want to upgrade?

Jono2000

we (2 of us) are thinking of booking a flight from London to Los Angeles in a few months.

virgin have a good combination of service and economy.

but I'd love to upgrade to Premium Economy.

Trouble is, it costs almost as much again. Does anyone have any upgrade tips, or techniques I could use.

i don't mind spending a few more pounds for the inches, but £300-400 seems excessive....

For instance should I book normal economy, and try my luck at Check-In?

Would joining the frequent flyers club help??

Any moneysaving tips??

richardj_4

I think you will have to pay the money, you will be very lucky to get an upgrade.

Joining the frquent flyer club may help in the long term, but not on your first flight.

hammy_the_hammer

wear a tie or search for upgrade tips

x-spendthrift

I have to agree with richardj. Sometimes you may get a free upgrade if you are travelling on your honeymoon/special ocassion and can provide your marriage certificate etc, but even last year whilst I was travelling on my honeymoon, we only managed to get a partial upgrade for a segment of the flight, this wasn't a Virgin flight though.
I actually know someone who works for Virgin, and he reckons it's nigh on impossible to get a free upgrade nowadays with them.

If you do try and push your luck for a free upgrade with any other airline, then it might help if you are extremely talkative and pleasant to the airline staff, also dress comfortably but smartly (no jeans etc), and you never know!!! Good luck

Beanie1973

We were lucky enough to get upgraded on virgin on a flight to new york but this was six years ago. We arrived really early because my husband wanted an emergency exit seat and dressed smart and we didn't even have to ask to be upgraded.

Tried the same thing 3 years ago on our honeymoon with virgin and didn't get the same luck. We asked this time but upgrades were available at a charge of £150 per person I think this was one way. Needless to say we didn't do it (couldn't afford it after an expensive wedding).

It may be worth chancing it at the airport if it's going to cost you less.

Hope this helps

Lynne

Barcode

It's highly unlikely you will be upgraded if this is your first time flying with the airline. After all, it's only right that preference be given to frequent flyers, and it usually starts with those who are 'gold' (or whatever the Virgin equivalent is), right down to those on the lower levels. And even then, this is likely to be because the flight is overbooked in economy.

You won't get upgraded if you have ordered a special meal. The fact two of you are travelling makes it even more unlikely.

Sometimes, if the flight is really overbooked, you may be offered an upgrade to go on a later flight or/and cash. It happened to me flying back with AA from Chicago some years back. I received four hundred dollars and an upgrade to Business on the next flight out, which was only a few hours later. Although I suppose it depends how flexible you are.

I would not ask for it - check-in staff have heard it all before, and I don't see why a recently married couple should receive preference. All of us have 'reasons', but we get what we pay for. Three hundred pounds (if that's for a return) is not a bad deal. It's still probably a lot cheaper than the normal price for PE.

Little_John

It used to be the case if you were dressed smarter that the average traveler, turned up early and didnt put any special requests in or pre book your seats your chances of being upgraded were high but everyone know this now and the booking systems have been improved so over booking doesnt happen as much now. The airlines are more likley to bump you on to another flight and compensate you than upgrade you as most flights are full.

There is the odd occasion so dress smart, turn up as early as you can, first checking in they will know if economy is fully subscribed then so the first person/pair whatever they see as sutable for upgrade will get them given to them without asking.

Have a good time in LA. there are some nice areas and some not so nice areas, dont do what I did and drive round with the top down at night taking photos.

Bob63

Bearing in mind that Richard Branson is the scruffiest CEO on the planet, dressing smart in the hope of the getting an upgrade on Virgin Atlantic is pointless.

• Those paying full fare
• Those (like me) who have high status with the airline e.g. frequent flyer gold card
• And... errr... well, nobody else to be honest

OK, so you may get really lucky by telling them it is your honeymoon or your birthday, but Virgin like any other airline look after their best customers.

b.t.w. Premium Economy is quite a good service. You get economy service (albeit with a much lower passenger:staff ratio) but with a much more comfortable seat. On 747 make sure to ask for 70B/C/G/H or 75 B/C/G/H both of which are exit rows. Don't go for the windows seats on any exit row on a Virgin 747 as you get restricted legroom due to the emergency slide.

Mike

hammy_the_hammer

since the advent of computerised systems the airlines know exactly who to upgrade (if they need to )...the businessman who spends £50k a year with the airline or the person who has bought one £300 return with them in 5 years ....it's a no-brainer

Bob63

hammy_the_hammer wrote:

since the advent of computerised systems the airlines know exactly who to upgrade (if they need to )...the businessman who spends £50k a year with the airline or the person who has bought one £300 return with them in 5 years ....it's a no-brainer

Well the £50k/year is more like £5k/year but the principle is certainly correct.

Mike

richardw

If it only cost a few more pounds, the demand would exceed the supply, which is why it costs more.

BA also do premium economy, check their prices for comparison. BA also offer one way upgrades at https://www.ba.com search for economy first, pick your flights and then on the summary page there is a bit at the bottom for upgrading to premium economy. So one way in premium economy might be affordable.