Virgin instant paid upgrades

[Mattg]

I have an upcoming SYD-BNE flight with VA. I noticed today that when clicking on the "Bid for an upgrade" link in "manage booking", it offers the choice of either bidding or paying a fixed price for a guaranteed upgrade.

It gives the option to bid an amount between $195 and $470 for a business upgrade. Or I can "buy now" for $350 and get upgraded straight away.

Interesting development, although I am unlikely to pay $350 for the upgrade (especially when a points upgrade is only 10,000 points). I'm also not sure why they think anyone would bid $470 for the chance to upgrade when you can get a confirmed upgrade for $350...

 

[AIRwin]

It's part of a trial:
https://www.ausbt.com.au/virgin-australia-trials-instant-buy-now-business-class-upgrades

 

[Oneworldplus2]

If you are successful, do you receive J class points/SC's?

I've had a few offers from PER-BNE, but I think from memory, the minimum bid was $390. No thanks.

 

[clarmich]

No. You retain Y class status credit and points earn based on fare booked.

 

[Pleb Status]

If you are successful, do you receive J class points/SC's?

I've had a few offers from PER-BNE, but I think from memory, the minimum bid was $390. No thanks.

When linked to a $149 HH fare, the $390 J upgrade (or slightly more) is excellent value. On BNE-PER, you get almost six hours in lie flat business for $539 total.

How much cheaper do you want it to be? It has been a long time since I have done this sector in Y as the value cannot be beaten.

 

[Falcs]

It's a pity they don't offer SC for the paid upgrade, that would be more likely to tempt me into paying for upgrades (not $350 for SYD-BNE tho!)

 

[clipped_wings]

It's a pity they don't offer SC for the paid upgrade, that would be more likely to tempt me into paying for upgrades (not $350 for SYD-BNE tho!)

We did a paid upgrade to Premium from Y SYD-LAX, we then got Premium points and SC applied. Not sure if it's a different story with domestic.

 

[scwappy]

We did a paid upgrade to Premium from Y SYD-LAX, we then got Premium points and SC applied. Not sure if it's a different story with domestic.

You were lucky

 

[samas]

When linked to a $149 HH fare, the $390 J upgrade (or slightly more) is excellent value. On BNE-PER, you get almost six hours in lie flat business for $539 total.

Unforutnately PER<->BNE is all 737 these days except for a single weekly flight, VA474 on Friday evenings, 2020 dep BNE, 0005 arr PER Saturday morning which is the A330.

I've done PER<->BNE many times and actually prefer row 3 with an empty middle seat then a packed J cabin on the 737.

EDIT: sorry that's the schedule for this week, different between weeks. VA474 recently has been about half and half. https://flightaware.com/live/flight/VOZ474

Anyway the A330 on my PER<->BNE journeys has been very scarce.

 

[Pleb Status]

Unforutnately PER<->BNE is all 737 these days except for a single weekly flight, VA474 on Friday evenings, 2020 dep BNE, 0005 arr PER Saturday morning which is the A330.

I've done PER<->BNE many times and actually prefer row 3 with an empty middle seat then a packed J cabin on the 737.

EDIT: sorry that's the schedule for this week, different between weeks. VA474 recently has been about half and half. https://flightaware.com/live/flight/VOZ474

Anyway the A330 on my PER<->BNE journeys has been very scarce.

There is generally a single daily A330 service each way PER-BNE v.v. (which can vary throughout the year however)...

The 'total' removal of the A330 from PER-BNE v.v. is another AFF myth (like the AFF myth that VA swap out the A330 for the 737 more than QF does)