Complimentary Upgrades When Buying a Saver Fare

[dfar5370]

Has anyone had success in using their Platinum complimentary upgrades to Business with a non-Flexi fare? My company always buys Saver fares. As I travel to / from Perth each week using the upgrades would be nice. I would even be prepared to use 2 upgrades to move from Saver to Business.

 

[777]

I'm pretty sure it can't be done. The whole point is to get you to purchase a flexi. Could you ask your work if you can pay the difference?

 

[tuapekastar]

I've never tried as that is not the advertised benefit, and I cannot see it happening, except by mistake or as some form of service recovery. Offering to use 2 upgrades for one is worth a shot but I suspect the 'system' would not allow the agent to do this (bit who knows, give it a try and report back ).

If you really want the J service (and transcontinental A330 is very good IME) then maybe consider paying the difference between saver and flexi yourself if your company will let you?

 

[pythonisman]

Even if the company won't let you pay the difference (and book the higher class) you could always call Virgin and change the fare to a higher class yourself after the saver had been booked, right?

 

[koonyaflyer]

Even if the company won't let you pay the difference (and book the higher class) you could always call Virgin and change the fare to a higher class yourself after the saver had been booked, right?

I have done this on several occassions in the past month. Work has booked a Saver Fare, and I rang prepared to to pay the difference, which I calculated as around $70, as the saver has a upgrade fee attached , however was pleasantly surprised to find that the agent waived the change fee from Saver to Flexi, given that I was upgrading with Points. Not sure if the same will apply with Comp Upgrade. Whole thing ended up costing me $12! Good value I think!

 

[n17]

I have done this on several occassions in the past month. Work has booked a Saver Fare, and I rang prepared to to pay the difference, which I calculated as around $70, as the saver has a upgrade fee attached , however was pleasantly surprised to find that the agent waived the change fee from Saver to Flexi, given that I was upgrading with Points. Not sure if the same will apply with Comp Upgrade. Whole thing ended up costing me $12! Good value I think!

I have done this a few times as well. The last was a saver to flexi, which cost $110. A few day later I upgraded to J using points

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I have done this a few times as well. The last was a saver to flexi, which cost $110. A few day later I upgraded to J using points

Is J upgrade on the transcon A330 usually available? Be a real PITA if one managed the saver to flexi change and then found no J upgrades available! Might be wise to do the whole thing at one time to ensure the J upgrade. Surely the VA call centre staffer won't mind.

 

[pythonisman]

Is J upgrade on the transcon A330 usually available? Be a real PITA if one managed the saver to flexi change and then found no J upgrades available! Might be wise to do the whole thing at one time to ensure the J upgrade. Surely the VA call centre staffer won't mind.

I always call to check availability before booking the flight. When I upgraded my A330 flights later in the month (to what I now understand is both in school holidays and over a long weekend) the rep told me there were "about 20" reward seats available in each direction.

I'm hoping for a nice quiet cabin to add to the feeling of being important

 

[Boris spatsky]

I upgraded this week, and after checking with the call centre, booked the flight. When i rang back to upgrade, they told me that there was no A330 availability!! Ridiculous! I am now on a 737.

 

[JohnK]

I upgraded this week, and after checking with the call centre, booked the flight. When i rang back to upgrade, they told me that there was no A330 availability!! Ridiculous! I am now on a 737.

That is not good.

I think serfty mentioned if you are going to use your complimentary upgrades then to have the booking page ready and call them to confirm there are upgrades available. If upgrade is available then book it there on the spot and get them to process the upgrade. This way there won't be any confusion.

 

[sail0r]

Whole thing ended up costing me $12! Good value I think!

was that $12 worth of points, or $12 plus points. If plus points, how many points?