upgrading on virgin

[eblue43]

expupgrades?
we are flying to orlando on oct 21 we have never been with virgin before,can anyone tell us of their experience,and what to expect?also do they give free upgrades and how do you get them.

many thanks.

 

[mushumadness]

Ive flown with virgin but never had a free upgrade, upgrades are sometime offered at a discount but not discounted by much and thats only if there space left.

 

[MsMoneyPenny]

Unfortunately upgrades are getting harder to come by - Virgin have added another 20 seats to the PE cabin (but downstairs) as PE is very popular, and have cut their UC seats to just 14, which are normally full. You can register for their flying club but normally if there are any upgrades to be had it's the gold and silver card holders who get them.

 

[VSL]

I imagine that you'd also have to be dressed fairly smartly.

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

I imagine that you'd also have to be dressed fairly smartly.

Makes no difference at all.

There's a good guide to why upgrades are given and what to do to increase your chances of getting one (eg, be a gold Flying Club member, don't travel in a group especially with kids, etc) over at v-flyer.com

Regards

Rob

 

[jax100]

our last trip just the two of us, pre children we booked pe with virgin. while sitting in departure awaiting boarding for our flights home our names were called and asked to go to the desk. i duly went as dh was panicing re something having happened to the family. i came back and said they just changed our tickets that was all, when dh looked they had upgraded us to first class.
dont know the reason why we werent exactly immaculately dressed, jeans and tshirt and having spent day sightseeing probably hot too so its not a clothes or class reason. they offered no explanation and we were happy to take the upgrade. it was 1999 though and i think more seats have been added to pe, and they are very rare upgrades, but you never can tell who will get bumped up.

we did overhear a couple on our hol in feb asking to be upgraded and the virgin staff smiled, and then looked at each other as if to say well he's asked so no chance!

 

[carolfoy]

I've been upgraded a few times, never asked they just did it! if you want to chance it I'd say there isn't much hope if you have children with you! don't ask directly just say that if they find they are overbooked in economy you'd be more than happy to upgrade and flirt like mad with the check in staff!

 

[wilma-bride]

I've been upgraded a few times, never asked they just did it! if you want to chance it I'd say there isn't much hope if you have children with you! don't ask directly just say that if they find they are overbooked in economy you'd be more than happy to upgrade and flirt like mad with the check in staff!

Even if they are female carol?

 

[carolfoy]

Absolutely!!! any port in a storm as they say

 

[Frances999]

Being a flying club member definitely helps. We are gold members and when at the Heathrow PE check-in desk a few weeks ago, we were offered 5 free return flights to any destination across the Virgin Atlantic network if we could wait 3 hours for a slightly later flight (they overbooked PE by 9 passengers!). The check-in agent said that they were only offering this offer to flying club members (regardless of colour - red, silver, gold etc). Needless to say we took-up the offer, but a few people didn't show, so we were put on our regular flight anyway and didn't receive the free flights We did get £50 worth of duty free vouchers and a free breakfast, though!

 

[gilld]

We were once asked if we'd fly to Orlando via Newark as they'd overbooked. As compensation, they sent us First Class AND gave us 4 free tickets anywhere across their network. We said yes of course and had a great holiday In St Lucia very cheaply as a result. We were then NOT FF members!

 

[carolfoy]

Good move Gill, I'd definately do it for free flights and the first class flight is exactly what I'd expect by way of compensation