[now live] Upgrade your flexi to J using points in the VA lounge.

[markis10]

A little bird has let me know:



I thought it might be nice for the members to be advised that VA is running a trial of J class upgrades in the MEL lounge (only). As opposed to the old (restrictive) system, lounge staff (MEL Only) can perform upgrades using Velocity points until 40 min prior to departure. It is for Velocity members only who are travelling on flexi fares (at this stage).

 

[smit0847]

Is catering assured? I wouldnt bother if it wasn't!

 

[vantage03]

Even if not I'd say it's a risk worth taking, I've upgraded countless Y > J fares in my time (all on QF admittedly), and have always managed to get fed, even when J is full.

 

[hgwells01]

I think you might end up with either no choice or the cheese platter. Recently I had a situation where I moved a reward J flight from a month out to the next day, still didn't quite get it right tho and at check in I found they had me on the wrong leg, flying out of Newcastle to Melb instead of ex Melb where I was trying to check in, all sorted. When I got to the lounge I was paged and told because of the short notice I may not get a J class meal or a choice, wasn't that worried. There was one other pax in J and the attendant offered him first choice and then said it was noted I was a last minute pax and they didnt have time to load more meals so I was offered what he didn't want or the cheese platter, perfectly fine with it all but I think that would be how catering might work with last min upgrades. I like the cheese platter!

 

[lukenet]

I would be happy with the better seat.. The food is just a bonus when upgrading. That is how I look at it..

PS. I do like the idea of this.. I use it all the time with QF. I was told it would come with the new system..

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Normal upgrade points, or I wonder if they might make them a bit more lucrative to "sell" otherwise vacant J seats?

 

[Boris spatsky]

Great idea. I want to do this every Friday night in BNE!

 

[RooFlyer]

Yep, good scheme; thanks for the heads up. A plan to go flexi can change rapidly when you've had a cra**y day or trip away and just want a nice(r) flight home. Last minute / lounge option appreciated. And good for VA to fill empty J seats as well.

 

[moa999]

Mind you the Comp Upgrades (I assume also point upgrades) can be processed by the call centre (admittedly a painful process) up to 4 hrs before.
I have also found that once in Business, the ticket becomes extremely flexible in the lounges.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

OT.....Would there be advantages in offering cash upgrades in the lounge?

I guess the disadvantage for an airline is that many might forgo booking J on a hope they could upgrade in the lounge as I'm assuming a cash upgrade would be a considerably cheaper proposition over a straight J purchase to begin with.

Advantage is selling (for extra cash) seats that may go unsold otherwise.

 

[Velocity Frequent Flyer]

Good to see the "little bird" network is working well!
Yes, this is a trial just for guests flying out of MEL at this stage.
Please bring back any feedback you have!
Thanks

 

[Burrito]

This sounds brilliant! Would love to have this service available in BNE

 

[MarkD]

Is it only on points, or can complimentary upgrades be used?

 

[robbie1984]

Is it only on points, or can complimentary upgrades be used?

Both, so points and complimentary upgrades. hope the trial is successful and rolled out to other ports.

 

[MarkD]

Both, so points and complimentary upgrades. hope the trial is successful and rolled out to other ports.

I will try tomorrow, they couldnt do it tonight, even though they told me they had availability 15 mins earlier.. I will report back

 

[robbie1984]

I will try tomorrow, they couldn't do it tonight, even though they told me they had availability 15 mins earlier.. I will report back

How long before departure was it? I tried 30mins prior and they lady said the cutoff was 40min prior to ensure they could load extra catering if needed, she phoned to see but it was too late.

 

[MarkD]

It was for a flight tomorrow, there is availabilty, which was confirmed by the VA rep, on the phone, by the time they F%$%%ed about, for half an hour, they claim the availability was no more :-| The booking engine still shows the same availability of seats that it showed, when I was told availability was there.
I understand its a free upgrade, but its the one differentiation between Platinum and Gold, the 10 or so times I have tried to upgrade they have told me to PO yet when I get onboard there is always between 2-6 available J seats on 737. Think they are just taking the piss.
Might as well just can the free upgrades if they dont want to part with them, save people getting pissed off with them. I have 5 sitting in my account, and am never able to use them, even when Y is chockers and J is a ghost town.

 

[robbie1984]

It was for a flight tomorrow, there is availabilty, which was confirmed by the VA rep, on the phone, by the time they F%$%%ed about, for half an hour, they claim the availability was no more :-| The booking engine still shows the same availability of seats that it showed, when I was told availability was there.
I understand its a free upgrade, but its the one differentiation between Platinum and Gold, the 10 or so times I have tried to upgrade they have told me to PO yet when I get onboard there is always between 2-6 available J seats on 737. Think they are just taking the piss.
Might as well just can the free upgrades if they dont want to part with them, save people getting pissed off with them. I have 5 sitting in my account, and am never able to use them, even when Y is chockers and J is a ghost town.

That's not right. I get the reward seat availability being different but you would think with those numbers a seat in the upgrade bucket would be available. Maybe try at the lounge tomorrow?

 

[Milboo]

Was offered this last night in MEL 30 mins out from departure.

 

[Boris spatsky]

Was offered this last night in MEL 30 mins out from departure.

How many points were they asking, and which route?