Being upgraded to business on Virgin domestic

16 replies

djtech

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 02 Sep 2018

Total posts 375

Hi all,


I am currently Gold with VA. Have any of you had experience getting upgraded for free, on the spot, business? (At check in, lounge or gate?) Is that based on status with VA or fare class (Flex ticket given priority) or something else?

Greg84

Member since 03 Nov 2014

Total posts 130

Never been upgraded for free on any airline whilst travelling domestically - I've been gold with both Qantas & Virgin over the years...I'd suggest you have buckley's...I'd assume they go to members of The Club if anyone

Brassy

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 15 Apr 2016

Total posts 36

Mrs B was upgraded recently for free when we were travelling as a family but I’m WP and there were some discrepancies in the booking.

I have had a couple lounge upgrades in the past where the Angels ‘forgot’ to slug me the velocity points to be upgraded, but this was a few years back.
Tend to agree with Greg, your chances are pretty much non existent.
Also; last minute upgrades mean no guaranteed full meal but if they keep serving that mushroom thing, ‘s prolly a blessing. Hooray for cheese n bickies!
B.

craigj77

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 09 Aug 2016

Total posts 12

Back in my glory days when I was Platinum with VA, I was pulled aside at the gate when boarding and was upgraded. When I asked the FA onboard I was advised that some staff had to get on at the last minute to PAX to BNE and apparently uniformed staff aren't allowed to travel in Business.

StuParr

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 01 Mar 2012

Total posts 203

I have been upgrade a few times as a Platinum. I have never asked for it, it just happened. It was most likely due to operational reasons, like over booking and inclement weather backing up departures etc.

brinkers

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 16 Jun 2011

Total posts 233

I have been upgraded at the gate once (PER-MEL). I was Gold at the time.

Jorge_fly

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 08 Feb 2016

Total posts 83

I have been upgraded when they called my announced my name in the lounge. Y was fully booked and had to 'bump' me up. I was platinum at the time. I flew Syd-BNE.

I also had an op-up from Y to J flying HKG-MEL at the gate. A few of us got bumped up as the flight out of HKG was oversold (Thank goodness). I was also platinum at the time and a couple of golds in front of me also got the op up. Happy days for everyone!

JBL

Member since 01 Jun 2016

Total posts 27

Been op-upped twice as a VA Plat, the second time being PER-MEL. It was only the 737 but I was tired from only 4 hours of sleep prior and slept like a baby the whole flight

Dredgy

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 02 Apr 2017

Total posts 180

Once on BNE-ROK I got upgraded at the gate, but I had a status level that I doubt anyone else on here has: red.

Chris C.

Member since 24 Apr 2012

Total posts 1,116

I've had a few upgrades as Velocity Gold over the years, although most were when domestic flights were sold as premium economy (before business class came in): most recent would have been a few years ago on a quick Brisbane-Sydney flight.

jch

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 15 Nov 2017

Total posts 143

I flew BNE-SYD on Sunday night and J was half full. I guess they only do it when they can squeeze more people in Y.

aniljak

Member since 15 Sep 2012

Total posts 98

Booked Gold Coast -Adelaide - Melbourne flight as return leg of Qld trip a couple of years ago on Virgin. This routing was an option on their website and cost just a little more than Gold Coast - Melbourne direct. 3 days before flight home, my wife was rung at home and advised my flight was changed. They did NOT ring me - the Passenger! despite having my phone details. When I rang them told my flight had been changed to a Gold Coast _Melbourne direct departing 5 hours earlier! This did not suit as had connection in Melbourne to regional Victoria by coach. Refused to change my booking back to what I had booked, refused to change to later time. refused any compensation and refused to upgrade me. Person on phone was extremely rude and had an I don't care attitude. I was a Velocity member. Needless to say now have second thoughts about flying with Virgin

Blake

Member since 03 May 2017

Total posts 39

I was waitlised for business and didnt get it. when i asked at checkin about that, the lady gave my Economy X without being asked.

AKD

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 22 Nov 2017

Total posts 8

I'm a VA Platinum member. I've not had any free upgrades but have won a heap of bid upgrades. My usual approach is to bid the lowest possible amount and if I win, I win. To date, I've managed to get some very cheap upgrades on flights MEL-HKG-MEL, CBR-OOL, MEL-CBR. It's a nice little bonus when it happens, and VA's bid rates are much lower than EY's.

TMP

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 17 May 2018

Total posts 4

Gold here. Never been upgraded for nothing, but successfully used points to upgrade from Y to J domestically probably 75% of the time (even when onto the waitlist).

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