So up bright and early to check in for the Southwest flight and I did try to go back to sleep but never really managed it so finally got up, showered and dressed and we left the motel just after 6.30 am even though we didn't have to meet Heather and Tim there until 7.30. When we arrived we went straight to the checkin line, was lovely being able to enter the Premium line and not have to line up with all the plebs! We had received an email about a week ago from Virgin Australia with the chance to bid for an upgrade to Premium Economy, bids start at $400 and you can bid up to $1050, which is the difference between economy and Premium. We bid $435 per seat and had our bid approved so our flights return cost us $1535 with one leg in Premium..... Pretty good deal I think!!

H and T arrived about 8, we had to wait for them to line up with all the other poor economy passengers, took forever for them to check in! Through security which was very slow (no special treatment for us here) and Rodds bag was sent through the machine 4 times.. Next step, immigration and yes we get to go through the express lane again, ohhh I could get used to this! Finally time to board and we wave goodbye to H & T as they join the mile long line.... Mr and Mrs upgrade on the other hand got to sail right past that line and waltzed right on board and into our nice big plush seats. By the time H & T walked past we were sipping champagne and oohing and arghing over all the little extras with our big noise cancelling headphones on! Honestly we must have looked liked the Beverly Hillbillies! Not too much I can say about the flight, after all a long haul flight is a long haul flight even if you're in a big comfy seat, although I reckon I slept less than I normally do on those flights and Rodd never sleeps. H & T got a bit I think but not much so we were all pretty shattered by the time we got to LAX. Heather also had a bit of a run in with a very rude flight attendant and was quite upset by him. Tim spoke to him about it and even his apology was rude and insulting. That is the only negative I could find about Virgin Australia, I would definitely use them again for long haul travel, and hope that flight attendant isn't working!!

Vegas here we come!!