Passengers travelling in Business Class cabin on Virgin Australia flight

UpgradeMe Premium Bid

Bid for the chance to upgrade to Business Class

Want to enjoy the perks of Business Class without the price tag? Say hello to UpgradeMe Premium Bid

How to UpgradeMe Premium Bid

Make an offer

Determine the amount you're willing to pay to upgrade within the minimum and maximum offer amounts^ available for your flight. You can make an offer up to 4 hours before your scheduled departure time (Bidding Window).

Enter payment details

Enter your card details. You'll only be charged if your offer is successful. A $2 refundable authorisation hold will be placed on the payment card account in order to verify the account is active.

Review and submit

Cross your fingers! You can change your offer after submission, including as part of real time bidding where demand for upgrades is high. Changes can only be made up to the earlier of being selected as successful, or 3 hours before your scheduled departure time.

If you're successful

We'll send an email no later than 3 hours before your departure advising you whether your offer was successful or not.

^The UpgradeMe Premium Bid system determines the minimum and maximum offer amounts that can be placed for your flight. The minimum and maximum offer amounts are calculated based on a number of factors and are subject to change.

Are you eligible to make an upgrade offer?

If you are travelling on a Virgin Australia flight and ticket number, you may be eligible to bid for an upgrade to our Business Class cabin on eligible domestic and international short haul flights.

On flights where the demand for upgrades is high, guests may be invited to participate in real time bidding and have an opportunity to modify their offer to place the highest offer for the flight. Successful offers will be selected by Virgin Australia in its sole and absolute discretion based on a number of selection criteria.

Please note that Business Class availability may change, due to the purchase of Business Class fares, Business Class upgrades obtained through other channels, or Business Class guests changing or cancelling flights.  This may impact the availability of Business Class upgrades through UpgradeMe Premium Bid. This means, for example, that Business Class seats not available today may become available closer to flight departure.

Some standard inclusions of Business Class fares will not be applicable to an upgraded booking, including change/cancellation policies and fees of Business Class fares.  The baggage allowance of your original fare will continue to apply following a successful upgrade.

Experience our Business Class cabin

Indulge in second-to-none space and comfort. Relax in (or work from) your luxurious leather seat and enjoy a delicious plated meal from our Business class menu, boasting fresh and contemporary flavours. A range of hot and cold drinks, including Australian beer and wine will also be available for your enjoyment.

If you're successful for an upgrade, you can enjoy the perks of Priority Check-in, Priority Baggage and Priority Boarding.

Lounge access

View our Virgin Australia Domestic Lounge locations.

Virgin Australia currently do not operate any International Lounges.

Other ways to upgrade for Velocity members

UpgradeMe Points

Use your Velocity points to request an upgrade. Find out more about Velocity Frequent Flyer flight upgrades.

UpgradeMe Platinum

Velocity Platinum members are entitled to four complimentary fare upgrades per year, from a Flex fare to a Business Class seat on Virgin Australia domestic and international short haul flights, while Velocity Platinum Plus members are entitled to four complimentary fare upgrades per year, from a Choice or Flex fare to a Business Class seat on Virgin Australia domestic and international short haul flights. Find out more about Velocity Frequent Flyer Platinum and Platinum Plus membership.

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Important information about UpgradeMe

Upgrade acceptance is at Virgin Australia’s sole and absolute discretion. When a Business Class upgrade is requested within 3 hours of departure via our Guest Contact Centre, website, airport check-in counter, check-in kiosks, or Virgin Australia lounge we may not be able to guarantee you will be provided with a business class meal. For full terms and conditions, please refer to UpgradeMe terms of service. 

Changes and cancellations

If you change your mind or choose to cancel your flight, an UpgradeMe bid will not be refunded after it is successful unless you are entitled to a refund under the Australian Consumer Law.

Payments

  • If you have placed a bid but need to use a different payment card, you will need to cancel your current bid if it is still within the offer window. Once you cancel the initial bid, you will be able to submit a new offer using your preferred card.
  • If your offer has been accepted and the card authorisation fails, you’ll receive an email with a link to enter your new card details.

Refunds

  • If your flight is cancelled, Virgin Australia will endeavour to accommodate you with your upgrade on the next available flight. If you are not reaccommodated, please fill out our refund form to organise a refund.
  • If Economy X is purchased with the original fare, refunds will be automatically refunded to the original form of payment.
  • You may have additional compensation rights under the Australian Consumer Law. Find more information about your consumer rights.

Velocity members

Velocity Points or Status Credits can only be earned on the original booking, not the upgraded booking.