UpgradeMe pricing and success

[Deleted member 29185]

Got to admit, I often find myself muttering the same thing.

There was a time, only prolly <2 years ago when it was around that, given some points wangling and a bit of stuffing about.

My take on that, is the availabiity in the J cabin does still allow for some "points wrangling" (there's one going right now in fact for that exact route). Me using my comp upgrades at the lounge is fabulous, which is akin to "points wrangling", but it would be largely impossible if the J cab was chockers all the time. I think it's all about knowing the system and working the system (with the help of AFF brainstorming sessions). With between 6 to 8, J seats domestically (excluding A330 transcon), it does not really make for a lot of wriggle room. It also allows them to have the occasional sale J fare (like the recent CNS-BNE for $319 that I went to town on). All in all, there is no way I'd pay $1800 for a seat transcon, but I certainly would play the points wrangle to gain the same thing for considerably less!

 

[Pleb Status]

I do not think anyone actually pays the Dom J fares on the VA (and QF) website. The very large corporate that pays for my business travel gets a ~50% discount, dropping a PER-East Coast J fare to less than $1000 ow.

Also, a large number of revenue J seats are international 'tack on' sectors which can sell for a few hundred dollars each.

So overall, the average J fare is alot lower than the website J fare.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Well, I think I've just bid for the first time.

BNE-POM rtn for an all up of $1370 (if I win it). Given the J fares are currently circa $3000, I guess that would represent a reasonable buy and one that I'm prepared to do. Makeup - 1st flight (from saver) - $320 min upgrade. 2nd flight (from flexi) $250 min upgrade

But.......I can upgrade the 2nd fare for 9900 points and no waiting. That would give me a value/point of just over 2.5c, which seems like better value.

Given the 1st flight has just 1 J seat left for sale, I think maybe I should boost the bid a bit higher than minimum, but 2.5c and a guaranteed J seat on the return seems better sense for that one.

Does this seem reasonable logic to you "more experienced" bidders? ie bid for 1st and point upgrade the second?

 

[JohnK]

Received an upgrade premium bid offer for my flight to USA next week. The airfare was a steal but these bids are ridiculous.

USD135 is the lowest/weak bid for BNE-SYD
USD565 is the lowest/weak bid for SYD-LAX to premium economy only
USD750 is the lowest/weak bid for LAX-BNE to premium economy only

No thanks!

 

[clipped_wings]

Put a last minute upgrade bid (min 220 pp) SYD-ADL for this Friday and got accepted within a couple of hours. I know it's only just over 2 hours but boy, is that luxury worth it. It equates to less than $400 each for a J seat. Paid with the Global Wallet so really churning those points. I am very happy

 

[KLN]

Thinking of doing a trip to Darwin with Virgin, has anyone had any success with the upgrade bids on that route, just wondering what a successful amount would be. i'll report back otherwise

 

[Denali]

Thinking of doing a trip to Darwin with Virgin, has anyone had any success with the upgrade bids on that route, just wondering what a successful amount would be. i'll report back otherwise

Not upgrade bid as I used our comp upgrades but the J load was full. Looked like FIFO's.

Good luck.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Thinking of doing a trip to Darwin with Virgin, has anyone had any success with the upgrade bids on that route, just wondering what a successful amount would be. i'll report back otherwise

Not a bid, but I did DRW-BNE a few weeks ago and used a comp upgrade in the lounge. The place was chocker block full of what I presume to be FIFOs but only 2 of us upgraded and the plane flew with 3 (I think) spare J seats.

 

[J.Alfred.Pruflock]

Thinking of doing a trip to Darwin with Virgin, has anyone had any success with the upgrade bids on that route, just wondering what a successful amount would be. i'll report back otherwise

Where are you flying from ?

My recent travels to Darwin saw me ex PER on a saver fare and the upgrade me min bid was $190 and my ex DRW flight was down to Brisbane and the upgrade me min bid was $290.

