Long Haul Points Upgrade to Business from Premium

[infrequentff]

I am a velocity platinum and have currently booked to fly back from AUH on VA30 at the end of the month, flying in premium economy. Considering the flight is relatively empty, I was hoping to get your opinion on whether it worth the 45k points for the Z class upgrade or either whether it is better to either bid for it ($1k) or just enjoy what will most likely be extra space in premium?

 

[pythonisman]

Personally if there were Z seats available I'd probably use points to upgrade. It's confirmed (ie you know you've got it) and its a pretty big step up in terms of experience, both hard and soft. Plus you earn your PE points + WP bonus, so the 'net cost' is pretty reasonable.

If you are short on points and don't mind spending the extra $$ for a chance of being upgraded (do we have any data at all on longhaul upgrade bidding success?) then sure, maybe. 45k points is worth <$1k in cash vouchers though, so the upgrade represents better value. If you're short on points there are usually card promotions that will get you there too.

If it's a question of PE v J I'll go J every time, because now I'm ruined for life unfortunately.

 

[infrequentff]

Thanks for your advice pythonisman! It's greatly appreciated. The other thing I was wondering was whether it is with just saving up points for a business ticket rather than spending it on an upgrade?

 

[scwappy]

Using points to fly J is, in my view, the best use, whether award flight or upgrade. Only you can really decide when is the best use, based off future plans, availability of cash etc.

Personally though, I don't think you could go to far wrong to using points to upgrade. The difference over PE is huge

 

[pythonisman]

The other thing I was wondering was whether it is with just saving up points for a business ticket rather than spending it on an upgrade?

It depends on how much you fly, who pays for the ticket etc. If you have enough VA domestic/VA Partner flights to maintain platinum happily (especially if you're not footing the bill directly) then using the points for J flights outright is a good deal. (And you're probably already earning a fair few points)

Personally I've only just scraped by maintaining VA Platinum for a second year (my review date is tomorrow and I got my last 10SCs yesterday), and ~90% of my flying is personally funded, so for me booking a flexi Y or PE seat and upgrading means that I spend less cash and still get to earn some elusive SCs!

 

[Ausbt]

I managed an upgrade bid of $605 AUH-SYD from Premium Saver to J earlier this year. Well worth it.

 

[EUROPA]

Points upgrade from premium to J is a good deal and worth it IMO, although points upgrade from flexible economy (look for sale fares) to J is even better (same points useage, cheaper base fare)... problem always being finding availability when you want it...

 

[infrequentff]

Thanks everyone for your feedback. Considering my travel is primarily self funded, and that upgrade bids are going for over 1k, I think it is probably better to used a points upgrade!