Roberta Aguirre
Virgin Atlantic offers a range of upgrade options for passengers looking to enhance their flight experience. Upgrades are available across five different classes, including Economy, Premium, and Upper Class. Passengers can upgrade their seats at the airport by visiting the ticket desk or during check-in. Upgrades can be purchased using a combination of points and money, with the cost depending on the original booking and the desired cabin. Virgin Atlantic also offers reward vouchers, which can be earned through their credit card or Gold Flying Club status, allowing passengers to upgrade their seats. Additionally, passengers can participate in online auctions for upgrades by naming their price. Upgrading with Virgin Points is a popular option, but it is important to note that these points can only be used for flights operated by Virgin Atlantic with a VS flight number. The number of points required for an upgrade varies depending on the route and season, with peak dates being more expensive.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Upgrade methods | Using Virgin Points, Flying Club reward vouchers, miles, or cash |
| Upgrade timing | Upgrades can be requested more than 24 hours before a flight, less than 24 hours before, or at the airport |
| Upgrade location | Upgrades can be requested online, by calling the Virgin Atlantic call centre, or at the airport ticket desk |
| Upgrade cost | The cost of an upgrade depends on the difference in points or fare between the original and upgraded cabins, as well as any difference in taxes and fees |
| Upgrade availability | Upgrades are subject to availability, with some routes changing in pricing during peak and off-peak periods |
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What You'll Learn
Upgrading with Virgin Points
Yes, you can upgrade your Virgin Atlantic flight at the airport. To do this, go to the ticket desk or speak to a member of the team at check-in. Upgrades are subject to availability, and you can use a combination of points and money to pay for the upgrade.
Virgin Atlantic offers its customers the ability to use Virgin Points (previously known as miles or Flying Club Miles) to upgrade their seats. Every seat on board can be upgraded using Virgin Points, and these points can be earned through the Virgin Atlantic Credit Card, Gold Flying Club status, or by spending with Virgin Red.
The number of points required for an upgrade depends on the season, route, and whether the dates are peak or off-peak. For example, a one-way upgrade from Premium to Upper Class for a flight from London to Tel Aviv, Israel, would cost 14,000 miles off-peak and 16,500 miles peak.
If you are upgrading more than 24 hours before your flight, you can find out the cost to upgrade. If your original booking is a reward seat, you will pay the price difference in points between your new and old seats, plus any difference in taxes and fees. If your original booking was paid for with money or using Points Plus Money, you will pay the price in points of your new upgraded seat minus the maximum Saver reward seat price for the cabin you are upgrading from, plus any difference in taxes, fees, and charges.
Upgrades from premium economy to Upper Class tend to offer the best value, as there is a significant difference in amenities. Upgrades from economy to premium economy may not be the best use of your points due to UK government-imposed surcharges on flights to or from the UK.
If you are upgrading less than 24 hours before your flight, you can contact the Customer Centre team to explore upgrade options. You can also make an offer through the online auction for upgrades, where you can name your price.
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Upgrade costs
Yes, you can upgrade your Virgin Atlantic flight at the airport. To do so, head to the ticket desk or ask a member of the team at check-in. You can also upgrade by logging into your booking and browsing the seat map, where you can view pricing and pay for your upgrade online.
The cost of upgrading your Virgin Atlantic flight depends on several factors, including the route, season, cabin, and whether you are upgrading more than 24 hours before your flight.
If you are upgrading more than 24 hours before your flight, the cost will depend on whether your original booking is a reward seat or was paid for with money or points plus money.
- Reward seat: If you have a reward seat, you will pay the price in points of your new upgraded seat minus the price in points of your original seat, plus any difference in taxes and fees between the cabins.
- Money or points plus money: If you paid for your original booking with money or points plus money, you will pay the price in points of your new upgraded seat minus the maximum saver reward seat price for the cabin you are upgrading from, plus any difference in taxes, fees, and charges between the cabins.
If you are upgrading less than 24 hours before your flight or at the airport, Virgin Atlantic will quote you a points upgrade price plus taxes and fees.
Upgrading from premium economy to Upper Class tends to offer the best value, especially when taking advantage of Virgin Atlantic sales. For example, during a sale, you might find premium economy fares in the high 400s, making it an incredible value to pay for premium and upgrade to Upper Class.
- Tel Aviv, Israel: 14,000 miles off-peak, 16,500 miles peak
- India: 18,700 miles off-peak, 33,700 miles peak
- East Coast USA: 23,700 miles off-peak, 28,700 miles peak
- West Coast USA: 33,700 miles off-peak, 38,700 miles peak
- South Africa: 28,700 miles off-peak, 33,700 miles peak
Upgrades from the UK using miles may not be the best value due to UK government-imposed surcharges on flights to or from the UK. For example, a business class upgrade from the US to London typically costs around $600–900, plus the mileage cost and the difference in taxes and carrier surcharge.
Additionally, Virgin Atlantic offers an online auction system called "Your Bid" where you can make an offer for an upgrade. If your bid is accepted, you can secure an upgraded seat, subject to availability.
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Upgrade methods
Upgrading your Virgin Atlantic flight can be done in several ways, depending on your preference and eligibility. Here are some methods to consider:
Using Virgin Points:
- Virgin Atlantic allows passengers to upgrade their flights using Virgin Points, which can be earned through their Virgin Atlantic Credit Card or Gold Flying Club status.
