Comp Plat Upgrades

[PlutekPlutek]

Hi,
I have a Flexi ticket booked for PER-SYD for the 27th on VA552. I tried to use a platinum comp upgrade, but there seems no award seats available. I've checked on expert flyer, and it seems there are only 6 passengers in J out of possible 36 seats. I was searching on monday, and they had 3 seats available (I booked two of them for my wife and daugter) and wanted to use the Plat upgrade for myself, but by the time my tickets were finalized (through work), there is no more availability. What's the chance of VA releasing more seats closer to the dates?

Cheers,
LP

 

[williamsf1]

Hi,
I have a Flexi ticket booked for PER-SYD for the 27th on VA552. I tried to use a platinum comp upgrade, but there seems no award seats available. I've checked on expert flyer, and it seems there are only 6 passengers in J out of possible 36 seats. I was searching on monday, and they had 3 seats available (I booked two of them for my wife and daugter) and wanted to use the Plat upgrade for myself, but by the time my tickets were finalized (through work), there is no more availability. What's the chance of VA releasing more seats closer to the dates?

Cheers,
LP

It is a lucky lottery.... There could be more seats released closer to the date. The other option is to try for a upgrade in the lounge in PER on the day of departure ( tho you will need to be in the lounge before 0450 to ask)

 

[Tinkerer]

Just a small point, there aren't 36 seats available in J on the A330 (24 from memory), 36 is the 777. Doesn't make any difference for this trip but might some other time when you are looking

 

[williamsf1]

Just a small point, there aren't 36 seats available in J on the A330 (24 from memory), 36 is the 777. Doesn't make any difference for this trip but might some other time when you are looking

A330 has 24J
777 has 33J

However both will change with the new seating

 

[Tinkerer]

Thanks Williams, I wasn't sure about the 777, knew it was in the 30's From memory the 330 j class capacity decreases and the 777 increases with the new j class suites

 

[williamsf1]

Thanks Williams, I wasn't sure about the 777, knew it was in the 30's From memory the 330 j class capacity decreases and the 777 increases with the new j class suites

The new seating will be
20 J / A330
37 J / 777

 

[Denali]

For the first time Ive just used our comp upgrades - my plan was to be flexible with dates and phone the desk to confirm availability before booking.

Question was Darwin or Perth? I wanted Perth because of the J product but hubby said Darwin because we haven't been there before - he wins (as usual)

I guess theres not many FF upgrading on Darwin routes because upgrades were not a problem. Sad Im not seeing the better J product but its still better than economy and we finally get to see Kakadu... which I just googled as "What to do in Darwin".

 

[jpk]

Hi,
I have a Flexi ticket booked for PER-SYD for the 27th on VA552. I tried to use a platinum comp upgrade, but there seems no award seats available. I've checked on expert flyer, and it seems there are only 6 passengers in J out of possible 36 seats. I was searching on monday, and they had 3 seats available (I booked two of them for my wife and daugter) and wanted to use the Plat upgrade for myself, but by the time my tickets were finalized (through work), there is no more availability. What's the chance of VA releasing more seats closer to the dates?

In the early days it was really easy to use these, but in recent times VA has got a bit stingy with them. If there is an award seat available then you should get it, although I used one yesterday and there was 2 award seats available but the call centre said only 1 was available for a comp, so it doesn't always translate. Try again in the lounge, I've had good results there - the BNE lounge told me they could override the system and process the upgrade as long as there was a spare seat. Catering was not assured - this was done 1 hour prior to departure.

Your best approach when booking yourself is to have a booking ready to go, phone in and ask if there's comp availability and if so stay on the line, press pay, get the booking ref and then get them to process it on the spot. The operator yesterday was not happy about me doing this, she wanted me off the line as quick as possible, but generally they are ok with it. I appreciate this was not possible for you as you were booking through work, but might help others in future.