Are Virgin Plat upgrade credits worthless?

[chooms]

Anyone else given up on using VA upgrade credits? I haven’t managed to use one this entire year, despite trying many times. Each time there were J seats available, but no reward stock. Then, when trying at the lounge all J seats usually filled.

What is the use of these credits if can never seem to use them? I mean, at least on QF you can register for an upgrade and see if it comes available. With VA it’s a complete lottery (and a bit of a joke TBH). Billed as a WP benefit but can never use them… so what’s the point?

 

[HeavyElectricity]

My tip would be to plan in advance, and find flights with business award availability before booking the flexi fare (or alternatively change to a different flight what has has award availability using the flexi benefits).

I've done this for trans-con a few times and it seems like good value (well, was amazing value back when the A330s were around). I understand on other east-coast flights that the flexi and business saver prices are pretty similar anyway, so negates the benefit of an upgrade voucher.

 

[SYD]

My tip would be to plan in advance, and find flights with business award availability before booking the flexi fare (or alternatively change to a different flight what has has award availability using the flexi benefits).

Yep, this is the key point - emphasis on “before” booking - especially with current loads.

 

[chooms]

My tip would be to plan in advance, and find flights with business award availability before booking the flexi fare (or alternatively change to a different flight what has has award availability using the flexi benefits).

I've done this for trans-con a few times and it seems like good value (well, was amazing value back when the A330s were around). I understand on other east-coast flights that the flexi and business saver prices are pretty similar anyway, so negates the benefit of an upgrade voucher.

Been there done that. Also, plenty more seats on the A330 that hasn’t been in the fleet for a couple of years.

I ring up the VA call centre to check to see if any reward seats available that day. Usually done a few weeks beforehand. Nothing available. About 10 times this year I’ve tried this.

And customers shouldn’t have to do this anyway. Their system sucks. UX is terrible. It shouldn’t have to take a customer to call up weeks in advance to use such benefit. Implement a queue system like QF where you can make interest known and if there’s a seat, you get it. Having to ring and ask multiple times is just poor service. Maybe I’ve become accustomed to the QF P1 service…

 

[jakeseven7]

Been there done that. Also, plenty more seats on the A330 that hasn’t been in the fleet for a couple of years.

I ring up the VA call centre to check to see if any reward seats available that day. Usually done a few weeks beforehand. Nothing available. About 10 times this year I’ve tried this.

And customers shouldn’t have to do this anyway. Their system sucks. UX is terrible. It shouldn’t have to take a customer to call up weeks in advance to use such benefit. Implement a queue system like QF where you can make interest known and if there’s a seat, you get it. Having to ring and ask multiple times is just poor service. Maybe I’ve become accustomed to the QF P1 service…

Can't you just put in a request on the VA2 app like QF rather than calling?

I must admit I've never bother trying to use my VA2 upgrades because everyone on here put me off even bothering to try - so not well versed in how it works!

 

[chooms]

Can't you just put in a request on the VA2 app like QF rather than calling?

I must admit I've never bother trying to use my VA2 upgrades because everyone on here put me off even bothering to try - so not well versed in how it works!

Haha nope! Have to ring the call centre or do it in the lounge on day of departure. No ability to register. I’ve even been advised to keep calling back closer to the day of departure for another check. It is ridiculous.

 

[dk4]

I ring up the VA call centre to check to see if any reward seats available that day. Usually done a few weeks beforehand. Nothing available. About 10 times this year I’ve tried this.

IME at the moment, perhaps due to the pricing mentioned above, Virgin are actually selling out of business class on many routes, hence the lack of availability.

Pre-covid, I would often have an empty seat next to my in business class. Post-covid, I have not had one flight where business class was anything but completely full.

I note the prices are starting to go up in 2023, but while VA was selling J at the same price as (or better than) a QF economy red-e-deal, on key routes, I have seen a lot of black and white QF bag tags in VA J!

I have managed to use 2 of my upgrades, and just keeping an eye on things for an opportunity to use the final two, but they may simply expire given the lack of availability.

 

[serfty]

Can't you just put in a request on the VA2 app like QF rather than calling?

I must admit I've never bother trying to use my VA2 upgrades because everyone on here put me off even bothering to try - so not well versed in how it works!

