The described techniques and apparatuses enable memory-request priority up-leveling. A memory request is received over a virtual channel, VC, and is then added to a memory-request buffer with an original priority-level for the memory request and an indication that the memory request is associated with a virtual channel identification, VCID, of the VC. Related memory requests within the memory-request buffer are also indicated as being associated with the VCID. Responsive to determining that an up-level indication for the VCID is asserted over a side channel, the original priority-levels of the memory request, and other memory-requests in the memory-request buffer having an indication of the VCID, are increased to respective up-leveled priority levels. Responsive to determining that the up-level indication is no longer asserted, the up-leveled priority levels are returned to respective original priority-levels.