Business class happy hour [expired August 2012]

[Must...Fly!]

Re: DJ happy hour - Business Class sale $200 for many destinations

For 2 hours.

I'd agree but they opened 5 months of inventory with what appeared to be very few or no restrictions. It's a sign that not all is going to plan IMO.

 

[serfty]

Re: DJ happy hour - Business Class sale $200 for many destinations

Personally I did not book anything - I did consider it as I am going to SYD Sept 30, but realised that was one day too early.

I'll maintain SG easily next year (after being relegated from VA WP in a month) with my current booked travel, not least on AirNZ.

 

[Simo]

Re: DJ happy hour - Business Class sale $200 for many destinations

AYQ-SYD $200/60 SCs.Regular saver fare is $209

First time I have ever seen Business class on Happy Hour.

Missed it....

Bugger will have to try and remember to keep an eye out next week

 

[777]

Re: DJ happy hour - Business Class sale $200 for many destinations

Bugger will have to try and remember to keep an eye out next week

Not sure whether it's going to come back in a hurry... but a great way of driving interest in the promos isn't it?

 

[moa999]

Re: DJ happy hour - Business Class sale $200 for many destinations

Virgin Happy Hour is every weekday 4-6pm
Jetstar is the Friday only Frenzy, unless Tiger has a sale

 

[anat0l]

Re: DJ happy hour - Business Class sale $200 for many destinations

I'd agree but they opened 5 months of inventory with what appeared to be very few or no restrictions. It's a sign that not all is going to plan IMO.

I don't think there's anything that screams those kinds of sentiments about this sale. Didn't JB just report of recent that VA are doing extremely well on almost all fronts of the business, exceeding expected targets? (Unless the targets were set quite low, but I highly doubt that)

Keep in mind too that this is merely Happy Hour. It's not like those regular sales that you get in your inbox (and typically is only Y on sale). The advantage we have on AFF is that someone usually spreads the word, and we're pretty receptive to it (unless we're stuck in a meeting when the word goes out). Most other people have to have the initiative to check Happy Hour to find this kind of sale. (Not sure if the Fare Alert app by Virgin would've flagged these fares). I can't find the details of the Happy Hour on Virgin Australia's Facebook page (unless I'm looking at the wrong section).

Had this been a sale informed via email (like your regular Virgin Australia sales), then one might validly harbour some suspicions.

 

[toowongman]

Re: DJ happy hour - Business Class sale $200 for many destinations

I can't find the details of the Happy Hour on Virgin Australia's Facebook page (unless I'm looking at the wrong section).

"Happy Hour" is usually a regular daily occurrence on Facebook, however I think the PR team were more preoccupied with the UM/male seating kerfuffule and therefore stayed quiet for a change.

 

[haydensydney]

Re: DJ happy hour - Business Class sale $200 for many destinations

While this is a great special, I can't help but think that this cheapens the product somewhat.

If I had just spend $700 on a one way SYD-ADL and then get this special come to my inbox, I would be spewing. I would be even sh!ttier if I received a cheese plate on the flight

 

[JohnK]

Re: DJ happy hour - Business Class sale $200 for many destinations

60 SCs for $200 isn't a bad earn rate...

Assuming you knew someone who is registered with Virgin Mobile and has somehow found out about this happy hour sale and had a spare weekend in November and managed to book a SYD-CNS flight for $200 - 10% off base fare + $4.50 for 80 SCs would you consider that a earn good rate?

 

[oz_mark]

Re: DJ happy hour - Business Class sale $200 for many destinations

Assuming you knew someone who is registered with Virgin Mobile and has somehow found out about this happy hour sale and had a spare weekend in November and managed to book a SYD-CNS flight for $200 - 10% off base fare + $4.50 for 80 SCs would you consider that a earn good rate?

I would, but a business class fare on Virgin SYD-CNS would yield only 60SC (while it would yield 80SC on Qantas). Zone differences being what they are!

 

[JohnK]

Re: DJ happy hour - Business Class sale $200 for many destinations

I would, but a business class fare on Virgin SYD-CNS would yield only 60SC (while it would yield 80SC on Qantas). Zone differences being what they are!

Really? Some people still have a lot to learn about VA.

 

[moa999]

Re: DJ happy hour - Business Class sale $200 for many destinations

1500 mile cutoff for band 2 and 700 for band 1
Earning Status Credits | Velocity Frequent Flyer

versus QF at 1200/600
Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Status Credits

 

[markis10]

Re: DJ happy hour - Business Class sale $200 for many destinations

A cynical person might suggest that the annual report needs some sweetening. Easier to say things were bad if you can point to a better future (without mentioning revenue per seat...).

Seriously, 75% discount (BNE-MEL), cheaper than basic saver (SYD-AYQ) on 5 months of inventory. Things are bad.

Considering its capped at 8 seats a flight, is over the quiet period for business and was very limited in availability, I suspect it was something of a master move. Now if it happens on a regular basis, more can be read into it.

 

[brad330]

Re: DJ happy hour - Business Class sale $200 for many destinations

I was out and about and missed the sale! What is the likley hood of a sale like this happening again?

 

[anat0l]

Re: DJ happy hour - Business Class sale $200 for many destinations

I was out and about and missed the sale! What is the likley hood of a sale like this happening again?

How often do you go into a bar and some random yells out, "OK folks! For the next hour, all the drinks are on me!"

 

[moa999]

Re: DJ happy hour - Business Class sale $200 for many destinations

Per my previous post, first time I have ever seen Business Fares in HappyHour, previously only Saver fares, never Flexis.
So unless it is a trial, it may be a while.

That said looks like a few people here jumped on board, so might come around again (although I suspect not on golden triangle routes)

 

[brad330]

Was CNS-MEL offered? As I have been the only J pax out of the 7 times I have flown the rout!

 

[Standby]

Re: DJ happy hour - Business Class sale $200 for many destinations

a Couple of ways to look at it
If the $200 is 20% above the average fare on a flight and the offer was for booking window outside most true corps book (about 4weeks) its a very smart move.
I assume most who indicated they grabbed the bargain wouild have bought a saver fare or not travelled at all indicates it was incremental to what they would get, so again $$ in the door.
On the other hand I have a good mate as a DJ plat who does SYDMEL twice a week and he continues to comment that the J cabin is mainly empty.
Except for PER routes where J is valued and importantly still allowed in Corp Australia have they overestimated the market or is all their advertising just not getting through.
It doesnt seem the business case is delivering.
AS they havent lost any Y cabin seats in the recon for J ,I've pondered if an extra inch or 2 in Y and focus on being the best Y cabin product would have delivered a better result
and saved the increased cost and complexity of an extra cabin and all that goes with it

 

[JohnK]

Re: DJ happy hour - Business Class sale $200 for many destinations

Was CNS-MEL offered? As I have been the only J pax out of the 7 times I have flown the rout!

I know SYD-CNS was offered but not sure about MEL-CNS. I know BNE-CNS was not offered which is why I booked SYD-CNS. Not to find a cheap airfare to get to SYD that day.

 

[777]

Re: DJ happy hour - Business Class sale $200 for many destinations

Was CNS-MEL offered? As I have been the only J pax out of the 7 times I have flown the rout!

No, i had a look for that - was thinking about a spontenous holiday. Alas.