Amex free flight upgrade?

[kamchatsky]

FYI guys, I believe Virgin has brought in new rules that mean credit shells are no longer issued for these bookings

Where do you get this info?

 

[lobo76]

Where do you get this info?

My partner works at Virgin. I came home excited to try and use my Amex flight to get a credit shell (I let my flight lapse the previous year) and points to upgrade only to have her tell me that the new credit shell rules came in on that same day! :/

 

[Moopere]

Boo. No doubt a result of this thread. Its the risk I suppose. Share some knowledge but cause change at the airline.

One wonders now if there are perhaps other ways to upgrade to J using the Amex free fight without first going through a credit shell process. Surely VA wouldn't object to the idea of an upgrade? Turns a low value contract rate into something more worthwhile by having extra new money thrown into the deal and burn off some FF points as well.

 

[lobo76]

Boo. No doubt a result of this thread. Its the risk I suppose. Share some knowledge but cause change at the airline.

One wonders now if there are perhaps other ways to upgrade to J using the Amex free fight without first going through a credit shell process. Surely VA wouldn't object to the idea of an upgrade? Turns a low value contract rate into something more worthwhile by having extra new money thrown into the deal and burn off some FF points as well.

Hopefully, I know that come renewal time for my Amex I'm planning on cancelling based on the new changes to the card and this change to the included flight offer. It's no longer worth the $$$ especially since I get a fee free NAB gold card with my home loan and I get free/discount flights through my partner.

Now I jsut gotta figure out how to use my 200k Velocity points and my 25k Amex points :S

 

[kamchatsky]

My partner works at Virgin. I came home excited to try and use my Amex flight to get a credit shell (I let my flight lapse the previous year) and points to upgrade only to have her tell me that the new credit shell rules came in on that same day! :/

So what is the new rules now? Cannot cancel ticket or what?

 

[lobo76]

So what is the new rules now? Cannot cancel ticket or what?

I believe there are no more credit shells under any circumstance. Business and PE passengers get some kind of reimbursement and everyone else is SOL.

 

[Jama]

so your saying this isn't just on Amex fares ?

 

[lobo76]

so your saying this isn't just on Amex fares ?

Not 100% sure but that's what it sounded like. Basically if in doubt check with Virgin...

 

[sparoz]

I won't be happy as the fare rules specified that I can cancel. I have already rebooked with QF and was going to use the credit for later travelling elsewhere. Emailed free flight but no reply. Honestly I have never used the free flight and I am a foundation member. Looks like one of those pain in the backside offer that they hope you will never use.

PS They would have got some big point spend from me on our next trip

 

[lobo76]

I won't be happy as the fare rules specified that I can cancel. I have already rebooked with QF and was going to use the credit for later travelling elsewhere. Emailed free flight but no reply. Honestly I have never used the free flight and I am a foundation member. Looks like one of those pain in the backside offer that they hope you will never use.

Actually, I was on to the Amex desk today on a separate matter and when she was finishing up she asked if she could check if I was using my free flight each year, and not to let it go to waste. She then checked my anniversary date so I knew how long I had left to book this years... I thought that was very good service and clearly a script where they want people to use them...

 

[sparoz]

Actually, I was on to the Amex desk today on a separate matter and when she was finishing up she asked if she could check if I was using my free flight each year, and not to let it go to waste. She then checked my anniversary date so I knew how long I had left to book this years... I thought that was very good service and clearly a script where they want people to use them...

Just got an email right after and typed this from Amex. Looks like the credit is going to be there, but it might stay with Amex Travel - which is not a problem for me. I will need to ring up to cancel, and I don't carry the Plat Reserve Card with me so will have to wait till tomorrow to confirm how it will work. Just want to have a little discount from my flight. Pity can't email them. Everything through Cent is always via email.

 

[amaroo]

Actually, I was on to the Amex desk today on a separate matter and when she was finishing up she asked if she could check if I was using my free flight each year, and not to let it go to waste. She then checked my anniversary date so I knew how long I had left to book this years... I thought that was very good service and clearly a script where they want people to use them...

Same here - they've never referred to the free flight before!

I've never taken up the offer

 

[sparoz]

Just got off the phone with Amex and the credit now will remain with amex travel until the flight is rebooked. So, you can no longer book directly with virgin. They also can't tell me what that credit amount is either which is rather strange until we rebook again. So, whatever everyone is doing might still work, but you just have to book through amex travel it seems.

 

[oz_mark]

Same here - they've never referred to the free flight before!

I've never taken up the offer

Suprisingly few people do take up the offer :shock:

 

[sparoz]

We have to travel in Y with our daughter as our supplier was paying for the flight a few months ago. We were lucky enough to have 3 seats that flight - it was a big struggle compare to our recent flight on J with two seats. Much more room, much more comfortable, and CSM really looked after us, serving us before 1A so that we don't have to juggle between two trays and a baby. Once you go premium, you can't go back. I have got so many points that I don't need to fly Y. You also only get 1 free ticket per year, and if you are attached to someone, it is difficult to just book 1 ticket. You kind of have to wait for 2 years around the anniversary until you book the ticket. In another 18 months, there will be my daughter's fare as well, that will even make it more of a challenge to use those tickets.

I wonder if the other Amex team would have access to the credit, because if the FF Team can utilise it, then I would just claim some award seats and use the credit to pay for my taxes.

 

[straitman]

Just got off the phone with Amex and the credit now will remain with amex travel until the flight is rebooked. So, you can no longer book directly with virgin.

Could you ever book it direct with Virgin (or even Qantas before that) :?:

 

[k3nnis]

or has anyone tried after booking with amex and then turning up at the checkin asking if you can upgrade to business using points at check in???

 

[sparoz]

Could you ever book it direct with Virgin (or even Qantas before that) :?:

From reading the thread - apparently so.

 

[oz_mark]

Could you ever book it direct with Virgin (or even Qantas before that) :?:

Yes, if you initially booked through Amex, then cancelled, the credit could be used directly with Virgin.

 

[Moopere]

Just got off the phone with Amex and the credit now will remain with amex travel until the flight is rebooked. So, you can no longer book directly with virgin. They also can't tell me what that credit amount is either which is rather strange until we rebook again. So, whatever everyone is doing might still work, but you just have to book through amex travel it seems.

I thought this might be the case, thanks for the info. They would be wanting to head off the possibility of folks essentially converting the free flight into 'money' and cutting Amex out of the deal.

I'm happy enough with the new paradigm. Its a bit of a pain because you can't change dates or even select seating without ringing Amex up, but oh well.

As for not finding out the credit amount, yes, I had this issue before as well. Not until you go to rebook do you find out which seems sort of strange and unhelpful.