UpgradeMe pricing and success

[Pushka]

Moved from the dark side (Qantas) for a flight this week from Canberra to Adelaide direct. Purchased the cheapest seat which was around $100 cheaper than equivalent flight for Qantas (that he could not make in time) then put in an upgrade bid of around $100. Was advised yesterday it was successful. Now that is what I’d call a cheap business class seat.

 

[Pushka]

Moved from the dark side (Qantas) for a flight this week from Canberra to Adelaide direct. Purchased the cheapest seat which was around $100 cheaper than equivalent flight for Qantas (that he could not make in time) then put in an upgrade bid of around $100. Was advised yesterday it was successful. Now that is what I’d call a cheap business class seat.

Ok. An Update. Husband was very impressed with the Business class meal on Virgin! Way better than what is thrown together by Qantas J.

 

[fitzy6]

Am flying to Hong Kong tomorrow and there is currently 11 business seats free. Would the minimum bid be enough ($570 each) for 2 x seats? Also if it’s not accepted is there the option to make an offer at check in?

 

[clam16]

Man poor hk. Nobody wants to go. But yes you can

 

[MH_fan]

Loads for the HK flights are so bad at the moment. I'm booked to go in Feb (bought my tickets before the unrest started) and there is no one in J.

 

[oneworld3]

18/12 SYD - CNS - Minimum bid was $240, I bid $250 and was accepted. I often find my low bids are accepted.

 

[bPeteb]

Brisbane to Vanuatu on 27/12. Freedom fares booked. When I first booked tried to get a points upgrade but non available even though had enough points and def J seats available. This week three emails asking me to bid. Lowest price possible $195 each. So I called again about points upgrade because there still must be business seats. None available again and number of points needed gone up by 2500 each. Not paying any more, seats were already hell expensive.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Brisbane to Vanuatu on 27/12. Freedom fares booked. When I first booked tried to get a points upgrade but non available even though had enough points and def J seats available. This week three emails asking me to bid. Lowest price possible $195 each. So I called again about points upgrade because there still must be business seats. None available again and number of points needed gone up by 2500 each. Not paying any more, seats were already hell expensive.

It's automatic.

J is full. Y is almost full, for that flight.

 

[FlyMeAwayUSA]

Is the “default” price the lowest bid? I’m flying MEL-LAX on Dec 29th, and there is a “default” price (around $1200 USD) that the slider is set to when I open the page, but it goes as low as $550 and as high as $1500. $1500 USD still feels cheap for that leg (I’m in Premium Economy). Is the highest price available basically the one that deals the deal? Virgin is selling the seats for about $1300-1500 USD more than we paid for it, though that’s for restricted business and we have full-fare premium economy with free changes and cancellations.

Also, quick question — since underlying fare was full premium economy, changes and cancellations free of charge: does the same hold true for our upgrade bid, or does that portion become instantly non-refundable?

 

[bPeteb]

It's automatic.

J is full. Y is almost full, for that flight.

Ah, ok, thank you

 

[Harthagan]

Is the “default” price the lowest bid? I’m flying MEL-LAX on Dec 29th, and there is a “default” price (around $1200 USD) that the slider is set to when I open the page, but it goes as low as $550 and as high as $1500. $1500 USD still feels cheap for that leg (I’m in Premium Economy). Is the highest price available basically the one that deals the deal? Virgin is selling the seats for about $1300-1500 USD more than we paid for it, though that’s for restricted business and we have full-fare premium economy with free changes and cancellations.

Also, quick question — since underlying fare was full premium economy, changes and cancellations free of charge: does the same hold true for our upgrade bid, or does that portion become instantly non-refundable?

If any reward seats open up in business u should be able to upgrade for 25,000 points if you are gold or platinum. That would be the best value considering u paid a premium for your flexible fares and the 25,000 point upgrade takes that into account, as opposed to bidding with UpgradeMe for $$$

 

[FlyMeAwayUSA]

If any reward seats open up in business u should be able to upgrade for 25,000 points if you are gold or platinum. That would be the best value considering u paid a premium for your flexible fares and the 25,000 point upgrade takes that into account, as opposed to bidding with UpgradeMe for $$$

I’m from the US so not only do I not have status, I can’t even join the program. Coming down to Australia on this trip was my first and so far only flight on VA (fourth time in Australia but always flown QF or UA).

What I could do is use Delta, SQ, or VS miles to purchase a full on mileage ticket and then get a refund on my premium economy seats. But so far no award seats available, even with J9 showing as availability.

 

[clam16]

Is the “default” price the lowest bid? I’m flying MEL-LAX on Dec 29th, and there is a “default” price (around $1200 USD) that the slider is set to when I open the page, but it goes as low as $550 and as high as $1500. $1500 USD still feels cheap for that leg (I’m in Premium Economy). Is the highest price available basically the one that deals the deal? Virgin is selling the seats for about $1300-1500 USD more than we paid for it, though that’s for restricted business and we have full-fare premium economy with free changes and cancellations.

Also, quick question — since underlying fare was full premium economy, changes and cancellations free of charge: does the same hold true for our upgrade bid, or does that portion become instantly non-refundable?

1500USD is really high on PE (almost 2200 aud). My lowest bid is $1500 aud on the same leg coming from very low Y bucket. And I'm almost too cheap to bid already lol

 

[FlyMeAwayUSA]

1500USD is really high on PE (almost 2200 aud). My lowest bid is $1500 aud on the same leg coming from very low Y bucket. And I'm almost too cheap to bid already lol

As near as I can tell the bid maxes out on what it would cost to just buy the business class ticket — I paid about $1450 AUD for premium economy, and if I were to book the itinerary again they would want $3500 AUD for business, for a difference of around $2200 AUD / $1500 USD.

Nobody answered my question about the “default” bid. And also, does the fact that I already paid a bunch disadvantage me against other bidders? Like you said your minimum was $1500, but you’re coming from a cheap fair. If I bid $1100 coming from a more expensive fare, would VA upgrade you not me?

 

[fortunatelygone]

20/12 MEL - BNE - Minimum bid was $130, I bid $140 and was accepted today, roughly 18hrs before the flight.

 

[DMar86]

Flying BNE-SYD 25/12. Received email on the weekend offering 50% off minimum bid price for flights on Christmas Day. Bid the minimum ($70) and was accepted almost immediately.

 

[Tejas57]

how long before flights have people gotten a response? I'm flying BNE to MEL (return) on the 20th and put in a minimum bid. I honestly don't care if i get upgraded or not (espeally considering i already have ecconmy x) but it would be nice to know

 

[odysseus]

It's in the terms/faq but I think it's up to a day before the flight that the bid may be accepted, and typically if low bidding it'll only be then to 2 days out as they sensibly would prefer to sell regular price or a better offer.

 

[Tejas57]

got notified this morning i didn't get the flight to MEL but i got the return leg on monday night (which was my preferance if i could only get one) for $150

 

[moa999]

DRW-SYD 60 hours out (despite email saying 72, though t&C says 6hrs).

Minimum $170 (with I think a 30% discount to normal $240 versus 30k points)
Bid of $180 was immediately accepted and card charged.
On a $99 super special ticket, so $279 for a 4.5hr flight - pretty good in my books.