How To Bid for Upgrade with Virgin Atlantic w/ Tips + Data Points [2024]

Virgin Atlantic offers a neat program that allows you to potentially save big by bidding to upgrade for better seats on your next flight.

How To Bid for an Upgrade with Virgin Atlantic

Up to seven days before your departure, you can bid for an upgrade with Virgin Atlantic. Simply follow these steps:

1. Head over here and enter your booking details to retrieve your reservation
2. Review the available options for your trip – there may be offers for up to 3 different classes (Upper Class, Premium, and Economy Delight)
3. Enter your desired bid (keep in mind if it is accepted, Virgin Atlantic will charge your card)

You can make changes to your bid (including cancelling if you change your mind), up to two days before departure, as long as your bid hasn’t already been accepted.

Here’s an example of what the bidding process looks like:

Virgin Atlantic Upgrade Bid Data Points

You’re probably wondering what is a good price to bid for an upgrade? No one wants to overpay, after all.

While upgrade pricing is highly dependent on your specific flight, here are data points we’ve found from around the web:

• $955 from Economy to Upper Class (LAX to LHR) – Jan 2024
• $490 from Premium Economy to Upper Class (MCO to LHR) – May 2023
• £500 from Premium Economy to Upper Class (LHR to BOS) – Oct 2022
• £500 from Premium Economy to Upper Class (LHR to LAS) – June 2023
• $500 from Premium Economy to Upper Class (BOS to LHR) – Dec 2022
• $515 from Premium Economy to Upper Class (MIA to LHR) – Dec 2022
• $550 from Premium Economy to Upper Class (ATL to LHR) – Jan 2022
• $650 from Premium Economy to Upper Class (JFK to LHR) – Aug 2023
• £700 from Premium Economy to Upper Class (LHR to TPA) – May 2023
• £700 from Premium Economy to Upper Class (LHR to LAX) – Sept 2023
• $1250 from Premium Economy to Upper Class (TPA to LHR) – Sept 2023

All reports I’ve read state that the price bid is the total price charged for your card (so no additional taxes or fees).

What is Virgin Atlantic?

Virgin Atlantic is a British airline founded by Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group. Delta Air Lines is a significant investor. It predominantly operates long-haul flights between the United Kingdom and North America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Virgin Atlantic is known for its distinctive red color scheme. Virgin Atlantic offers a range of cabin classes, including Economy, Premium Economy, and Upper Class (Business Class). Virgin Atlantic has its main hub at London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) and operates additional bases at Gatwick Airport (LGW) and Manchester Airport (MAN).

Closing Thoughts

Bidding for upgrades can be a great way to score a cheap seat in Premium Economy or Upper Class on your next Virgin Atlantic flight. While not guaranteed, many people report success bidding as low as $500 to upgrade their Premium Economy seat to Upper Class. This all depends on your inventory for your specific flight.

Have you had success bidding for an upgrade with Virgin Atlantic? Add your tips below!