UpgradeMe pricing and success

[MooTime]

It’s only illegal if they’re caught, with evidence, that can be proven in a court of law. It’s no coincidence that catching them and proving it is inherently difficult due to the way these things are designed.

Can you think of a single Airline hopping around that may have tried to defraud their customers recently (despite their vehement denials)? That was just one instance where they were found out, and there was enough evidence and public outcry to warrant further action. What about all the rest of their dishonest and disloyal behaviour that never got anywhere because they hid it so well and couldn't be unequivocally proven in a court of law.

Haha spot on. I'm with you there.

 

[fletty]

There may be some merit to this product enhancement, but personally I’d take the new UpgradeMe “insights” with a huge grain of salt. Neither UpgradeMe nor Virgin are obliged to present the true state of bidding so that you can save as much money as possible on n unsold seat. What they are compelled to do though, is make as much money for their partner merchants and shareholders. Deception and obfuscation via an opaque bidding system is one simple way.

IMHO, this is just another ploy to play on the Customer’s emotions similar to other ecommerce websites that have pop up cough claiming “there are x number of users browsing this product right now. Get in quick!”

Definitely agree. I think the new display does show two things:
1. UpgradeMe is becoming popular enough to warrant updating this
2. Increases the FOMO and provides a way to 'get in the lead' - which ultimately means more money for VA whether not there is actually a bid at that amount.

 

[MooTime]

It would be interesting if you won a biz seat yet weren't leading the bids.

 

[dbrt]

Success both sectors ADL > PER > ADL with $105 (which I think is minimum + $20). Reckon $35/hr is well worth it for night time flights and packed Y cabin.

 

[muppet]

It would be interesting if you won a biz seat yet weren't leading the bids.

There are up to 8 seats, only one can be the “leading bid”, so I think quite common someone will get an upgrade despite not being the leading bidder.

 

[MooTime]

There are 8 seats, only one can be the “leading bid”, so I think quite common someone will get an upgrade despite not being the leading bidder.

Oh boy.
There's never 8 seats available at say T30.

Obviously my post was in context to above thread where in that example there were 5 offers with 3 seats available, offered to up the bid by ~$50. You had 2 seats, in that case would be very suspect if you won the 2 seats without bidding higher. You can work out was plausible and what's rather suspect in trying to get your bid higher, but winning the seats anyway.

 

[muppet]

Oh boy.
There's never 8 seats available at say T30.

Obviously my post was in context to above thread where in that example there were 5 offers with 3 seats available, offered to up the bid by ~$50. You had 2 seats, in that case would be very suspect if you won the 2 seats without bidding higher. You can work out was plausible and what's rather suspect in trying to get your bid higher, but winning the seats anyway.

Oh ok. I thought you were talking in general.

 

[RAM]

It’s only illegal if they’re caught, with evidence, that can be proven in a court of law. It’s no coincidence that catching them and proving it is inherently difficult due to the way these things are designed.

Can you think of a single Airline hopping around that may have tried to defraud their customers recently (despite their vehement denials)? That was just one instance where they were found out, and there was enough evidence and public outcry to warrant further action. What about all the rest of their dishonest and disloyal behaviour that never got anywhere because they hid it so well and couldn't be unequivocally proven in a court of law.

Or...

Cancelling Australian domestic flights due to 'mechanical problems' which just happen to see the prior +/or subsequent flights to the same destination reach near 100% full.

An easyjet pilot, staying in the same Gatwick Motel (Premier Inn very presentable...), was very talkative and complained that it was just as big a frustration for the air crew as the decision to cancel often occurred while they were on-route. In easyjet's case he said the most often used excuse was 'de-iciing issues' during winter.

 

[Gold Member]

Or...

Cancelling Australian domestic flights due to 'mechanical problems' which just happen to see the prior +/or subsequent flights to the same destination reach near 100% full.

An easyjet pilot, staying in the same Gatwick Motel (Premier Inn very presentable...), was very talkative and complained that it was just as big a frustration for the air crew as the decision to cancel often occurred while they were on-route. In easyjet's case he said the most often used excuse was 'de-iciing issues' during winter.

Don’t confuse legitimate operational issues with genuine dishonest and mean-spirited behaviour intended to screw the customer purely to drive the Senior Leadership Teams bonuses.

 

[Ccdee]

The new UI looks good but I think the countdown timer is wrong. Looks like in the backend they set the end date to be 25 hrs from take off UTC time.

But the front end takes the time as GMT+10

so it looks like the auction finishes 10 hrs earlier than it is supposed to.

But I’m pretty sure they haven’t processed the bids yet

 

[gwilli1]

Last minute $80 Upgrade request successful on an original $99 choice fare for this afternoon. SYD-MEL