VA Flex-business flight upgrade SC

[dave303]

Afternoon all,
apologies if this has already been answered... apologies if I sound like a numpty.

I'm trying to fast track my gold as quickly as possible, and I'll be flying back from perth on a flexi in a few weeks... I was thinking of upgrading to business using points,
I've found this - Airline Special Offers | Velocity Frequent Flyer (can't link due to posting restrictions as I'm new.. google for "Limited time only offer: Earn Status Credits on Reward Seats" if you don't know what I'm referring to) which says sc on reward fares will be issued, do upgraded fairs count as reward seats?

Also for those that have done it, how much notice, and what is the likelihood of being approved for an upgraded fair?
is it possible that I'll end up with a "premium economy" seats as per the lottery?

 

[notzac]

I seem to remember reading somewhere here that the points upgrades were earning at the original paid fare class (i.e., Flexi). If you upgrade to business, you will be in a business class seat - that said, definitely call the call centre before paying for the fare to ensure a points upgrade is available for your flight. You should be able to complete the purchase and lock in the upgrade straight away.

 

[DeKa]

Upgrades do earn Business SCs. When you call, I recommend NOT telling them you're upgrading to earn Business SCs.

You can check upgrade availability by doing a dummy Reward booking in business class. If there is a reward seat, there's an upgrade seat available.

 

[drewbles]

Upgrades do earn Business SCs. When you call, I recommend NOT telling them you're upgrading to earn Business SCs.

You can check upgrade availability by doing a dummy Reward booking in business class. If there is a reward seat, there's an upgrade seat available.

They're not *meant* to earn but anecdotal evidence suggests they do in some cases.

Of course if you remove your FF number prior to boarding, then retro-claim, you may be better off.

 

[Mogul]

I have just done this exact thing Syd to Perth. The way I did was to do the booking online up to the payment screen. Called call centre to check upgrade availability and once it was confirmed asked call centre agent to wait while payment went throughand they did upgrade then and there. Also did complimentry upgrade for return trip at the same time.

SC's awarded for both legs at 80 SC's per leg. :mrgreen:

 

[notzac]

Upgrades do earn Business SCs.

SC's awarded for both legs at 80 SC's per leg. :mrgreen:

I sit corrected

 

[777]

Officially upgrades aren't supposed to earn business SC's so YMMV.

It's one of the many unfortunate consequences of the switch to sabre that we don't actually complain about.

 

[jozdemir]

Ha I was just wondering this exact thing today.

Is it possible that it's because both the reward seats and points/comp UGs end up in the same fare buckets? That would make sense to me.

 

[777]

Ha I was just wondering this exact thing today.

Is it possible that it's because both the reward seats and points/comp UGs end up in the same fare buckets? That would make sense to me.

Most likely.

 

[KCMil]

It is probably more to do with the ticketing of the fare. When you book your flight you receive a ticket, often starting something like 7057 etc.... When you upgrade you get a new ticket number sent to you.
Often when looking at the booking the agent / ground crew really only look at the "current" ticket, which will show you as J class.
So whilst this may look like a "glitch" it is actually more a result of the ticketing system used. You may notice that upgraded fares often just appear as Z fares so there is nothing to indicate to Velocity or the agent that you are an upgraded guest!
I don't deny that they may introduce something in the future to capture the changed ticketing data, but given that at present they are working on more basic issues I expect this will be relegated to the "not so important" pile. Lap the credits up I say!!! I know I am

 

[dave303]

So, if I understand it correctly, the general consensus is that it will work, but it's not something they are supposed to be providing, and it might stop working at any time, so I'd better get in on it nowish

the flight I'm on has no reward business free, so I'll see if I can get it moved to one that does

thanks for the responses everyone, great forum