UpgradeMe pricing and success

[drewbles]

Agree - unfortunately we have a "no flexi-fare" policy at work so I have to book savers. I can swing an exit-row seat on the company card but I couldn't do an UpgradeMe bid.

That sucks (you could cancel and upgrade to a flexi out-of-pocket, but of course that involves a large penalty from VA).

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Agree - unfortunately we have a "no flexi-fare" policy at work so I have to book savers. I can swing an exit-row seat on the company card but I couldn't do an UpgradeMe bid.

That sucks. What if there's no saver availability on your required (desired ) flight?

i.e. if you book really last minute...

 

[Edge]

That sucks. What if there's no saver availability on your required (desired ) flight?

i.e. if you book really last minute...

Happens occasionally but my trips are normally planned at least a few weeks in advance. And if QF had a similar flight that was significantly cheaper I'd be expected to take that.

Last time it happened was returning from DRW in December but my upgrade request was unsuccessful anyway...

 

[HeavyElectricity]

My minimum-bid ($150) PER-ADL was marked as unsuccessful today - first time I've had one knocked back. The website still shows 2 J seats for sale as of right now (T-12). Why allow a bid on the minimum if it's not going to be accepted when there are still empty seats?

 

[bartley69]

I'm flying PER-BNE return in a couple of weeks, both legs are 737's which sucks, there was next to no A330's on that route and they want a minimum bid of $380 one way for business! Outrageous.

 

[Moopere]

My minimum-bid ($150) PER-ADL was marked as unsuccessful today - first time I've had one knocked back. The website still shows 2 J seats for sale as of right now (T-12). Why allow a bid on the minimum if it's not going to be accepted when there are still empty seats?

I expect this is related to 'award' seating availability. With only 2 J seats left I'd guess that awards seating is gone - its just a guess though. You could check to see if there are any J rewards seats still available - be good to get that feedback here.

 

[Moopere]

I'm flying PER-BNE return in a couple of weeks, both legs are 737's which sucks, there was next to no A330's on that route and they want a minimum bid of $380 one way for business! Outrageous.

I'd be tempted if I was booked into a 330, but 737 - nope.

 

[HeavyElectricity]

I expect this is related to 'award' seating availability. With only 2 J seats left I'd guess that awards seating is gone - its just a guess though. You could check to see if there are any J rewards seats still available - be good to get that feedback here.

I just had a search, and that could be it - no reward J or Y on that flight.

 

[clipped_wings]

My minimum-bid ($150) PER-ADL was marked as unsuccessful today - first time I've had one knocked back. The website still shows 2 J seats for sale as of right now (T-12). Why allow a bid on the minimum if it's not going to be accepted when there are still empty seats?

I'm with you, I just don't understand the (ill) logic behind the reward seating policy, especially with regard to UpgradeMe offers. Surely, if there was space on that flight in the 24-48 hour period prior to departure, then a cash upgrade would be considered as legitimate revenue. Multiply that $150 by the of thousands of passengers everyday who are willing to pay above and beyond their original ticket price and you have quite a substantial stream of income, all for doing nothing more than putting a bum on a better seat. Of course, when the seats run out, that's it. But if you're in PE and you want to bid for an upgrade to J, then your PE seat is up for grabs by the Economy customer who wants to pay up. Either way, that plane is taking off and wouldn't it be nice if there was a few more dollars for fuel.......

 

[SponsorSFC]

Had 2 Amex Velocity flights booked PER-SYD-PER.

Min bid was $445. I decided to use points instead.

 

[Moopere]

Had 2 Amex Velocity flights booked PER-SYD-PER.

Min bid was $445. I decided to use points instead.

This is consistent for me - I am quite jealous of those who seem to be offered <$400 upgrade me bids PER->East coast, mine are -always- around $450.

Mind though, with the Amex free flights, you don't get FF points or SC's - though you will get sectors. Even with the upgrade, your point/SC earn remains as per the original booking.

