Choice Fares - No more free changes > 14 days [Bookings from 1st Sep]

[samas]

As far as I can remember when Lite/Choice/Flex fare name/types were introduced changes for Choice fares had always been free when made More than 14 days prior to scheduled departure, just any fare difference applies.

It looks like these free changes on Choice fares have been quietly ended on 1st September.
Quite a shame, I have made many changes > 14 days but haven't made changes < 14 days since the pandemic related free changes ended.

Domestic fares | Virgin Australia

Discover Virgin Australia's domestic fare options. Learn about fare types, inclusions, flexibility, and pricing to help you choose the best option for your next flight across Australia.

www.virginaustralia.com

~For bookings made with Virgin Australia prior to 1 September 2023, for domestic and international short haul flights operated by Virgin Australia, the fee will be $0 plus fare difference for the first change a guest makes to their booking, and any subsequent changes will be subject to the fees outlined the table above.

 

[ksthommo]

Choice fare was good insurance value if I had to make flight changes, used a few times and
was great value compared to Qantas & Jetstar flight change charges.

 

[albatross710]

Why do airlines even charge change fees. Like if we are changing a fare 300 days out from Day X to Day X+2 they still charge yet they are really doing nothing as far as arranging that flight and get zero inconvenience.

 

[aus_flyer]

This is such a shame!!! Virgin never made a virtue of this. It was a great point of difference.

 

[serfty]

Why do airlines even charge change fees. Like if we are changing a fare 300 days out from Day X to Day X+2 they still charge yet they are really doing nothing as far as arranging that flight and get zero inconvenience.

Back in the early 00's, things like Qantasred-edeals could not be changed. It was use it as booked or loose it.

Then they began to introduce the opportunity to change for a fee IIRC, $30 originally so some credit could be retained. Back then $60 could often be had on QF MEL/SYD. Fares have increased since.

Before COVID the US legacy ailines had $200 change fees and dropped them during the epidemic. They have not been reintroduced there, but I am sure they are eyeing each other off currently.

Both VA and QF dropped these fees during COVID but brought then back as soon as they could.

 

[Stealthflyer]

So disappointing. I rarely change flights but the fact that I could without penalty was such a drawcard.

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

Quite interesting that when I was in the US in July/August, UA were promoting that they didn't charge fees to change your flights because "life happens". Unfortunately it's not like there's enough competition in the Australian market for that to take off.

 

[bcworld]

I was completely unaware of this feature of Choice fares until recently when someone pointed out this had ended. Admittedly I had made changes on choice fares before and not been charged anything...but at the time I had assumed it was a mistake or some covid era flexible change policy.

Post automatically merged: Sep 18, 2023

Quite interesting that when I was in the US in July/August, UA were promoting that they didn't charge fees to change your flights because "life happens". Unfortunately it's not like there's enough competition in the Australian market for that to take off.

Southwest Airlines is a low cost but doesn't charge any change fees...just whatever fare difference there might be.

 

[MooTime]

I had to make a change on a choice fare for next March, booked months ago, but the call center operator told me it would cost me $99 to cancel, the ticket only cost $120, but I was able to change date for free which I did to basically a fly up n down on a weekend as opposed to throwing all the funds away.
At least some SC's & points will come my way.

I believe you should be allowed to change flight dates if say 30days out. Thems the rules.

 

[Frenchtoast]

This is really disappointing to hear. I know Virgin want to push people to spend more on the flex fares, but surely they could keep free changes outside of 30 or 45 days?

 

[Milefest]

It's to bad I can't charge VA a fee when they change my flight

 

[MELso]

So basically, if you're going HLO and don't care about status, with the exception of cancellation (for a $99 fee) there seems little reason to upfare to Choice over Lite.

 

[simmomelb]

I am very aware of the differences (Choice vs. Lite), however, in my opinion, this makes Lite more attractive to many who would never have considered it previously (if you aren't hunting for points).

The average leisure guest does not & will not buy Flex fares (or J), so this impacts the majority of travellers on VA.

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

I am very aware of the differences (Choice vs. Lite), however, in my opinion, this makes Lite more attractive to many who would never have considered it previously (if you aren't hunting for points).

The average leisure guest does not & will not buy Flex fares (or J), so this impacts the majority of travellers on VA.

Surely someone in Bain would have looked at this and calculated whether the $$ stacked up. Perhaps the sums were right to make the change.

 

[GoldenTouchdown]

Surely someone in Bain would have looked at this and calculated whether the $$ stacked up. Perhaps the sums were right to make the change.

No doubt those bean counters have been at it, what a shame was nice whilst it lasted I guess

 

[PERLHR]

Maybe it's time they renamed the ticket then...not much "choice" about it!! There has been rumours I believe that the high fares time is drawing to an end (is this likely?)....and maybe it's a way that VA wish to capitalise by not giving their customers flex unless you buy the ridiculously priced flex tickets. I even know of Platinum members who don't buy flex despite an"opportunity" to upgrade to biz albeit via call centre.

 

[luckypierre]

I even know of Platinum members who don't buy flex despite an"opportunity" to upgrade to biz albeit via call centre.

It’s a fair point, with plat you get the VA lounge experience and free row 3 (economy X ) seat selection. Hard to justify the full flex/ J upgrade option for short flights.

 

[simmomelb]

I even know of Platinum members who don't buy flex despite an"opportunity" to upgrade to biz albeit via call centre.

I would be one of them. I only ever grab Choice or Bus, but I will now start grabbing Lite instead of Choice, depending on the route, as this has taken away a big draw card to getting Choice (for me).
Lite isn't available via Bus Flyer, but that's okay, I'll just book via the consumer site.

 

[MooTime]

I've bought the flex a few times flying to DRW or PER ex-MEL when I know there's J awards there, 2min call to velocity team and bang I'm sitting in J for $3-400 less than full price J.
Little value in this flex upgrade anywhere else, especially G triangle. Maybe for VAi short haul, which I haven't looked into, but I suspect could be value there.

For value in any award scheme, you must look, search n know where to find it.
No award scheme has huge benefits everywhere you look.

 

[SCM]

It's to bad I can't charge VA a fee when they change my flight

Not a bad idea. If you fare doesn't include free change of time for a flight, then the airline must pay you the equivalent fee when they cancel or change the time (any delay beyond 25 minutes should be considered a time change). Then you will see these fees drop real fast!

Anyway, I was wondering where this fee came from, because I used to do this often. Now I will likely fly domestically even less.