Platinum Business upgrade useless - very disappointing

[Keen]

I recently booked a flight from Darwin to Adelaide via BNE for a weekend over three weeks away, paid the extra for the Flexi fare hoping to use my first of four upgrades.
Paid the extra on an already expensive fare (rather than flying direct through a competitor as virgin does not currently have this route and the one they are commencing in March is significantly limited in days and times). Called up today to try and arrange an upgrade, thinking this is an adequate time, particularly as they talk about up to 4 hours prior to the flight. I was told there were no seats available for this to happen, this is greatly disappointing as there are business and business reward tickets available.
There doesn't seem to be much use to platinum. I was asked to call back in a week or two to see if seats are released but I doubt this will be successful.
Given I fly frequently and have sacrificed convenience and cost to keep my alliance with virgin I think unless this is sorted Virgin will be loosing a lot of my business and I definitely will cease aiming to retain platinum this year.

 

[Quickstatus]

I recently booked a flight from Darwin to Adelaide via BNE for a weekend over three weeks away, paid the extra for the Flexi fare hoping to use my first of four upgrades.
Paid the extra on an already expensive fare (rather than flying direct through a competitor as virgin does not currently have this route and the one they are commencing in March is significantly limited in days and times). Called up today to try and arrange an upgrade, thinking this is an adequate time, particularly as they talk about up to 4 hours prior to the flight. I was told there were no seats available for this to happen, this is greatly disappointing as there are business and business reward tickets available.
There doesn't seem to be much use to platinum. I was asked to call back in a week or two to see if seats are released but I doubt this will be successful.
Given I fly frequently and have sacrificed convenience and cost to keep my alliance with virgin I think unless this is sorted Virgin will be loosing a lot of my business and I definitely will cease aiming to retain platinum this year.

So if you are platinum, and bought a flexi, and have a complimentary upgrade up your sleeve and there is a business reward seat available on exactly the same itinerary on the same day and same flights, then you should be able to get a comp upgrade. My daughter who is VA Plat has always been able to get the comp upgrades.

Does your situation match exactly the above requirements?

also the grass is not necessarily greener on the other side......

 

[Keen]

I'm platinum, bought a flexi and have all four upgrades available and there are business rewards seats available.
The velocity girl told me there's only upgrades available on the BNE-ADL rather than DARWIN-BNE route, which is the one I want more.

 

[knasty]

Always makes sense to check upgrade/award availability before you book, then apply the upgrade immediately.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I'm platinum, bought a flexi and have all four upgrades available and there are business rewards seats available.
The velocity girl told me there's only upgrades available on the BNE-ADL rather than DARWIN-BNE route, which is the one I want more.

That sounds odd. I was under the impression that if there were reward J seats, they too would be made available for the comp upgrades. Phone them again.

 

[Quickstatus]

I'm platinum, bought a flexi and have all four upgrades available and there are business rewards seats available.
The velocity girl told me there's only upgrades available on the BNE-ADL rather than DARWIN-BNE route, which is the one I want more.

you need business rewards availability for the 2 flights on your itinerary DRW-BNE and also BNE-ADL.

Best way to book comp upgrades is to confirm business availability first then book flexi then call VA customer immediately to lock in theupgrades. Dont wait if you cant use comp upgrade in this flight then get a refund on the flexi and buy cheapest fare

 

[froggerADL]

Also, if there was availability for both legs it would cost you two of your complimentary upgrades.

 

[Quickstatus]

Also, if there was availability for both legs it would cost you two of your complimentary upgrades.

Velocity has business rewards costing 55300 for the combined entire itinerary of 2 flights.

Very easy to work out, KEEN just post the date you are flying and the flight numbers. Do not post your booking reference though. Im sure AFF will be able to advise you re next step.

 

[Keen]

Flying on Fri 6th March, but as swanning_it suggested i called up again and they put me on hold and were able to upgrade. However, it used TWO upgrades not one.
Flying back via ADL-MEL-DRW leaving Melbourne at 1:45am which I just used a economy reward for 25k points, which didn't seem to bad, but should try and get business on that, although that's probably quite hard now given that I didn't get a business reward. Anyone know what kind of business service happens at 1:45am, as I'm pretty sure they don't have flat beds on that flight (737-800) so probably would be just as good to try and get a row to myself (booked row 3 but arm rests don't budge on that row)

 

[Quickstatus]

Flying on Fri 6th March, but as swanning_it suggested i called up again and they put me on hold and were able to upgrade. However, it used TWO upgrades not one.
Flying back via ADL-MEL-DRW leaving Melbourne at 1:45am which I just used a economy reward for 25k points, which didn't seem to bad, but should try and get business on that, although that's probably quite hard now given that I didn't get a business reward. Anyone know what kind of business service happens at 1:45am, as I'm pretty sure they don't have flat beds on that flight (737-800) so probably would be just as good to try and get a row to myself (booked row 3 but arm rests don't budge on that row)

Just looked up Platinum additional benefits:

23.2 Complimentary Fare Upgrades
23.2.1 In each Benefit Period, Platinum Members are entitled to redeem a Complimentary Fare Upgrade from Economy Class to Business Class on four Virgin Australia Domestic Flight Sectors (UpgradeMe Platinum Member Offer) when a Flexi Fare is purchased. For the avoidance of doubt, a single direct flight between Melbourne and Sydney is one Flight Sector and will require redemption of one Complimentary Fare Upgrade. A Journey from Perth to Brisbane via Sydney will require redemption of two Complimentary Fare Upgrades if a Member decides to upgrade both Flight Sectors.