As they were on 737s I let both go. But there were spare seats in the J cabin on both flights so assume the bid would have been accepted.

I use upgrade me bids a bit. Granted I often fly the long skinny routes rather than the busy SYd - MEL run but my only ever minimum bids have never not been accepted.

So start with the minimum.

 

[KLN]

it will be Syd-Drw return. looking at the V8's weekend, but would fly in a lot earlier and leave later than everyone else. Mr KLN wants to go by train, yes, well he can, i'm not! thanks for the info everyone! just haven't done a 5 hour Y seat in a long time. yes, I know, First World problem

 

[Bolthead]

Successful bid SYD-OOL for $160 so all up $251 for the J seat. This was the lowest bid allowed. Not too bad I guess.... not sure if it is worth it.

 

[clipped_wings]

it will be Syd-Drw return. looking at the V8's weekend, but would fly in a lot earlier and leave later than everyone else. Mr KLN wants to go by train, yes, well he can, i'm not! thanks for the info everyone! just haven't done a 5 hour Y seat in a long time. yes, I know, First World problem

Ha ha, don't worry KLN, we are doing the same Y return trip in a couple of weeks, with 12 and 14 year old sons. The 12 year old hates flying and the 14 year old is autistic, who is used to a TV in the seat of a 777!

This should be interesting.....

 

[Jurahn]

It is indeed a great price. I was very surprised when I was having a look this morning at next March for a US trip and could get PER-SEA return in J for around AUD$5990 also on VA/DL. Unfortunately my return date in April isn't available for selection at the moment, so I can't book yet! Fingers crossed these fares will still be around once the date I need is released for booking.

Good price PER-LAX return at the moment of $5224 in J for March/April 2017, but it jumps up an eye-watering $1100 when I add Seattle into the mix!! PER-SEA return now seems to be sitting at $6393, so not sure whether that's the best price I'm going to get (although still waiting for the April return date I need) or whether to hold out for a J sale? Or do I buy PE and hope to upgrade with points (although availability of rewards seats seems to be in the realm of hen's teeth these days) or Upgrade Me bid, although the extra SCs and points if I book J would be very handy indeed .... aaaaarggggghhhh, I could do around in circles forever like this!!!!

 

[MH_fan]

I reckon PER-LAX-SEA for under $6500 is still pretty good value!

 

[JohnK]

just haven't done a 5 hour Y seat in a long time. yes, I know, First World problem

LOL! I am just about to do 13.5 hours in economy followed by another 14 hours in economy a few hours after. Hoping to go to work Monday morning. :shock:

 

[marki]

LOL! I am just about to do 13.5 hours in economy followed by another 14 hours in economy a few hours after. Hoping to go to work Monday morning. :shock:

Ouch :shock:

 

[Jurahn]

I reckon PER-LAX-SEA for under $6500 is still pretty good value!

I was wondering whether it was a good price or not! I've never looked beyond booking past LAX (on the same itinerary) when travelling to the US in the past as our onward flights have all previously been with Southwest to Arizona etc. So if it is a decent price, then I might look at booking it . I would prefer everything to be on the same itinerary, as I'll be travelling on my own and am a bit (Ok,, more than a bit) of a stresshead about missing connecting flights - especially the flight back to Australia - if they're booked separately.

 

[PLANT]

^ There is a thing called travel insurance?
So De-stress on that as a fall back?

 

[Jurahn]

^ There is a thing called travel insurance?
So De-stress on that as a fall back?

Oh don't worry, I buy travel insurance about two minutes after I book my flights (or when I start to book anything for a trip that involves an outlay of $$$) LOL. I'm just naturally a stresshead anyway I think

 

[Deleted member 29185]

LOL! I am just about to do 13.5 hours in economy followed by another 14 hours in economy a few hours after. Hoping to go to work Monday morning. :shock:

I tip my hat! A trooper....through and through!