EY Upgrade Auction

[IrishPete]

I can't remember if I posted this before - I have booked a mixed class flight through VA flying SYD to LHR (Prem Econ on the long leg, Econ on the shorter leg) and was offered the auction at the time of booking for the VA flight only (SYD - AUH). The minimum bid for an upgrade to Biz is $600.

very cheap, but I suppose reflects the higher fare yoo paid for Premium Economy in the first place. Etihad, of course, don't offer PE. At least not on the Kangaroo routes.

 

[mikenz]

That's right, it probably works out about the same. I think the PE part of the flight was aobut an extra $500, so around a $1100 upgrade to Bus class, and the Bus class product probably isn't as good as the EY product.

 

[RAM]

Irish Pete - thanks for the advice a little while back. I called VA and they have given me the EY PNR, and I was able to use that to add my email address through the EY website. You're right though, I can't change seats. Although I was able to choose seats while booking through the VA website.

Re your comment on Dietcoke's booking - the booking looks good to me. VA would fly the Australia leg and EY would fly the Europe leg.

Keeping an eye on this forum would suggest that you're right, it seems that econ to biz, and biz to first are usually around the same minimum bid.

I can't remember if I posted this before - I have booked a mixed class flight through VA flying SYD to LHR (Prem Econ on the long leg, Econ on the shorter leg) and was offered the auction at the time of booking for the VA flight only (SYD - AUH). The minimum bid for an upgrade to Biz is $600.

That's an absolute bargain of a starting bid. The EY upgrade at airport cost (21 months ago) was USD 750 for that sector. Their AUD/USD rate was worse than Travelex as well. But at roughly $55/hour flying time it was worth it. The sector to Eur is too short IMHO.

 

[IrishPete]

That's an absolute bargain of a starting bid. The EY upgrade at airport cost (21 months ago) was USD 750 for that sector. Their AUD/USD rate was worse than Travelex as well. But at roughly $55/hour flying time it was worth it. The sector to Eur is too short IMHO.

Yes, but he is upgrading from Premium Economy, and its with Virgin not Etihad, I think. So not comparable.

 

[RAM]

Yes, but he is upgrading from Premium Economy, and its with Virgin not Etihad, I think. So not comparable.

All things being equal should be cheaper.

He can go to the airport (when an EY flight regardless of code share) and ask for an on-demand upgrade price if any seats empty. If they can get some more money - they will take it. If it's at Abu Dhabi the he needs to go to the transfer desk (and make sure he goes rapidly as the closer to the next flight departing the less likely anything is left). He can check on the availability before he leaves Aust (flight to Abu Dhabi) so he knows whether to bother the rapid trip to the transfer desk.

When you go to the transfer desk, it can be confusing. Unless you have high status then get into the left hand queues immediately - do not stand there reading the instructions.

 

[IrishPete]

At Sydney in July I was told upgrade at check-in was a fixed price. It seemed to be the same every day. My check-in person had never done one before, so I got to learn as she learned.

 

[RAM]

At Sydney in July I was told upgrade at check-in was a fixed price. It seemed to be the same every day. My check-in person had never done one before, so I got to learn as she learned.

That is what I was told both by phone prior and at the airport.

But fixed is not necessarily fixed.

The price is quoted in USD not AUD. However they do not know (or profess that they do not) know how to process it in USD.

At Abu Dhabi they do know how to process it as USD.

 

[IrishPete]

I did not have this issue at Sydney in July. I paid in AU$, and the price was never quoted in US$. Had it been, I would have paid it in US$ with my 28 Degrees Mastercard.

 

[mikenz]

Well, I won the upgrade auction from SYD to AUH (Virgin Aus operated) at $670 and it totally wasn't worth it. The bed is flat and the service is good but could never be compared to Etihad. I should have stuck with PE.

I called VA and asked for my Etihad PNR a few weeks ago and went into my booking on their website to add my email address but I didn't get the upgrade email offer. I'm now at Dublin Airport and purchased the instant airport upgrade. DUB - AUH is US$1250 and AUH - SYD is US$750. It's not quite the deal it used to be when you could upgrade for around $800 for the long leg a couple of years ago. As has been mentioned, it's probably not much different to just buying a bus class ticket in the first place.

 

[IrishPete]

Well, I won the upgrade auction from SYD to AUH (Virgin Aus operated) at $670 and it totally wasn't worth it. The bed is flat and the service is good but could never be compared to Etihad. I should have stuck with PE.

I called VA and asked for my Etihad PNR a few weeks ago and went into my booking on their website to add my email address but I didn't get the upgrade email offer. I'm now at Dublin Airport and purchased the instant airport upgrade. DUB - AUH is US$1250 and AUH - SYD is US$750. It's not quite the deal it used to be when you could upgrade for around $800 for the long leg a couple of years ago. As has been mentioned, it's probably not much different to just buying a bus class ticket in the first place.

