Domestic upgrade to J

[marcoakis]

Hi,

I've upgraded the long haul flights to LAX from MEL via BNE, however there doesn't seem to be availability for the MEL-BNE leg (2 pax) on the 3 Nov flight VA313, and on the return 27 Nov VA318 (1 pax).

I have a platinum complimentary upgrade that I want to use before it expires and the rest would be via points.

Do VA release more availability as the departure date approaches?
What other options do I have?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Mattg]

It is probably the case that the allocation of upgrades/reward seats has been exhausted. There are usually only a couple on 737/E190 flights anyway. Some may be released closer to the date, but whether you can use your comp upgrade on one is anyone's guess.

Business class reward seat availability (which you can check online by doing a quick search) is the indicator of upgrade availability. If another flight on the same day has the upgrade seats, perhaps you could try getting on that flight?

If all else fails, you could ask in the lounge before the flight and they may release the seat/s to you if any are still available.

 

[notzac]

Reasonably sure comp upgrades come out of the redemption fare bucket. I've definitely seen J redemptions show up closer to time - wouldn't hurt to keep an eye on it and call if something shows up!

 

[marcoakis]

It'd be great if there was an app that alerted you if and when your wanted reward flight was available for redemption so you don't have to manually check every time.

There's a great app idea

 

[Mattg]

It'd be great if there was an app that alerted you if and when your wanted reward flight was available for redemption so you don't have to manually check every time.

There's a great app idea

There actually is an App/online service for that, called Expert Flyer.

 

[marcoakis]

There actually is an App/online service for that, called Expert Flyer.

True, I wasn't aware they checked for awards and upgrades. The issue is that they don't support VA.

 

[Mattg]

True, I wasn't aware they checked for awards and upgrades. The issue is that they don't support VA.

My bad, it's true that they don't support VA. But they do support many other airlines and you can set up an alert so that you're informed as soon as availability is released in a particular fare class (i.e. reward/upgrade space is released).

 

[medhead]

True, I wasn't aware they checked for awards and upgrades. The issue is that they don't support VA.

My recollection is that Z availability is a potential surrogate for J awards with VA.

 

[EUROPA]

Hi,

I've upgraded the long haul flights to LAX from MEL via BNE, however there doesn't seem to be availability for the MEL-BNE leg (2 pax) on the 3 Nov flight VA313, and on the return 27 Nov VA318 (1 pax).

I have a platinum complimentary upgrade that I want to use before it expires and the rest would be via points.

Do VA release more availability as the departure date approaches?
What other options do I have?

Thanks for your help!

Your original ticket would be a flexi so why not find another flight MEL-BNE flight that has availability on the same day and upgrade that?