VA Points upgrade waitlist process

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featheast

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Aug 18, 2011
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Long time QF flyer, switched over to VA for almost a year now so less familiar with the process here. But basically I have an economy ticket to NAN departing in 5 days for 2A1C, and had been put on the business class waitlist for a while now. I am a Platinum and as the rule I have read is Platinum will be possibly cleared from the waitlist from 5 days prior the flight time.
My questions are:
1. Will the process automatically happen 5*24 hours before departure time, or it's more a guideline and depends on the real people on the computer to do some work at a random time?
2. I can see there are 5/8 seats available for cash purchase, and there are 2 rewards seats available too. Will the points upgrade waitlist only go from the rewards pool (2) or it can also be sourced from the cash seats (5-2=3) as well?
I'm not really that stressed about a successful upgrade since it's a 737, a day flight for approx 5 hours, plus we already have EcoX seats reserved. But curious to know how the process differs from Qantas (sounds more generous). Thanks in advance!
 
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featheast said:
Long time QF flyer, switched over to VA for almost a year now so less familiar with the process here. But basically I have an economy ticket to NAN departing in 5 days for 2A1C, and had been put on the business class waitlist for a while now. I am a Platinum and as the rule I have read is Platinum will be possibly cleared from the waitlist from 5 days prior the flight time.
My questions are:
1. Will the process automatically happen 5*24 hours before departure time, or it's more a guideline and depends on the real people on the computer to do some work at a random time?
2. I can see there are 5/8 seats available for cash purchase, and there are 2 rewards seats available too. Will the points upgrade waitlist only go from the rewards pool (2) or it can also be sourced from the cash seats (5-2=3) as well?
I'm not really that stressed about a successful upgrade since it's a 737, a day flight for approx 5 hours, plus we already have EcoX seats reserved. But curious to know how the process differs from Qantas (sounds more generous). Thanks in advance!
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What fare are you on. Are you on a flex fare or choice? If flex, you should be able to get your seats upgraded if you call the call centre as they will use any complimentary upgrades you have left. I'd suggest calling the call centre anyway to see if you can get your request cleared.
 
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antycbr said:
What fare are you on. Are you on a flex fare or choice? If flex, you should be able to get your seats upgraded if you call the call centre as they will use any complimentary upgrades you have left. I'd suggest calling the call centre anyway to see if you can get your request cleared.
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Choice, I should have stated this clearly in the original question. So yeah definitely cannot go for the complimentary upgrade option.
 
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featheast said:
Long time QF flyer, switched over to VA for almost a year now so less familiar with the process here. But basically I have an economy ticket to NAN departing in 5 days for 2A1C, and had been put on the business class waitlist for a while now. I am a Platinum and as the rule I have read is Platinum will be possibly cleared from the waitlist from 5 days prior the flight time.
My questions are:
1. Will the process automatically happen 5*24 hours before departure time, or it's more a guideline and depends on the real people on the computer to do some work at a random time?
2. I can see there are 5/8 seats available for cash purchase, and there are 2 rewards seats available too. Will the points upgrade waitlist only go from the rewards pool (2) or it can also be sourced from the cash seats (5-2=3) as well?
I'm not really that stressed about a successful upgrade since it's a 737, a day flight for approx 5 hours, plus we already have EcoX seats reserved. But curious to know how the process differs from Qantas (sounds more generous). Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
If you only needed 2 then the points upgrade would have been processed immediately from the reward seats. I suspect they will try to fill the remaining seats with cash pax first. Beyond that it remains a mystery to me.
 
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featheast said:
If you only needed 2 then the points upgrade would have been processed immediately from the reward seats. I suspect they will try to fill the remaining seats with cash pax first. Beyond that it remains a mystery to me.
Click to expand...
I suspect that the issue is that there was no award space, so @featheast ended up waitlisted as a points upgrade would normally clear.

After the waitlist request was lodged, VA yield management has looked at the light sales in the business cabin and created 2 reward seats, but previous waitlist requests have not been actioned (either a process issue or a bug)

I'd recommend calling ASAP.
 
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antycbr said:
I suspect that the issue is that there was no award space, so @featheast ended up waitlisted as a points upgrade would normally clear.

After the waitlist request was lodged, VA yield management has looked at the light sales in the business cabin and created 2 reward seats, but previous waitlist requests have not been actioned (either a process issue or a bug)

I'd recommend calling ASAP.
Click to expand...
Looks like 3 were required (2A1C) so that is likely why it was waitlisted and not processed immediately.
Post automatically merged:

antycbr said:
I suspect that the issue is that there was no award space, so @featheast ended up waitlisted as a points upgrade would normally clear.

After the waitlist request was lodged, VA yield management has looked at the light sales in the business cabin and created 2 reward seats, but previous waitlist requests have not been actioned (either a process issue or a bug)

I'd recommend calling ASAP.
Click to expand...
I agree ... definitely worth a call
 
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Thanks folks, I will definitely give VA a call shortly.
I'm still not sure if this is a wise choice for 72k points on a short flight, but consider I have to prepare and bring lunch if travelling on economy (yes +X, and no I don't like those food on offer for purchase onboard), biz is still winning here :)
 
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Just contacted the support line, they can't do anything apart from telling me there is no update yet, you are still in the queue, blah blah blah. Well I guess I will just be patient here, and be prepared to pack some sandwich (or grab some from Amex lounge) for lunch :)
 
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