Sure you haven't got those prices the wrong way around?

 

[TiredOldFlyer]

Well, I won the upgrade auction from SYD to AUH (Virgin Aus operated) at $670 and it totally wasn't worth it. The bed is flat and the service is good but could never be compared to Etihad. I should have stuck with PE.

I called VA and asked for my Etihad PNR a few weeks ago and went into my booking on their website to add my email address but I didn't get the upgrade email offer. I'm now at Dublin Airport and purchased the instant airport upgrade. DUB - AUH is US$1250 and AUH - SYD is US$750. It's not quite the deal it used to be when you could upgrade for around $800 for the long leg a couple of years ago. As has been mentioned, it's probably not much different to just buying a bus class ticket in the first place.

I am am a bit lost.
If the Syd to Auh was not worth it why purchase a Auh to Syd ? And even at $1250 it is still a lot less than
PE plus the $1250 at the current fares.
Perhaps Virgin/Etihad is not as good as Emirates ( and it is really subjective ) but for a fare that is a lot
cheaper.
Etihad are still winning lots of awards and it seems to be much easier to book award seats than on the Qantas/Emirates system.

 

[mikenz]

Sure you haven't got those prices the wrong way around?

Yes sorry - the other way!

 

[mikenz]

I am am a bit lost.
If the Syd to Auh was not worth it why purchase a Auh to Syd ? And even at $1250 it is still a lot less than
PE plus the $1250 at the current fares.

AUH to SYD was with Etihad. In my opinion a much better product than VA.

I think it's been said before, but the airport upgrade dowsn't give you additional luggage or lounge access.

 

[RAM]

I am am a bit lost.
If the Syd to Auh was not worth it why purchase a Auh to Syd ? And even at $1250 it is still a lot less than
PE plus the $1250 at the current fares.
Perhaps Virgin/Etihad is not as good as Emirates ( and it is really subjective ) but for a fare that is a lot
cheaper.
Etihad are still winning lots of awards and it seems to be much easier to book award seats than on the Qantas/Emirates system.

Did the upgrade at airport on EY SYD-AUH for USD 750 2 years back. Service was very good (except my daughter got the last piece of Banoffee Pie. If travelling single get the window seat as config is 1-2-1. If a couple then the middle is 'communal' or a good way to literally bump into someone during the night. Seat/bed very comfortable, food choice good and bottomless bowl of hot assorted nuts unbeatable (but should carry a health warning about addiction).

Cost for AUH-LHR not worth it IMHO.

 

[IrishPete]

Did the upgrade at airport on EY SYD-AUH for USD 750 2 years back. Service was very good (except my daughter got the last piece of Banoffee Pie. If travelling single get the window seat as config is 1-2-1. If a couple then the middle is 'communal' or a good way to literally bump into someone during the night. Seat/bed very comfortable, food choice good and bottomless bowl of hot assorted nuts unbeatable (but should carry a health warning about addiction).

Cost for AUH-LHR not worth it IMHO.

Seat layout depends on the type of plane, I think.

And not all window seats are created equal. Some are open to the aisle and others to the window (it's hard to explain). I found that even at check-in, the staff weren't really able to tell me which seat was which. But the "proper" window seats are far far better. The others are much less private.

I've not sat in the middle in Business, but I think some of these seats are laid out for people travelling together, and some not. The ones that aren't are open to the aisle like the lesser window seats, with the same irritations of less privacy, more occasions of being brushed past by staff and other passengers, etc.

It's a First World problem, but when you're paying Business Class prices (even upgrade prices), everything matters!

 

[vmile]

In the middle, every second row, you have two seats together. Absolutly wonderful if you still enjoy each others company. Every other row in the middle you directly contact the isle.
On the side, one seat hard against the window (the money seat if you are travelling on your own) then one seat on the isle.

 

[Virgin Bart]

AUH-LHR minimum bid $1015AUD. Not worth it, correct?

 

[vmile]

AUH-LHR minimum bid $1015AUD. Not worth it, correct?

It's a short flight. Much rather spend the nearly same money(or less) on a long leg,(if I had the money) such as AUH to Syd or MEL. A pure luxury spend.

To each their own.

Still cheap as opposed to paying up front.........

 

[Aussie_flyer]

It's a short flight. Much rather spend the nearly same money(or less) on a long leg,(if I had the money) such as AUH to Syd or MEL. A pure luxury spend.

To each their own.

Still cheap as opposed to paying up front.........

No its not cheap compared to up front really. In fact at these prices you are better off buying a ticket for approx $5000 return in biz when on sale for australia to europe

 

[Virgin Bart]

Thanks all. For the record I too think it's highly overpriced.