Upgrading to Upper Class (Virgin)

[loldis]

Originally Posted by tspill

Not sure how you can say it isn't worth the cost when you dont know what the cost is?
Would you pay £10? £50? £100? £200? £500? £1000 etc.

We paid £200 pp and to us that was good value. Total cost £1200.

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I don't know what the OP's specific cost will be to them. I know my own costs.

But the actual cost is irrelevant, since I could afford the flight at full price. The upgrade is generally not worth it for what I value/require in flight which is perfectly satisfied in PE aside from the reclining which typically doesn't bother me that much. I simply don't see the need to upgrade beyond that for the sake of having UC printed on my ticket, which is what it would be for me.

And that's why I always preface my UC posts that it's an unpopular opinion, as I know most people would fly UC every time if they could.

[Sue]

We fly out PE and back in UC, when we booked it the difference between PE and UC for the return flight was £200 pp which we felt was worth it.
We always prefer to do UC on the way home as it is something to look forward to when you are going home and I cannot sleep sitting up (all our VA flights home are overnight). Some would say it’s a waste of time if all you are going to do is sleep but we have done it from Las Vegas and Atlanta, enjoyed the lounge, the meal, the privacy and the sleep! Means no jet lag and feeling normal again from the day we arrive home

I would always assess whether the price was worth it but am lucky enough to be able to say that it is, most of the time.

[Andybear]

I booked PE both ways for my trip in September and have got an upgrade to UC on the return leg for £185.85. I can't sleep sitting up/reclining so being able to lie flat will be worth it to me. I don't like airline food so am not bothered about that or the general UC experience. Just being able to sleep, if only for a couple of hours, before the train journey from Gatwick to Hitchin will be worth it.

[saint rob]

We flew back upper with Virgin on our last trip and honestly if you can afford it do it. It is a completely different flying experience, from the lounge at JFK to the food and service on board. Not to mention sitting at the bar with a nice single malt after dinner. The only trouble is if your anything like us you will find it hard to back to economy flying.

[disneytime]

Reaseaching a little more some people seem to think that booking direct with Virgin increases your chances of a reasonable upgrade?

I know in January Virgin cancelled our flight a few weeks before and Disney just took care of everything pushing us back a day. If we split book I’d be a little worried about this type of stuff.

[Guest]

We fly either UC or CW depending on price; Aer Lingus via DUB are decent but if we can get the morning MCO flight we rule it out. Flying J is a very different experience to Y/W from check in, premium security, lounge, priority boarding, room to relax, better food, drink, decent service and priority departure.

I'd rather not fly beyond 4 hours if it isn't in J.

[Sew109]

Originally Posted by Andybear

I booked PE both ways for my trip in September and have got an upgrade to UC on the return leg for £185.85. I can't sleep sitting up/reclining so being able to lie flat will be worth it to me. I don't like airline food so am not bothered about that or the general UC experience. Just being able to sleep, if only for a couple of hours, before the train journey from Gatwick to Hitchin will be worth it.

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Whilst not as great as it used to be, you will not think UC food is airline food very different though of course everything tastes different at 26,000 ft

[ChrisS]

Canny UC 2015/16 and Man to MCO in Nov 2016, unfortunately May 2017 UC return was appalling, worst food/service encountered irrespective of cabin class, as VA advocates it was disappointing. Reverted to PE (21" of seat width is excellent) for last winter's trip, both flights/service overall very good and definitely worth the £687 fare.

Would we travel UC again? Honestly can't answer that, which may intimate the current answer hinges more towards no.

[tspill]

Originally Posted by disneytime

Reaseaching a little more some people seem to think that booking direct with Virgin increases your chances of a reasonable upgrade?

I know in January Virgin cancelled our flight a few weeks before and Disney just took care of everything pushing us back a day. If we split book I’d be a little worried about this type of stuff.

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There is more to this than the official "upgrade" price. Also look at the actual fare difference. I looked last year and the price between what I paid and UC was £200. The upgrade price was many times that. I just called, paid the difference and all sorted.

[Stitch_Lover]

Originally Posted by Mr Tom Morrow

We upgrade a lot. I really care not what other people think but I like the Lounge, the bigger space and the better food in UC.
We are always in PE and never Econ from the off.
I have paid £43 to upgrade to UC, £86 and just over £100.
I wont pay more than £150.
I am currently monitoring an Oct 18 date and they want over £1200 at the moment.
About as much chance of me paying that as hiring a car from Dollar.

I lay money I will get it within my self imposed budget.

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Mr Tom Morrow, how do you check, I booked flights separate from VH as got a good deal. Im checking the app and like you say the flights are coming in over £1,000 is it just watch the app, or is there another way? im going out PE so happy but just once would like to try UC