phone them.

 

[strtrek]

Re: Virgin Australia PE to Business upgrade using points help...for 2 people same fli

The new J seats should be in place by the time you take your trip - if you can upgrade, you should.

I phone the VA line and enquired about availability and then book/upgrade then and there. Ask them to waive the phone booking fee due to the upgrade/having to phone them.

yep...i may call...i'd hate to book lax-syd-lax accidently due to over excitement and flustering around (did that on a syd-mel flight once)....thanks for the tip re asking to drop phone booking charge

I love being Plat.