Dropping from Platinum to Gold

[tdpali]

Hi all

I've just booked a flight and only have a short time left on Platinum. By the time I fly I'll be back on gold. If I change my seats to Economy-X now while still on Platinum, will I lose them at flight time as Gold or charged for the priviledge?

Thanks

 

[samas]

Hi all

I've just booked a flight and only have a short time left on Platinum. By the time I fly I'll be back on gold. If I change my seats to Economy-X now while still on Platinum, will I lose them at flight time as Gold or charged for the priviledge?

Thanks

Whilst I can't comment from experience of having dropped down from Platinum but as a current Platinum it appears when selecting Economy X it purchases the economy x seat as "travel extras" at zero cost.

So I suspect if you select your economy x seat now as platinum it will hold your economy x seat, and no further charge, when you fly as a gold later as it's already been paid for with a $0 charge.

 

[clipped_wings]

I think it takes a good 3 weeks before you're reviewed, so if travelling as Platinum, you will be regarded as Platinum

 

[PhilandJosh]

No you could book flights 11m out if you wanted to and select economy x and even if you dropped to gold still use them

 

[tdpali]

Hi all, just rang Virgin Velocity and asked them. First person said "yes, no problem". Then person from membership team took the call and corrected her. Can only use the free Economy-X if you have Platinum at the time of the flight.

Oh well, was worth the question.

Thanks all for your feedback.

 

[PhilandJosh]

Don’t listen to them... book your flights ... select your economy x and I highly doubt you will be re-allocated. It was pre economy x but I booked a flight 10 mths in advance as a platinum... selected row 3 and then dropped to gold 1mth later... flew my flights as a gold 9m later in row 3... while it could have changed now that economy x earn va revenue I would be surprised. Just book economy x now as a platinum.. worst case they ask you to pay or re-allocate the seat but I doubt it!

 

[ozjuice]

pretty sure it's when you book as I have done this before and flown as Gold on the pre-booked EcX seat.

 

[serfty]

Don’t listen to them ...

Agreed ...
Select your seats and leave it, once you are SG do not touch. It's unlikely you'll be reallocated or charged without human intervention.


BTW, calling as you did only draws attention to the situation and is normally not a good idea.

 

[cxthomps]

I dropped back to Gold earlier in the year and the Economy X seats I had booked all stuck for the next 2 months. Agree with the above, I wouldn't change, touch or ring up about any booking unless you really have to and you should be golden.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Hi all, just rang Virgin Velocity and asked them. First person said "yes, no problem". Then person from membership team took the call and corrected her. Can only use the free Economy-X if you have Platinum at the time of the flight.

Oh well, was worth the question.

Thanks all for your feedback.

Why would you call?

Just do it and see. Rule #1 of suspect tickets and FF program perks: don't draw attention...

 

[tdpali]

Just want to share that it all ended up really well. Flew with Economy X seats for me and family on all 4 booked flights.

Found that talking to Velocity membership team was useless, negative and confusing.

When I spoke to the normal booking team they explained that as I was still on Platinum I could assign the Economy X seats. Even as I was dropping to Gold in the near future, reserving Economy X seats was completed while I was still on Platinum. She even put notes in my booking so there would be no misunderstanding by others again.

So great flights by me and family.

Hope this helps others.