Business class Launch [Double SC Promo - Ended 29 Feb 12]

[Deleted member 29185]

Ohh ...

To celebrate the launch of Business Class, Virgin Australia’s Velocity Frequent Flyer program is offering its members the opportunity to earn double Velocity Points and Status Credits on all Business Class domestic flights taken with Virgin Australia between 26 January and 29 February 2012.

From the exclusive email offer......

To celebrate, every Business Class flight you take on Virgin Australia domestic and international short haul services* between 26 January and 29 February 2012, will earn double Velocity Points and Status Credits**, meaning your next reward could be just one flight away.

* Short haul international routes mean all Virgin Australia flights, departing to/arriving from countries within South East Asia and the Pacific; or crossing the Tasman.

I got the email, but do we assume those who didn't get it, aren't included in this offer??

 

[oz_mark]

From the exclusive email offer......



I got the email, but do we assume those who didn't get it, aren't included in this offer??

The T&C's suggest it is open for all:

* Short haul international routes mean all Virgin Australia flights, departing to/arriving from countries within South East Asia and the Pacific; or crossing the Tasman.

**This offer is valid for all Velocity members who travel on Virgin Australia domestic or international short haul Business Class fares. Please note that Business Class services may not be available to all destinations. Only flights which are marketed and operated by Virgin Australia and carry a DJ flight number qualify for this offer. Single or return sectors qualify. Flights must be booked in Business Class and in a fare class that normally accrues Points and/or Status Credits. Upgrades to Business Class or Business Class redemptions will not be eligible for the bonus Points and Status Credits. Bonus Points will be applied to the sum of base Points and any applicable status bonus. Normal Velocity rules apply to retrospective Points claims. This offer applies to both existing and new bookings, and travel must occur between 26 January 2012 and 29 February 2012, inclusive.

As for the Bali pricing, it is suspected they DJ are matching a Garuda offer, which runs to the end of Feb (http://www.australianfrequentflyer....res/garuda-indonesia-kicks-off-new-35905.html)

 

[Deleted member 29185]

The T&C's suggest it is open for all:

Ah yes, I should have read it with both eyes open

 

[MichaelD]

We appreciate the expectation of purchasing a particular fare, and we will do our very best to provide the best product and service at the time.

Your very best isn't good enough when there are at least 5 737s in service having seats on them sold as Business which still have the old Premium Economy seating fitted.

Having just been ripped off with a PAID Business seat MEL-BNE in a 737 with only premium economy seating (and almost certainly the same rip-off on the return OOL-MEL journey in a 737-700) we are not at all happy with the Virgin "Business" product right at the moment.

Any 737s which do not have a proper J fitout should either simply not be flying at this time or not have Business available for purchase. This is not a lottery where if we're lucky, we'll get what we paid for.

 

[lovestotravel]

Your very best isn't good enough when there are at least 5 737s in service having seats on them sold as Business which still have the old Premium Economy seating fitted.

Having just been ripped off with a PAID Business seat MEL-BNE in a 737 with only premium economy seating (and almost certainly the same rip-off on the return OOL-MEL journey in a 737-700) we are not at all happy with the Virgin "Business" product right at the moment.

Any 737s which do not have a proper J fitout should either simply not be flying at this time or not have Business available for purchase. This is not a lottery where if we're lucky, we'll get what we paid for.

Have to agree!

Also from reading another thread there are at least 10+ 737-700's with the old PE seating
&
Then the E190's

Again, if any of my J flights do not have the full J service, I expect a fairly substantial refund and/or a chunk of VFF points

 

[Demented Freak]

Happened to me yesterday. Paid for business, got lumped with the old premium economy seats and a Live to Air system that was barely watchable due to static. Seriously, seriously underwhelming. Trip was topped off my nearly missing the return flight when they didn't make an calls in the MEL lounge.

