Long Haul Int - Upgrade Query

[blingy90]

Hi everyone,

Im a gold member, with a trip to Europe planned at the end of the year w my partner. Just looking to clarify a couple of things re upgrading to J. I think I've got my head around the process - just want to make sure I have everything correct before buying the more expensive Y fares.

So - will be flying on the VA metal service to AUH - then connecting onto the codeshare EY service. I know I can only upgrade the VA metal fare and I know I can only do so from a flexi Y fare.

Is it best to book over the phone / online / travel agent?
Regarding the flexi fare - are there certain fare types within flexi fares that I need to be booked into to allow the upgrade to J? When I go to book online, there is only one fare class for a flexi fare so I would assume as long as it is a flexi fare, the upgrade will be fine. This is my main query/concern, just want to ensure I don't spend the extra money on the flexi fare and it not be eligible for upgrade.

If anyone can help me out, advice or prior experience.

Would be awesome!

Cheers

 

[robd]

Hi everyone,

Im a gold member, with a trip to Europe planned at the end of the year w my partner. Just looking to clarify a couple of things re upgrading to J. I think I've got my head around the process - just want to make sure I have everything correct before buying the more expensive Y fares.

So - will be flying on the VA metal service to AUH - then connecting onto the codeshare EY service. I know I can only upgrade the VA metal fare and I know I can only do so from a flexi Y fare.

Is it best to book over the phone / online / travel agent?
Regarding the flexi fare - are there certain fare types within flexi fares that I need to be booked into to allow the upgrade to J? When I go to book online, there is only one fare class for a flexi fare so I would assume as long as it is a flexi fare, the upgrade will be fine. This is my main query/concern, just want to ensure I don't spend the extra money on the flexi fare and it not be eligible for upgrade.

If anyone can help me out, advice or prior experience.

Would be awesome!

Cheers

You need to phone VA to upgrade with points. I recently upgraded a Flexi fare LAX-MEL. Prior to booking, I phoned the GCC to confirm availability of the upgrade for the particularly flight. As soon as I'd booked the Flexi, I phoned back and they applied the upgrade.

 

[mlob]

Just needs to be a flexi fare. I'm intending to do the same. I'll be using the velocity site to check award availability. Will then ring to confirm availability. Buy the flexis then will call back to upgrade.

 

[jneufeld]

It can be worthwhile checking out the cost of a Premium Saver fare. They are sometimes cheaper the than Flexi Y and often sub $100 difference in fare for a greater SC yield.

Here is a table of eligible fares and costs to upgrade, it can be found here

Fare booked:​ ​	Upgrade to:​ ​	Points required to upgrade:​ ​
Flexi (Y, B, L, K or H)​ ​	Premium Economy (P)​ ​	18,000​ ​
Flexi (Y, B, L, K or H)​ ​	Business (Z)​ ​	45,000​ ​
Premium Saver (O or R)​ ​	Business (Z)​ ​	45,000​ ​
Premium (W)​ ​	Business (Z)​ ​	25,000​ ​

*Codeshare flights operated by other airlines are not eligible for upgrades.

 

[blingy90]

Thanks everyone for the help & tips,
Greatly appreciated!

 

[ben_caunt]

I've just done the same- ended up being less then $100 difference between premium saver and the flexi fare and given the upgrade points are the same having the higher SC earn made it a no brainer!