Upgrade Certificates - Platinum

[Chesty]

Have just managed to graduate to Velocity Platinum ( mostly done through SQ and EY) and noticed the upgrade certificates. Considering they are only from Freedom fares, wondering does anyone actually use them as I can't see any real value when Freedom fares are almost as much as Business fares?

 

[OzEire]

Have just managed to graduate to Velocity Platinum ( mostly done through SQ and EY) and noticed the upgrade certificates. Considering they are only from Freedom fares, wondering does anyone actually use them as I can't see any real value when Freedom fares are almost as much as Business fares?

Yep, all the time. Happy to pay Y and fly J, especially Transcon.

 

[Pleb Status]

Have just managed to graduate to Velocity Platinum ( mostly done through SQ and EY) and noticed the upgrade certificates. Considering they are only from Freedom fares, wondering does anyone actually use them as I can't see any real value when Freedom fares are almost as much as Business fares?

I have used every one I have ever received and wish I could get far more... I would never fly in Y if VA would offer infinite Freedom upgrades.

Also, on PER-East Coast flights, the cheapest Freedom fare is nowhere near the cost of the cheapest J revenue seat ($580 vs $1500+).

 

[JK1964]

Definitely on longer sectors. Just used 4 for 2 pax Brisbane to Darwin return. Freedom fare about 50% of business saver fare.

 

[Marty_]

I think if you're on the average corporate travel policy and your travel is all work-related, then you might find precious little opportunity to use them.

Fortunately I have to purchase flexi quite often due to the nature of my work so yes, I do use them. Normally I save them for transcon.

 

[samas]

I only used 1 of 4 last year.
The previous year used 3 of 4.
This year ahead I'll probably use 1 of 4.

(I tried to use them on someone else's booking to treat them but was denied, can only use them on others if they are on the same flight as you.)

 

[Lemon_Party]

Biggest perk of my travel and would take as many as possible. Work travel is usually booked saver outbound and flexi/freedom return and I'm always looking to choose return flights based on upgrade availability. I've been in Perth for a couple of years so makes a huge difference on the long hop back. When availability is tight or if I feel low on SCs I'll fly something like BNE-SYD-PER or BNE-MEL-PER to make sure I can land an a330 for the longer hop. VA charge the same for flexi with a stop than direct so no company issues, sadly QF do not do that....

 

[Gold Member]

(I tried to use them on someone else's booking to treat them but was denied, can only use them on others if they are on the same flight as you.)

Have you tried cancelling your flight and leaving the other person's intact after the booking and upgrades applied?

 

[tomasp]

Yup, I've just gone to Platinum this year and already have 2 booked in... We are travelling to Perth for Christmas so booked flexible and upgraded partner and I to business on the way there for the 5.5hr flight! We will be there again in March so will use the second to upgrade again for free.

 

[Denali]

Ive used the WP upgrades for Syd>Perth>Syd but on the A330 so well worth it.

Also used them for a trip to Darwin, which we enjoyed.

Struggling to use this years at the moment as the base Y fare is so high.

 

[Lord_Lenny]

I've never used them sadly, most of my travel has been SYD-BNE/MEL and due to company travel policy I've had to be creative in order to squeeze the odd Elevate fare into the mix, let alone Freedom!!

For me it's hard to see the value in them for the 1.5hr hops, when the difference between Elevate and Freedom can be almost double. Flying myself and Lady Lenny to Melbourne for a weekend for $1600 is not a particularly enticing offer, especially with free EconomyX seating for a wee bit of exta leg room. I have considered a sneaky Perth holiday, but the Freedom fares are just too much, we could fly to London on SQ for pretty much the same, and accrue a much tastier pile of Status Credits

 

[Mattg]

I do wonder if Virgin might consider allowing these to be used on Elevate fares - even if you have to spend 2 upgrade certificates instead of 1 with a Freedom fare?

 

[CPMaverick]

It is difficult to justify the extra cost. I did get an opportunity to use 1 last year.

 

[Lemon_Party]

I've just lucked out on a last minute booking for next week, late aircraft swap outs notwithstanding - BNE-PER VA 476 is running as a 332 and had available upgrade space. Result!

Few and far between on the BNE-PER route these days...

 

[Pleb Status]

I've just lucked out on a last minute booking for next week, late aircraft swap outs notwithstanding - BNE-PER VA 476 is running as a 332 and had available upgrade space. Result!

Few and far between on the BNE-PER route these days...

I would say that you 'lucked in' rather than 'lucked out'....

 

[andyhui01]

Never used them as I don't fly Transcon and I am not willing to pay for a Flexi fare. (My schedule is flexible enough to avoid even Elevate fares). If they allowed it on Long Haul LAX/HKG, that would be a different story.

 

[Falcs]

Given that the certificate requires award inventory isn't it just equivalent to a small wad of Velocity points?

 

[Pleb Status]

Given that the certificate requires award inventory isn't it just equivalent to a small wad of Velocity points?

Correct. They are worth 39600 VFF points pa to me... A very nice bonus.