Upgrading with Virgin

[invictor23]

Hi all,

Just booked our first trip with Virgin to Orlando. Having flown to Orlando many times before with other carriers we have never been lucky enough to receive an upgrade. Have anyone who has flown with Virgin before had any good luck stories they wish to share? Is it ever worth paying the extra to upgrade if you're not lucky enough to bag a freebie??

 

[2Tiggies]

Welcome to the DIS!

Never had a comp upgrade with Virgin although I have many flights with them under my belt. I have purchased upgrades at the airport though. It also depends, certain "cheap" seats cannot be upgraded.

 

[Rohais]

I was just wondering, how much do the upgrades at the airport tend to be, pp? We'll be flying mid-September

 

[crabbie1]

I was just wondering, how much do the upgrades at the airport tend to be, pp? We'll be flying mid-September

It depends how many seats are still availible. Iv heard they can go for as little as £100-150 per person but obviously more. Sorry cant be much help as never enquired.

 

[2Tiggies]

I was just wondering, how much do the upgrades at the airport tend to be, pp? We'll be flying mid-September

They vary widely depending on numerous factors, but IF they are available, they are cheaper than having bought them upfront. Sometimes there are simply none available so if you really want an upgrade, it is best to just purchase it if you can in advance as it is the only way to guarantee you have it. Last year I got PE upgrades for DD and I for about £300 which was a bargain.

 

[kevin harrison]

On a flight out once there were 4 of us going.

For a reason unknown my wife, once at the airport refused to get on the plane. I let Virgin know and they asked my friends to check in, but not my wife and I.

Virgin sent a pregnant lady who worked behind the scenes to come and sit with my wife and talk her round. She spent 90 mins with my wife talking to her about everything and really calmed her down.

Anyway we checked in and the lady had upgraded my wife and I to PE there and back. Was very impressed - even funnier was my friend - who is the tightest person I have ever known wasn't upgraded !!

We found out when we returned why my wife bonded with this lady and why, for the first time ever she was afraid to get on the plane - she was pregnant also...

 

[stephensmum]

Ahhh, What a lovely story.

 

[2Tiggies]

We found out when we returned why my wife bonded with this lady and why, for the first time ever she was afraid to get on the plane - she was pregnant also...

Oh I just love it!

 

[kevin harrison]

Oh I just love it!

Ahhh, What a lovely story.

There wasn't a happy ending though, Catherine miscarried, her periods were always all over the place, the thought that we went on all those rides not knowing was hard for a long time..

 

[2Tiggies]

There wasn't a happy ending though, Catherine miscarried, her periods were always all over the place, the thought that we went on all those rides not knowing was hard for a long time..

You didn't know.

 

[RDP]

We have purchased the extra leg room seats at the airport whilst doing the twilight check in it was about £100. We have never tried upgrading beyond that. Last year my in-laws got upgraded from premium to 1st class on the way out to Orlando ( on their first trip!) We have been flying with Virgin for Years and have never received a free upgrade.

 

[scoobydooby]

We have flown a few times with Virgin and never got upgraded. We paid for PE on our return leg 4 years ago because there were no other seats. It was over £800 for 2 adults and 2 children. Never again. I know some people love PE but I thought it was a scam for the money and not worth it. Yes it was better, but only a smidgen better. I loved not having to queue at DTD for the check in there but not worth the cash. Still, thumbs up to anyone who has ever pulled off an upgrade!

 

[2Tiggies]

We have flown a few times with Virgin and never got upgraded. We paid for PE on our return leg 4 years ago because there were no other seats. It was over £800 for 2 adults and 2 children. Never again. I know some people love PE but I thought it was a scam for the money and not worth it. Yes it was better, but only a smidgen better. I loved not having to queue at DTD for the check in there but not worth the cash. Still, thumbs up to anyone who has ever pulled off an upgrade!

I don't feel it is worth the full price of the upgrade. The actual flight is pretty much the same, couldn't tell any difference between the food in PE or in Economy and the seats are wider, yes, but not a whole lot of legroom more than what you would get with an extra legroom seat.

BUT

The benefits are in the boarding and disembarking which help speed up the process and the dedicated check in desk with short or no queues as well as the priority getting off the plane on the other side and the dedicated carousel. These are the things, I will admit, that spoil you though and if you like it, it is very difficult to resist the urge to splurge.

So IMO, it is worth the upgrade but only if you get a really good price.