 

[Moopere]

I'm with you, I just don't understand the (ill) logic behind the reward seating policy, especially with regard to UpgradeMe offers. Surely, if there was space on that flight in the 24-48 hour period prior to departure, then a cash upgrade would be considered as legitimate revenue. Multiply that $150 by the of thousands of passengers everyday who are willing to pay above and beyond their original ticket price and you have quite a substantial stream of income, all for doing nothing more than putting a bum on a better seat. Of course, when the seats run out, that's it. But if you're in PE and you want to bid for an upgrade to J, then your PE seat is up for grabs by the Economy customer who wants to pay up. Either way, that plane is taking off and wouldn't it be nice if there was a few more dollars for fuel.......

I expect this is yield management at work. Whilst looking at an individual flight the above would appear to be true, my guess is that across the business they need to be somewhat mindful of protecting the J income stream. If they accept essentially any bid for an empty seat then the PAX get used to the idea of availability becoming somewhat of a firesale auction and it will detract from those willing to actually buy full price J as well as higher priced rewards/bids.

In other words, you might end up in a situation where a large proportion of PAX would simply sit on the waitlist at the gate with super low bids and then get disappointed. So, less money for VA, somewhat unhappy PAX, etc, etc. I have a memory in the back of my mind that some US carriers adopted this policy a while back, in relation to status passengers at least. The idea was to -always- keep the J/F cabins full, even if it meant comping status passengers into F (domestic).

 

[SponsorSFC]

This is consistent for me - I am quite jealous of those who seem to be offered <$400 upgrade me bids PER->East coast, mine are -always- around $450.

Mind though, with the Amex free flights, you don't get FF points or SC's - though you will get sectors. Even with the upgrade, your point/SC earn remains as per the original booking.

I am sure the fare class makes all the difference. I have offered $400 previously which was accepted but that is as low as I have seen.

If I am not redeeming points outright for J then I will usually only buy a sale saver and never a flexi.

 

[clipped_wings]

I expect this is yield management at work. Whilst looking at an individual flight the above would appear to be true, my guess is that across the business they need to be somewhat mindful of protecting the J income stream. If they accept essentially any bid for an empty seat then the PAX get used to the idea of availability becoming somewhat of a firesale auction and it will detract from those willing to actually buy full price J as well as higher priced rewards/bids.

In other words, you might end up in a situation where a large proportion of PAX would simply sit on the waitlist at the gate with super low bids and then get disappointed. So, less money for VA, somewhat unhappy PAX, etc, etc. I have a memory in the back of my mind that some US carriers adopted this policy a while back, in relation to status passengers at least. The idea was to -always- keep the J/F cabins full, even if it meant comping status passengers into F (domestic).

Yarp. There is definitely a method to their madness and I believe you are correct in your theory that the J cabin needs to remain a highly desirable option for paying PAX. While UpgradeMe seems to be a success story across the domestic market, it just doesn't seem to be a great investment for long haul across the Pacific, and probably for the very reason you have articulated above.

I guess I was more referring to the people (AKA me) who, having attained WP or SG from a loyal association to Virgin Airlines, accompanied by a steady accrual of points from their Velocity credit cards, Velocity loans, Velocity flights etc - and wish to redeem a hundred thousand or so for an upgrade - are still asked to jump through another near impossible hoop in the form of Reward Seat Availability (AKA hen's teeth). We're not asking for free seats mind you, just a hop & a skip from PE to that starry sky!

Oh, well. At least it's always fun to look at potential flights.........

 

[Pleb Status]

I have to say I am starting to get a little addicted to the UpgradeMe bids to Dom J. I like how no points are required to bid (unlike QF). So far I am at a 100% success rate on A330 PER->East Coast v.v. (the comp Flexi WP upgrades are also very good and I am not bidding on 737 services).

As I normally book far in advance, I am travelling for ~$600 ow for J. It would be interesting to know how many would actually pay $600ow in J PER->East Coast v.v. if NO SC or VFF points were awarded as part of the deal? Or would you only pay for J if J SC and J VFF points are included?

 

[Moopere]

I have to say I am starting to get a little addicted to the UpgradeMe bids to Dom J. I like how no points are required to bid (unlike QF). So far I am at a 100% success rate on A330 PER->East Coast v.v. (the comp Flexi WP upgrades are also very good and I am not bidding on 737 services).

As I normally book far in advance, I am travelling for ~$600 ow for J.

