Air asiaX optiontown upgrades - first in first served?

[fruitygirl]

Our family of three are travelling MEL/KL/MEL and upgraded via the Air Asia X optiontown deal in May this year. We fly out this Saturday (29/10) and have not heard any word regarding a possible upgrade to premium. Does anybody know how the upgrade system works? Is it on a first booked first upgraded basis? It has been a wait of almost 6 months so I'm crossing my fingers that if selection is decided upon based on advanced upgrade bookings ... then I might be in with a slim chance! Any advice?

 

[mannej]

I believe you find out between 4 and 72 hours before departure, so you may find out tomorrow. I am not sure any more information, as I am waiting to find out how Option town works, but on Malaysian airlines.

Good luck, and hopefully it all comes through for you.

 

[fruitygirl]

Thanks mannej ... just received my notification for web checkin but no sign of upgrade as yet. It is suggested at the optiontown website not to web checkin as this may jeopardise the upgrade so I guess I'll just have to queue up when I get to the airport and have my fingers crossed that I'll be upgraded when I get to the counter. It's annoying though, as I shall then be charged $3 per passenger for a counter checkin as I haven't web checked in! Hope you get your upgrade. Have a great flight.

 

[acoolbreeze]

I'm a little perplexed as to how it works to be honest.
I purchased my upgrade approximately 8 months before the flight for $105 per leg from memory.
During the following months I noticed that the price increased to $115 and then $125.
I didn't get upgraded on either leg, despite the premium seating section not being full.
I did web check in and received my boarding pass at the counter quite early, so I suspect they are offering the seats to those who paid more through Optiontown and/or wait for passengers willing to purchase an upgrade at the counter directly with Air Asia which would be substantially more than the Optiontown price. I wonder how much interest Optiontown are making on our money sitting there before it is refunded?
Anyway, I ended up having 2 seats to myself on both legs so can't complain. I did get the refund a couple of days later on both occasions.
I think your chances are reduced further though if you are travelling with companions, but fingers crossed for you.
Cheers.

 

[fruitygirl]

Thanks acoolbreeze.

Yes, I'm a little perplexed on how the system works and how they actually go about deciding whether you get upgraded or not. I agree that with 3 people travelling, chances of an upgrade may be diminshed ... but we'll wait and see. I have read many success stories of optiontown upgrades on various other websites but nobodu knows the mystery behind the upgrade - luck? booking date? number of pax travelling? day of the week? It seems it's anyone's guess ... I hope whatever the formula used, I've got at least a chance of winning the lucky draw! Thanks for your best wishes and shall advise if I'm one of the lucky ones.
Have a great day.

 

[aikman]

Well there's only three premium seats left on that flight so if they do decide to give them to you it will almost certainly be at the very last minute. I would suggest you monitor availability over the next two days since if one of those seats get sold then you'll have some closure knowing you won't get the upgrade and you can then check in online. My last upgrade came through one day prior but the premium cabin was practically empty on that flight. Good luck.

 

[fruitygirl]

Thanks aikman - some really good advice - I shall monitor!!!
Have a great day.

 

[travelislife]

Thanks aikman - some really good advice - I shall monitor!!!
Have a great day.

How did you go with your Optiontown experience? I have booked some flights for later this year (in about 6 months) and was wondering if anyone knew if it is ranked, as it first who applied are first off the rank when the upgrades come through?

It is a good deal for optiontown as they get to hold on to my cash for 6 months even if the upgrade doesn't come through!

 

[paul_e]

We applied for an Optiontown upgrade for a recent flight on AirAsia. We got an email a few hours before the flight. At the AirAsia check-in desk they had no record of the upgrade and refused to change our seats. Optiontown are refusing to refund our fee. Steer clear of Optiontown.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

We applied for an Optiontown upgrade for a recent flight on AirAsia. We got an email a few hours before the flight. At the AirAsia check-in desk they had no record of the upgrade and refused to change our seats. Optiontown are refusing to refund our fee. Steer clear of Optiontown.

Do a chargeback.

I and many others here have used them without any drama so thanks for sharing but I would use them again.

 

[Mark3000]

We applied for an Optiontown upgrade for a recent flight on AirAsia. We got an email a few hours before the flight. At the AirAsia check-in desk they had no record of the upgrade and refused to change our seats. Optiontown are refusing to refund our fee. Steer clear of Optiontown.

Hi Paul_e, how did your problem turn out? Did you find out what went wrong? Did optiontown refund your fee?
I've just taken the gamble for an upcoming flight & it does seem a mystery how it works exactly.

 

[Alanslegal]

I flew SYD-KUL on 03MAR14 and my Optiontown upgrade came through. We received notice about two days out and we were able to assign our seats prior to check-in. A few days after that we flew KUL-TPE.our Optiontown upgrade was not successful and we received our money refund around 7 days after the flight.

For a low cost carrier to offer fully flat (ableit angled 160 degrees or so) seats it was definitely worth it.