PE - is it worth it?

[Sue F UK]

We are flying out to Orlando on Sunday 8th Feb. with Virgin from Gatwick and have, thanks to Eyoreaud's thread, decided to try and upgrade our economy tickets to PE. (Although the PE seats are available, as our tickets have already been issued this must be done at the airport on the day)

Bearing in mind this is probably going to cost our credit card company up to a grand for myself, DH & DD, I am wondering if it really is worth the extra money.

So, all you PE veterans, convince me !!

 

[UKDEB]

Yes, Sue, it's worth it. In my view. Private cabin, bigger seats, more leg room, wider aisle, dedicated check-in, priority boarding and disembarking (meaning you're first through immigration), bags off the plane first (meaning you're first through customs).

Of course, it's not worth it at any cost. Depending on what class your current economy fare is, you might be shocked at what you have to pay to upgrade at the desk. Your tickets or flight confirmation document will tell you what class of fare you've purchased. These are the current economy classes on Virgin flights:

Y - Full Fare
B - Discounted
L - Discounted
M - Discounted
Q - Discounted
X - MegaSaver
N - Student MegaSaver

The deeper the discount, the more you're likely to have to pay to upgrade.

In my experience, the check-in staff don't know the upgrade prices - they send you to the Virgin information desk. And, of course, by going there first, you can take advantage of the dedicated PE check-in.

 

[Astrid]

Yes Sue, imo, definitely worth it!!

As Deb says, there's loads more room, the check-in is a doddle (just wave merrily at that long line of people at the Economy desk as you walk straight up to the end of your red carpet!!), and being first off the plane and first luggage off means you're out of the airport super quick and can start your holiday earlier!

The food and the entertainment is the same but as the cabin is so small the service is a lot quicker and more efficient plus there's no queueing for the loos or anything.

HTH

Astrid

PS. Oh, just one word of warning, the only problem with flying PE is that you don't want to go back to Economy!!

 

[Sue F UK]

Thanks guys, I think we will go for it. Depending on the price that is!! I have told DH that VISA can afford for us to pay up to £1000 to upgrade the 3 of us but any more than that - forget it!

Deb, your point about never flying again is definately a worry though. LOL. Again, this depends entirely on Mr VISA

 

[juliebro]

Do Virgin have a frequent flyers programme? I have never flown with Virgin, but fly with both BA and US Airways. We are members of both their freqent flyers programmes.

We fly with US Airways on our next trip and I managed to upgrade with our 'dividend miles' for the return journey by buying a few extra miles for only $120 for each of us (me, DH & DS).

A bargain, I thought!

Julie

 

[Claire L]

Julie,
Yes Virgin have 'Flying Club' for frequent flyers.

Sue,
As for PE it is worth it for the extra relaxation it gives. I always feel much better when I arrive having travelled PE and it really starts the holiday off well.
Claire

 

[UKDEB]

Julie,

Virgin has a loyalty scheme for frequent flyers (Flying Club) and another for serial bookers of Virgin Holidays packages (Frequent Virgins). We're Flying Club Silver members, the benefits of which are just enough to keep us flying with them. Hmm, clever marketing ploy...

We had been saving for upgrades from PE to Upper, but we keep using miles for 'Miles Plus Money' fares. This way we have travelled PE for as little as £540 (+ 7500 miles). The good thing is that you <i>do</i> earn miles for flights booked in this way - a good deal when you consider you earn around 13000 for a return (PE) trip to Orlando. Our mistake is that we keep giving them away to friends and family travelling with us! Our balances seem to hover just below the 40,000 needed for the upgrade to Upper.

You can't accumulate miles for other people, even if you've paid for the ticket (unless you're a Flying Club Gold member), so anyone considering joining the scheme needs to sign up each family member, including the kids. However, you can <i>use</i> your miles for others travelling with you.

 

[uksaint]

Just booked my flights for April/May - out in economy, back in PE for £433.50 per adult using the milesplusmoney promotion. Very happy with that price as we really value the comfort of PE on the return leg as it provides a great end to the holiday and you don't dread the flight home.