Right, hmm. I'm in PER also and obviously I'm not doing my homework - probably not booking far enough ahead I suspect. One way fare to MEL, my normal destination is usually circa $250 with lots of opportunity for higher fares, Flexi is normally a static $595. If you're getting into J on a bid at around 600$ all up .... what are you paying for your original flight? <$200?? I never seem to get a bid offer for less than $440.

It would be interesting to know how many would actually pay $600ow in J PER->East Coast v.v. if NO SC or VFF points were awarded as part of the deal? Or would you only pay for J if J SC and J VFF points are included?

I definitely would, every single time! I think the market speaks for itself here. Whilst some lucky folks are getting great deals, the vast majority seem to be paying $250-280 for a one-way seat (PER-east) + $400-450 for the bid upgrade there seems generally happiness to pay that ... putting a market based buy at say tops around 700 dollars or a tad over within the acceptable range for product/service received ... though these trips will of course normally accrue at least a few SC's and FF's

Personally, I do value SC's, but I wouldn't pay more than about 5$/SC to get some. Given this then, with a willing buyer at lets just say $750 for arguments sake, full J PER-MEL, if offered 80SC (as currently) for $400, total price $1150 for J + 80SC ... I'd almost certainly take that fare.

 

[bartley69]

$340 minimum bid each way on PER-BRIS return on a 737 is a total joke. I probably wouldn't even pay half that for that junk business. A330 is a different story though...

 

[Moopere]

$340 minimum bid each way on PER-BRIS return on a 737 is a total joke. I probably wouldn't even pay half that for that junk business. A330 is a different story though...

Well yes. Actually I'm not fond of the 737 in any class, no matter the cost. I just find them cramped and noisy and really not at all fun. I'll always choose another option if there is one.

 

[bartley69]

Yeah I'm devo, had no other options. I'm leaving on Thursday and there wasn't an A330 to be found in either direction. Not sure if one is out of service or they moved them to the PER-SYD or PER-MEL routes.

 

[Pleb Status]

Right, hmm. I'm in PER also and obviously I'm not doing my homework - probably not booking far enough ahead I suspect. One way fare to MEL, my normal destination is usually circa $250 with lots of opportunity for higher fares, Flexi is normally a static $595. If you're getting into J on a bid at around 600$ all up .... what are you paying for your original flight? <$200?? I never seem to get a bid offer for less than $440.

I definitely would, every single time! I think the market speaks for itself here. Whilst some lucky folks are getting great deals, the vast majority seem to be paying $250-280 for a one-way seat (PER-east) + $400-450 for the bid upgrade there seems generally happiness to pay that ... putting a market based buy at say tops around 700 dollars or a tad over within the acceptable range for product/service received ... though these trips will of course normally accrue at least a few SC's and FF's

Personally, I do value SC's, but I wouldn't pay more than about 5$/SC to get some. Given this then, with a willing buyer at lets just say $750 for arguments sake, full J PER-MEL, if offered 80SC (as currently) for $400, total price $1150 for J + 80SC ... I'd almost certainly take that fare.

To demonstrate the above, my UpgradeMe Bid to J for my flight PER-MEL (A330) on Friday for the Aust F1 GP was just accepted about an hour ago. Original ticket price was $199+$7.70 = $206.70. My bid was the minimum of $395. Total cost = $601.70. On Sunday night, I am coming back MEL-PER in J (A330) using a WP comp upgrade. Booked a Flexi using a 10% promo code, total cost = $539.62.

I normally fly PER-BNE v.v and the value is even better due to the longer flight times (5h45m BNE-PER). I have some flights booked for later in the year at $149ow. If VA would stopping swapping the scheduled 332 on VA468 for a 738, I would be bidding on all those flights. I already have bids in for some A330 BNE-PER flights in August at $395. I never bid on 738 flights.....

I generally find placing a bid early is the best way to get the lowest cost. I have noted that closer to departure, the minimum bid increases. I only just put a bid in for a SYD-PER flight in April and had to bid $435 as the minimum. I will be looking at converting that one to a Flexi and using a WP comp upgrade if some J award seats open up (unlikely looking at the load).