Published 17 June 2026 | Updated 4 October 2026 by Kate Acaster
Booked Economy on a long transatlantic flight and wondering whether a better seat is within reach? Virgin Atlantic offers three ways up: a bid through its Your Bid auction, an upgrade paid for with Virgin Points, or a paid upgrade bought through My Booking or at the airport. This guide explains how each one works, what it costs you and when it makes sense.
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What upgrade options does Virgin Atlantic offer?
Virgin Atlantic gives passengers three routes to a better cabin:
- Bid through Your Bid, where you name a price per person for the next cabin up and Virgin Atlantic decides whether to accept it.
- Use Virgin Points through Flying Club to upgrade to any Premium or Upper Class seat that’s available.
- Pay for an upgrade: log in to My Booking, browse the seat map and tap a seat in a higher cabin to see the price.
How the Your Bid system works
If you hold a ticket issued by Virgin Atlantic for a flight it operates, you can bid to move up to the next cabin any time until two days before departure. Find it in My Booking at virginatlantic.com or through the link in any pre-flight email. It only runs on flights, dates and routes the airline picks.
- Everyone on the booking must be included, and the bid is per person.
- Each sector of a multi-flight journey needs its own bid.
- You must be 18 or over to place a bid.
Virgin Atlantic weighs your bid against the seats free, the size of your party and when the bid arrived. Your card is only charged if you win.
How much does a Virgin Atlantic upgrade cost?
Virgin Atlantic doesn’t publish fixed upgrade prices. Each route sets its price a different way, and the cost depends on the flight, the cabin and demand on the day. Taxes, fees and charges are added on top of a winning bid, and you see them before you submit.
| Route | How the price is set | When and where | Extra points earned? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your Bid | You name it, per person | Online, up to 2 days before departure | No |
| Virgin Points | Points price varies with demand, plus taxes and fees | By phone before travel, or at the airport | None if bought within 24 hours of departure |
| Paid upgrade | Shown on the seat map | My Booking, or the airport desk | None if bought within 24 hours of departure |
“Your Bid is the closest thing to a free shot at a better seat, because your card is only charged if Virgin Atlantic says yes. Set your number before you open the page and stick to it, remembering that it applies to everyone on the booking. If it loses, you fly exactly as you’d planned and haven’t spent a penny.”Kate Acaster, Chief Editor, Flight Tribe
Upgrading with Virgin Points
Flying Club members can use Virgin Points to move to any Premium or Upper Class seat at any time, as long as seats are free. The points price changes with demand, and you pay taxes and fees on top. It can’t be done online yet, so call Virgin Atlantic or ask at the ticket desk when you check in.
- Paid with money or Points Plus Money: you pay the points price of the new seat, minus the maximum Saver reward price for your original cabin, plus any difference in taxes and fees.
- Booked a reward seat: you pay the difference in points between the two seats, plus any difference in taxes and fees.
Flying Club reward vouchers, earned through the Virgin Atlantic Credit Card or Gold status, can also go towards an upgrade. Our Virgin Atlantic Flying Club guide explains how points and tiers work.
What you get with an Upper Class upgrade
Upper Class means a seat that converts to a fully flat bed up to six foot seven inches long, with seat selection included at any time. Your Bid terms promise winners the two benefits below, so ask at the airport whether Upper Wing check-in and Fast Track also apply to your upgraded booking.
- A winning bid includes the Clubhouse or a partner lounge at the departure airport for the upgraded flight, subject to space.
- You get the higher baggage allowance of the new cabin, but only on the upgraded flight. See our Virgin Atlantic baggage allowance and Virgin Atlantic hand luggage guides.
For a comparison of seats across every cabin, read our Virgin Atlantic seat selection guide.
Is a Virgin Atlantic upgrade worth it?
Your Bid suits cautious upgraders. You name a price you’re happy with, and if it loses you travel as booked with nothing charged. Know the catches before you bid, though.
- A winning bid earns no extra Virgin Points or Tier Points.
- The upgrade money isn’t refunded if you change or cancel your flight, even on a refundable ticket.
- The upgrade can’t move to another flight or another passenger.
For timings on the day, see our guide to Virgin Atlantic check-in.
Virgin Atlantic upgrade: frequently asked questions
Can I bid for an upgrade on any Virgin Atlantic fare?
No. Your Bid only covers tickets issued by Virgin Atlantic for flights it operates, and only on the flights, dates and routes it selects. If your booking qualifies, the option appears in My Booking or in a pre-flight email, and you bid for the next cabin up.
How do I know if my bid was successful?
Winning bidders are emailed within the seven days before departure, and no later than two days before the flight. If your bid loses, you’re told by email at least two days before departure and your card isn’t charged.
Can I use Virgin Points to upgrade on any booking?
Yes, to any Premium or Upper Class seat that’s available, whether you paid for your original seat with money or with points. The points price varies with demand, plus taxes and fees. You can’t do it online, so call Virgin Atlantic or ask at the airport.
Do I get Clubhouse access if my bid upgrade to Upper Class succeeds?
Yes. A winning bid into Upper Class lets you use the Clubhouse or a partner lounge at the departure airport for the upgraded flight, subject to space. You also get the higher Upper Class baggage allowance on that flight.
What is the difference between upgrading to Premium and to Upper Class?
Premium is an extra large leather seat with up to 38 inches of pitch and seven to eight inches of recline. Upper Class is a seat that turns into a fully flat bed up to six foot seven inches long, with lounge access, fast-track security and a bigger baggage allowance.
Is there an upgrade option at the airport?
Sometimes. Ask at the ticket desk or when you check in. If a seat is free, Virgin Atlantic quotes a points price plus taxes and fees on the spot. Bidding through Your Bid is more predictable, because you know your price in advance.
Will I earn extra Virgin Points if I upgrade?
Not through Your Bid, and not on any upgrade paid for within 24 hours of departure, including at the airport. Virgin Points and Tier Points are based on the cabin you originally bought.
Kate Acaster is Chief Editor at Flight Tribe. She writes about practical travel planning, budget airlines, baggage rules, city breaks, beach holidays and good hotels that do not cost daft money.
Kate has travelled through Europe, South America and beyond, usually with a notebook, a half-formed plan and a strong opinion on airport snacks. At Flight Tribe, her work focuses on helping UK travellers understand what is included, what costs extra, and whether a trip is worth booking at the price shown.
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Kate checks the details that can change the value of a trip, including cabin-bag rules, airline fees, hotel location, seasonality, travel dates and booking conditions. She is especially interested in offers that look useful on the surface but need a proper reader-first check before they are worth recommending.
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