 

[MarkD]

You would think they would have everything ready to go, they said months ago it was January 18. So why not be prepared. Sorry but this is the one aspect ATM which screams amateur. I understand that aircraft substitutions will occur for operational reasons, however, to schedule an aircraft on a route that has sold j seats but no j cabin is dishonest

 

[lovestotravel]

Happened to me yesterday. Paid for business, got lumped with the old premium economy seats and a Live to Air system that was barely watchable due to static. Seriously, seriously underwhelming. Trip was topped off my nearly missing the return flight when they didn't make an calls in the MEL lounge.

Live2Air not working - That's acceptable, as weather can cause lots of interruptions to this
PE seating - Not acceptable

Write/Email a complaint through and see what you get!

 

[pagingjoan]

So before I book a MEL-SYD flight for Tuesday, what should I avoid? And what should I aim for, in order to reduce the chances of non-J seating?
Would appreciate advice from those better informed than I am about the Virgin fleet - which would be just about everybody on this board, I would think!

 

[MichaelD]

An update on our situation (bought Business Class, got Premium Economy seating).

I rang the service desk and was told;

1. There are only 2 737s not configured with proper Business Class.
2. If any Business Class passengers are booked on these flights, they are supposed to be called 24 hours prior to their flight and offered either 50% off their flight or a change in flight to one that is properly Business configured.


When they looked at the flight taken, it was in their system as a Business configured aircraft (it was certainly not this).


It is still unacceptable that you can buy a Business product at this time which Virgin have no intention of delivering.

 

[lovestotravel]

So before I book a MEL-SYD flight for Tuesday, what should I avoid? And what should I aim for, in order to reduce the chances of non-J seating?
Would appreciate advice from those better informed than I am about the Virgin fleet - which would be just about everybody on this board, I would think!

All 737-800's except one are fitted, so 737-800's are the pick
An older thread said 10 x 737-700's are NOT fitted with J, but a more recent thread said the following

I spoke to a friend who worked at Virgin today about the fleet upgrade.

Boeing 737-700
There are 15 in the fleet. 11 have Business Class seating, 4 don't. Although the 3 rogues are gone by March either by sale or lease return.

Boeing 737-800
There are 46 in the fleet and only 1 of those does not have Business Class seating. The rogue 800 is also meant to be gone by the end of March.

Overall, after March, in theory only 1x 737 wont have Business Class seating.

Apparently the Embraers are not have a config change and it will remain as Business Class = 2x PE seats.

 

[lovestotravel]

An update on our situation (bought Business Class, got Premium Economy seating).

I rang the service desk and was told;

1. There are only 2 737s not configured with proper Business Class.
2. If any Business Class passengers are booked on these flights, they are supposed to be called 24 hours prior to their flight and offered either 50% off their flight or a change in flight to one that is properly Business configured.


When they looked at the flight taken, it was in their system as a Business configured aircraft (it was certainly not this).


It is still unacceptable that you can buy a Business product at this time which Virgin have no intention of delivering.

My flight is tonight and I haven't received a call..... Still showing as 737-800 in the flight status...

The 50% refund is very much acceptable.... If this is true, WELL DONE to Virgin!!!

 

[pagingjoan]

All 737-800's except one are fitted, so 737-800's are the pick
An older thread said 10 x 737-700's are NOT fitted with J, but a more recent thread said the following

Thank you, ltt!
Much appreciated.
Will buy my lottery ticket now, with better odds.
pj

 

[pagingjoan]

Now booked.
Showing the 737-800.
Fingers crossed.
Will report back.

 

[gwilli1]

Just booked for a status run tomorrow (Sat 28/1)

SYD-BNE-MKY-SYD

SYD-BNE - DJ909 - 0700-0730 (737-800) 1A
BNE-MKY - DJ605 - 0855-1025 (737-700) 2A
MKY-SYD - DJ1472 - 1350-1705 (737-800) 1A

Looks like its going to be a big breakfast morning , with early visits to both the Sydney & Brisbane Lounges & 2 flights, followed by lunch in the Mackay Lounge & flight back to Sydney . I think Im going to have to pace myself somewhat.

