Upgraded to VA Platinum from Gold before actually Qualifying

[oz_ally]

Good morning everyone. No doubt you'd remember someone else posted a little while ago about receiving an upgrade to Gold in the mail. Well a couple of hours ago I just got a similar offer upgrading me from Gold to Platinum - via email. I only hit Gold for the first time (since taking up an Experience Gold offer a few years ago that lasted 3 months) in September and had 231 SC to go to hit WP anyway - a few due to drop off soon but I have flights booked to make up for that. With my counting I may have hit WP on my own around March 2022.

Feelin' a bit fancy now - might have to buy a "Lewie Vooton" to carry my fluffy cat on the plane with me just to p*ss everyone off. (disclaimer - I would never buy a LV - even a real one if I could afford it - I think they are not that nice looking for want of a better description. ATM I carry a pink Betsey Johnson with cats on it - go figure Bought it at TK Maxx for $39.99)

 

[Carrots]

And upside, you'll be able to book Choice fares for trips through to 31/1/22 and use your anytime upgrade vouchers.

 

[oz_ally]

And upside, you'll be able to book Choice fares for trips through to 31/1/22 and use your anytime upgrade vouchers.

hmmm will have to have a look at that - once I know how it works

 

[serfty]

once I know how it works

It's for flights until end of January. After that you need to book Freedom/Flex fares which are often almost the same cost currently as Business.
1. Find a flight that suits with Business Reward availability.
2. Book a choice fare.
3. Call Velocity and request the upgrade.

 

[oz_ally]

Thank you @serfty. Will have to check out something worthwhile.

My home airport is ROK. I already have a trip ROK - BNE return in Business in Nov/Dec; ROK-BNE ret Business in mid March and a ROK-MEL ret Choice March/Apr. The ROK-BNE business were really cheap - $182ish each way booked when that code worked. To get the most out of an upgrade though it would be nice to get a longer flight for a better experience. Pity there are no planes with those individual pods like I saw on a BNE-PER flight once. I will have a bit of a search and see what I come up with.

 

[AIRwin]

I already have a trip ROK - BNE return in Business in Nov/Dec; ROK-BNE ret Business in mid March and a ROK-MEL ret Choice March/Apr.

Good headstart to maintaining Platinum for another year with bonus status credits until 31 March...

 

[oz_ally]

It's for flights until end of January. After that you need to book Freedom/Flex fares which are often almost the same cost currently as Business.
1. Find a flight that suits with Business Reward availability.
2. Book a choice fare.
3. Call Velocity and request the upgrade.

Ok so I am now officially a WP

My son is stage managing a theatre show over in Perth in January so I thought I'd take the opportunity to get the anytime upgrade while I have a chance and go over there. I've chosen some dates and found flights that have Business Reward availability. Obviously due to the current Economy Reward deal for all fares - they are also available.

To qualify for the Anytime Upgrade can I just get the Economy Reward fare first (Points + Pay even - I don't have a huge amount of points) and then call up to ask for an upgrade? Or do I have to specifically book a Choice fare? Does the Choice fare have to be an all paid fare or a Points (+ Pay) - well I don't even have enough for a return with points anyway. I just want to get it right before booking.

Thanks for any advice and help

 

[serfty]

@oz_ally I am not sure you can upgrade a straight out award Flight.

If you buy the choice fare the upgrade should be OK.

 

[oz_ally]

@oz_ally I am not sure you can upgrade a straight out award Flight.

If you buy the choice fare the upgrade should be OK.

Thank you @serfty

 

[oz_ally]

Just booked my Choice flights ROK - BNE - PER and return for January. Called up and got the BNE - PER return legs upgraded to Business. Don't need the ROK - BNE ones upgraded as they are short flights - I realise I also get free Economy X anyway so that will do for those 2 legs. I can save the other 2 upgrades for another time. Thanks again for everyone who helps and offers advice.

 

[Scarlett]

Booked to PER in January?

 

[oz_ally]

Booked to PER in January?

I did check - atm QLDers are all OK to enter WA.

Very low risk

Unrestricted entry to WA

QLD, SA, TAS

Will be watching closely