Booking Complimentary Fare Upgrades for Platinum Velocity members

[Cruiser Elite]

Did you use points to upgrade? If not (you used "Complimentary" Upgrades) then I hope by "No upgradeable seats" you meant that Business/PE was completely sold out on DJ694.

Complimentary upgrades.

and (as posted by Markis10) here are the rules for "Complimentary" Upgrades: (14. BENEFITS FOR PLATINUM MEMBERS)

There is NO definition in the T&C's in relation to "the availability of a Premium Economy Class or Business Class seat".

Indeed I was advised 'no upgradeable' seats available on 694 - but were available on later flight. No big deal at all as I had originally intended to book later flight but changed tack at last moment.

I questioned agent twice - he was quite firm - unless there is an 'upgradeable' seat available - or seats in this instance - then you are out of luck.

 

[camskii]

I wanted to use points to upgrade to 'business' from a flexi fare from PER to SYD last Monday night (had an 8am meeting), but was told there was no availability. I was later pretty annoyed to find out (after asking the flight attendant) that there was only 3 people in business - which left about 20 odd empty seats?

 

[straitman]

I wanted to use points to upgrade to 'business' from a flexi fare from PER to SYD last Monday night (had an 8am meeting), but was told there was no availability. I was later pretty annoyed to find out (after asking the flight attendant) that there was only 3 people in business - which left about 20 odd empty seats?

Hi camskii,

Welcome to AFF.

Have you followed this up with Virgin as it seems you were not told what was right?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Are these issues about the fare bucket sold? Serftys quote above suggests at least the points upgrade revolves around "W" availability. What are all the business fare buckets with DJ?

 

[mickeyc747]

I wanted to use points to upgrade to 'business' from a flexi fare from PER to SYD last Monday night (had an 8am meeting), but was told there was no availability. I was later pretty annoyed to find out (after asking the flight attendant) that there was only 3 people in business - which left about 20 odd empty seats?

There seems to be 2 sets of conditions when use a comp certificate to upgrade it says where ever there is a premiun seat available, when you look at the terms and conditions for upgarde on points it says Premium Award seat availibility.

Complimentary Fare Upgrades Platinum members are entitled tofour complimentary upgrade sectors per year from a Flexi fare seat to a Premiumseat Fare upgrades can beused when flying domestically on Virgin Australia and when booking in aflexible fare class (fare classes Y, N, B or M). Members can also use aComplimentary Fare Upgrade for a guest travelling with them on the same flight.Subject to availability of a Premium seat To request aComplimentary Fare Upgrade, call 131 875 if within Australia, 0800 230 875 ifcalling from New Zealand and +61 2 8667 5924 if calling internationally
Upgrade Using Points You can use your Velocity Points toupgrade from a Flexi fare seat to a Premium seat on Virgin Australia, PacificBlue or Polynesian Blue
You can request anUpgrade Using Points up to 24 hours prior to your flight subject to PremiumReward Seat availablility
To view the number ofPoints required to upgrade, click here
To request an upgrade call 131 875 if within Australia, 0800230 875 if calling from New Zealand and +61 2 8667 5924 if callinginternationally.

• You can use your Velocity Points to upgrade from a Flexi fare seat to a Premium seat on Virgin Australia, Pacific Blue or Polynesian Blue
• You can request an Upgrade Using Points up to 24 hours prior to your flight subject to Premium Reward Seat availablility
• To view the number of Points required to upgrade, click here
• To request an upgrade call 131 875 if within Australia, 0800 230 875 if calling from New Zealand and +61 2 8667 5924 if calling internationally.

 

[Bolthead]

There is obviously a lot of confusion with interpretation of T&C's etc.... If you have to contact Virgin (in the first place) to request the upgrade either by using points or your complimentary it makes sense to me then they should have an upgrade phone number whereby you can book (your flexi class fare) and confirm on the spot whether there is availability to upgrade. At least then you have the option of altering your original plans to take advantage of an upgradeable ticket. (if it suits you)

 

[markis10]

I have asked Virgin to look into this and let us know, obviously that may take a little while as I am sure they are somewhat busy rescuing folks this week.

 

[mickeyc747]

I have asked Virgin to look into this and let us know, obviously that may take a little while as I am sure they are somewhat busy rescuing folks this week.

I just booked a OOL PER PER MEL and used upgrade certificates and was told that when use upgrade certificates if there is a business or premium seat available you get it when using points there has to be a reward seat available for you to get it.

