Different Treatment as an Upgrade Customer

[Tassey69]

Have just completed my 20+ something flight across the "pond" with QF over the past 10 years and most of those were in J on business, now retired and super$ indicate Y or similar travel however on this last trip to SFO from SYD (very cheap Y fare) minor seating problem resulted in the CSM immediately transferring my wife and I to a PE seat, we were not treated any differently to other PE passengers, excellent meal and as usual the service was immaculate, one reason for loyalty to QF

 

[Dalmunzie]

Hi to all AFF members,
Here's my first post on this wonderful site.......
I joined the Virgin FF program 5 years ago when they offered a Status Match and that, at the time, suited me greatly as my business flying days were almost over and I was about to lose my Platinium status with Qantas.
Since then I've been totally supportive of Virgin and flown at least 20 sectors with them in the last 12 months. All of those flights have been in "the pointy end" either using cash, but mostly on upgrades from the cheapest fare available.
I can say that I've never felt disadvantaged by being in J through the use of points - the service has always been very good and actually quite a bit better than on QF flights.
Sure there are times when VIP's in J seem to enjoy more attention than mere mortals such as I, but even so, I have no issues with the Virgin service. Generally there are only 8 J class seats so there's plenty of time for the cabin crew to look after their needs and, as far as meals I concerned, I've always received my first choice. Having said that, some, if not most, of the meals have been a bit on the "ordinary"side - overheated mostly.
Let's hope that Virgin keep their service levels up given the (financial) events of the last few days.
There you are - my first post.
Cheers
Dalmunzie
PS Feel free to ask me why I've chosen Dalmunzie as my user name !

 

[Princess Fiona]

Hi to all AFF members,
Here's my first post on this wonderful site.......

PS Feel free to ask me why I've chosen Dalmunzie as my user name !

Welcome
So why have you chosen that username ?

 

[Qld4101]

Generally use most of the comp upgrades every year and have never noticed a difference over paid fares.

 

[justcallmeryan]

I've been flying Trans-cons with Flexi upgrades for nearly 5 years on VA, most recently last weekend and I have never experienced this kind of meal service.
I'd say that something was wrong on the manifest or the FA got confused and thought you were a late upgrade at the Lounge.

+1 to this, I've never paid a full fare J for Virgin SYD - PER and reverse and never had an issue. Sounds like a mixed up new(ish) FA.

 

[Dalmunzie]

Welcome
So why have you chosen that username ?

Thanks for your Like.....
I wanted a username that would give me some anonymity and also one that meant something to me as well as being travel related.
Dalmunzie is an amazing place located in the Spittal of Glenshee which is in the Cairngorms. If ever you visit Scotland, then Dalmunzie is a must - there's a very decent, somewhat old fashioned hotel. A Google search will give you much more detail.
Dalmunzie

 

[clipped_wings]

Then it's a good name. I shall call you Dalmunzie from this day forth.

Arise Dalmunzie!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I just saw VA give a plat a gate upgrade from row 3 to row 2. First time in ages I've seen that! I'll be curious to see when he gets served for the meal. On another positive note, the J cabin is clean and a pre-flight drink has been offered (Mr Upgrade was offered the drink first......should I throw my little DYKWIA tanty now, or wait for the meal service?)

Edit - The plane looks chockers in whY and row 3 has a mum and a host of kids ...... Hence the upgrade I'd say!

 

[Keftetha]

VA do upgrades like this during peak times on an oversold flight. Has happened a few times to me. They upgrade Plats first, then work their way down. The only thing they don't guarantee is the business class meal but are happy to offer you anything from the cart for free. Doesn't worry me on 1hr sector!

 

[Quickstatus]

VA do upgrades like this during peak times on an oversold flight. Has happened a few times to me. They upgrade Plats first, then work their way down. The only thing they don't guarantee is the business class meal but are happy to offer you anything from the cart for free. Doesn't worry me on 1hr sector!

For staff pax usually. Maybe not enough staff flying.

 

[Keftetha]

Staff pax? Not sure what you mean by that. As in for staff travellers? I can guarantee you that no staff traveller has ever been upgraded into J domestically or internationally for that matter.

 

[Muppet501st]

I just saw VA give a plat a gate upgrade from row 3 to row 2. First time in ages I've seen that! I'll be curious to see when he gets served for the meal. On another positive note, the J cabin is clean and a pre-flight drink has been offered (Mr Upgrade was offered the drink first......should I throw my little DYKWIA tanty now, or wait for the meal service?)

