UpgradeMe pricing and success

[get me outta here]

Do I get access to the J lounge at SYD int - pretty happy I got my upgrade for a bid slightly over the min.

Off to DPS in around 10 days and got the email, "Bid for your chance to upgrade your flight to DPS". As there's only 4 J seats on the flt I don't feel too optimistic. I may put in a min bid for the overnight 6 hour return flt, and curtail any idea I may have that I'll be successful. Anyone else had any DPS experience bidding?

PS is it a first come or only on status?

 

[BD1959]

Do I get access to the J lounge at SYD int - pretty happy I got my upgrade for a bid slightly over the min.

Good question, I'm confused.

DPS is classed as International Short Haul. According to this page, Lounge Access is not listed as benefit for Business Class on the SH network.

However, when choosing Business Class option here, and the Virgin operated flights, suggests Air NZ Lounge is available ... unless the fine print excludes Short-Haul from "Virgin Australia operated international services (except Abu Dhabi)".

Someone with actual experience would be better placed to unravel the unnecessary mystery!!

Regards,

BD

 

[get me outta here]

Maybe this, I see this as a def positive: Virgin Australia will provide its best efforts to ensure services typically available to Guests booked in the Upgraded cabin class including, Priority Check-in, Priority Baggage, Priority Boarding, Virgin Australia lounge access, and onboard meals are included in the Upgrade. However, Virgin Australia is unable to guarantee that all services typically available to Guests booked in the Upgraded cabin class will be included in the Upgrad!

https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/specials-offers/upgrademe/premium-bid/terms-of-service/

 

[AdMEL]

Do I get access to the J lounge at SYD int - pretty happy I got my upgrade for a bid slightly over the min.

Good question, I'm confused.

DPS is classed as International Short Haul. According to this page, Lounge Access is not listed as benefit for Business Class on the SH network.

However, when choosing Business Class option here, and the Virgin operated flights, suggests Air NZ Lounge is available ... unless the fine print excludes Short-Haul from "Virgin Australia operated international services (except Abu Dhabi)".

Someone with actual experience would be better placed to unravel the unnecessary mystery!!

Regards,

BD

Maybe this, I see this as a def positive: Virgin Australia will provide its best efforts to ensure services typically available to Guests booked in the Upgraded cabin class including, Priority Check-in, Priority Baggage, Priority Boarding, Virgin Australia lounge access, and onboard meals are included in the Upgrade. However, Virgin Australia is unable to guarantee that all services typically available to Guests booked in the Upgraded cabin class will be included in the Upgrad!

https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/specials-offers/upgrademe/premium-bid/terms-of-service/

My understanding is that NZ lounge access is only for trans tasman flights, not for all flights. For flights to and from Abu Dhabi, my understanding is that business passengers and gold/plat frequent flyers have access to the EY lounges. I'm not sure which lounges can be accessed on flights to and from the US. I agree that lounge access is unclear/amibguous/contradictory, espcilly for Bali!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

This Upgrademe caper still confuses me.

I booked a flight that at the end of the booking displayed a page that asked me if I wanted to place an Upgrademe bid. I tried out of curiosity, but when I logged in the details required (surname and PNR) it stated I hadn't entered valid details. The offer cam at the end of the booking process so I thought perhaps it was too soon and the system didn't recognise the booking just yet, so I cleared out of that and logged back into My Bookings expecting to see it there, but nothing. Nothing has been emailed to me (except reminder notices). I rang the GCC and they didn't know, so in the end I upgraded with my plat freebies. What a fiasco. Surely it shouldn't be that hard to give them extra money?????

 

[get me outta here]

Well, I am still none the wiser. I had kinda assumed that getting into the lounge was one of the perks and didn't think to wonder until after payment.

 

[serfty]

... so I cleared out of that and logged back into My Bookings expecting to see it there, but nothing. Nothing has been emailed to me (except reminder notices). I rang the GCC and they didn't know ...

No need to wait for an email.

You can check UpgradeMe eligibility against any booking by going to the home page (Virgin Australia | Book flights & holidays with Virgin Australia), selecting the "Specials & Offers" tab and clicking on UpgradeMe Premium Bid
... or just click Here.

You can also submit an offer from their.

 

[get me outta here]

Well, if on a short haul VA flt, it seems that you get into the NZ Koru lounge. It does provide a seat, view and shower, but the food is pretty woeful. As this is my first upgrade me offer and success, I'm not sure I think it's worth it for this lounge.

