160 SCs and 22,000 points for $1600. Good or standard?

[Blinky]

I booked two return J class fares to Europe and return on Etihad for 500,000 Velocity points, and we left on 13 March. I asked about upgrading to F on the long MEL-AUH leg, and to my surprise was able to do so for $800 each. I wasn't sure I would get any SCs at all, but was credited with 160 (my wife shares) together with 22,000 points.

So did I firstly I get a good deal on the upgrade and secondly do the credits and points look right? If they are, it must be close to the the cheapest way to get so many SCs. I think I'll try to do the same on our return next week!

If this sort of query has been raised recently, could a mod please merge.

 

[Boris spatsky]

Wow, i think that is a great deal. F is pricey at best, and you got it for $800!!

 

[day-heg]

What Boris said! Great result! How was Etihad F?

Was it a full flight in J? If so, they might have been about to start issuing op-ups and gladly accepted your $1600. I'd be surprised if your original ticket was in an upgradeable bucket if you bought it with points.

Whatever happened behind the scenes, good outcome, especially with the points & SCs, which I'd see as a bonus given you wouldn't have expected anything from your original booking.

Enjoy your trip!
D-H

 

[lobo76]

How/when did you request the upgrade? I've got a trip coming up in Aug and I'd be keen to give this a shot!

 

[obrienja]

Etihad run an upgrade auction process (apparently when they've got seats available) and your fare is in an upgradeable bucket. They send you an email inviting you to bid (within a range) and if your bid is successful they notify you about 48 hrs before the flight and you're upgraded. You probably won't initially get the status credits with Virgin (I had to follow up with them 3 times and send through the itinerary and boarding passes so be sure to keep them).

 

[moa999]

I would say very lucky to get SCs on a cash upgraded fare initially bought with points

Note the limited time (30 June offer) for Points and SCs on award fares is only applicable to VA flights.

 

[moa999]

MEL-AUH is 7,247 miles which is Zone 5 - Earning Status Credits | Velocity Frequent Flyer

This is 80 SCs in Full Economy, 120 SCs in Business and 160 SCs in First.

So looks like you have got Full Economy SCs...

I wouldn't be complaining

 

[Blinky]

To answer a couple of questions, I simply asked about a cash upgrade at check in without any expectation. I'm not sure about J class, but F wasn't full. As I understand it, I wasn't eligible for the auction as my tickets were on points, but it looks like I got the upgrade at below the usual auction rate. And, of course Etihad F was sensational.

i will try again on return, but perhaps lightning won't strike twice.

 

[Blinky]

Just to update, I purchased an upgrade from J to F on the AUH to MEL leg for only $500 each! I'm not certain if I will get te same SCs and points. If I don't I'll complain.

Even so, an upgrade to F on such a long sector for only $500 each is pretty sensational.

 

[Boris spatsky]

Wow, once again, that is amazing!

 

[medhead]

You'll complain? Not worried about them saying "oh, well you weren't supposed to get those other SC, so we'll reverse them"?

 

[williamsf1]

Just to update, I purchased an upgrade from J to F on the AUH to MEL leg for only $500 each! I'm not certain if I will get te same SCs and points. If I don't I'll complain.

Even so, an upgrade to F on such a long sector for only $500 each is pretty sensational.

I would STRONGLY recommend that you keep this quiet. You should not have got ANY points and status credits on the upgrade from a reward seat. This would be a good example to be quiet and enjoy the error

“Members travelling on Upgraded fares purchased with Points or any other subsidised means of Upgrades on Virgin Australia or our partner airlines will earn Points based on originally purchased fare classes”

As you were on a reward seat .. the original class would be non earn

 

[Blinky]

Wow, once again, that is amazing!

The only downside is that we didn't get access to the Etihad F Lounge in Abu Dhabi. Apparently if we purchased the upgrade with miles, we would have, but with cash, no.

My travel agent son-in-law tells me that the only sensible, cost-effective way of getting an upgrade anywhere on any airline is to ask at the check-in desk. Sure, there might be none available, but if there is, it will be cheap(ish) at least from J to F. I should add (just make you guys jealous) that there were only 4 in F - there were more staff than passengers. I did keep one rather busy with requests for more Bollinger.

 

[Blinky]

I would STRONGLY recommend that you keep this quiet. You should not have got ANY points and status credits on the upgrade from a reward seat. This would be a good example to be quiet and enjoy the error

“Members travelling on Upgraded fares purchased with Points or any other subsidised means of Upgrades on Virgin Australia or our partner airlines will earn Points based on originally purchased fare classes”

As you were on a reward seat .. the original class would be non earn

You are, of course, right. I posted with my tongue planted in cheek.