Platinum in Long Haul Y

[Notyourbag]

Hi All

VA Platinum member flying to LAX in Y next month.

What's been your experience as Platinum or Gold in:

Getting Economy X seats for free
Getting bumped to Premium Y

Just working out if I should fork out the $149 for the guaranteed Economy Y exit row (wish this free benefit extended to long haul)

 

[jbman]

Lounge access is about all you get

 

[serfty]

There have been reports of being 'bumped' to both yX and PE even.

But the only Guaranteed bennies are Lounge Access, extra Luggage and Priority Boarding.

 

[grubbidok]

I'm Y and do SYD-LAX at least 3x per year. Have done it 5x this year.

Never bumped into a higher grade. Since yX has started I've been put in there probably half the time. One thing I have noticed though, especially since yX started, is that if not in yX it's virtually ensured that I will have a Platinum Shadow. Even on a flight that was relatively full, I was given spare seats next to me, as were the other WPs around me (you can identify them as the staff goes around for the personal greetings).

 

[CPMaverick]

PLT here. I find the EconomyX seats sell out early (except the middles). I have decided it isn't worth the $$ anyway. They don't give any discount for PLT so I've decided either get it for free or sit behind. Haven't been gifted one yet.

I have however been bumped up to PE the last two LAX-MEL flights I've had, due to oversold Y. Of course this is never guaranteed.

 

[Lemon_Party]

A colleague was bumped to J returning LAX-BNE a couple of months ago flying Y as WP. The op-up wasn't extended to wife and son - which is understandable, but the very few op-ups I've had with EK, SQ and VA domestic with no status friends/partners have had both of us upgraded.

 

[ozjuice]

A colleague was bumped to J returning LAX-BNE a couple of months ago flying Y as WP. The op-up wasn't extended to wife and son - which is understandable, but the very few op-ups I've had with EK, SQ and VA domestic with no status friends/partners have had both of us upgraded.

Ouch....now that's an interesting dilemma. Not sure the flight would have been worth the dog house.

 

[Lemon_Party]

Ouch....now that's an interesting dilemma. Not sure the flight would have been worth the dog house.

He was very matter of fact about it. He had to work after landing, they didn't. Upgrade accepted.

I would not have survived taking that approach personally...

 

[Denali]

He was very matter of fact about it. He had to work after landing, they didn't....

Then his employer should have ensured their staff arrived rested and ready for work, by paying for him to be in J in the first place.

Ouch....now that's an interesting dilemma. Not sure the flight would have been worth the dog house.

If either my husband or I only get upgraded, our agreement is to always take it and then figure out who will get it before we board.

 

[CPMaverick]

Then his employer should have ensured their staff arrived rested and ready for work, by paying for him to be in J in the first place.

Always interesting when people make assumptions and get judgmental.

Some employers will give employees the choice between a J ticket or two coach tickets (for family to travel along). How do you know this wasn't the case?

Other people, like myself, run their own business and make the choice to pay less for their travel.... even if they have to work.

I'm sure there are many other possibilities that would be sensible if explained.

 

[Denali]

Always interesting when people make assumptions and get judgmental.
Some employers will give employees the choice between a J ticket or two coach tickets (for family to travel along). How do you know this wasn't the case....

I did consider this as one of my family members does this but the person in the story apparently "was very matter of fact about it. He had to work after landing, they didn't...." If he had the option of an employer paid J seat then STFU about being well rested for work on landing. Lets be honest - no one wants to sit in Y voluntarily. *insert whatever applicable smiley needed as its no skin off my nose what people choose to sit in/use an upgrade*

 

[Lemon_Party]

I did consider this as one of my family members does this but the person in the story apparently "was very matter of fact about it. He had to work after landing, they didn't...." If he had the option of an employer paid J seat then STFU about being well rested for work on landing. Lets be honest - no one wants to sit in Y voluntarily. *insert whatever applicable smiley needed as its no skin off my nose what people choose to sit in/use an upgrade*

Oh sorry - I wasn't very clear. He was on a family holiday and pushed things to the limit to maximise time away - any lack of proper rest and preparation would have been entirely his own doing...

 

[grubbidok]

Then his employer should have ensured their staff arrived rested and ready for work, by paying for him to be in J in the first place.

Unfortunately this is not an option all of us have. My workplace explicitly has restrictions on travelling J, with virtually no exceptions. It is a university and most of the funds are public and these provisions are in place (sometimes excessively so) to ensure they aren't exploited.

Presenting or meetings a few hours after a long haul in Y is actually pretty normal among my colleagues (though certainly not enjoyed). I was once even driven directly to a government event from the airport after a 35hr Y itinerary to Central America (though they did at least take me to the hotel to shower and change first).

 

[CPMaverick]

Unfortunately this is not an option all of us have. My workplace explicitly has restrictions on travelling J, with virtually no exceptions.

This is true for many. Yet people have the audacity to interject the statement 'get your employer to pay for J' into forums on a regular basis, as if it is that easy. Or they say that if you aren't flying J, get a new employer, as if that is the single most important consideration for such a decision. I know this is a flying forum, and we all love our perks, but not everyone's situation is the same.

In this case, the employer wasn't even paying... yet the jump-to-conclusions mat is in high demand.

 

[JohnK]

Ouch....now that's an interesting dilemma. Not sure the flight would have been worth the dog house.

If my wife receives an op-up I'd tell her to accept the op-up. She'd probably refuse the op-up.

I don't quite understand the logic if you can actually call it logic. She just likes having me nearby to abuse me....

 

[ap_spd]

He was very matter of fact about it. He had to work after landing, they didn't. Upgrade accepted.

I would not have survived taking that approach personally...

You will never hear the end of it... I am wondering how often does he get told he flew business while wifey flew Y

 

[ap_spd]

JohnK

 

[ap_spd]

we have a similar policy at work for J. Not unless you are above certain pay grade and flight is longer than certain duration..

I have heard there are companies that dont allow for SC and point earn either.. atleast I get my lounge and extra luggage when flying

 

[Notyourbag]

I'll report back on this - Booked on 7/10 for VA1 and VA2 15/10 in Y on an Elevate fare.

 

[Denali]

....She just likes having me nearby to abuse me....

And we support that