Re return flight:

Not sure what you mean by "thats probably quite hard now given that I didnt get business reward"


737-800 are never lie flats.

Economy rewards are very inefficient in terms of points use.

VA Business class cabin lunch service is 1200-1400 (ie scheduled departure time - so a flight scheduled to depart at 1145 but then is delayed to a departure time of 1201 will not get lunch service but a morning snack service)

Other option is to book a saver fare and do an upgrademe points upgrade.
If you cancel a reward seat within 24 hours I think there is no charge/fee if you ring Velocity. but if you did it online there is a fee

Important!

​

If you booked your fare 7 days or more prior to your flight’s scheduled departure time, you may cancel your booking without penalty within 24 hours of making it by calling our Guest Contact Centre. If you cancel your booking online, you will be charged the fees and surcharges outlined in the fare rules of your ticket.

Row 3 is very good.
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....lia-velocity/fly-ahead-and-row-3-a-66099.html

 

[Princess Fiona]

Flying on Fri 6th March, but as swanning_it suggested i called up again and they put me on hold and were able to upgrade. However, it used TWO upgrades not one.
Flying back via ADL-MEL-DRW leaving Melbourne at 1:45am which I just used a economy reward for 25k points, which didn't seem to bad, but should try and get business on that, although that's probably quite hard now given that I didn't get a business reward. Anyone know what kind of business service happens at 1:45am, as I'm pretty sure they don't have flat beds on that flight (737-800) so probably would be just as good to try and get a row to myself (booked row 3 but arm rests don't budge on that row)

The upgrades are per sector so deducting two is correct.

 

[jneufeld]

Whenever I want to use a complimentary upgrade I always complete the online booking process up to having the payment page filled out but not pressing 'Purchase'. I then call up, check upgrade availability and if there are upgrades available I ask them to wait while I process the purchase, I then press 'Purchase' and give them the PNR to immediately apply the upgrade. This method has not failed me yet.

 

[The Flying Brick]

Whenever I want to use a complimentary upgrade I always complete the online booking process up to having the payment page filled out but not pressing 'Purchase'. I then call up, check upgrade availability and if there are upgrades available I ask them to wait while I process the purchase, I then press 'Purchase' and give them the PNR to immediately apply the upgrade. This method has not failed me yet.

I agree, always check availability before booking, if not before.
Call up first and ask if there is Award availability in J - then purchase on the flex Y on line and call back again for the upgrade to J.
Works every time

 

[Keen]

Lesson learnt for next time. So appears either the girl in the morning didn't have a clue or my complaint in the morning worked, probably the former.

I agree Row 3 is great, however, this is a 2am flight so priority will be sleep, so raisable arm rests in an unfilled row is a priority over leg room (and likely a win over limited J service and seats), although happy to be educated otherwise.

Also with domestic reward being a poor use of points, I am aware, however, as I booked all five of my international flights last year within 2 weeks of departure I don't think virgin international reward seats are a great option for me.

 

[Quickstatus]

Lesson learnt for next time. So appears either the girl in the morning didn't have a clue or my complaint in the morning worked, probably the former.

I agree Row 3 is great, however, this is a 2am flight so priority will be sleep, so raisable arm rests in an unfilled row is a priority over leg room (and likely a win over limited J service and seats), although happy to be educated otherwise.

Also with domestic reward being a poor use of points, I am aware, however, as I booked all five of my international flights last year within 2 weeks of departure I don't think virgin international reward seats are a great option for me.

Did you ring the platinum line instead of the 13 number?.

it's economy rewards domestic or international that is points inefficient.
business rewards are better.

 

[Clivem]

Hi Keen ... I've been VA Plat virtually since there was VA plat and I have never had an issue using the comp upgrades, in accordance with the rules - EG per sector redemption as others have noted and jneufeld's advice is 100% on the money with respect to the way to book and secure.

Maybe I have been very lucky, but I pretty much received good service from fairly knowledgeable Reps nearly every time I call the VA Plat line.
I would add to that some of the Reps on the Plat line are extremely good. One that springs to mind whom I have come across regularly is worth his weight in gold and that is 'Manchester Bill' ......Yes his name is -'Bill' and his good old Manchester accent simply can not be mistaken.

Up shot is maybe you had a bad run this time but don't be to quick to throw the baby out with the bath water straight away, as others have rightfully noted the grass isn't always greener. While I like QF also some of those QF redemption 'add costs' make me shudder at times.

I hope your trip goes well.

 

[jneufeld]

I would add to that some of the Reps on the Plat line are extremely good. One that springs to mind whom I have come across regularly is worth his weight in gold and that is 'Manchester Bill' ......Yes his name is -'Bill' and his good old Manchester accent simply can not be mistaken.

Bill is the best, has saved me hundreds in fees over the years. Always willing to go the extra mile!

 

[james4321]

Did you ring the platinum line instead of the 13 number?

What is the number for the platinum line?

 

[VA777]

Just turned plat don't recall seeing any special number in the material sent.

 

[Clivem]

Bill is the best, has saved me hundreds in fees over the years. Always willing to go the extra mile!

Well that's official then you have just become a co-founding member of the ........... ' Manchester Bill Appreciation Society ' (M.B.A.S.) ....... Congratulations.