Well, I am still none the wiser. I had kinda assumed that getting into the lounge was one of the perks and didn't think to wonder until after payment.

 

[Princess Fiona]

MEL-NTL $150 (flex fare) confirmed at T-24

 

[Deleted member 29185]

MEL-NTL $150 (flex fare) confirmed at T-24

I still have not had one flight I've checked, been eligible for un upgrade.

 

[JohnK]

I have not read this thread. I have forgotten all about it.

I got an offer last week for all 3 flights BNE-MEL-NTL-BNE. Admittedly I didn't know too much about it so I did some quick research on the VA website.

Originally I thought it would be possible to put in a bid of my choosing. When I saw the 3 default bids my jaw dropped. I then realised it was a sliding bar. Jaw pretty much stayed there.

Let's just say the minimum $275 required for BNE-MEL upgrade and $200 for MEL-NTL and NTL-BNE upgrades is taking the piss. I think in total 3 out of the 20 business class seats were utilised. Economy was not much better either with 50/92 on MEL/NTL and 18/92 on NTL/BNE.

 

[AdMEL]

I have not read this thread. I have forgotten all about it.

I got an offer last week for all 3 flights BNE-MEL-NTL-BNE. Admittedly I didn't know too much about it so I did some quick research on the VA website.

Originally I thought it would be possible to put in a bid of my choosing. When I saw the 3 default bids my jaw dropped. I then realised it was a sliding bar. Jaw pretty much stayed there.

Let's just say the minimum $275 required for BNE-MEL upgrade and $200 for MEL-NTL and NTL-BNE upgrades is taking the piss. I think in total 3 out of the 20 business class seats were utilised. Economy was not much better either with 50/92 on MEL/NTL and 18/92 on NTL/BNE.

My flight MEL-NTL and return a few months ago was ineligible - I suspect due to 3 other adults and an infant being on the booking.

Both flights were lightly loaded and I managed to get a row 3 seat at check in for both, with no status!

 

[Colin 2905]

no, a few of these were $0 bids, try it, on light loads, it works.

Hmmm..... Probably shouldn't have blurted that one out.

I gather that they've since enhanced that feature.

I received an e-mail a couple of days ago, inviting me to bid for an upgrade on an ADL-CBR flight that's about a week away, for Mrs 2905 and myself. This is the first such e-mail that I've ever received, but then I'm an infrequent flyer (with aspirations, though ).

The default bid is $170 pp, minimum chips is $150 pp, and $350 pp at the other end of the scale. If I could bid $150 for both of us (ie; $75 pp) then I probably would, but I can't really see the value on a 95 minute flight otherwise. Or am I missing something?

I've never actually flown J before, so maybe I'm being too harsh??? The only time I've ever flown anything better than Y was when Mrs 2905 and I flew Y+ from LHR to HKG, then PE from HKG to SYD (which was very nice), when VS were still around.

 

[WethereX]

Yes, actually when i posted that, it was already changed to the $0 for 'no upgrade on this sector', so someone coined onto it before i blurted it out, IMHO for a domestic flight under 3hrs, its not worth it, i havent used the upgrade bid for awhile now as work is booking us more flexis and J fares as it is, and with the mega flow of points, we dont see why. Also on routes like BNE - GLT and ROK, where its a 738 or E190, we get a biz class seats for the Y fare anyway as a plat.

The way VA are advertising on FB and other social media for premium bid, it seems they are getting what they ask for. I would like to see a lower amount though, at least 30-40%.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Also on routes like BNE - GLT where its a 738 or E190, we get a biz class seats for the Y fare anyway as a plat.

Are VA flying into GLT with 738s and E-Jets now? Good news if that's the case, as I've ignored GLT with VA for that very reason, preferring the drive from ROK than the suffering the ATR.

 

[WethereX]

ROK has all three, but GLT only ATRs and Ejets, were flying VA1720 this afternoon.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

ROK has all three, but GLT only ATRs and Ejets, were flying VA1720 this afternoon.

Excellent. I'll have to look at GLT again to try and get the Ejet.

 

[WethereX]

just checked in, agent said its very rare for a 190 to be here....

 

[Deleted member 29185]

just checked in, agent said its very rare for a 190 to be here....

Bugger ....Oh well, always plan B, Rocky and drive!

 

[WethereX]

yeah we did that last week, rocky then drove down, was a cheaper ticket too....