I have never failed to use any of mine; used them all. Must be at least 40 I have burned.

It was simply a case of finding the flight(s) on the routes and dates I wanted with Z (business Award) availability. Book Flex and then call Velocity to upgrade. This had to be done weekdays as the call could not be made on weekends.

Having indicated that, given the current pricing it is possible that my current 4 will expire at the end of February.

 

[Bagpuss]

As they use the reward availability you normally need to book in advance. 3 months I'd say at a push, sometimes you can get them more last minute.
There's instances where business class can be cheaper than flexi.
Though it all depends on what you value business class. I tend to like row 3, but when I get there and see the business class passengers get their wine refilled and I'm looking at the price on the menu ... boy oh boy it's a kicker ... before the walk of shame to the back of the aircraft for the toilet (queue).

 

[jase05]

What is the use of these credits if can never seem to use them?

I’ve seen plenty of award availability for SYD-NAN for example. $1198 in J or $548 in Y Flex so that’s a great use of an upgrade IMO.
Most of the flights I take the J fare is only marginally more than the Flex fare and sometimes less so I don’t use the upgrades every year

 

[MooTime]

If you book a flexi & check before booking there's reward J then your fine, lock it in.
Of course "in advance" is the key. Used my 4 no sweat.

I wouldn't say never able to use them, as everything with status & here at AFF, you have to be tactful how to get these benefits.
Not about J seats being available, all about reward seats available.

Jase05 gives great eg of short haul INT can be handy.

At least when you call Velocity as WP it's a 30sec wait max.

Anyone else given up on using VA upgrade credits? I haven’t managed to use one this entire year, despite trying many times. Each time there were J seats available, but no reward stock. Then, when trying at the lounge all J seats usually filled.

What is the use of these credits if can never seem to use them? I mean, at least on QF you can register for an upgrade and see if it comes available. With VA it’s a complete lottery (and a bit of a joke TBH). Billed as a WP benefit but can never use them… so what’s the point?

 

[MooTime]

So just used 3 of my WP comp upgrades.

Heading MEL-OOL-SYD-MEL, checked & was reward seat in all 3 legs so booked flex ticket at about half price of the J ticket. 3 weeks in advance.
First time I've used them on solely east coast, happy dealing.

My status anniversary is next week so timed to perfect this time as they'll top back upto 4.

 

[Ade]

Got an email yday reminding about the WP upgrade vouchers ... yea ... don't have any upcoming travel ... too bad actually, Jan 2024 I did not step foot in a plane ... Feb 2024 no trips so far ... so so depressing!

 

[flydoc]

Was able to burn 2 credits today on VA1747 under the current Choice promotion, after booking a week or so ahead; but per above, upgrade credit usage dependent on Z availability so will vary by route and timeframe. ie not worthless but very contextual.

 

[jase05]

Can only find 1 award seat but in October when I was looking there was SYD-NAN availability.
J was $1654
Flex Y was $632
A great use of a Platinum upgrade IMO

 

[VHVXB]

Hey members,

has anyone had any success in gaining an upgrade 7 days prior to departure using the upgrade certificate, specifically on international short haul flight?

thanks

 

[PPS_SYD]

Hey members,

has anyone had any success in gaining an upgrade 7 days prior to departure using the upgrade certificate, specifically on international short haul flight?

thanks

Called at T-7, was able to upgrade to 3x J seats on ADL - DPS. The whole bloody cabin was crickets anyway.

 

[Gremlin]

Not international, but had forgot I hadn't used them and my review date is next week. MrsG and I are flying interstate on the weekend, Choice fare. Used all 4 to upgrade both of us on our return leg (let's face it, I could have used them to upgrade me only on both legs, but then there may not have been a MrsG in my life anymore). Organised yesterday for our flight on Sunday.

 

[VHVXB]

Called at T-7, was able to upgrade to 3x J seats on ADL - DPS. The whole bloody cabin was crickets anyway.

Thanks for the information. I had originally redeemed a voucher, however due to flight changes which weren’t suitable to me they had to refund a voucher. They advised to call 7 days prior to departure dependent on seat availability.
Fingers crossed!!