UpgradeMe pricing and success

[Edge]

MEL-PER next week. $300 min on way there, $350 min on the way back (both saver fares). Or 30,000 points each way. I'd like to try J on the A330 but it's only $60 each way to guarantee exit rows (which I've already done). $120 vs $650..

I was thinking that the minimum bid should be $50 on all flights but to my surprise there's enough people bidding $200 on MEL-SYD or MEL-BNE on here to vindicate their decision.
From the examples on here it seems that international UpgradeMe's are great value.

I, like everyone else, would be a lot more tempted if they came with increased SCs.

 

[TSOOBI]

Saver fare MEL-OOL and return $300 minimum bid each way !! This brings it to only $40 less each way compared to a business saver ticket. Who comes up with these prices ??

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Who comes up with these prices ??

Further still, who'd pay those prices?

 

[naggi]

I paid $137 for MEL-PER (Virgin Money 2-4-1) Saver Lite
Minimum upgrade bid of $350 was successful

I'll put that down to "OK" value

I do agree with many here though that apart from East West services, I don't see much value in these upgrades.

 

[Arrow29]

Was surprised to see that my Amex platinum edge free flight I redeemed for later in the year (PER-SYD) is eligible to at least put in a bid. Interestingly the bids are in USD.
Would normally be tempted for at least a one way bid given the base flight is free, but booked my wife on a separate (paid) itinerary so I imagine there'd be less chance of us both being successful if putting in bids separately.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Upgrade Me Auction worked for me, Aud$350 was debited, and its Business Class here...

... I come, PER -> SYD.
Time to check out the Lounge at PER.
I thought I would not make it, my bid was not that high, so, ...
Even at $350, it works.
And hopefully the plane will remain as a 330 for me, and they don't change the plane to a 737.
Will report back what number of VA points and SC they provide, at the base rate I paid for, Saver Lite (!), or at Business Class fare level. :mrgreen:

 

[Rj_louise]

Re: Upgrade Me Auction worked for me, Aud$350 was debited, and its Business Class her

Have a PE booking in July Mel/Lax, I may be prepared to bid $800 (poor) on one of the legs as I'm travelling on my own.

If you were to choose outbound or inbound which would you choose?

One of my hesitations if successful is that I'll end up in the middle seat of the 3 seat middle configuration!

I appreciate any feedback.

 

[williamsf1]

Re: Upgrade Me Auction worked for me, Aud$350 was debited, and its Business Class her

Have a PE booking in July Mel/Lax, I may be prepared to bid $800 (poor) on one of the legs as I'm travelling on my own.

If you were to choose outbound or inbound which would you choose?

One of my hesitations if successful is that I'll end up in the middle seat of the 3 seat middle configuration!

I appreciate any feedback.

the flight LAX SYD would be the better flight as it is overnight and longer ( by time)

As for getting the middle seat ... it is not that bad..... and for $800 I would take anything in J over a PY seat

 

[i_hate_the_tulla_freeway]

Re: Upgrade Me Auction worked for me, Aud$350 was debited, and its Business Class her

MEL - PER next week. $230 saver lite fare with promo discount + $350 for upgrade me bid. $570 for trans con J class is fair. Sure beats the published rate

 

[jozdemir]

Re: Upgrade Me Auction worked for me, Aud$350 was debited, and its Business Class her

Booked a PER-MEL 'Happy hour' fare for $139 and put in the lowest bid of $350 for an upgrade to J.

Upgrade confirmed at T-40, can't complain about that!

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

So they accept Saver Lite fares for upgrade me auctions now eh?
They don't do op upgrade, as there were empty seats in J today ADL to MEL.
Or SYD to ADL a few days ago.
$$$$ pay or no free upgrades with VA. am I correct?
No hush hush "psst, we will upgrade you Mr Poochie bizzo".

 

[MH_fan]

I can't justify $200 to upgrade on a flight that lasts less than 1.5 hours. I may consider it at $150 but I'd definitely bid if it was $100!
Got a bid in for SYD-PER and back next month. Let's see if it's successful.

 

[matted]

My Friend and I had $179 saver lite fares for a PER - MEL flight last friday.

Minimum bid was $300, we bid $310 and were notified of our success Tuesday morning, by Tuesday night I was able to select our seats 4H + 4K on the a330. When I checked back on Thursday night, however, my seat had been changed to 3K, and it showed that 4K was unavailable. The seat map now showed a 2-3-2 configuration too, so we knew we were on one of the old birds.

When we boarded seat 4K had a sign on it as it was broken. Interestingly after introducing herself, the cabin crew member pointed out that we were on one of their older a330 aircraft and the IFE system was not good. We were offered portable units but it didn't bother us much as we seemed to be eating and drinking for the whole flight anyway.

I would definitely upgrade again, especially as i would like to try out the newer a330 product. Worth it for $489, but I'd be hesitant to pay the $1600+ price they ask for full fare.

Cheers, Matt

 

[i_hate_the_tulla_freeway]

Doing PER - ADL on the evening flight next Monday. Saver lite fare was $180 and the upgrade bid is $250. $430 for a 3 hour flight is okay, but it's an Embraer. You reckon they could fill a 737 PER - ADL.

Someone should do a spreadsheet of lowest bids on three Y fares on point to point sectors. It would be handy

 

[DJVA]

Give me an E Jet over a 373 any day!

The upgrade me on transcont flights is a very neat way to get a reasonably cheap J fare.

 

[AdMEL]

Interesting that many have been offered upgrades on Saver Lite fares, despite the rules saying only Saver and above, including me! Mine was MEL-CHC and return a few months ago. Flights were $250 return and min bid from memory was over $500 each way - more than the difference between the Saver Lite fare and PE! Not worth it! I did not receive an e-mail for mine - just checked on the website and was eligible.

Has anyone been offered or checked and been eligible for MEL, SYD or BNE to LAX or return on a Saver Lite Fare?

 

[MandM]

Has anyone been offered or checked and been eligible for MEL, SYD or BNE to LAX or return on a Saver Lite Fare?

Saver lite not available long haul International Long Haul Fare Types | Virgin Australia

 

[Guvner]

Bid $250 for 5 upgrades on CNS > MEL (5 pax, $1250 in total) for last Sunday 29/6 and was successful. All 5 of us thoroughly enjoyed the lounge and 3.5 hour flight up the front. At $250 the system worked well for me in my opinion.

 

[AdMEL]

Saver lite not available long haul International Long Haul Fare Types | Virgin Australia

Oops, my mistake!

 

[WethereX]

most of my premium bid upgrades have been saver lite fares on the minimum dollar amount available... only had 1 get knocked back. - doesnt mater much now, they way my work is scheduling flights so close to departure date, they only have flexis or J to pick from....