 

[pshepvic]

I just booked a OOL PER PER MEL and used upgrade certificates and was told that when use upgrade certificates if there is a business or premium seat available you get it when using points there has to be a reward seat available for you to get it.

Well that also matches the T&Cs previously quoted as well - sounds like there may be a few in the call centre who don't know the difference!

 

[Princess Fiona]

Just tried to use my Plat complimentary upgrades on a flexi MEL-NTL 24th Dec, seats are available for purchase in Premium. Computer (agent) says no
Has this confusion been resolved? The agent was quite certain that there are no Upgradeable seats available. I stated the T&C's from website but no dice with him

 

[mickeyc747]

Just tried to use my Plat complimentary upgrades on a flexi MEL-NTL 24th Dec, seats are available for purchase in Premium. Computer (agent) says no
Has this confusion been resolved? The agent was quite certain that there are no Upgradeable seats available. I stated the T&C's from website but no dice with him

If you are using one of your 4 comp upgrades as long as their is a premiun seat you can use it if you are using points there has to be a premium reward seat. Thats how I am using mine tonight on a 5 hour delayed flight to Perth from Sydney.

 

[markis10]

If you are using one of your 4 comp upgrades as long as their is a premiun seat you can use it if you are using points there has to be a premium reward seat. Thats how I am using mine tonight on a 5 hour delayed flight to Perth from Sydney.

Thats what the T&Cs say, what DJ says is another thing, hence the issue!

 

[Princess Fiona]

I'm a little bit annoyed about this. Not exactly a great start to my (status-matched) Platinum experience. I am a bit reluctant to try my luck with another agent and will send a PM to Velocity seeking clarification.

 

[pshepvic]

It is definitely available for ANY available seat in Premium, not just reward seats. Make sure you are speaking to someone in the Platinum call centre to do the upgrade - it seems the regular call centre doesn't understand the rules. I booked a complimentary upgrade today with no issues, and there were no reward seats on that particular flight.


Sent from my iPhone using AustFreqFly app

 

[Undercover Brother]

Bump.

It's time for me to use my upgrades, and I was thinking of perhaps BNE-PER via SYD for the A330 service (with partner using the 4 upgrades for the A330 legs).

I have about 40,000 Velocity points to play with, and I was hoping to pick up flexi rewards fares quite cheap and use mostly points, but it seems I will still be $1k out of pocket for 2 people with a flexi rewards, and $1200 for buying a straight flexi.

Any suggestions or work-arounds the more knowledgeable of you might have?

 

[serfty]

Can the comp. upgrades be used with rewards?

Even if they could, you'd be better advised to read this thread: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....y/very-cheap-business-class-points-35741.html

 

[pshepvic]

Get the Virgin Money credit card, book Flexi fares using the two-for-one offer, then phone the velocity call centre to use the upgrade credits.

The regular reservations will try to tell you that you can't use the upgrade credits on those fares, but they are booked into regular fare buckets and you are given a 50% discount on each seat, and so the upgrades are able to be used.


Sent from my iPhone using AustFreqFly app

 

[Jama]

Get the Virgin Money credit card, book Flexi fares using the two-for-one offer, then phone the velocity call centre to use the upgrade credits.

The regular reservations will try to tell you that you can't use the upgrade credits on those fares, but they are booked into regular fare buckets and you are given a 50% discount on each seat, and so the upgrades are able to be used.

So that means these fares would also earn SC's, in this scenario at Flexi level ?

 

[pshepvic]

So that means these fares would also earn SC's, in this scenario at Flexi level ?

I'll let you know on Feb 19! I've been able to book them but haven't flown yet. I assume as they book into the normal fare bucket and then get a discount off the price, then they would still earn the normal SCs.


Sent from my iPhone using AustFreqFly app

 

[Ozvirginuk]

Thought I'd let you all know about my experience with the Platinum team at the Velocity call centre the other day.

Before I called, I'd all but completed the online booking for the flights I wanted (SYD-OOL return) for a weekend away. I called up the Platinum line, and spoke to a wonderful girl called Samantha, and asked her if there was availability to use my Plat upgrades on the specific flights I was looking at. Within 2 seconds, she cheerily advised that my flights were available, and I asked if she could hold on while I hit "book" so she could confirm the upgrades, and this was no problem. 3 minutes later, both my partner and I are confirmed in J both ways, and the call was over.

A new itinerary was sent confirming our "upgraded" class of travel, and my velocity account duly shows I have 0 upgrades left

All in all a very positive first experience.

A trip report will follow, but you'll have to wait until March I'm afraid.....

Cheers
Ozvirgiuk