Why is it that VA discourage OLCI, even on Flexi and Business fares?

[serfty]

OLCI and you lose your flexibility, so I don't.

Still really! It's rather silly I feel.

 

[DeKa]

Re: Why is that VA discourage OLCI on Flexi and Business fares?

Good question.

I actually recommend no one does OLCI with Virgin. Even Saver Light fare rules say

"No-shows
Guests who check in, but do not fly, will not be eligible for a credit."

Why would you ever check in until you're at the airport and know you're flying? I know it say that changes aren't possible on this fare past 24 hours prior to departure, but the sentence about no shows implies some options if you don't check in.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

OLCI and you lose your flexibility, so I don't.

Still really! It's rather silly I feel.

I nearly always check-in at the lounge or check-in counters. There was recently a promo of sorts (competition I think) to try to get people to use on-line/mobile check in, so they must want us to use it..........presumably!

 

[Fruitcake]

My guess is that if pax aren't checked in, it means VA have ~20 minutes before departure to use their seats to clear some standbys, allow some last minute fly-aheads (although in practice, probably not), and accommodate other pax who missed flights etc. If someone has checked in online then VA has to assume they are going to board the aircraft right up until the door closes. By that point the seat is empty and they can't use it.

I too never check in online any more because of the implications for fare flexibility.

 

[serfty]

I nearly always check-in at the lounge or check-in counters. There was recently a promo of sorts (competition I think) to try to get people to use on-line/mobile check in, so they must want us to use it..........presumably!

With that recent promo, using the Check-in Kiosks provided for an entry so I would, say, get to MEL with carry-on only and head to a Kiosk upstairs to do so before doubling back to the lounge (although I do note there is now a Kiosk set up in the Lounge entrance foyer).

 

[samas]

I usually check-in on my mobile in the taxi ride to the airport

 

[anat0l]

Has anyone ever OLCI'd on QF with a similar ticket (e.g. Flexi Saver up to full Business) and been able to change or cancel thereafter?

I talked to a QF agent once, and she gave the impression that it would be a silly thing to do (i.e. why would you check in if you know you were going to cancel it - of course there are many rebuttals for that, but not the point). Kind of gave me the impression that it may be difficult to do on QF, too....


I suppose imposing the rule about OLCI stops "hoarding" where you could buy many flexible tickets and even check-in but then no show and still get a refund. I don't see that as a likely scenario given its impracticality (and you can let a non-checked-in ticket lapse too and no big deal), but help me out here people.

I'm not sure, but does changing / cancelling someone's ticket who has already checked in take more effort than that of someone who has not checked in? (Extra steps, etc.?) If so, the restriction may be designed to discourage this so they won't have to do it (except when forced, e.g. IRROPs).

 

[medhead]

On reason to check in online is if you're running a bit late and might miss the 30/45 minute cut off. I've had to do this a couple of times.

Sometimes when you do miss a flight when already checked in they do take pity on you.

 

[markis10]

Has anyone ever OLCI'd on QF with a similar ticket (e.g. Flexi Saver up to full Business) and been able to change or cancel thereafter?

Done it a number of times, reservations have been able to regain control back from the airport and then rebook me no issues.

 

[moa999]

Once you have checked in on QF, still possible to change ticket, albeit have had staff specifically say they need to uncheck me first, so it is a more complicated procedure.

 

[pauly7]

Done it a number of times, reservations have been able to regain control back from the airport and then rebook me no issues.

Same, do it frequently, never an issue with QF.

 

[QF WP]

Strange how I'd never really paid attention to the small print, but now that it has been raised, then I'm not going to check-in for future VA flights (although I've only got 2 flights left this FY). I should have read this before I checked-in this morning for my BNE/ADL/BNE flights Thursday.

 

[QF WP]

Many belated thanks serfty for bringing this to my attention back in May. HAve been using this on both QF and VA now.

 

[Milboo]

I always check in the night before - including for the flexi ticket on return. I've never had an issue getting my flight changed in the lounge in the afternoon if I am early.

 

[DeKa]

I always check in the night before - including for the flexi ticket on return. I've never had an issue getting my flight changed in the lounge in the afternoon if I am early.

Yes but it's flexibility in the other direction (pushing it out) you lose once you check in.

If you don't check in, you have up to 24 hours to cancel. If you do check in, you're committed.

I don't check in, and always get good seats.

 

[Downunder Girl]

Slightly different situation, where I have already checked in but wanted to change my seat, seems almost impossible to do so online now and trying to get the call centre to do it was equally unhelpful. They stated they could not do it as the flight is under airport control. Now I have a BP with a different seat, and it appears I have lost my seat assignment while trying to change the seat online.

I was Silver when I booked this flight but now back to Red , however apparently my status holds until the end of this month, although my account now shows that I have been reviewed.

Can anyone please suggest what I can do to fix the issue please?

Thanks.

 

[anat0l]

Slightly different situation, where I have already checked in but wanted to change my seat, seems almost impossible to do so online now and trying to get the call centre to do it was equally unhelpful. They stated they could not do it as the flight is under airport control. Now I have a BP with a different seat, and it appears I have lost my seat assignment while trying to change the seat online.

I was Silver when I booked this flight but now back to Red , however apparently my status holds until the end of this month, although my account now shows that I have been reviewed.

Can anyone please suggest what I can do to fix the issue please?

Thanks.

I can't quite recall it, but I thought VA only really let you OLCI once and then that's it. Anything else you need to do or change needs to be done at the airport.

I think some people may have called VA - particularly elites (e.g. Platinums) - and had the agent "un-check" them (basically then you're returned to a state before you checked in) so they could then repeat the process.

 

[Downunder Girl]

I can't quite recall it, but I thought VA only really let you OLCI once and then that's it. Anything else you need to do or change needs to be done at the airport.

I think some people may have called VA - particularly elites (e.g. Platinums) - and had the agent "un-check" them (basically then you're returned to a state before you checked in) so they could then repeat the process.

Thanks. Since I am now a Red, my call was answered in the Philippines and was not terribly helpful. I guess I was concerned that they could just cancel the whole flight which would leave me in a worse mess. She basically just kept saying its under airport control so she cant do anything. I even tried to get a supervisor but she ignored that request, so I just gave up in the end. I am on a very early flight out so I doubt I will have time to see an agent at the airport. My BP will have a different seat to what my online booking shows, not sure what VA do about that. Bit of a mess

 

[Deleted member 29185]

its under airport control so she cant do anything.

Despite your anguish, that is indeed my experience. Once under airport control, VA cannot do anything. Even when their computer system says changes have been made, they haven't!

 

[anat0l]

Thanks. Since I am now a Red, my call was answered in the Philippines and was not terribly helpful. I guess I was concerned that they could just cancel the whole flight which would leave me in a worse mess. She basically just kept saying its under airport control so she cant do anything. I even tried to get a supervisor but she ignored that request, so I just gave up in the end. I am on a very early flight out so I doubt I will have no time to see an agent at the airport. My BP will have a different seat to what my online booking shows, not sure what VA do about that. Bit of a mess

Ah well. Look on the bright side - the worst that will happen is you will have a not so good seat. (I've sat in a middle seat on a VA flight before in row 20 on a 737, filled up. We all do it sometimes. )