Automatic upgrades on VA

[smil3087]

Hi team,

Long time observer, first time poster

I am currently Velocity Gold, with the probability of achieving Platinum soon. I have traditionally used points to upgrade to Business, but I always here stories of high-status members getting automatic upgrades (i.e. without having to surrender points for it).

Is this still true? Obviously I understand that the only way to _guarantee_ an upgrade is to pay/points for it, but if there's a high likelihood of an auto-upgrade that would be better!

Cheers!

[As a footnote, this doctor regularly helps sick people on the plane and rarely gets a thank you let alone an upgrade! Perhaps the good old days of auto-upgrades are over? ]

 

[notzac]

Upgrades used to be reasonably common, but these days I'd suggest that it's mostly a case of "want business, buy business".

 

[markis10]

They are common enough during school holidays.

 

[aaflyer]

Having done probably a dozen Australia-USA in Premium Economy as a platinum, I have had officially Zero upgrades. Zilch. Nadda. None. These were at a variety of times, but i'd say 50% were school holiday season.

I know Silvers and Golds that have a higher hit rate than me.

International, I would not hold your breath. Every time i've been in Business, they've been very much so full.

With Virgin and Qantas, always always always, expect to fly the cabin you purchased a ticket in.

 

[markis10]

Having done probably a dozen Australia-USA in Premium Economy as a platinum, I have had officially Zero upgrades. Zilch. Nadda. None. These were at a variety of times, but i'd say 50% were school holiday season.

I know Silvers and Golds that have a higher hit rate than me.

International, I would not hold your breath. Every time i've been in Business, they've been very much so full.

With Virgin and Qantas, always always always, expect to fly the cabin you purchased a ticket in.

I would not expect to see upgrades from the PE cabin, usually it's the Y cabin that is oversold in that scenario.

 

[Eggsbenedict]

I fly 2-4 times a week domestically as a Platinum I think I have had 5 upgrades since 2011 3 where in the first 6 months of Platinum being released, 1 was due to the Cabin Supervisions recognising me from other times I has been in J and see that it was a tight fit in my row and no one being in J. The only other time was at the gate probably due to overbooking.

 

[Bolthead]

Having done probably a dozen Australia-USA in Premium Economy as a platinum, I have had officially Zero upgrades. Zilch. Nadda. None. These were at a variety of times, but i'd say 50% were school holiday season.

I know Silvers and Golds that have a higher hit rate than me.

International, I would not hold your breath. Every time i've been in Business, they've been very much so full.

With Virgin and Qantas, always always always, expect to fly the cabin you purchased a ticket in.

I have a different experience.

Last April my wife was upgraded SYD-LAX Y+ to J (at the gate)
Twice I have been upgraded SYD-AUH Y+ to J (both at checkin)
Also I have been upgraded 5 x AUH to CDG (and DUS) VA code share Y to J (4 times at gate and 1 at lounge)
We were Platinums at the time

Last Sunday my daughters went to Melbourne for the tennis and they were upgraded in the lounge from row 3 Y to J. (one daughter Plat the other red - same PNR) They were paged while in the lounge. My wife who just recently was downgraded from Plat to Gold was not impressed as she was on the same flight. (different PNR)

Despite all this only expect what you pay for...

 

[jackthomas]

Never once had a comp upgrade as Gold...
However I have friends who got two last week as a Red...
What on earth am I doing wrong? haha

 

[VMC73]

Into my forth year as plat, upgraded once however was told that catering more than likely would not be available (it was). That was a couple of years ago now.

 

[VA777]

Best I had as gold (just hit plat) was moved to row 2 when there was no J scheduled on service.

 

[smit0847]

Been WP for a year and SG for another 2-:never had ab upgrade

 

[robd]

In the last 3 years, I've been Plat, Gold, Plat and never had an upgrade. I think from now on though, I'll mention that Bolthead is my twin That should work.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Have it done to me as a PS with the opposition. QF.
Not ever with VA. Been a VA member since 2005. Got VA PS about 15 months ago, and flown them a few times since then.

 

[JohnK]

They are common enough during school holidays.

Haven't had an upgrade in a long time.

 

[smatho10]

Yeah... Got one today - my 1st flight as gold.

so I'm 1 from 1...

 

[bullerdude]

Not a single upgrade as a Plat for 3+ years now.

 

[sleeptalker]

Platinum for 2 years and never had an upgrade.

 

[Boris spatsky]

1 upgrade in 4 years as Platinum

 

[Major]

Never had an upgrade in 4 years as Gold

 

[pythonisman]

1 op-up as Platinum from discount Y to "Premium Economy" trans tasman, flying VA. I was paged as I walked from lounge to gate and upgraded by gate staff.
I've recently done a lot of J but that's been either points upgrade or paid fares.