UpgradeMe pricing and success

[serfty]

MEL-LST vv min bid each way was $80; I declined as 1) lightly loaded flight, 2) Row 3 ... (The actual getaway fare was only $60 each way)

 

[kezzakawasaki]

SYD HBA on last Friday evening's flight at 645pm - we bid $120 each for two seats and unsucessful. Flight was very full but business looked like it had a few seats spare.

 

[clam16]

That seems like awesome prices so great work !

Just received an email saying I'm unsuccessful with a $770 bid 12 hours before my flight.

Anyone have any insight as to why I would have been unsuccessful? There was 1 saver business fare and 2 business fares remaining yesterday, then it said 3 normal business seats and now 2 business seats. I would have thought if they were offering a bid they’d be happy to fill all their seats ?

They likely need to save some seats for last minute paying costumers. You can always re-ask when you checkin

 

[Duffa]

CHC-MEL min bid $140 - accepted for 5 of us.
Now I want to see if it was worth the $650 as I wasn't really expecting to get the bid approved
Lets see - lounge - Nah, PP has that covered
Drinks on board - hmmm, we will try

 

[johnnyfive]

CHC-MEL min bid $140 - accepted for 5 of us.
Now I want to see if it was worth the $650 as I wasn't really expecting to get the bid approved
Lets see - lounge - Nah, PP has that covered
Drinks on board - hmmm, we will try

I found the food/drink and service to be great.
Plus extra baggage, much better seat in small cabin with dedicated lav and you also get an Express Path card.
It’s just the little things, but hope you enjoy it!

 

[Duffa]

I found the food/drink and service to be great.
Plus extra baggage, much better seat in small cabin with dedicated lav and you also get an Express Path card.
It’s just the little things, but hope you enjoy it!

My upgrade email said I was still restricted to my original economy allowance. Did you find different?
p.s. It was $130, not $140 --- 5 x130 = 650 ! My bad
And don't worry - we will enjoy it !!

 

[johnnyfive]

My upgrade email said I was still restricted to my original economy allowance. Did you find different?
p.s. It was $130, not $140 --- 5 x130 = 650 ! My bad
And don't worry - we will enjoy it !!

My bad. I assumed you got baggage but you don’t. That’s a bit stink.
https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/specials-offers/upgrademe/premium-bid/faq/
I have upgraded with points and gotten extra baggage.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

My bad. I assumed you got baggage but you don’t. That’s a bit stink.
https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/specials-offers/upgrademe/premium-bid/faq/
I have upgraded with points and gotten extra baggage.

I must admit to thinking you also got the extra luggage. I know on PX you do (an important factor at times). On VA I don't really need extra, but I'm sure some might be caught out by that clause.

 

[Duffa]

I must admit to thinking you also got the extra luggage. I know on PX you do (an important factor at times). On VA I don't really need extra, but I'm sure some might be caught out by that clause.

Remember, we were in economy until yesterday!!
No-one knows about the upgrade; and consequently the girls are keeping new acquisitions to a minimum. They all think we are two rows from the rear bathrooms, as originally booked!! Luggage won't be a problem.
Kids (well, adults really) in 1A,1C and 1D.
Mrs D and I will take row 2, no biggie - we are seasoned J travellers thanks to JS

 

[Duffa]

Just got my Visa bill - AUD$106 per person for the upgrade to J. Bargain in my book. Especially since one of the party had never been in J - ever!! He was so excited (I'd made sure his seat was 1A) when we checked in and he saw his allocation.
Sparkling wine was very drinkable, as was the Chardonnay, the Semi/Sav and the Shiraz
Interestingly, the delightful CSM who looked after us the whole flight, never mentioned any wine brands and always brought the wines out already poured in the glass. So I have no idea what we drank other than the grape variety. A bit strange for J but no matter.
It did feel good that our party made up more than 70% of the business cabin!!
Also, points and SC as per original Y booking

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Was the original bid in NZD? I was thinking it sounded like a good price in AUD!
I have to also say, I think row 2 on VA is the pick. I like the leg room and the row 1 recline is not a problem (unlike QF).

 

[dxwell]

I think row 2 on VA is the pick

Seat-wise, yes. Food-wise, there is a risk that you won't get the meal you want.
Either is good - I like VA J DOM

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Seat-wise, yes. Food-wise, there is a risk that you won't get the meal you want.
Either is good - I like VA J DOM

As a genuine question, have you found that to be an issue recently? A number of years ago, I'd have agreed with you, but I cannot remember the last time I didn't get my first choice in row 2.

 

[dxwell]

As a genuine question, have you found that to be an issue recently? A number of years ago, I'd have agreed with you, but I cannot remember the last time I didn't get my first choice in row 2.

Yes, recently in a full J cabin we had 5 vegetarians. With only 4 vego meals loaded, the first 4 got the vego meal, the 5th got to choose off the Y menu. Not sure how often this type of thing happens though.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Interesting. I'm not sure of the statistics, but I'm thinking 5 out of 8 (almost 60%) wanting a vegetarian meal may be a little unusual. I guess logistically, it doesn't make sense for them to carry 8 of each choice, but I have seen VA take the orders starting from a row 2 window as well. I've never seen that on QF.

 

[stig_aus]

Flying ADL to MEL on Saturday and bid $100 pp (minimum) on Tuesday which was accepted overnight. Its an early flight and looks pretty empty so not surprised that it was accepted.
Should be a good surprise for my wife's birthday - planning to hide it until we get to the gate.

 

[Blinky]

BNE-MKY, $110 for upgrade. Didn’t think a bid like that would succeed.

 

[Harthagan]

Going SYD to LST tomorrow bit disappointed i didnt get offered an opportunity to bid for an upgrade. Would have been interested to see what the minimum bid is!

 

[odysseus]

Going SYD to LST tomorrow bit disappointed i didnt get offered an opportunity to bid for an upgrade. Would have been interested to see what the minimum bid is!

You should bid anyway - you have a good chance of getting it.

 

[Harthagan]

You should bid anyway - you have a good chance of getting it.

How would i do that? Ive only done it via the emails they sent me in the past.