Virgin Australia UpgradeMe pricing and success

[Brissy1]

This really is a "prisoner's dilemma" game isn't it.

If everyone bid the minimum, the same total number of people will be successful, but at a lower price. Fascinating.

 

[VOZ102]

Success for BNE to MEL at T-25 for $90. A no brainer when eco-x alone was $70.

Got 2x MEL-BNE T-25 for $80 on Friday. Trying to get them to refund my Economy X fee has been a debacle today however. Still ongoing. They are adamant you have to call before departure to get a refund. It doesn't say that anywhere and in fact on the virgin website it says "If Economy X is purchased with the original fare, refunds will be automatically refunded to the original form of payment." - UpgradeMe

Sigh.

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

This really is a "prisoner's dilemma" game isn't it.

If everyone bid the minimum, the same total number of people will be successful, but at a lower price. Fascinating.

I had a fun experience last year - Mrs Hawk and I were on the same flight, different PNR's, bid the same amount and guess who got upgraded and who didn't...

 

[Brissy1]

I had a fun experience last year - Mrs Hawk and I were on the same flight, different PNR's, bid the same amount and guess who got upgraded and who didn't...

A please "give up your seat for an older man you pretty young thing" didn't work?

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

A please "give up your seat for an older man you pretty young thing" didn't work?

Let's just say that Mrs Hawk didn't look too impressed when I glanced back from 1D to 4A

 

[Brissy1]

Let's just say that Mrs Hawk didn't look too impressed when I glanced back from 1D to 4A

Oh I got that wrong, well done, nothing of course you could do about it!

 

[Drakecula]

I just put in the minimum bid for cbr-bne and the return leg. I'm not fussed if we don't get it, but hey, gotta be in it to win it, right?

 

[Dee#]

Last week Wed 12th my partner was travelling Darwin to Perth flex fare xtra leg room additionally paid $89. Then bid $100 for business upgrade and got 1A.
Then said to Virgin 'hey give me my $89 back' and they did, but it didn't seem to be coming unless you asked.

Seat ok, meal absolutely awful.

 

[MooTime]

When ppl say meal absolutely awful, no good blah blah, yes it can be bit small at times, bland at times, maybe under or overcooked a tad, but I'm not sure what some expect, it's a domestic $5 meal cooked in a few mins in a small over as a whole generally. Wash it down with a wodka or vino, get to your destination and enjoy whatever your upto.

Why ppl pay to sit in an uncomfortable seat with cap food I don't know, but they seem to keep doing it, even entering a bidding war of sorts to get that converted seat.

 

[Dee#]

When ppl say meal absolutely awful, no good blah blah, yes it can be bit small at times, bland at times, maybe under or overcooked a tad, but I'm not sure what some expect, it's a domestic $5 meal cooked in a few mins in a small over as a whole generally. Wash it down with a wodka or vino, get to your destination and enjoy whatever your upto.

Why ppl pay to sit in an uncomfortable seat with cap food I don't know, but they seem to keep doing it, even entering a bidding war of sorts to get that converted seat.

For $100 its worth it. For $1700 probably not. We like our personal space not rubbing shoulders crammed in 3 across. Also he's tall, the flight is nearly 4 hours and we are non drinkers. We fly this route often. We have flown Virgin a long time and used to be biz food especially dinner was pretty good. No more.
Also biz seats are a lot more comfortable than cattle class.

 

[drron]

I put in a bid for the minimum amount when flying back from SYD to MCY. Never been accepted yet but one more go next Tuesday but that flight gets me to gold so get lounge access so after then even the minimum is a bit too much.

 

[Drakecula]

I just put in the minimum bid for cbr-bne and the return leg. I'm not fussed if we don't get it, but hey, gotta be in it to win it, right?

Ha! We got upgraded for today's flight! That'll be a nice start to our mini holiday. Minimum was $65 each.

 

[blackcat20]

I put in a bid for the minimum amount when flying back from SYD to MCY. Never been accepted yet but one more go next Tuesday but that flight gets me to gold so get lounge access so after then even the minimum is a bit too much.

I think I bid $5 over minimum MCY to MEL in November and got that accepted.

 

[luckypierre]

ADL-MEL-ADL flights recently bid $70 (minimum bid $65), each flight for the two of us. Unsuccessful both times. More than happy to sit in row 3 for a one hours flight.

 

[Drakecula]

Did not get upgraded on the leg home, oh well. We were on a packed flight, including a herd of kids heading on school excursion.

 

[serfty]

Travelling MEL-LST return soon and received upgrade me email. Economy X both ways.

Minimum bid on outbound was $100, return $55.

Put $60 bid in for return and will see what happens.

 

[serfty]

Travelling MEL-LST return soon and received upgrade me email. Economy X both ways.

Minimum bid on outbound was $100, return $55.

Put $60 bid in for return and will see what happens.

It was approved the day before - looking at seat maps the cabin went from one seat allocated to three. I suspect the $55 minimum would have sufficed.

I'm being asked about an upcoming trip to SYD - the minimum offers are $55 each way. I'll give this one a miss.

 

[PERLHR]

It was approved the day before - looking at seat maps the cabin went from 1 seat allocated to three. I suspect the $55 minimum would have sufficed.

I'm being asked about an upcoming trip to SYD - the minimum offers are $55 each way. I'll give this one a miss.

Why give a miss? 60 dollars say seems worthy. I've just said 60 dollars from PER to MEL so doubt that will work....but who knows. ,

 

[MooTime]

Why give a miss? 60 dollars say seems worthy. I've just said 60 dollars from PER to MEL so doubt that will work....but who knows. ,

Don't they set a higher minimum for longer routes?
I'd think PER-MEL would be set higher than $60…?

 

[PERLHR]

Don't they set a higher minimum for longer routes?
I'd think PER-MEL would be set higher than $60…?

Yes you are correct! It's ADL from PER that I have popped in 60 dollars (min 55). It's a min of 200 for MEL. Should I? I only see 2 seats on expert flyer being free. Maybe just stick and save my money. Currently in 3A.