Also be good to know what sort of proportion of a group you might expect would upgrade? Premium economy or Business Class. 

Many thanks

From a prospective upgrader!

Cindy

I have been using JY for the last 10 years, and always upgrade to Business Class on my Long Haul flights. Sadly, you do pay way over the odds for this upgrade, and sometimes more than your fellow BClass passengers! I appreciate that JY mark up these seats, but on one occasion I paid £1000 more than someone else! It doesn't seem to matter how far in advance you book. You are not able to speak to the Aviation Department direct, so I'm afraid if you do want to upgrade, then you have to pay the price. I always request the exact seats that I want, and on the whole (I normally book at least 6 months in advance) I have managed to get them, but not always!

I upgrade, not for the food and booze, but if it's an overnight flight, to hopefully get some sleep on a flat bed. You also manage to Fast Track through Security (sometimes not so fast!) and use the airlines' lounge. Anything that will make your holiday better and stress-free is worth the money, if you have it!

Hope this helps!

Cheers,

Hils

I have done flight upgrades on a few long haul overnight flights with JY.  I do not think the increase in price is excessive, indeed when I asked for a quote for an upgrade with another company at the same time as with JY the other company was double that of JY.  I have not tried to do a comparison with a direct booking so can't comment on this.

I usually try to check in online, which I'd recommend, and have managed to select my seat.  This has sometimes necessitated getting a booking number from JY but not always, and of course there are not always many left to choose from.

On some holidays I have been the only traveller in the group with an upgrade but on my last trip there were 8 of us. The Tour Managers always make sure you know where to wait to meet the rest of the group as you disembark and some of them are so fast they're off the plane before Business class passengers so there are no worries about losing the rest of your group.

It is expensive but........

Liz

I upgraded for both New Zealand and South Africa. Both times it took an incredibly long time to get a quote from the Aviation department. I went for Business Class both times, was expensive but worth it long haul in my view. A couple of others were also in biz for NZ along with a few in PE. For South Africa I think a couple of people went for PE and that was it. 

I travelled to Australia in November and didn't go with JY, the sole reason being the amount they wanted to upgrade. I went instead with a company that lets you buy the tour only and add your own flights. 

Am booked for Antarctica at Christmas and waiting for an upgrade quote on that one too!

Happy travels

I have never pre-chosen my seats with JY, didn’t know we could but definitely something I would like to do. 

I am not normally the only one in the group to upgrade. 

Happy hols, wherever and however!

Jan

My experience with upgrades is that only a few number do this (less than six). I have never bought an upgrade from JY as the prices quoted for NZ and Alaska were above what I was willing to pay ie same cost as the holiday! However, last year on my return from the Rockies Spectacular in January, Air Canada emailed me offering an upgrade which I accepted as the cost was very reasonable and it meant I had a flat bed for the overnight flight.

Regards

Sylvia

I later found that JY had put on an extra departure at a more convenient date, so I decided to change and asked for the cost of an upgrade. This was about HALF of the previous quote, but the staff member advised me to "accept quickly"! It was obviously a special offer.

I understand that a member of our JY team has now made contact with you over the phone.

Kindest Regards,

Amy

Here is an alternative suggestion to upgrading.

On my longhaul trip last year (first one with JY) I asked if I could book a flight one day earlier with an airport pick up and an extra night in the beautiful hotel the group was going to stay in. This worked perfectly and I had a great night's sleep to be in good form for the joys of the first day of the holiday. This was hugely cheaper than an upgrade and I was able to acclimatise. Not having travelled with the group did have some disadvantages but it didnt take very long to get to know everone.

Stella

Where did you travel to? Your idea is a good one and I will bear this in mind for any future long haul trips.

Regards

Jaya

Hi Stella

Where did you travel to?  Your idea is a good one and I will bear this in mind for any future long haul trips.

Regards

Jaya

Hello Jaya

I went to Myanmar in March 2017. 

Enjoyed my extra afternoon walking, taking photographs (my hobby) and investigating the shopping Mall opposite the hotel which was quite a cultural shock. Not at all what I had expected. Tasted some inhabitual local delicacies for evening dinner and had an early night.

Next morning my lovely TM Branwen made sure I knew what time and where I was to meet up with the group.

JY put my special requests in place with great efficiency;  it was a very good experience which I would repeat.

Stella