Upgrade potential for DPS -> MEL 3/3

[MiLK_MaN]

Just got off the phone to Velocity to see if I could use points to upgrade a flexi from DPS -> MEL on 3/3 and was told that there were no seats available to Velocity to process an upgrade.

I've already booked my wife as a J award on the same flight, so obviously keen to be sitting alongside her. There looks to be 5 J seats currently available on VA4152, and I presume there is 8 in total given its a 73H.

I requested that they speak to yield management to see if one can be released given the circumstances, but since Velocity is separate to Virgin, they seem to have no pull compared to the same requests that I've put in previously on QF. I was told to check closer to the date to see if a seat is released, but there's only 8 days before the flight.

What are my options? The numerous problems with VA/Velocity and website/booking related issues since Sabre is starting to get on my nerve.

 

[jneufeld]

Is the website showing any award availability for the flight?

 

[brad330]

The old rule of you can upgrade as many people as long as there is one seat left for sale has gone. The new 'enhancments' are really ticking me off!

 

[MiLK_MaN]

Is the website showing any award availability for the flight?

No, I probably took the last available one when I booked my wife's ticket.

 

[KCMil]

There has never been a rule that any seat can be used for upgrade. It is yield managed. Award redemptions and upgrades are different categories, so whilst an award redemption may be available an upgrade many not. A J award redemption may start at 13800 points but as seats fill it could end up as 38000points, that is 'any seat' redemption. Upgrades are fixed point values from a flexi fare to J class according to sector length.Velocity staff I have been dealing with are alluding to big changes in the near future allowing more flexibility in upgrading (e.g from any fare class) and without having to go through the call centre, eg. lounge angels being able to do it, or from your mobile device. Judging by tomorrow's DPS flight with only 2 in J as well, you may find a seat being available closer to the date.