UpgradeMe pricing and success

[robd]

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

Which cabin to which?

 

[Richie312]

Economy to business, doubt I will get it though. Fare originally only cost $125 one way

 

[robd]

Economy to business, doubt I will get it though. Fare originally only cost $125 one way

Hope you get it. Good luck.

 

[Spacetravel]

Does anyone know what fare bucket Premium Bid fares come from?
My current situation: Currently in Y+ with a friend want to upgrade to J, currently there is only 1 reward seat available to book with points.
What my plan is 1 of us use points to upgrade the other uses the bid option to upgrade, however I am wondering if they use point to upgrade will it take away from a bid?

 

[bullerdude]

I don't believe premium bid fares come from any particular bucket.

The number of bids accepted and the successful price is probably determined by revenue management based on a variety of factors and business rules.

Edit: I am pretty certain that the reward fare buckets will have very little impact of the success of premium bids.

 

[a1ring23]

Anyone know what the lowest bid which has been successful for Perth-Melb or Sydney has been?

 

[Spacetravel]

Thanks for the reply guys, I now have another dilemma, I did what I said above and put in a bid and its locked in now as in i've past the time to change it, however an additional reward seat has come out, what happens if I try and upgrade to the reward seat, does the bid get cancelled? Am I stuck with the bid?

 

[Spacetravel]

So I called GCC to ask and try and do the reward seat upgrade, they weren't sure what would happen if I was to get double dipped. They didn't think I should do the reward seat upgrade unless I get confirmation of it unsuccessful, which I am pretty sure I will be successful Id much rather spend 45k points than $1160
For anyone wondering.
Syd > Lax
Min bid: 1150
Max bid: 2000
My bid 1160
A couple of interesting things, I logged back into premium bid when looking to see if I could cancel. While it was in there it adjusted my bid to "fair" and the slider was half way across (the bid was the same at 1160).



Also as I was typing this, just got confirmation I was successful.

 

[robd]

So I called GCC to ask and try and do the reward seat upgrade, they weren't sure what would happen if I was to get double dipped. They didn't think I should do the reward seat upgrade unless I get confirmation of it unsuccessful, which I am pretty sure I will be successful Id much rather spend 45k points than $1160
For anyone wondering.
Syd > Lax
Min bid: 1150
Max bid: 2000
My bid 1160
A couple of interesting things, I logged back into premium bid when looking to see if I could cancel. While it was in there it adjusted my bid to "fair" and the slider was half way across (the bid was the same at 1160).

View attachment 50491

Also as I was typing this, just got confirmation I was successful.

Well, at least you got the seat you wanted.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Well, at least you got the seat you wanted.

I guess it also confirms they can and do release additional reward seats close to the flight date (as the bid has been accepted, I'm assuming the flight time is close).

 

[MH_fan]

I wonder how it all works if you'd initially put in a minimum bid of say $1100 and then later on the minimum bid is $1200 which someone else has bid. Is the $1100 equal to the $1200, as they were both minimum bids but at different times (by 2 different people)? It wouldn't be fair on the first person.

 

[Spacetravel]

As per my screenshot with my bid today, it appears internally they rank all the bids they receive and readjust the rating "poor, average, good" compared with all bids received. So I would say if you bid with a min 1100 and later they changed the min to 1200 the 1200 person is on top.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I wonder how it all works if you'd initially put in a minimum bid of say $1100 and then later on the minimum bid is $1200 which someone else has bid. Is the $1100 equal to the $1200, as they were both minimum bids but at different times (by 2 different people)? It wouldn't be fair on the first person.

It's an auction. Being fair on the first and/or lowest bidder is not the intention of VA. Maximising the income generated, hence accepting the higher bid, would be my guess at how VA are approaching the concept. Given time, I believe the first (lower) bidder can increase their bid to regain the top dog position (I'm assuming here, I have not used this feature).

 

[gwilli1]

Hi All, I'm keen to know what experiences have been had with Virgin's Upgrade Me Premium Bid . Bought LAX return in Y for $1200 last year. The minimum bid up to Y+ has always been $600 e/way , so basically initial airfare + bid is a total of $2400 . In today's Happy Hour, they are offering Y+ return for $2045 . Has anyone ever experienced or seen the minimum bid ever drop to reflect a current market offer , or drop as it gets closer to departure date ?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I notice from the minimum UpgradeMe bid amounts, that VA appear (in my case) to be pricing domestic upgrades at a rate close to the usual J premium less best available discount amount. I'm not sure if there are differences to this assumption (quite possibly) but as an example, this is the decision I'm presented with.

Option A......BNE-CNS J
$549 less a commonly available 10% disc. = $494.10 and for that I get 60SCs + 4941 points (base and bonus)

Option B......BNE-CNS Flexi
$289 less a commonly available 10% disc. = $260.10 and for that I get 30SCs + 2601 points (base and bonus)

Option C......BNE-CNS Flexi + UpgradeMe
$260.1 + $140 (minimum bid only if won) = $400.1 and for that I get 30SCs + 2601 points (base and bonus)

Option D......BNE-CNS Flexi + Point Upgrade
$260.1 + 7400 points (confirmed upgrade if available either beforehand or at the lounge) and for that I get 30SCs + 2601 points (base and bonus).

So effectively, for a saving of $94, I forgo 30 status credits and 2340 points. I don't see the value. To make things worse, every now and again (and my current flights fall into this category) I was able to purchase J outright with a code for $419 (only about $20 difference).

If VA gave SCs for J rather than just flexi, I'd bid every time. As it stands, every time I look at it, I fail to see value.

 

[MH_fan]

Here's something I noticed. Notified by email of successful upgrade bid from PER to SYD at T-57 but I'd seen that my booking on the Velocity site had already been updated to business class with allocated seating at T-71.

 

[smit0847]

If VA gave SCs for J rather than just flexi, I'd bid every time. As it stands, every time I look at it, I fail to see value.

I am in exactly the same position

 

[Mondo]

Just a random question - Has anyone been successful with the upgrade bid having already checked in online? With online check in open 48 hours prior to departure, and upgrade success notification can be as late as 24 hours before, does checking in online automatically cancel your upgrade request.....

 

[Cynicor]

PER-SYD red eye amex free flightsx2 min bid 340 or so. Bid $5 above IIRC, both successful. $350 each, basically.
On the way back, same strategy but only one successful- me. Have velocity red, vs her with no velocity. Wonder if this made the difference. She also booked later by around 2 weeks so is likely to have "paid" more.

 

[snoophound]

Hi All, I'm keen to know what experiences have been had with Virgin's Upgrade Me Premium Bid . Bought LAX return in Y for $1200 last year. The minimum bid up to Y+ has always been $600 e/way , so basically initial airfare + bid is a total of $2400 . In today's Happy Hour, they are offering Y+ return for $2045 . Has anyone ever experienced or seen the minimum bid ever drop to reflect a current market offer , or drop as it gets closer to departure date ?

I just got back on an lax syd this morn
upgrade from pe to biz
cost me 1250.00