It's called UpgradeMe. You can bid with cash or Velocity Points providing your booking is eligible (there's an eligibility checker on their website). As to how much, I guess that would depend on how many seats in the higher class/es are available, how many other bidders there are on your flight and how much their bids are.
Thanks Hugo and willygee but I am not eligible for the auction as my ticket was booked through a travel agent. Was hoping I could offer to pay on the day instead!
Very frustrating. I have the same issue booking through travel agent for VA flights, you cannot change booking using VA website. You must refer back to travel agent.
Booking through a travelagent for Qantas flights on the otherhand, you can amend booking / change flights (& request upgrades) on the Qantas website.
Could be something to do with the sabre booking system that VA uses...?
Please let us know how you go requesting for paid upgrade.
Thanks charlieg, it is frustrating, but I guess I should be grateful for the oppurtunity seeing work is paying for the flights! But yes, I will let you know how I go.
tronixstuff - excuse my ignorance, but what is a galley upgrade?
I have asked if it was possbile to ugrade on a domestic sector at checkin with cash, they did say it was possible (via their facebook team), that was in Nov. 13 but I had no luck due to avaibility.
The "upgrade me" system, I have had alot of experience via Etihad (same system I believe), was able to upgrade from Y to J on a few sectors over the last 2 years even though I had booked through a travel agent. All I did was email the department directly.
Yes, Virgin will offer paid upgrades at check-in. The cost is the difference between the fare you've currently paid, and the best available fare in the class you want to fly.
Hold the Peas
Hold the Peas
Member since 13 Sep 2012
Total posts 22
Do Virgin Australia offer paid upgrades at check-in?
And if so, roughly how much to upgrade from PE to Biz?
Hugo
Hugo
Member since 12 Jun 2013
Total posts 216
Not precisely, they have upgrade auctions prior to checkin instead:
http://www.ausbt.com.au/virgin-australia-launches-cash-auctions-for-business-class-upgrades
willygee
willygee
Virgin Atlantic Airways - Flying Club
Member since 11 Apr 2011
Total posts 11
It's called UpgradeMe. You can bid with cash or Velocity Points providing your booking is eligible (there's an eligibility checker on their website). As to how much, I guess that would depend on how many seats in the higher class/es are available, how many other bidders there are on your flight and how much their bids are.
http://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/specials-offers/upgrademe/
Hold the Peas
Hold the Peas
Member since 13 Sep 2012
Total posts 22
Thanks Hugo and willygee but I am not eligible for the auction as my ticket was booked through a travel agent. Was hoping I could offer to pay on the day instead!
charlieg
charlieg
QantasFF Platinum
Member since 16 Feb 2012
Total posts 133
Very frustrating. I have the same issue booking through travel agent for VA flights, you cannot change booking using VA website. You must refer back to travel agent.
Booking through a travelagent for Qantas flights on the otherhand, you can amend booking / change flights (& request upgrades) on the Qantas website.
Could be something to do with the sabre booking system that VA uses...?
Please let us know how you go requesting for paid upgrade.
johnaboxall
johnaboxall
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 24 Aug 2011
Total posts 384
Maybe you could get a galley upgrade, never hurts to try.
Hold the Peas
Hold the Peas
Member since 13 Sep 2012
Total posts 22
Thanks charlieg, it is frustrating, but I guess I should be grateful for the oppurtunity seeing work is paying for the flights! But yes, I will let you know how I go.
tronixstuff - excuse my ignorance, but what is a galley upgrade?
SunniiGym
SunniiGym
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 07 Mar 2013
Total posts 66
I have asked if it was possbile to ugrade on a domestic sector at checkin with cash, they did say it was possible (via their facebook team), that was in Nov. 13 but I had no luck due to avaibility.
The "upgrade me" system, I have had alot of experience via Etihad (same system I believe), was able to upgrade from Y to J on a few sectors over the last 2 years even though I had booked through a travel agent. All I did was email the department directly.
I hope this helps.
chrisjrn
chrisjrn
Member since 09 May 2011
Total posts 177
Yes, Virgin will offer paid upgrades at check-in. The cost is the difference between the fare you've currently paid, and the best available fare in the class you want to fly.
Enjoy.
Hold the Peas
Hold the Peas
Member since 13 Sep 2012
Total posts 22
Thanks SunniiGym and chrisjrn