Platinum comp upgrades definition - multiple sectors in itinerary?

[clipped_wings]

Hi all

Husband is currently WP and has 4 complimentary domestic upgrades to J available. We're thinking of flying SYD-PER return, just for the fun of it. However we've tried to ensure we don't dud ourselves by getting greedy with the flight choices we have, but the website is a little hard to clarify:

Does choosing a multiple sector flight - say, SYD-MEL-PER count as 2 of those redemptions? And would all 4 upgrades be utilised just getting the 2 of us over to Perth?

It would be all on the one itinerary, but we could choose the Melbourne deviation simply because it means more fun taking off and landing.

OR, do we have to choose direct flights so the two of us can buy Flexi fares and upgrade. The days/flights we have chosen all have reward availability (and 332's on the longest leg) so that is not our issue.

Thanks to anyone who can clear this up for me! Hope I made sense............

 

[Bagpuss]

If you do a flight search and that routing comes up, it is probably one trip.

Though ... SYD - MEL would be a B737, so not much fun.

For the price you will pay it's best to do a velocity reward booking.

It would be more value is the offer was ... 4 upgrades from Freedom/Flexi or 2 upgrades from Elevate (you have to pre-chose your offer at the start of each renewal year)

 

[williamsf1]

upgrade vouchers are per flight segment so SYD MEL = 1 MEL PER =1 so 2 per person in total

 

[clipped_wings]

If you do a flight search and that routing comes up, it is probably one trip.

Though ... SYD - MEL would be a B737, so not much fun.

For the price you will pay it's best to do a velocity reward booking.

It would be more value is the offer was ... 4 upgrades from Freedom/Flexi or 2 upgrades from Elevate (you have to pre-chose your offer at the start of each renewal year)

Thanks for this. Yes, we figured the 737 segment would be a small trade-off but it's still a cool plane and we are in Business Class after all!

No options to book all as reward, as we just handed most of our points over for a family trip to the USA later this year.

Husband's account says he has 4 upgrades available from a Flexi fare, so I guess this was a default, I don't remember him choosing. I guess we should just look for direct flights to avoid any problems.

I know it's a ridiculous notion, given that one can fly the same trip for less than $500 return. But this is a one off. He'll drop to SG soon and we won't see WP for a very long time. Flying is such a joy for us and the opportunity to experience a 332 up the pointy end (sans kids) - well that doesn't even need further justification.......

 

[serfty]

If you do a flight search and that routing comes up, it is probably one trip.

...

That is incorrect.

SYD-PER uses one upgrade per PAX

SYD-xMEL-PER uses two upgrades per PAX. (You could just upgrade the MEL-PER segment - row 3 is fine on a 737.)

Note the UC's must be used before any drop to SG - safer to do so before the "review period" commences.

 

[Jack_OC]

That is incorrect.

SYD-PER uses one upgrade per PAX

SYD-xMEL-PER uses two upgrades per PAX. (You could just upgrade the MEL-PER segment - row 3 is fine on a 737.)

Note the UC's must be used before any drop to SG - safer to do so before the "review period" commences.

Correct that it's one upgrade cert per sector per pax.

However, my understanding is that they must be used prior to your review date, whether you are dropping to Gold or not. I can say with certainty that my unused upgrade certs have disappeared on my review date for the past two years running, even though I had retained Platinum. Obviously I acquired 4 new upgrade certs for my new Platinum year, but I still lost the old unused ones.

Just to clarify - when I say they must be used by the review date, I mean redeemed - i.e. it is possible to redeem them for a flight that is later than your review date.

 

[Jurahn]

I know it's a ridiculous notion, given that one can fly the same trip for less than $500 return. But this is a one off. He'll drop to SG soon and we won't see WP for a very long time. Flying is such a joy for us and the opportunity to experience a 332 up the pointy end (sans kids) - well that doesn't even need further justification.......

"The Business" is certainly worth experiencing . Just be aware the A330 isn't guaranteed, there's always a possibility of an equipment change and you could end up on a 737 for the flights to or from PER anyway. This has happened to me for an upcoming PER-SYD flight on a Monday, which is hugely disappointing, especially as I wasn't notified of the change and by the time I found out, it was too late (due to other arrangements I'd made around travelling on that date) for me to change to one of the other A330 flights that day. Whilst the 737 was still used on some of the coast-to-coast flights (mainly on weekends and sometimes late night departures, which is why I booked a weekday flight), it seems VA has changed a few more to 737s rather than A330s from March, so pays to check when booking ... and then keep your fingers crossed!

 

[Bagpuss]

"The Business" is certainly worth experiencing . Just be aware the A330 isn't guaranteed, there's always a possibility of an equipment change and you could end up on a 737 for the flights to or from PER anyway. This has happened to me for an upcoming PER-SYD flight on a Monday, which is hugely disappointing, especially as I wasn't notified of the change and by the time I found out, it was too late (due to other arrangements I'd made around travelling on that date) for me to change to one of the other A330 flights that day. Whilst the 737 was still used on some of the coast-to-coast flights (mainly on weekends and sometimes late night departures, which is why I booked a weekday flight), it seems VA has changed a few more to 737s rather than A330s, so pays to check when booking ... and then keep your fingers crossed!

Interesting as I havent heard of subs really happening any more.

With an a330 definitely doing the PER - AUH routing and the B737's being "better utilized" I think having a spare B737 to sub is going to pushing it after June.

 

[Jurahn]

Interesting as I havent heard of subs really happening any more.

With an a330 definitely doing the PER - AUH routing and the B737's being "better utilized" I think having a spare B737 to sub is going to pushing it after June.

Neither had I - which was why I was so annoyed about this change, especially as I'm on a paid J fare, not a points upgrade. It seems VA556 (10.40am dep from PER) is now a 737 on several weekdays in March, but it seems all over the place - Tues/Fri one week, Mon/Thurs the next week, and so on. Not sure whether this is a temporary thing, or ongoing.

 

[Atleastonce]

Just to clarify - when I say they must be used by the review date, I mean redeemed - i.e. it is possible to redeem them for a flight that is later than your review date.

Correct. I redeemed my last upgrade last year just before my review date and was able to travel after my review date

 

[clipped_wings]

Correct. I redeemed my last upgrade last year just before my review date and was able to travel after my review date

Well that's very interesting to know. Excellent observation, the review date isn't till August 16, so we therefore don't need to rush things. I have definitely noticed the erratic assignment of aircraft on the SYD-PER route. One day it's all 737's and the next day it's 332's. I think you stand a better chance of doing a direct flight and choosing a later departure back to Sydney, so we'll factor this in.

Having enjoyed the fabulous hospitality of The Business on a 777 to LAX, I simply HAVE to do this one more time. The plan is, depart Sydney as early as possible, soak up the Sydney Lounge for a spell before sinking into our uber cool business seats. Say yes to everything they offer, laugh my way through a coughpy movie and finally slide off the plane into a nice Perth hotel for the night (would love all recommendations by my friends here on the best place to stay near the airport).

Our return journey will be later in the afternoon, but I think I'm going to choose window seats for us, instead of the two centre ones. Rather than inviting intimate chit chat, I found them a little alienating. I'd much rather try out the ones with a view.