Has anyone had any luck with using their platinum free business upgrades? Seems basically impossible to use as they will only put you there if they don't sell the seat on the day.
If this is a reference the the four complimentary upgrades given to Virgin platinums, I personally find them hard to use, but mainly because the only times I tend to fly flexible fares is booking relatively close in and flying peak times, so the upgrade space is rarely available. BNE-TSV/CNS/DRW on a Monday morning and back on a Thursday or Friday afternoon
If you fly at less popular times and/or book in advance, plus pay flex, don’t think they’re that hard to use. I realise that rules out a lot of business travelers
I booked 3 flex fares 5 months in advance and was unable to use the upgrades. Its quite a frustrating system tbh. A few adjustments to that benefit and it would create a new experience for platinums.
it's simple - before booking, look up to see if you can get a FF business class seat at the award points rates. if so, you book, then immediately call and request the upgrade - it will get confirmed on the spot. Been Platinum for well over a decade and it has always worked. Plus as platinum they almost always answer your call straight away
I don't know exactly how their system works but, given a decade of experience, it seems to me that the upgrade is treated as the same priority as the awards point flight. if it exists, it's yours
Has anyone had any luck with using their platinum free business upgrades? Seems basically impossible to use as they will only put you there if they don't sell the seat on the day.
NO, never. I now disregard it as a perk, regard it as a bold face lie.
I hope that David might pick up on this issue and conduct a poll of ET readers to see whether this 'perk' is actually capable of being properly enjoyed by VA Platinum members. Given the attention being given to Qantas' 'ghost flights' (i.e. money taken for flights not actually available), IMHO I find this issue to be 'sort of' similar and it's time it was brought to VA's attention, for public comment on:
a) how many members were able to enjoy the perk over the last 12 months; and
b) how many flight sectors were upgraded under this perk over the last 12 months.
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Platinum business upgrade
Sharts
Sharts
Member since 17 Apr 2023
Total posts 1
Hey,
Has anyone had any luck with using their platinum free business upgrades? Seems basically impossible to use as they will only put you there if they don't sell the seat on the day.
thelongroad
thelongroad
Member since 14 Nov 2015
Total posts 54
If this is a reference the the four complimentary upgrades given to Virgin platinums, I personally find them hard to use, but mainly because the only times I tend to fly flexible fares is booking relatively close in and flying peak times, so the upgrade space is rarely available. BNE-TSV/CNS/DRW on a Monday morning and back on a Thursday or Friday afternoon
If you fly at less popular times and/or book in advance, plus pay flex, don’t think they’re that hard to use. I realise that rules out a lot of business travelers
Firstworldissues
Firstworldissues
Member since 02 Mar 2019
Total posts 16
I booked 3 flex fares 5 months in advance and was unable to use the upgrades. Its quite a frustrating system tbh. A few adjustments to that benefit and it would create a new experience for platinums.
Ricardo
Ricardo
SQ
Member since 23 Oct 2015
Total posts 49
it's simple - before booking, look up to see if you can get a FF business class seat at the award points rates. if so, you book, then immediately call and request the upgrade - it will get confirmed on the spot. Been Platinum for well over a decade and it has always worked. Plus as platinum they almost always answer your call straight away
I don't know exactly how their system works but, given a decade of experience, it seems to me that the upgrade is treated as the same priority as the awards point flight. if it exists, it's yours
thelongroad
thelongroad
Member since 14 Nov 2015
Total posts 54
I have been told by multiple call centre operators that this is accurate - platinum complimentary upgrades come out of standard award inventory
Boeing-Tragic
Boeing-Tragic
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 24 Jan 2018
Total posts 55
Originally Posted by Sharts
Hey,
Has anyone had any luck with using their platinum free business upgrades? Seems basically impossible to use as they will only put you there if they don't sell the seat on the day.
NO, never. I now disregard it as a perk, regard it as a bold face lie.
Boeing-Tragic
Boeing-Tragic
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 24 Jan 2018
Total posts 55
I hope that David might pick up on this issue and conduct a poll of ET readers to see whether this 'perk' is actually capable of being properly enjoyed by VA Platinum members. Given the attention being given to Qantas' 'ghost flights' (i.e. money taken for flights not actually available), IMHO I find this issue to be 'sort of' similar and it's time it was brought to VA's attention, for public comment on:
a) how many members were able to enjoy the perk over the last 12 months; and
b) how many flight sectors were upgraded under this perk over the last 12 months.