Sri Lankan Airlines - Bid for Upgrade

[albatross710]

Once we were onboard our first UL leg we saw a placard on the seat offering low cost upgrades. Couldn't read the fine print due to the font size and the angle at which it is mounted. Anyway, had time to investigate further via their website. They have a really cool slider plus indicator showing the likelihood of being successful with the upgrade bid.


Upgrade bidding range for the four hour journey is USD195 - $400.

I would be interested to hear if anyone has had success with upgrades on UL.

Alby

 

[MEL_Traveller]

IIRC this has been discussed on AFF. Can't seem to find the thread. Successful bids (again, IIRC) have been recorded at the lowest levels (eg USD195 for the SIN-CMB).

 

[albatross710]

IIRC this has been discussed on AFF. Can't seem to find the thread. Successful bids (again, IIRC) have been recorded at the lowest levels (eg USD195 for the SIN-CMB).

Thanks for this. Will put a bid in for this next leg.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks for this. Will put a bid in for this next leg.

Just note the flight is probably using an A320? Standard domestic business class seating (more legroom though). Not beds.

 

[albatross710]

Just note the flight is probably using an A320? Standard domestic business class seating (more legroom though). Not beds.

I'm aware of that. I'm thinking that we'll get to enjoy some lounge time and some inflight hospitality.

 

[henleybeach]

I'm aware of that. I'm thinking that we'll get to enjoy some lounge time and some inflight hospitality.

I flew Sri Lankan airlines this year Delhi- Colombo - Singapore all on the a320 and the it was great , the service was fantastic and the hostess were lovely . You will defiantly enjoy and I found the seats very comfy

 

[JohnK]

I have only ever bid on HKG-BKK for myself and then again for 2 people and upgrades came through. I put the minimum recommended bid of USD100. It helps that business cabins on that route are relatively empty.

Next time I will try lower bid.

 

[wandering_fred]

I have only ever bid on HKG-BKK for myself and then again for 2 people and upgrades came through. I put the minimum recommended bid of USD100. It helps that business cabins on that route are relatively empty.
Next time I will try lower bid.

Seems from comments that the minimum bids have increased (esp from/to BKK/KUL/SIN) since I flew last March
It will be more than $100 now.

Happy wandering

Fred

 

[smit0847]

Its $150 US min from BKK-CMB now.

 

[albatross710]

We were successful at the minimum bid level for the 2 of us CMB-SIN . Only three others in the J cabin.

At the airport, the lounge was quite nice in the morning. We were there for the last of the breakfast and then the changeover to the lunch offering.

On board, the crew were polite and efficient. The leg room was great.

I found that the IFE on some movies tended to freeze for a second every 5-10 seconds. Really annoying. Was the same on the economy legs. Solution was to just watch a different movie.

On board food was good.

The extra SCs for the leg were appreciated. 20 SC for the leg in economy, 80 for the J upgrade.

Extra home credit with Mrs Albatross710 - priceless.

I would fly again with UL and would budget the money to bid.

Alby

 

[Bushflyer]

We were successful at the minimum bid level for the 2 of us CMB-SIN . Only three others in the J cabin.

At the airport, the lounge was quite nice in the morning. We were there for the last of the breakfast and then the changeover to the lunch offering.

On board, the crew were polite and efficient. The leg room was great.

I found that the IFE on some movies tended to freeze for a second every 5-10 seconds. Really annoying. Was the same on the economy legs. Solution was to just watch a different movie.

On board food was good.

The extra SCs for the leg were appreciated. 20 SC for the leg in economy, 80 for the J upgrade.

Extra home credit with Mrs Albatross710 - priceless.

I would fly again with UL and would budget the money to bid.

Alby

Hi All, apologies for bringing up an old thread. I have recently booked UL flights and was reading about upgrade bidding. Am I correct in assuming from the above post that if my bid is successful from V to J class then I would get J class SC's?

TIA

 

[JohnK]

Hi All, apologies for bringing up an old thread. I have recently booked UL flights and was reading about upgrade bidding. Am I correct in assuming from the above post that if my bid is successful from V to J class then I would get J class SC's?

When the upgrade is successful they update the booking class. Think best not to discuss too much on the forums.

RJ used to do the same but now upgrade updates to award booking class and SCs don't post automatically.

 

[Bushflyer]

Thanks John!! Will PM you

 

[wandering_fred]

SIN-CMB at the civilized time (afternoon not 0400)
min bid US$150
to purchase new seat = the cheap biz seats are gone though still J4.

I'll pass on this one I think as I have a couple more flights coming up shortly that are still wide open.

Happy wandering

Fred

 

[clifford]

SIN-CMB at the civilized time (afternoon not 0400) min bid US$150 to purchase new seat = the cheap biz seats are gone though still J4. I'll pass on this one I think as I have a couple more flights coming up shortly that are still wide open. Happy wandering Fred

That's very interesting, but why bring it up at this point in time? Did I miss something (which I quite often do)?

 

[wandering_fred]

The flight that leaves at 0400 or so is wide open in all classes. The one in the afternoon has (somewhat) restricted sales of J seats.
Consider the philosophy of how you might bid in the two cases. And the amount of $$ that would be required to be successful.

I use a spread sheet to outline what my projected SC / points / etc earn will be for the various FF annual terms. When you realize that you can make one level but the next level up would require more flying than you wish to pay for, then the shorter flights are relegated to the Y cabin (though in full earning fare classes where feasible)

Happy wandering

Fred

 

[wandering_fred]

Bid upgrade R class to Business
DOH-CMB (J9 C9 D9 I5) min bid $US175 offered 180 - A330 already reasonable window seat - should have plenty of empty seats
CMB-CGK (J9 C8 D7 I5) min bin $US150 offered 195 - A321 I may need to sleep - bigger difference in seat quality

Happy wandering

Fred

PS: Why R in the first place? Earns full mileage with AsiaMiles. V is 50%. QF with those classes - don't ask...