Has anyone here managed to get upgraded

[carolfoy]

when you've had your kids with you? I'm talking about FREE upgrades from economy to above only NOT from premium to upper?

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Yes, we had a free upgrade last month on our Virgin return flight to Manchester, upgraded to Premium Economy.

Our little boy was having trouble sleeping , despite the fact we had our usual bulkhead seats - they used to let us just lie him on the floor with blankets/pillows but they do not anymore - so we asked, and they let us sit in PE.
Paying the extra on our holiday next year.

 

[Miffy2003]

We got upgraded from economy to PE on a Virgin flight in August 2002.

We did not ask to be upgraded - we found out when we were called at the departure gate at Gatwick!

We were me and DH & 2 DDs aged 3 & 6. I always hear that you never get upgraded if you have children - but I'm happy to say we were

My guess is that Economy was overbooked (due to it being August) which is why we got bumped.

It was the first time we had flown for ten years too so it was a lovely treat (though coming back in economy was a bit of a shock LOL)

 

[nicknsara]

hi Carol

how is good old launceston ? i used to live in polyphant about 4 miles away.

i know it was BA policy to hardly ever upgrade families with kids for one reason only.Most people upgrade to get away from noise that sometimes goes with families.there choice of words not mine.

I know for us as we have no kids it is sometimes nice just to relax without the noise and others its nice to hear a childs laugh.

i think it depends on the airline and the people already in that cabin.I think TCD dont allow under fives in sunshine or premium?.

will let u know about TCD when return in just over 3 weeks(sf)


say hi to all the grockles

nick n sara

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

there is a way of working out who gets upgraded, depending on a lot of perameters, your ticket code, your Flying Club level etc.
Virgin are so much better than BA for upgrading frequent flyers and that's with their children as well!

 

[binkyboots]

if you want to try being upgraded, how do you do it, just ask at check in?

if so I might ask about dh... the extra room would be fantastic given his history of blood clotting.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Most upgrades are decided before you get to check in.
If you are a Flying Club Gold card member, or on a full fare ticket and the aircraft is near to capacity then they will get upgraded first, followed by Flying Club Silver etc..
If you wish to pay for an upgrade, that can be done at check in if there is space.
Sorry to be a bit harsh on this, but if you want PE or UC, then that is what you should pay for. Those of us that pay for these levels of service do sometimes get a little techy over people (and I am not saying that is yourself) who buy the cheapest ticket available, then want to upgrade to a better service for free.

When are yoiur flights? if the aircaft is not full, then what are called "operational upgrades" will not be provided. These are only done if Economy or PE are oversold.

 

[binkyboots]

ah.. ok, cheers.

and if I could have afforded premium I would have bought it, my husband's safety means a lot to me, we're only getting this break though because charities and a number of wonderful people online donated time, money and items for me to raffle and sell... we just coudn't raise enough for anything more than the most basic flights and accomodation.

hopefully we'll be sitting in the bulkhead seats, we spoke to the special needs line and they were fairly helpfull, if we are great, less fear for me... I coudn't give a hoot for special treatment, extra drinks and the like.

 

[carolfoy]

Sorry to be a bit harsh on this, but if you want PE or UC, then that is what you should pay for. Those of us that pay for these levels of service do sometimes get a little techy over people (and I am not saying that is yourself) who buy the cheapest ticket available, then want to upgrade to a better service for free

Sorry Obi but I wasn't asking for that at all, I often DO get upgraded (sometimes through contacts sometimes through flying club etc) I didn't even say I wanted PE or UC!!!! I was asking for peoples experiences sorry you find that so terrible

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

ah.. ok, cheers.

and if I could have afforded premium I would have bought it, my husband's safety means a lot to me, we're only getting this break though because charities and a number of wonderful people online donated time, money and items for me to raffle and sell... we just coudn't raise enough for anything more than the most basic flights and accomodation.

hopefully we'll be sitting in the bulkhead seats, we spoke to the special needs line and they were fairly helpfull, if we are great, less fear for me... I coudn't give a hoot for special treatment, extra drinks and the like.

As I tried to say BB, I was not having a go at you.
Did you speak to Virgin Unite? thats their own charitable organisation, the only problem is that as you may be aware, many, many sick children and people go to WDW, its often difficult for the airlines and WDW to accommodate them with support.
Special needs are very supportive where they can, have they told you about the special needs check in desk at Gatwick? They can arrange wheelchairs from there.

 

[wicket2005]

No never had a free upgrade. When we went in February though we did see notices at check in for half price upgrades if you wanted them. I suspect it depends on the time of the year you go.

To be fair to Obi it would be annoying if you had paid out full whack only to find someone sitting next to you tell you they had paid nothing for an upgrade. This happens a lot with actual holidays too when people say how cheap they got the holiday.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Sorry Obi but I wasn't asking for that at all, I often DO get upgraded (sometimes through contacts sometimes through flying club etc) I didn't even say I wanted PE or UC!!!! I was asking for peoples experiences sorry you find that so terrible

I did say sorry for being so harsh, but I work hard all year to pay for my seats, I know other people do as well, regardless of the class of service they fly, but I just hate the way in which this country has gone down the road from working hard to acheive success and rewards, to the land we have now of "whats in it for me, what can I get for nothing?" attitude.
I do get upset more however when the airlines upgrade their staff who pay just 10% of the flight cost to Buisness or first over the fare paying regular passengers, but thats another issue........

 

[carolfoy]

I was NOT saying I wanted a free upgrade - I was asking for other peoples experiences

 

[binkyboots]

I'm sure you weren't having a go at me, I'm a little (a lot) sensitive, I 've been struggling to fundraise, explaining our situation over and over for nearly six months.. just gets to me, lol.

we did speak to virgin, but the discounted flights they offered were still more expensive than we could afford... we're flying first choice from glasgow, it's been a struggle but I just want him to enjoy this break, it may well be a once in a lifetime treat.

*edit*

I'm a trained nurse, I dont work because my dh needs 24 hour care, I'd rather work, own a home, take holidays without needing to go cap in hand to people. I've always enjoyed work, I do voluntary things when I can get a sitter for dh. yeah.. I shouldn't have posted, didnt mean to cause upset or anything.

wheelchair assistance is booked, we're taking his chair from home, we can keep it till we board (luckily, he's more comfy in his own chair)

 

[wicket2005]

The new First Choice planes sound really good with their extra seat pitch and entertainment system. I am sure you will have an enjoyable flight.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

I was NOT saying I wanted a free upgrade - I was asking for other peoples experiences

Carol, my statement was a general statement, not a personal go at you!

 

[carolfoy]

Binkyboots - I'm sure you've made the right decision, the new first choice planes and service are getting really good reviews.

 

[binkyboots]

The new First Choice planes sound really good with their extra seat pitch and entertainment system. I am sure you will have an enjoyable flight.

I'm looking forward to it, dh is plane crazy, loves them, he'd enjoy the flight if they had him sit in the cargo hold, lol!

I've got sheets of leg exercises printed out, I just need to stay on top of him actually doing them.

 

[carolfoy]

, I just need to stay on top of him actually doing them

Poor man, not literally I hope!!!

 

[binkyboots]

if I have to!

he may sleep through some of the flight, if so I get to do the "legwork" hehe