Complimentary platinum upgrade query

[nathrek]

First world problems and all but I called up to have my flight on Thursday upgraded using my complimentary flex to business pass that you get as a platinum only to be told that there's no seats available. When I pointed out that they sent me an email with a UpgradeMe bid earlier today so there's definitely seats available they claimed that there's seats available but they're not eligible for free platinum upgrade.

I realise it's "complementary" but there's no point offering them as a platinum benefit if they're not usable. This is the 3rd time now that I've tried to use this offer when I know the business cabin isn't booked out but have been told there's no seats available. What's everyone else's experiences with being able to claim this offer? Any advice? Should I just call back tomorrow and hope that the empty seat is still empty and has been made available? It feels like a real waste of everyone's time that I'd have to call every day for this and to keep trying.

 

[antycbr]

First world problems and all but I called up to have my flight on Thursday upgraded using my complimentary flex to business pass that you get as a platinum only to be told that there's no seats available. When I pointed out that they sent me an email with a UpgradeMe bid earlier today so there's definitely seats available they claimed that there's seats available but they're not eligible for free platinum upgrade.

I realise it's "complementary" but there's no point offering them as a platinum benefit if they're not usable. This is the 3rd time now that I've tried to use this offer when I know the business cabin isn't booked out but have been told there's no seats available. What's everyone else's experiences with being able to claim this offer? Any advice? Should I just call back tomorrow and hope that the empty seat is still empty and has been made available? It feels like a real waste of everyone's time that I'd have to call every day for this and to keep trying.

Find a flight with business award space then there’s no issue using the upgrade.

 

[AIRwin]

Out of interest, how far advance do you book flights?

 

[Milefest]

Try again at check in at the airport, they tend to be more flexible with releasing seats for platinum/point upgrades close to departure. Obviously it won't be available if the cabin is sold out.

 

[Icy]

I haven't had much luck with platinum or points upgrades lately either. Unfortunately there has been no availability of business rewards on flights that matched my schedule. Always getting UpgradeMe bid offers though, so business is not booked out at that stage. I have tried from a couple of weeks out right up to an hour or so before the flight. Obviously they are looking for, and getting, cash for those seats.

 

[BNEFlyer]

As others have said, do a dummy booking and see if there are Business Reward seats available. If not then there aren't any seats available for immediate upgrade. I'm surprised you can't be waitlisted though.

Best option is probably to try at the lounge to upgrade, if there are still seats available.

 

[odysseus]

Not sure that an UpgradeMe bid offer means seats are available.

It's used as a reserve system in case seats are available. If full, there is no harm from VA offering the bid. However a flight may be booked a month out, then 4 pax cancel/change flights the same day or day before. VA then have the list of people willing to bid at that moment, rather than doing a last minute scramble or letting seats go empty. So it makes sense to take bids regardless of availability as they will only be used if needed either way. Certainly the technology used allows for this.

Best to actually check the website for availability.

 

[Icy]

Not sure that an UpgradeMe bid offer means seats are available.

It's used as a reserve system in case seats are available. If full, there is no harm from VA offering the bid. However a flight may be booked a month out, then 4 pax cancel/change flights the same day or day before. VA then have the list of people willing to bid at that moment, rather than doing a last minute scramble or letting seats go empty. So it makes sense to take bids regardless of availability as they will only be used if needed either way. Certainly the technology used allows for this.

Best to actually check the website for availability.

Thanks for the info. Yes, I can see how the UpgradeMe bid process can be used as a "waiting list" of cash upgrades.

Just to clarify, I always check via a dummy booking to see if any business reward sets are available or, at the very least, there are any business seats available in general before requesting an upgrade.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Also just because they are sending you an email inviting you to bid, doesn't mean anything. Someone could've booked all 8 J seats then cancel so even though there's nothing available at the time you submit the bid (or are invited to) doesn't mean it won't be successful.

 

[klymen]

These upgrades seem pretty pointless at the moment. If you have enough flexibility to book a flight with J award availability, you'll find that the J cash fare on that flight is cheaper than the Y Flex fare anyway.

So it's a 100% useless 'benefit' at the moment IMO. It was different when they were allowing the upgrades from Y Choice.

 

[Bagpuss]

I haven't had much luck with platinum or points upgrades lately either. Unfortunately there has been no availability of business rewards on flights that matched my schedule.

I have notice this for Perth. About 6 months out and no Business Reward seats and 8 tickets available for sale (full cabin). It used to be a rule of thumb that there were (at least) 2 per flight.
Pretty sure it's a case of tightening the belt and trying to sell the tickets first.

Remember if a business class seat is on sale for say $400 and there are reward seats available, Velocity isn't "paying" Virgin $400 for the seat. It's most likely in the region of $100 which includes paying for the lounge entry.