Booking Complimentary Fare Upgrades for Platinum Velocity members

[pshepvic]

So I guess it's a case of ringing and asking before booking?
Posted on a wing & a prayer

Yeah it seems so. I did pass some feedback on that it would be good to see the ability to request upgrades online, and they are "looking into it".


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[N860CR]

Had a bit of a fail with this one this afternoon.

I was booking SYD-BNE-ROK and called to ask if I could upgrade SYD-BNE but obviously not BNE-ROK (as there is no business service). "I have to check with my manager" and eventually "yes that's ok as long as you know you won't be in business to Rocky".

Yep, easy. Ask her to check a date for me. After about a minute, "umm I'll check with my manager".

Eventually comes back with "actually we can't at all because we don't do business from BNE-ROK"....

Generally seemed a bit useless. Seems stupid that they can't upgrade just the one leg.

 

[medhead]

Had a bit of a fail with this one this afternoon.

I was booking SYD-BNE-ROK and called to ask if I could upgrade SYD-BNE but obviously not BNE-ROK (as there is no business service). "I have to check with my manager" and eventually "yes that's ok as long as you know you won't be in business to Rocky".

Yep, easy. Ask her to check a date for me. After about a minute, "umm I'll check with my manager".

Eventually comes back with "actually we can't at all because we don't do business from BNE-ROK"....

Generally seemed a bit useless. Seems stupid that they can't upgrade just the one leg.

Do you book it as SYD-ROK? If so, that's the problem. As it is the booked trip that counts not the individual segments as with earning I guess.

 

[N860CR]

Yep, can't book it as two seperate flights (I would have quite happily) as the MCT is greater when you're booking "multi-city". I understand why it was... just a little frustrating that they can't find a way to work around it (especially given there are quite a few "Y Only" routes now.

 

[SLF]

13.17 Platinum Members may choose to redeem a Complimentary Fare Upgrades for a guest who is travelling with them

Does anyone have experience if this applies to multiple guests, or is it restricted to the Plat member + 1 guest? Any further thoughts on whether the H bucket is reliable to check for availability for these upgrades?

 

[pshepvic]

Does anyone have experience if this applies to multiple guests, or is it restricted to the Plat member + 1 guest? Any further thoughts on whether the H bucket is reliable to check for availability for these upgrades?

You can request as many upgrades as you have available - which would be 4 at the most. I don't believe the Plat member even needs to be flying - they can request for anyone I think.


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[Fruitcake]

You can request as many upgrades as you have available - which would be 4 at the most. I don't believe the Plat member even needs to be flying - they can request for anyone I think.

Velocity terms and conditions indicate (by omission) that might not be true:

13.17 Platinum Members may choose to redeem a Complimentary Fare Upgrades for a guest who is travelling with them.

Of course, the plat desk is well known for bending terms and conditions.

 

[serfty]

Also, I was told one cannot mix upgrade instruments within the one booked segment. i.e. A 2 PAX one-way PNR requires the use of two upgrade credits or 2 x points to upgrade; I could not use 1 UC and 1 x points.

 

[777]

Also, I was told one cannot mix upgrade instruments within the one booked segment. i.e. A 2 PAX one-way PNR requires the use of two upgrade credits or 2 x points to upgrade; I could not use 1 UC and 1 x points.

That's kind of annoying but handy to know for future reference.

 

[pshepvic]

Velocity terms and conditions indicate (by omission) that might not be true:


Of course, the plat desk is well known for bending terms and conditions.

Interesting. I've redeemed for another person on points - they were on the same flight but different booking, so maybe that was allowed on a technicality.


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[MichaelD]

You can request as many upgrades as you have available - which would be 4 at the most. I don't believe the Plat member even needs to be flying - they can request for anyone I think.

From experience - you HAVE to be flying to use your upgrades, although you can use them for others flying with you, even if not on the same booking. Back in the early days of Platinum when the call centre didn't always know the rules, I did get some through where I was not flying, but not any more.

 

[Boris spatsky]

Not correct. I upgraded my wife successfully on two legs, and i was not travelling with her. WP member does not have to travel to use the complimentary upgrades.

This was last month, by the way.

 

[serfty]

Not correct. I upgraded my wife successfully on two legs, and i was not travelling with her. WP member does not have to travel to use the complimentary upgrades.

This was last month, by the way.

It is not right to post "Not Correct" in this case. Your's would be the exception - see post #107 (& the Velocity T&C's for that matter)!

 

[MichaelD]

Not correct. I upgraded my wife successfully on two legs, and i was not travelling with her. WP member does not have to travel to use the complimentary upgrades.

This was last month, by the way.

Clearly still not all the call centre people know (or apply) the rules. Good to know it's still worth trying to sneak one "under the radar".

As I said, previously, I have had no issues with using upgrades when not travelling but the last few times I have tried I have had to either be ON the actual booking or quote a PNR showing that *I* was also travelling that sector.

 

[Boris spatsky]

Serfty, i was merely replying to the previous comment that "from experience, you HAVE to be flying". In my experience, this is not correct. No problem, i have just experienced a difference to the previous poster.

 

[Jama]

I find the general rule is if you are pleasant on the phone then you tend to get looked after from time to time. Start insisting on things because someone else got it or because you got it last time and you'll get nothing but a reminder of the T&C's

 

[jpk]

I just tried twice today to use a comp upgrade when I wasn't travelling, both times politely advised I must be travelling, and would I like to use points instead (which I did). Both agents definitely knew the rules, there was no hesitation.

 

[drron]

Quick question to save a phone call.both mrsdrron and I have a complimentary upgrade each expiring 15/8.Neither plat now.Can we use it before that date for a flight afterwards.
Flying back from SYD and the flexi fare is only $20 more than the cheapest and as yet no one in J.It is in september.

 

[Jama]

This is my understanding. As long as the booking is complete by the expiry date. It's he same for 241's

 

[serfty]

Quick question to save a phone call.both mrsdrron and I have a complimentary upgrade each expiring 15/8.Neither plat now.Can we use it before that date for a flight afterwards.
Flying back from SYD and the flexi fare is only $20 more than the cheapest and as yet no one in J.It is in september.

Shouldn't be a problem, SWMBO and I are travelling PER-MEL in Business later this month using comp upgrades that would have expired unused last September.