UpgradeMe pricing and success

[BNEFlyer]

I had a bid of $90 in for BNE-MEL on Saturday morning, had heard nothing by Friday morning so wanted to up my bid to $100 however minimum was $130 at that point. I bid that and it was accepted later that day. Was even auto-selected my preferred seat of 1C.

$90 was probably more than enough but I didn't want to sit in Y, and I'll get my $30 Economy X upgrade fee back anyway.

 

[Digicola]

Bid $70 on SYD-MEL last week, about 72h before the flight the upgrade button disappeared and I figured it was unsuccessful as it was now ineligible. Then about 24h before I got an email saying the bid was successful.
Ended up have quite a bit of turbulence as we flew over wollongong which led the purser to announce there would be not hot drink service during the flight, this only applied to those at the back of course.

Minimum bid on the return leg was around $100 no bid.

 

[simmomelb]

They used to let you know 48 to 72 hours before the departure time, but with the upgrades I've had recently I've been notified 24 hours before departure (which makes sense from their business perspective)
In saying this, I am rarely successful for bids in 2022 so far, but I assume that is because they have no issue filling seats at this point.
Just about every VA flight I've been on this year has had all seats sold or very close to it.

 

[Buzzard]

They used to let you know 48 to 72 hours before the departure time, but with the upgrades I've had recently I've been notified 24 hours before departure (which makes sense from their business perspective)
In saying this, I am rarely successful for bids in 2022 so far, but I assume that is because they have no issue filling seats at this point.
Just about every VA flight I've been on this year has had all seats sold or very close to it.

I certainly wouldn't be bothered about missing out on an upgrade. The last one I got was not even worth $1.00 IMHO.
Less legroom in row 2 than 3 and only 1 inedible breakfast offering left. The only benefit was a wider seat.

 

[simmomelb]

I certainly wouldn't be bothered about missing out on an upgrade. The last one I got was not even worth $1.00 IMHO.
Less legroom in row 2 than 3 and only 1 inedible breakfast offering left. The only benefit was a wider seat.

I fly VA bus class at least once a month and the new menu has significantly improved (almost back to what it was pre-Covid).
There is plenty of legroom in row 2, I can fully stretch out my legs (180cm tall), but I usually select row 1 if I can as you get served first
Row 2 has the benefit of no bumps to the back of your seat from other passengers (although that may change with the new bus seat layout).

 

[kerfuffle]

Row 2 has the benefit of no bumps to the back of your seat from other passengers (although that may change with the new bus seat layout).

Plus being able to put your bag underneath the seat in front if it fits

 

[kyle]

I've got a PER-MEL flight in four months' time. There are still 4 J seats available for sale, but no reward seats.

I'm thinking of putting in a cash upgrade, currently min bid is $315 and J is selling for $1,800. I paid $355 for the Y seat. Is there any advantage in bidding early? Or maybe I should go into the 30K points upgrade waitlist.

 

[Must...Fly!]

I've got a PER-MEL flight in four months' time. There are still 4 J seats available for sale, but no reward seats.

I'm thinking of putting in a cash upgrade, currently min bid is $315 and J is selling for $1,800. I paid $355 for the Y seat. Is there any advantage in bidding early? Or maybe I should go into the 30K points upgrade waitlist.

Points waitlist probably a waste of time, if you really want Business I'd probably minimum bid and keep an eye on any reward seats opening up in the interim.

 

[Stealthflyer]

I've got a PER-MEL flight in four months' time. There are still 4 J seats available for sale, but no reward seats.

I'm thinking of putting in a cash upgrade, currently min bid is $315 and J is selling for $1,800. I paid $355 for the Y seat. Is there any advantage in bidding early? Or maybe I should go into the 30K points upgrade waitlist

I’d go the points upgrade wait list, but then that’s because I have heaps of points to burn. It depends how much you want that J seat I suppose.

 

[kyle]

I’d go the points upgrade wait list, but then that’s because I have heaps of points to burn. It depends how much you want that J seat I suppose.

I've got enough points, but I have to transfer over from FB. So far I've put a bid in at slightly higher than the minimum. Guess it's worth it for more leg room and no stranger in the next seat for the four hours for an extra $300 or so dollars.

