Vistara passengers can now upgrade seats through a bidding system — Here’s how you can do it

• Vistara now allows passengers to put in bids to upgrade their seats to upper classes through “Vistara Upgrades”.
• Here’s how you can easily upgrade to the next cabin class on Vistara flights.
• Here’s what Vistara is offering in return for an upgrade.
• Check out the latest news and updates on Business Insider.

Tata-Sia airlines Vistara on Tuesday said it has collaborated with a Canada-based firm Plusgrade to launch a new scheme that allows passengers to put in bids to upgrade their seats to upper classes through “Vistara Upgrades”.

The upgrade will allow Vistara passengers to choose whether to upgrade from Economy to Premium Economy or Business Class through an online portal.

The new scheme is a way “to offset revenue losses experienced in 2020” and “leverage the higher capacity in superior cabins”, the airline said in a release.

“Vistara’s new upgrade program is expected to play a major role in building passenger confidence and loyalty in the long term. With support from Plusgrade, more passengers will have access to the personal space, comfort, privacy and high-end service that come with a Premium experience,” shares Vinod Kannan, Chief Commercial Officer at Vistara. “These are all things that our travellers are looking for as they consider returning to the sky.”

Here’s how you can easily upgrade to the next cabin class on Vistara flights:

• Head to Vistara’s website here. Enter your booking details to check eligibility.
  
• Enter your price to upgrade each leg of your flight, then hit ‘Continue’.
  
• You will be notified via email if your request for an upgrade has been approved.
  
• If your offered bid is accepted, you will be charged for the upgrade. And, if it is not accepted, you will not be charged and can continue with your original booking.

It is to be noted that “the amount paid for the upgrade will be in addition to the price of your original flight ticket,” the company said. And, the offer for a seat in the higher cabin class has to be made seven days before the flight's departure.

Here’s what Vistara is offering in return to an upgrade:

• On upgrading to premium economy, passengers will be offered a separate, upscale cabin located towards the front of the aircraft. Also increased leg space and added comfort on Vistara’s flight.
• This will also open doors for increased check-in and hand baggage allowance. Priority check-in, boarding and baggage handling service will also be offered.
• Passengers will be greeted with a complimentary selection of flavourful food and beverages including Starbucks coffee, the airline said.
• For business class passengers, complimentary lounge access along with specially curated dining and bar menu will be offered.

SEE ALSO: Inside pics of Vistara’s Airbus A321neo— India’s first full ‘sleeper’ flights for business class

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