It’s relatively well-known that the Qantas call centre can release extra reward seats for Platinum frequent flyers. It seems Virgin’s call centre staff may also have similar powers to release extra Virgin Australia upgrade space.
Platinum Velocity members are entitled to up to four complimentary upgrades from Economy Freedom fares to Business class per year. But these Virgin Platinum upgrades can only be used if there is Business Reward seat availability on the flight. The same availability restriction also applies to upgrades using Velocity points.
AFF member swanning_it, a Platinum Velocity Frequent Flyer member, recently tried to upgrade a domestic Virgin flight but found there was no reward seat availability. This member reports that the Virgin Australia Guest Contact Centre was able to open up additional upgrade space for them. The upgrade from Economy to Business class was subsequently confirmed.
Admittedly only domestic J upgrades and I’m not sure if this is common, but VA GCC has opened up some seats for me, of which I was very appreciative. Almost a return to the days where the GCC were a pleasure to call!
It seems swanning_it is not the only Platinum Velocity member to have extra Virgin Australia upgrade space released by the call centre. AFF member bl5965 reports similar success:
No upgrades available online on a recent MEL-PER flight.
About 10 days out I phoned up; they told me to check back in a week.
About 2 days out, still no availability online. I phoned up and the agent opened up a seat for me. My ExpertFlyer alert never triggered, so if I just waited for a waitlisted upgrade it probably wouldn’t have eventuated. VFF Platinum in case that had an impact.
The ability to request additional Virgin Australia upgrade space is not a published Velocity Frequent Flyer benefit and is not guaranteed. But if you’re a Platinum Velocity member, it can’t hurt to ask!
Join the discussion on the Australian Frequent Flyer forum: Upgrade seats opened up
