Seat Selection and Cash Upgrades

[redlilly]

Hi All –

Not a virgin on virgin, but the last and only time I flew them was to NYC in 2003, which was quite some time ago! OH has flown them a few times for work in J. However, for many years now we have been pretty loyal to BA – both of us for work, and travel.

Apologies in advance for what are probably some very basic questions.

We are going to French Polynesia on “honeymoon number 2” early next year over Easter, back mid April, flying with Virgin and Air France via LAX, with no hotel layover. We booked with Air France but with Virgin Flying Club number loaded, flying in Y, on a flexible ticket, so can choose seats.

A quick couple of questions:

1. Do Virgin stop you from choosing the window and aisle seats, if booking in a couple? It kept coming up that we could only book the middle seat, when aiming for either the converted window or aisle. Randomly on one of the legs, where we picked the middle and window, the aisle is now blocked – when the rest of the plane is “empty” of any other people choosing their seats.
2. Cash Upgrades on flexible tickets – are you able to do this, or is it dependant on route? Currently the Virgin website is showing that it isn’t possible.

Thank-you for your help.

[AL]

1. No – I do this. They will still sell the middle seat, of course, so it’s a gamble. If the seat map doesn’t let you do it, call Flying Club and they’ll do it for you. If you’re not Gold, there is a fee of £55 per seat if the seat is preferred (which many aisles and some windows are).

2. Yes, it’s possible. Again, call and they’ll process it for you, if there’s availability in a higher bucket. Generally, there is, since with it being a cash not a reward upgrade, you’re not stuck in P/G.