 

[kerfuffle]

no stranger in the next seat

That's not guaranteed. Your trip is still four months' away

 

[Must...Fly!]

I presume @kyle meant no middle seat.

 

[kyle]

I presume @kyle meant no middle seat.

Yes I meant not so close to the next person.

 

[muppet]

I've got a PER-MEL flight in four months' time. There are still 4 J seats available for sale, but no reward seats.

I'm thinking of putting in a cash upgrade, currently min bid is $315 and J is selling for $1,800. I paid $355 for the Y seat. Is there any advantage in bidding early? Or maybe I should go into the 30K points upgrade waitlist.

To be honest, if half the seats are already sold, I think any form of upgrade instrument is unlikely. All airlines have been filling premium cabins really well (excl. Rex) and on the long trip across the continent, i think it will be sold.

 

[simmomelb]

To be honest, if half the seats are already sold, I think any form of upgrade instrument is unlikely. All airlines have been filling premium cabins really well (excl. Rex) and on the long trip across the continent, i think it will be sold.

I fly business class approximately 50% of the time, if not, econ X which is included with Platinum, and it's very unusual that business class seats are available to those who want to buy them 24 hours before departure unless it's at a late night departure time.
It's also very popular on Perth to Melb and Syd routes, given the flight duration.
Obviously, it's not impossible, but it's much more difficult now than prior to Covid.
Good luck though, I hope you get it as it's well worth it to Perth.

 

[kyle]

I fly business class approximately 50% of the time, if not, econ X which is included with Platinum, and it's very unusual that business class seats are available to those who want to buy them 24 hours before departure unless it's at a late night departure time.
It's also very popular on Perth to Melb and Syd routes, given the flight duration.
Obviously, it's not impossible, but it's much more difficult now than prior to Covid.
Good luck though, I hope you get it as it's well worth it to Perth.

I've already secured a points upgrade in J on the way to PER, so will definitely have a good start to the holiday, but am hoping to get J on the way back too.

 

[kerfuffle]

Good luck though, I hope you get it as it's well worth it to Perth.

It was when it was on the A330; now with only the B737, not as much.

 

[simmomelb]

It was when it was on the A330; now with only the B737, not as much.

Still a huge difference between a business class seat and an economy seat, they aren't even close when it comes to room, both the seat itself, arm room and leg room (although Econ X row 3 is great for legroom).

For example, 3 seats in economy take up the same width as 2 seats in business class, then there is a huge increase in leg room (I can fully stretch my legs, unlike regular economy)

Yes, it was better on an A330, no arguments there, but that was only selected flights and some would say almost overkill for a 4-hour flight, perfect for international though on the 330 in my opinion - not that I would complain if it ever returned or something like it.

 

[Stealthflyer]

I’ve had quite a bit of success getting upgrade with points in the 24-48 hours before the flight. Often they’ll release unsold J seats in this period. I always think it’s worth waitlisting. I wonder if you can do points waitlist and also a cash bid. It’d be interesting to know what is preferenced.

 

[Bagpuss]

Still a huge difference between a business class seat and an economy seat, they aren't even close when it comes to room, both the seat itself, arm room and leg room (although Econ X row 3 is great for legroom).

For example, 3 seats in economy take up the same width as 2 seats in business class, then there is a huge increase in leg room (I can fully stretch my legs, unlike regular economy)

Yes, it was better on an A330, no arguments there, but that was only selected flights and some would say almost overkill for a 4-hour flight, perfect for international though on the 330 in my opinion - not that I would complain if it ever returned or something like it.

I must admit with the B737's I am starting wonder if business class is worth it as oppossed to Row 3. Really being Perth based it makes sense when flying back from East Coast, but more and more when I return home I drive home so the alcohol appeal is gone.

Even using a complimentary upgrade you are looking at spending $200 - $300 more for the flexible flight and just doing that for the purpose of a upgrade I'm starting to question it.

Brisbane to Perth I think makes sense, Sydney to Perth yeah maybe, Melbourne to Perth is a bit hummmm.

Some of the equation I think is the time of the flight. I tend to find mid morning, afternoon flights are fine. But after 8PM from East to West you'll find it pretty much passengers wanting to sleep and less service.

Though it's always the little things ... Wider seats, meal, alcohol, more attentive staff and easier toilet access etc.