- The number of points required for an upgrade depends on the route and season, with peak dates being more expensive than off-peak.
- To upgrade using points, contact the Virgin Atlantic call centre or visit the airport check-in desk to check for last-minute availability.
- You can upgrade by a maximum of two cabins, and only Economy Classic or Economy Delight tickets are eligible for upgrades.
Bidding for an Upgrade:
- Virgin Atlantic offers an online auction system called "Your Bid" where passengers can make an offer for an upgrade.
- The success of your bid depends on factors such as demand, aircraft type, and availability.
- Keep in mind that your card may be charged before you are notified of a successful bid.
Combination of Points and Money:
- If you are upgrading more than 24 hours before your flight, you can use a combination of points and money.
- The cost will include the difference in points between your original booking and the upgraded seat, as well as any difference in taxes and fees.
Strategic Booking and Upgrading:
- Upgrading from premium economy to Upper Class can offer the best value if you know how to use your miles strategically.
- Look for premium economy fares during sales or when they are at lower prices, then book and instantly upgrade to Upper Class using your miles.
Choosing the Right Credit Card:
- Consider signing up for credit cards that offer bonus Virgin Points or Membership Rewards points that can be converted into Virgin Points.
- For example, the Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Mastercard credit card offers 18,000 bonus points, while the free Virgin Atlantic Reward Mastercard provides 3,000 bonus points.
- The American Express Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card is another option, offering 20,000 Membership Rewards points, which can be converted to Virgin Points.
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Upgrade availability
Virgin Atlantic offers upgrade options for its customers, allowing them to enhance their flight experience. The availability of upgrades is a key factor in the process, and there are several factors that influence this.
Firstly, Virgin Atlantic has three main cabin classes: Economy, Premium, and Upper Class. Upgrades are subject to the availability of seats in the desired cabin. It's important to note that simply seeing empty seats in a higher cabin class does not guarantee that an upgrade is possible, as airlines may strategically release seats for upgrade while maintaining control over inventory management.
Secondly, the type of ticket purchased within the Economy cabin also determines upgrade eligibility. Only Economy Classic or Economy Delight tickets can be upgraded; the cheapest Economy Light tickets are not eligible for upgrades. This distinction is essential for passengers considering an upgrade.
Thirdly, the route and seasonality of the flight impact the availability and cost of upgrades. Different regions and cities have varying peak and off-peak dates, affecting the required number of points or miles for an upgrade. For example, upgrading from Premium to Upper Class requires significantly more points than upgrading from Economy Classic to Premium, and the taxes and fees for Upper Class can be notably higher, especially for flights into London Heathrow (LHR).
To check for upgrade availability, customers can utilise the Virgin Atlantic website, which provides information on reward seats. Additionally, contacting the Virgin Atlantic call centre is recommended for those seeking to upgrade using points. While upgrades less than 24 hours before flying or at the airport are possible, they are subject to availability and may incur higher costs.
In summary, upgrade availability on Virgin Atlantic flights is influenced by factors such as cabin class, ticket type, route, and seasonality. Passengers seeking upgrades should be mindful of these factors and utilise the resources provided by Virgin Atlantic to check for availability and understand the associated costs.
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Upgrade limitations
Upgrading your Virgin Atlantic flight is subject to certain limitations. Firstly, upgrades are subject to availability on your flight. Virgin Atlantic releases seats for upgrade, but it does not guarantee availability, even if there are empty seats in Premium or Upper Class.
Secondly, upgrades are limited by the type of ticket you hold. Only Economy Classic or Economy Delight tickets can be upgraded; the cheapest Economy Light tickets are not eligible for upgrades. Additionally, if you are upgrading with points, there must be a Virgin Points redemption seat available in the cabin you wish to upgrade to.
Thirdly, the cost of upgrading varies depending on the route, season, and original booking method. Upgrading from Economy to Premium or Upper Class can be expensive in terms of both miles and money due to UK government-imposed surcharges on flights to or from the UK. Therefore, it may be more cost-effective to book Premium with cash directly.
Lastly, there is a limitation on how far in advance you can request an upgrade. If you are upgrading more than 24 hours before your flight, you can find out the cost to upgrade. However, if you are upgrading less than 24 hours before your flight or at the airport, you will be quoted a points upgrade price plus taxes and fees if an upgrade is available.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can upgrade your Virgin Atlantic flight at the airport by heading to the ticket desk or asking a member of the team at check-in. You can also upgrade by contacting the Virgin Atlantic call centre on 0344 209 2722.
The cost of upgrading your Virgin Atlantic flight depends on several factors, including the route, season, and cabin. For example, upgrading from Premium to Upper Class costs 60,000 points, while upgrading from Economy Classic to Premium costs 15,000 points.
Yes, you can use your Virgin Points to upgrade your Virgin Atlantic flight. You can upgrade by calling the Virgin Atlantic call centre or by visiting the airport check-in desk if there is space available.
There are several ways to earn Virgin Points, including signing up for Virgin Atlantic credit cards, using specific American Express cards, and taking advantage of promotions and sales.
Upgrading your Virgin Atlantic flight can provide various benefits, such as priority check-in, extra legroom, superior service, comfortable and spacious seats, and elevated dining options.