Edit - The plane looks chockers in whY and row 3 has a mum and a host of kids ...... Hence the upgrade I'd say!

have only had it happen to me twice, just last week, BNE-TSV, im sitting in 3D, and the plan is nearly fully boarded, and im approached and given a new BP, 2C. Very, very pleased, and not worried about a meal service, as I ate in the lounge. But I was given the choice of 2 meal options, only 2 spare seats in J, 2A and 2C, and I was served last, but I no complain

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I just saw VA give a plat a gate upgrade from row 3 to row 2. First time in ages I've seen that! I'll be curious to see when he gets served for the meal. On another positive note, the J cabin is clean and a pre-flight drink has been offered (Mr Upgrade was offered the drink first......should I throw my little DYKWIA tanty now, or wait for the meal service?)

Edit - The plane looks chockers in whY and row 3 has a mum and a host of kids ...... Hence the upgrade I'd say!

Just to finish the story, I was actually served first! The little J problems do continue though. No tablet was offered and when I asked, the lady had to go down the back to get one. I rarely want to watch a movie, so this annoyed me a bit. IFE is available gate to gate, so the tablets should be offered at the same time the pre-flight drink is offered. By leaving it, can mean the difference between finishing a movie or being left with the last 20min unwatched..... Yet again, once the J meal was delivered, consumed and tray collected all staff disappeared down aft leaving the J loo a free for all (one guy even dropped the rope on the floor and just left it there). The fact all the staff were down the back, also meant that there was no attendance to the J cabin pax (5 of us). The meal offered was a tad pathetic, a zucchini slice (perhaps sliver is more accurate) or a fruit plate. Mind you, all 1st world problems as they say, but if any airline expects to charge top dollar for an espoused service, then they must also be prepared to fulfil that service (IMHO). The J cab was however, blocked upon disembarkation, so that part worked at least!

 

[Blackswan]

Just to finish the story, I was actually served first! The little J problems do continue though. No tablet was offered and when I asked, the lady had to go down the back to get one. I rarely want to watch a movie, so this annoyed me a bit. IFE is available gate to gate, so the tablets should be offered at the same time the pre-flight drink is offered. By leaving it, can mean the difference between finishing a movie or being left with the last 20min unwatched..... Yet again, once the J meal was delivered, consumed and tray collected all staff disappeared down aft leaving the J loo a free for all (one guy even dropped the rope on the floor and just left it there). The fact all the staff were down the back, also meant that there was no attendance to the J cabin pax (5 of us). The meal offered was a tad pathetic, a zucchini slice (perhaps sliver is more accurate) or a fruit plate. Mind you, all 1st world problems as they say, but if any airline expects to charge top dollar for an espoused service, then they must also be prepared to fulfil that service (IMHO). The J cab was however, blocked upon disembarkation, so that part worked at least!

I believe blocking the J cabin for disembarking on the 737 technical requirement when de-boarding from the front and rear stairs

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I believe blocking the J cabin for disembarking on the 737 technical requirement when de-boarding from the front and rear stairs

When I said "blocking" the J cabin, I meant blocking Y pax from entering the J cabin until the J pax had disembarked.

 

[Quickstatus]

Staff pax? Not sure what you mean by that. As in for staff travellers? I can guarantee you that no staff traveller has ever been upgraded into J domestically or internationally for that matter.

Thanks for that info and guarantee. My experience is different.

 

[njba]

It doesn't seem wise to poison one of the drivers of revenue J tickets. If an upgrade pax has a bad experience why on earth would they ever considering actually buying a ticket next time?

 

[Blackswan]

When I said "blocking" the J cabin, I meant blocking Y pax from entering the J cabin until the J pax had disembarked.

Yep. From what I understand, if the rear door is being used for de-boarding, then the J pax are allowed to disembark, but the crew member blocking the J cabin has to stay in the position until pax have started leaving through the rear door - a movement issue on the 737.

 

[Ewing]

Staff pax? Not sure what you mean by that. As in for staff travellers? I can guarantee you that no staff traveller has ever been upgraded into J domestically or internationally for that matter.

I can assure you that staff can most definitely fly J internationally.

You're given an economy BP upon check-in. If there's availability and provided you are in compliance with the staff travel dress code that BP will be swapped at the gate for one in the J cabin.

 

[Lemon_Party]

VA do upgrades like this during peak times on an oversold flight. Has happened a few times to me. They upgrade Plats first, then work their way down. The only thing they don't guarantee is the business class meal but are happy to offer you anything from the cart for free. Doesn't worry me on 1hr sector!

I was upgraded MEL-BNE one Christmas holiday period with the cherished beep at the gate and replacement boarding pass. I was a little miffed that they upgraded my non-status friend travelling with me as well, I was hoping to be able to gloat at him from row 2

We got full service IIRC