Virgin Business Class Upgrade for International flights

[jb01]

Ive not used points to upgrade before, can you upgrade on 2 paxs flying together?

Yep sure can on same booking.

 

[Denali]

Yep sure can on same booking.

Thanks, did this just now for Syd>LAX return flights and the customer service rep (the lovely Ms Faye this time) was very excited for me as row 5 was still available for both sectors.

Now to phone hubby and tell him what Ive done with his points.

 

[rioter]

Thanks, did this just now for Syd>LAX return flights and the customer service rep (the lovely Ms Faye this time) was very excited for me as row 5 was still available for both sectors.

Now to phone hubby and tell him what Ive done with his points.

Hah, i have had this happen to me before as well when ringing up to add seats to my booking. Very excited she could put me into row 5.

 

[pythonisman]

Row 5 looks awesome if you're travelling with a partner - if you were flying solo would you still go for it?

Also another question - are Business (Z) class fares date changeable, subject to availability? Is there a charge (points or $) for moving them? I'm getting ready to book but situation might arise that I need to leave a few days earlier. Assuming there was availability, do you reckon this is possible?

 

[serfty]

...

Also another question - are Business (Z) class fares date changeable, subject to availability? Is there a charge (points or $) for moving them? I'm getting ready to book but situation might arise that I need to leave a few days earlier. Assuming there was availability, do you reckon this is possible?

I you ask the agent about this before upgrading.

 

[Denali]

Hah, i have had this happen to me before as well when ringing up to add seats to my booking. Very excited she could put me into row 5.

Well Ive read a rumor on aother thread that VA J is being upgraded to Herringbone so if it happens, no idea if 5 will still exist but I wont be complaining. If hubby complains I'll send him down to a back row to remind him what it use to be like for us.

...Also another question - are Business (Z) class fares date changeable, subject to availability? Is there a charge (points or $) for moving them? I'm getting ready to book but situation might arise that I need to leave a few days earlier. Assuming there was availability, do you reckon this is possible?

You need to phone/ask or read the small print because the customer rep was telling me that April '14 they changed some of the rules in regards to upgrades and changes. She did tell me what they were but Im hesitant to repeat what I remember incase I get it incorrect.

 

[williamsf1]

Row 5 looks awesome if you're travelling with a partner - if you were flying solo would you still go for it?

Also another question - are Business (Z) class fares date changeable, subject to availability? Is there a charge (points or $) for moving them? I'm getting ready to book but situation might arise that I need to leave a few days earlier. Assuming there was availability, do you reckon this is possible?

There is a change fee of $35 or 4500 points , however this is waved for a Platinum member as long as the changes are made 24 hrs prior to departure. Within this time non refundable

As for row 5 flying solo.. are you single? you might get a great companion

 

[pythonisman]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Self-research would have been the way to go; from their website:

Fare Conditions	Business Reward flights
Flight Changes	Permitted, subject to availability. Changes to each flight sector must be requested at least 24 hours prior to scheduled departure of that sector. Changes to routing may result in fare differences and additional restrictions. All changes are subject to a 7,500 Point or $60 charge per guest per booking. Name changes are not permitted.

$60 to change it isn't too bad. The fee schedule reflects this also:

Service	Velocity Frequent Flyer Membership Contact Centre	The Velocity Website
Points Transfer to an Eligible Family Member	$20 per Points Transfer transaction	No fee
Reward Seat Booking on Virgin Australia Domestic or Virgin Australia International Short Haul flights	$35 per person / per booking	No fee
Reward Seat Booking on Virgin Australia International Long Haul flights	$60 per person / per booking	No fee

The interesting cell there is bottom right, but I expect making changes to reward seats probably isn't easy (or maybe not possible) via the website therefore the fee would be incurred either way.

Thanks again for your help. I'll go off in search of the other thread that talks about the best seat in the J cabin if traveling solo...

 

[markis10]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Self-research would have been the way to go; from their website:

Fare Conditions	Business Reward flights
Flight Changes	Permitted, subject to availability. Changes to each flight sector must be requested at least 24 hours prior to scheduled departure of that sector. Changes to routing may result in fare differences and additional restrictions. All changes are subject to a 7,500 Point or $60 charge per guest per booking. Name changes are not permitted.

$60 to change it isn't too bad. The fee schedule reflects this also:

Service	Velocity Frequent Flyer Membership Contact Centre	The Velocity Website
Points Transfer to an Eligible Family Member	$20 per Points Transfer transaction	No fee
Reward Seat Booking on Virgin Australia Domestic or Virgin Australia International Short Haul flights	$35 per person / per booking	No fee
Reward Seat Booking on Virgin Australia International Long Haul flights	$60 per person / per booking	No fee

The interesting cell there is bottom right, but I expect making changes to reward seats probably isn't easy (or maybe not possible) via the website therefore the fee would be incurred either way.

Thanks again for your help. I'll go off in search of the other thread that talks about the best seat in the J cabin if traveling solo...

I am not sure if the Business Reward fare conditions are applicable for an upgrade.

 

[under the radar]

There is a change fee of $35 or 4500 points , however this is waved for a Platinum member as long as the changes are made 24 hrs prior to departure. Within this time non refundable

As for row 5 flying solo.. are you single? you might get a great companion

being 'non single' doesn't necessarily preclude you :shock: (ooops...can of worms)

 

[Denali]

For changes to flights that were upgraded with points, here are the T&C and I think clause 18.7 onwards: https://www.velocityfrequentflyer.c...fits/TermsConditions/index.htm#flightupgrades

 

[williamsf1]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Self-research would have been the way to go; from their website:

Fare Conditions	Business Reward flights
Flight Changes	Permitted, subject to availability. Changes to each flight sector must be requested at least 24 hours prior to scheduled departure of that sector. Changes to routing may result in fare differences and additional restrictions. All changes are subject to a 7,500 Point or $60 charge per guest per booking. Name changes are not permitted.

