UpgradeMe pricing and success

[MH_fan]

I'll be interested to see if there's anyone in the J cabin tomorrow. I can't justify anything more than the minimum bid. I already have lounge access, priority check-in and boarding. $150 for my bid for SYD-CNS is simply for a bigger seat and better meal. Well, if they don't want my money, so be it.

 

[MH_fan]

Update:
J cabin was empty.

Same bid was successful for the return flight. Informed at T-50. J cabin already had 2 passengers in it.

Go figure...

 

[Milefest]

Upgrade for $140 syd-bne approved

Also would like to mention that I am traveling on a saver lite fare which shouldn't be possible

 

[JohnK]

Received upgrade bid for BNE-AKL and return flights next week. Minimum bid AUD200 and maximum bid of AUD650. Default bid is AUD325 which is fair.

I can cope with 3-4 hours in economy.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Default bid is AUD325 which is fair.

Is it? (genuine question). I thought BNE-AKL was still the fairly ordinary PE seats or worse still the all Y seating arrangement (although I haven't flown that route for a few years).

 

[AviationNZ]

Is it? (genuine question). I thought BNE-AKL was still the fairly ordinary PE seats or worse still the all Y seating arrangement (although I haven't flown that route for a few years).

VA recently refitted and upgraded all their Tasman and PI 737's to have the same business class as the domestic product.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

VA recently refitted and upgraded all their Tasman and PI 737's to have the same business class as the domestic product.

Ah thanks, I knew it was coming. I just wasn't aware it had happened already!

 

[JohnK]

Is it? (genuine question). I thought BNE-AKL was still the fairly ordinary PE seats or worse still the all Y seating arrangement (although I haven't flown that route for a few years).

Apologies. It is Fair according to VA.

If I can pay ~USD100 for an upgrade on UL and RJ for BKK-HKG then VA can do a lot better than minimum bid of AUD200. Then I may think it's Fair.

Seriously the VA product is vastly inferior to the product offered by UL and RJ on the widebodies yet they want to scam more.

And another thing. I have had 3/3 success on UL/RJ on minimum bid. From what I hear VA and QF are reluctant to accept their overly high minimum bid even if business class not full. Why?

 

[Milefest]

Apologies. It is Fair according to VA.

If I can pay ~USD100 for an upgrade on UL and RJ for BKK-HKG then VA can do a lot better than minimum bid of AUD200. Then I may think it's Fair.

Seriously the VA product is vastly inferior to the product offered by UL and RJ on the widebodies yet they want to scam more.

And another thing. I have had 3/3 success on UL/RJ on minimum bid. From what I hear VA and QF are reluctant to accept their overly high minimum bid even if business class not full. Why?

My last two upgrademe flights were poor bids according to VA but I still received the upgrades for both. Maybe I'm just lucky? I've personally had a pretty good experience with it

 

[medhead]

I think I've bid once only, it was at the minimum and I got the upgrade. Went out on 100% success.

 

[jackthomas]

Just received offer for MEL-SYD at $140 minimum bid... Usually when I've checked previously for this route its about $250.... Haven't decided if I'll bid yet or not

 

[MH_fan]

I've now seen minimum bids as low as $120 for SYD-BNE, which is not that unreasonable, but more than that and it's not worth it.

 

[bullerdude]

Yes the minimum bid has also halved on a number of my upcoming 1-2 hr flights.

Good sign - although might see more people bidding as well.

Edit: But my MEL-SYD flights have not dropped.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

The lowest I've got was $95 on MEL-CBR (I think it was anyway).

Should have bid on it because now it's $150.

Other minimums I'm getting:
MEL-SYD this weekend: $140 each way
MEL-CBD in August: $110 each way

Tempted to take the last one, but I mean, it does get you thinking about the value proposition.

It would essentially mean MEL-CBR-MEL in J = $428, with about a third of the points and SCs. Not bad I guess but I honestly struggle to decide if it's worth it.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I honestly struggle to decide if it's worth it.

I don't struggle. I have a CNS-BNE flexi to J UpgradeMe offer (for which I have no intention of applying) for this weekend at minimum bid of $190. The flexi was about $235 (disc code). Total of $425 for J with flexi SCs and points. I bought a heap of J's on sale around Christmas for $419 with full SCs and points and in fact right now they're on sale for $419.

Can't see the value myself.

 

[SeaWolf]

Just got a success for SYD-LAX on VA1 Saturday. Went from a sale Y fare up to Premium Economy for the minimum bid, which was AU$300. Not bad overall, I've spent far less than I would have buying it outright. Got the confirmation at T-46 hours.

 

[snoop]

Much as I hate this concept I have used it
I have paid 450 for a syd-akld upgrade
and 1,100 for an lax syd a few times
what i hate is less seats seem to be allocated for points upgrades now

 

[strtrek]

flying PE syd-lax rtn in mid july..min upbid is $1150 each way....

I remember when I paid $800 syd-lax last year for PE-J...do you think it will go down or is this the new level...

I wouldnt mind J coming home.....I shouldn't complain as I only paid $1850 for the flight to begin with ...fare is now at $4700...

 

[Aus ATC]

Minimum Bid $230 for BNE-SYD on Thursday (off an $85.00 saver lite fare). I don't think so - especially not when we already have row 3

 

[Richie312]

got an offer for $200 Melbourne to Auckland, lets see how it turns out