Let me know if anyone is going to be in any of the Lounges and keen to meet.

Sydney Lounge 6.00-6.30
Brisbane Lounge 7.30-8.30
Mackay Lounge 11.30-1.30

 

[Pooch]

Just booked for a status run tomorrow (Sat 28/1)

SYD-BNE-MKY-SYD

SYD-BNE - DJ909 - 0700-0730 (737-800) 1A
BNE-MKY - DJ605 - 0855-1025 (737-700) 2A
MKY-SYD - DJ1472 - 1350-1705 (737-800) 1A

I'll be interested in how this goes - I'm doing a similar version (exSYD 1000, exBNE 1230, exMKY1350) next month! So I'll miss the BNE lounge, but hopefully flights will be on time and I'll be able to sample MKY as well as SYD!

 

[MichaelD]

The 50% refund is very much acceptable.... If this is true, WELL DONE to Virgin!!!

I initially agreed with this, but upon reflection I now do not agree that this is acceptable.

Basically, Virgin sell a product that they know in advance they cannot deliver, but "she'll be right - we'll just fob them off by giving them 50% off or move them to another flight - they won't mind". Well, yes I do mind. I chose THAT flight at THAT time in THAT class, and uncontrollable circumstances aside, that's what I expect to get. These are not $49 happy hour fares we are talking about here.

Bait 'n' switch is what it is and it's simply not on.


ps having said all of the above, I actually do quite like the proper Virgin 737 Business hard product, and like the A330 hard product even more, and genuinely hope everyone else gets what they paid for. The SYD-PER A330 is a particularly nice product.

The soft component still needs some work, but generally the enthusiasm of the cabin crew make up for the little rough edges.

 

[Moopere]

I initially agreed with this, but upon reflection I now do not agree that this is acceptable.

Basically, Virgin sell a product that they know in advance they cannot deliver, but "she'll be right - we'll just fob them off by giving them 50% off or move them to another flight - they won't mind". Well, yes I do mind. I chose THAT flight at THAT time in THAT class, and uncontrollable circumstances aside, that's what I expect to get. These are not $49 happy hour fares we are talking about here.

Bait 'n' switch is what it is and it's simply not on.

Yep. Have to agree here. I am really disappointed by this. Honestly thought they would have learned a big big lesson with the debarcle that was their previous PE configured planes and not even being able to deliver consistent product with that.

50% off, sounds like a goodwill gesture, and bravo for that at least, but PER-MEL is $1300 one way in J, $2600 return, 50% off on a return then = $1300, thats aboout flexi fare Y pricing. I never buy mid range products (in general), either cheap and cheerful or known quality.... therefore I'd be annoyed, even with 50% off as flexi-Y is not a choice I'd be making under normal circumstances. Mind you, it may well suit others, but for mine, I'd be annoyed and then choose a different flight, but what would remain with me is the annoyance.

 

[Virgin Bart]

Well, I'm flying MEL-CBR-MEL in a couple of weeks in business. On the way there I'm on a 737-800, so confident of getting the real deal.

On the way back I'm trying to give myself some time to see the Sydney Lounge, so I'm flying E190 CBR-SYD (VA operated in economy seating, it reads), and then 737-700 SYD-MEL after 1.5 hours in the Lounge. I'm really hoping that the second leg will be on a refurbed 700. If not, I'll be seeking some "compo". If that half-refund story is true, then I'll be happy with that. We'll see, I'll be sure to report back.

Two questions guys and girls.. 1, is the refurbed 700 similar/same as the refurbed 800?

2, anyone got any confirmation on that half-refund policy?

Bart.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

2. If any Business Class passengers are booked on these flights, they are supposed to be called 24 hours prior to their flight and offered either 50% off their flight or a change in flight to one that is properly Business configured.

So, did you get your 50% refund?

I wonder if this applies to the E190s? Isn't it the same issue, sold a J seat and got PE?

BTW, I think the 50% is acceptable. It needs to be enough to deliver value and give DJ an incentive to complete the J cabins throughout.