$60 to change it isn't too bad. The fee schedule reflects this also:

Service	Velocity Frequent Flyer Membership Contact Centre	The Velocity Website
Points Transfer to an Eligible Family Member	$20 per Points Transfer transaction	No fee
Reward Seat Booking on Virgin Australia Domestic or Virgin Australia International Short Haul flights	$35 per person / per booking	No fee
Reward Seat Booking on Virgin Australia International Long Haul flights	$60 per person / per booking	No fee

The interesting cell there is bottom right, but I expect making changes to reward seats probably isn't easy (or maybe not possible) via the website therefore the fee would be incurred either way.

Thanks again for your help. I'll go off in search of the other thread that talks about the best seat in the J cabin if traveling solo...

I think you are looking at the wrong page . this is the one with regards to upgrades https://www.velocityfrequentflyer.com/content/Redeem/FlightUpgrades/index.htm

Also important to note -Please note that original fare conditions of your commercial fare remain applicable in addition to this Upgrade Cancellation and Amendment Policy. Should you choose to cancel or amend your Upgraded itinerary, a seat may no longer be available in your originally purchased fare class and a fare difference may result. The Upgrade Cancellation and Amendment Policy is subject to change.

 

[marcoakis]

If you upgrade to business from Flexi Y or Y+, do you still accrue the points and SC based on Y or none at all?

 

[notzac]

If you upgrade to business from Flexi Y or Y+, do you still accrue the points and SC based on Y or none at all?

You earn based on the purchased ticket.

 

[pythonisman]

Happy to confirm my experience over the weekend - successfully upgraded Flexi - Business for SYD-LAX and return for my upcoming trip.
Process was pretty straightforward, I had the booking ready to go, made the call and verified availability and then booked.

1-4 A/C seats taken on both flights plus 1 D/H/K on the return, at the moment I have preselected 5H on both legs but may adjust if it makes sense.

Looking forward to it!

 

[eolas]

Hi, first post here so be gentle! And sorry to bring up an older thread, but this looked like the best place to ask in line with the topic...

So, I am looking at booking a one-way from Dublin to SYD for mid next year, and upgrading to J.
I know i can only upgrade using points on VA metal (I am VA Gold), so i am looking at VA30 from AUH-SYD specifically.

Rang up VA and they confirmed availability, and points required from Flexi-business (45,000). All good.

Problem is that the first person I talked to said that it was not possible to upgrade on a mixed/codeshare flight (with DUB-AUH), and they said I would have to book the AUH-SYD flight on its own if I wanted to upgrade that leg.
I questioned this, and was put through to another desk, who said it was fine and I could upgrade the AUH-SYD leg, even if it is part of a larger booking (ie. DUB-AUH-SYD).

I know a few people have commented here that they have successfully upgraded VA30 -- but was this booked on its own, or combined with codeshare from other destinations???
I'm reluctant to pull the trigger on the fare, unless i can definitely upgrade to J using my points.

Thanks!

 

[notzac]

I would honestly try calling back - I don't believe there should be any problem with doing this, so you may have gotten someone less versed in applying upgrades.

 

[iambents]

I'm reluctant to pull the trigger on the fare, unless i can definitely upgrade to J using my points. Thanks!

Hi eolas. I purchased a flexi Y SYD-MPX from Virgin and then upgraded the SYD-AUH and AUH-SYD legs on VA metal to J no worries. I flew the forward leg early this week - J on SYD-AUH and then into Y for the Abu Dhabi to Milan leg.

If you are worried - find someone at the call Centre who agrees that is possible and book the whole thing and do the upgrade with them. If you are nice and ask they will sometimes wave the phone booking cost since you upgrading as well. This also means they have a view of the upgrade availability too while the transaction is being done.

Status helps of course. Platinum desk always makes things easier - but I'm not sure what Gold gets you in terms of someone reasonable to speak to/do the transaction at the call centre.

 

[eolas]

Thanks iambents, good to know that it can be done! I figured it would be pretty pointless if you could not upgrade auh-syd as part of a longer ticket... Most fares transit through auh and on to europe i woulld think.
I think i will make the booking through the call centre and confirm the upgrade as I book, just to be safe.

Thanks for your input, and i must say, the information and helpful advice on this forum is amazing
Thanks to all who give their time and knowledge to help out us newbies!

Eolas.

 

[pythonisman]

I recently returned from a trip to the USA where I upgraded the international legs to J from flexi Y.
The upgrade experience was painless, everything else ran as if I was in proper J. The only issues I had was that I found you basically can't make *any* change to any segment of the flight (for example I wanted to repoint one of my domestic USA legs home prior to flying to Australia) as the call center claim that will undo the upgrade and you might lose it.
This meant I ended up with 5 legs and 32hrs to get home (but oh well, 2 were in DL F so think of the SCs!)

Also my outbound flight (VA1) got cancelled, so ended up having to fly a day earlier via Brisbane. J in both directions was 100% full, with me ending up sitting next to staff on both legs whom appeared to be on standby, so no free seat for me.
Also, Row 5 is outstanding in the current config, so much better for sleeping on the long legs than 1-4 seemed IMHO!