I'm Platinum with VA so I'm used to Economy X being free on Domestic. I have a flight to Hong Kong coming up and my fare was booked for work via our travel agent and isn't a flexi fare able to upgrade to Business. Apparently I can upgrade to Economy X for this flight for 16,900 points.
From what I can see it just looks like an exit row seat - are they really any different to standard economy? Has anyone upgraded and thought it was worth it?
It's not really an 'upgrade' as such, you'd just be using points to pay for the seat selection fee instead of cash. I imagine the fee is probably somewhere in the realm of $150-200, yet you're being asked to pay 16,900 points: that's more than enough points to book a return economy flight or a one-way business class flight on domestic routes like Sydney-Melbourne, which is almost certainly better value than using those points to pay such a fee. :)
As to the product, you get extra legroom (being an exit seat), guaranteed first meal choice and noise-cancelling headphones to use on board. There are other perks included but you'd get them as Platinum anyway.
It's not really an 'upgrade' as such, you'd just be using points to pay for the seat selection fee instead of cash. I imagine the fee is probably somewhere in the realm of $150-200, yet you're being asked to pay 16,900 points: that's more than enough points to book a return economy flight or a one-way business class flight on domestic routes like Sydney-Melbourne, which is almost certainly better value than using those points to pay such a fee. :)
As to the product, you get extra legroom (being an exit seat), guaranteed first meal choice and noise-cancelling headphones to use on board. There are other perks included but you'd get them as Platinum anyway.
Thanks - that's kind of my thoughts as well. I was hoping it might have been more of a 'Premium Economy'.
It’s a hard one. I’m 6’4 so legroom is an issue. I flew this route. Plane was about 70% full so had no one next to me so could stretch out anyway. I would have felt ripped off if I had of upgraded and seen all empty seats.
Luke49, I have had the experience of paying for an exit row seat and then finding the flight lightly loaded and the exit row full! I have to write it off as the cost of being sure I am not jammed into a standard Y seat. I would prefer to use non-exit row extra leg room seats, such as on VA domestic flights.
Cathay Pacific offers exit row seats to OW Ruby and above for free, but not extending to other PAX on booking without this status. Not sure if this can mean they get claimed earlier.
thisispete
thisispete
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 03 Jan 2017
Total posts 7
I'm Platinum with VA so I'm used to Economy X being free on Domestic. I have a flight to Hong Kong coming up and my fare was booked for work via our travel agent and isn't a flexi fare able to upgrade to Business. Apparently I can upgrade to Economy X for this flight for 16,900 points.
Chris C.
Chris C.
Member since 24 Apr 2012
Total posts 1,116
It's not really an 'upgrade' as such, you'd just be using points to pay for the seat selection fee instead of cash. I imagine the fee is probably somewhere in the realm of $150-200, yet you're being asked to pay 16,900 points: that's more than enough points to book a return economy flight or a one-way business class flight on domestic routes like Sydney-Melbourne, which is almost certainly better value than using those points to pay such a fee. :)
As to the product, you get extra legroom (being an exit seat), guaranteed first meal choice and noise-cancelling headphones to use on board. There are other perks included but you'd get them as Platinum anyway.
thisispete
thisispete
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 03 Jan 2017
Total posts 7
As to the product, you get extra legroom (being an exit seat), guaranteed first meal choice and noise-cancelling headphones to use on board. There are other perks included but you'd get them as Platinum anyway.
Thanks - that's kind of my thoughts as well. I was hoping it might have been more of a 'Premium Economy'.
Luke49
Luke49
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 17 Aug 2017
Total posts 28
It’s a hard one. I’m 6’4 so legroom is an issue. I flew this route. Plane was about 70% full so had no one next to me so could stretch out anyway. I would have felt ripped off if I had of upgraded and seen all empty seats.
GregXL
GregXL
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 26 May 2014
Total posts 320
Luke49, I have had the experience of paying for an exit row seat and then finding the flight lightly loaded and the exit row full! I have to write it off as the cost of being sure I am not jammed into a standard Y seat. I would prefer to use non-exit row extra leg room seats, such as on VA domestic flights.
GregXL
GregXL
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 26 May 2014
Total posts 320
Cathay Pacific offers exit row seats to OW Ruby and above for free, but not extending to other PAX on booking without this status. Not sure if this can mean they get claimed earlier.
jch
jch
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 15 Nov 2017
Total posts 143
Yes for the day flight. Just paid it.