Freedom Fare Upgrades for Platinum VA members / Success rate

[ICUDr]

Hi everyone

Yesterday I booked BNE xMEL NTL freedom fare for the last week of Feb/17, in 7 weeks

Called VA wanting to use 2 of my complimentary Fare Upgrades (I think I'll soft land into Gold this year)

I managed to get an upgrade to J between BNE-MEL but MEL-NTL "wasn't available" for an upgrade. Even though there were 5 discount business seats available.

The lady suggested calling later on to check if VA had released more seats.

I was wondering what have been your experience/ success rate with this sort of upgrades? Is there a better time to call and ask for the upgrade?


Cheers
Ken

 

[Denali]

Do a dummy booking and see if there are any reward seats available.

I had to put a upgrade wait-list once because I had to wait for reward seats to open up and they did about 3 days before our flight.

 

[ICUDr]

Good advice Denali

Just had a look and the "Business Saver" is sold out. Only Full fare Business left.

Will keep an eye on this tickets

Cheers

 

[Denali]

...Will keep an eye on this tickets

Like I posted earlier, I had a wait list with points on our flights (Dec 15) and the seats where upgraded before I noticed they were available.

Does VA still have waitlist available?

Edit: Opps. Realise you want to use your comp upgrades and not points so yeah, keep running dummy bookings with "Use Points & Pay".

 

[hydrabyss]

I have an upcoming flight that was unavailable but changed about 4-5 days out. Most likely more seats being made available than someone changing flights. But you never know.

 

[hydrabyss]

Hi everyone

Yesterday I booked BNE xMEL NTL freedom fare for the last week of Feb/17, in 7 weeks

Called VA wanting to use 2 of my complimentary Fare Upgrades (I think I'll soft land into Gold this year)

I managed to get an upgrade to J between BNE-MEL but MEL-NTL "wasn't available" for an upgrade. Even though there were 5 discount business seats available.

The lady suggested calling later on to check if VA had released more seats.

I was wondering what have been your experience/ success rate with this sort of upgrades? Is there a better time to call and ask for the upgrade?


Cheers
Ken

Go to your booking and just hit the upgrade using points button at the bottom and it will show award availability which should be quicker than doing a dummy booking.

 

[Blinky]

I had no problem with complimentary upgrades from Freedom to Business, MEL to PER and return for my wife and I in late November. I did book a few months ago, which may be the secret.

 

[henrus]

I had no problem with complimentary upgrades from Freedom to Business, MEL to PER and return for my wife and I in late November. I did book a few months ago, which may be the secret.

Not really any secret to it but it's attached to reward availability.

If there is reward space (in Business) on the flight then you can use the Platinum Upgrade. Often reward space is released closer to the flight date which can make it a bit easier.

For domestic flights if there is still a Business class seat free on the day of travel then you can use the Platinum upgrades in the lounge or at check-in (depending on the airport) however it's worth noting that I've been told I won't get a meal when doing this (but have always got one).

 

[Blinky]

Not really any secret to it but it's attached to reward availability.

If there is reward space (in Business) on the flight then you can use the Platinum Upgrade. Often reward space is released closer to the flight date which can make it a bit easier.

For domestic flights if there is still a Business class seat free on the day of travel then you can use the Platinum upgrades in the lounge or at check-in (depending on the airport) however it's worth noting that I've been told I won't get a meal when doing this (but have always got one).

I think you are right about your last point. I have upgraded more than once with cash at check in, and have been told by staff that they had to call through to arrange meals, but couldn’t guarantee it.

 

[Pleb Status]

I am currently at 20 used from the 20 made available but I always make sure that there is J award availability prior to booking...

 

[ozjuice]

I was trying to use mine yesterday but found that a J ticket was actually cheaper than a Flexi to then upgrade. Quite ridiculous.

 

[AIRwin]

I was trying to use mine yesterday but found that a J ticket was actually cheaper than a Flexi to then upgrade. Quite ridiculous.

I think there's a J sale on? At least you'll earn more points and status credits...

 

[jase05]

I think there's a J sale on? At least you'll earn more points and status credits...

Yeah, J sale until the 7th.

 

[jase05]

Further to this does anyone have a decent success rate on the short haul international upgrades for WP’s. Looking at taking a short trip to Bali next year and was wondering if it is worth it for the 737 or just book with GA

 

[henrus]

Further to this does anyone have a decent success rate on the short haul international upgrades for WP’s

I've used it to NZ (but then again the South Island flights can often have an empty J cabin).

During school holidays I'd say your chances are zero but outside those times if you can find the reward space (can be rare on the Bali routes) then instant upgrades otherwise you'd have to wait until closer (however the Short Haul upgrades can't be done at the airport like the domestic ones can).

If I was in your position I wouldn't pay for freedom fares unless I could get the instant upgrade (but each to their own I guess).

 

[jase05]

I've used it to NZ (but then again the South Island flights can often have an empty J cabin).

During school holidays I'd say your chances are zero but outside those times if you can find the reward space (can be rare on the Bali routes) then instant upgrades otherwise you'd have to wait until closer (however the Short Haul upgrades can't be done at the airport like the domestic ones can).

If I was in your position I wouldn't pay for freedom fares unless I could get the instant upgrade (but each to their own I guess).

I’m thinking the same. The South Island if NZ option sounds good. Might look into that

 

[stm1sydney]

Further to this does anyone have a decent success rate on the short haul international upgrades for WP’s. Looking at taking a short trip to Bali next year and was wondering if it is worth it for the 737 or just book with GA

100% success rate for me so far (admittedly a sample size of 1 for int short haul up). Was mid-Sep 2018 SYD to NAN.

 

[samas]

Further to this does anyone have a decent success rate on the short haul international upgrades for WP’s. Looking at taking a short trip to Bali next year and was wondering if it is worth it for the 737 or just book with GA

I had success both ways for Fiji on BNE-NAN using platinum upgrades end of January 2018 and I only booked the flights start of January.


Additionally every sector I've tried to platinum upgrade was always succesful

However only used about half my platinum upgrades available to me as the flexi fares too expensive these days. Like someone else posted better off cheap Y in row 3.

 

[lobo76]

I had success both ways for Fiji on BNE-NAN using platinum upgrades end of January 2018 and I only booked the flights start of January.


Additionally every sector I've tried to platinum upgrade was always succesful

However only used about half my platinum upgrades available to me as the flexi fares too expensive these days. Like someone else posted better off cheap Y in row 3.

I've been looking for a thread on it but no luck... has anyone figured out the best value (I guess closest to Getaway) Freedom fares are?
Bang for buck wise using the comp upgrades on lower cost Freedom fares is probably the way to go...

 

[RisingPhoenix]

I've been looking for a thread on it but no luck... has anyone figured out the best value (I guess closest to Getaway) Freedom fares are?
Bang for buck wise using the comp upgrades on lower cost Freedom fares is probably the way to go...

Possibly BNE-CNS would be the best value Freedom Fares to get an Upgrade on domestically.