Why does'nt VA allow for upgrades using points from their basic fare?

Why does'nt VA allow for upgrades using points from their basic fare? Would'nt it be beneficial for them to fill business and other empty seats (if there were any?)

Revenue. VA gets more revenue from flexis (allowing points upgrade) then savers. And you get double SC over a saver fare. Furthermore it's beneficial for Velocity to have you earn points but not redeem them (as with any other FF program).

What type of upgrades are you talking about?  From the Velocity website "All Velocity members booked on a Saver fare or a Flexi fare can request an upgrade to Business Class on domestic flights operated by Virgin Australia with a VA flight number."

Silly me: I should have been more specific. International short haul (eg: Bali). VA does not allow upgrades using points from basic economy fare. 

With only 8 seats available it is a smarter way of getting people to at least buy a flexi if they want to upgrade with points. You can still bid to upgrade off a saver for Short Haul though

Agree - I am going to Bali on Monday purchase a flexi fare for $500 and then upgrade with points... cheap business class fare (compared to over $1000 for the business class seat).  I rang Velocity first before booking to ensure there was an upgrade avaialble

Gotta justify the high pricetag of the flexi fare somehow.