DJ Appreciation Run Nov 19 BNE MEL CBR SYD ADL

[anat0l]

[B][U]Flight  Sector   Dep   Arr   Dur'n  Dist  SCs  Cost  Connect  Remarks                                             [/U][/B]
...
DJ 271  MEL-CBR  1350  1455   1:05   292   10    95     0:35  Earlier option available, [B]connection may violate MCT[/B]
...

Interestingly, the Multi-City Booking engine on VA's website 'enforces' a MCT of 90 minutes if you select separate flights. (For connecting flights-pairs selectable as a single option, the MCT appears to be 40 minutes for major centres.)

With a connection time of 35 minutes, even as a VA Platinum would I be pushing my luck, friendship and integrity by selecting such a tight connection?

 

[MarkD]

Interestingly, the Multi-City Booking engine on VA's website 'enforces' a MCT of 90 minutes if you select separate flights. (For connecting flights-pairs selectable as a single option, the MCT appears to be 40 minutes for major centres.)

With a connection time of 35 minutes, even as a VA Platinum would I be pushing my luck, friendship and integrity by selecting such a tight connection?

Well they know whats going on, and if they have 10-15 Pax connecting, with (All??) Gold and Platinum, I think your odds are good. Alternatively we could all just fly through early, as thats a benefit

 

[straitman]

Is everyone booking these as through flights or as separate bookings :?:

 

[MarkD]

Is everyone booking these as through flights or as separate bookings :?:

I booked BNE-MEL-CBR multitrip, then CBR-SYD-ADL multitrip, then ADL-BNE oneway

 

[anat0l]

Is everyone booking these as through flights or as separate bookings :?:

I suppose in the end it doesn't matter much.

The credit card surcharge is per sector rather than per booking - no big deal.

If you try to book some pairs of sectors as one connecting option, you'll forfeit the SCs for each individual flight in place of that from first origin to final destination. It might be cheaper, though (doubt it).

The only thing is that putting two flights on one itinerary may contractually force VA to ensure you meet a connection, especially since the MCT between two flights on a multi-city is enforced at 90 minutes.

 

[MarkD]

SO who has actually booked, and what have they booked???

 

[Hvr]

SO who has actually booked, and what have they booked???

I/we have booked the Adelaide Hilton for the night and the listed CBR-SYD-ADL flights. (More to come)

storyteller has also booked at the Hilton.

Yes I've booked the leg I'll be doing:
MEL-CBR DJ271 departing 1350 hours

Now where can I get 69kg of luggage from? :mrgreen:

Here's some of us. I reckon these flights are going to be platinum heavy. Wonder if a DJ rep will join us somewhere along the way? Or have a drink with us at a lounge somewhere? I'm sure we could guest them in if need be.

 

[tuppaware]

I fly back in from Shanghai the day before. So I don't know if I'll be sick of flying enough to want to come..
So we planning the full run of flights in one day??

 

[anat0l]

So we planning the full run of flights in one day??

Some are, some aren't. Hence why some are staying the night in ADL.

If you're prepared to pay some slightly back breaking prices to get home from ADL the next day or two, an overnight just might do your body some good. Of course, if your home is MEL or SYD the damage is reduced greatly. And if you use a reward, no SCs but a cheaper ride home.

Note that the sales of recent which made the run quite financially plausible to many has just finished. Barring that VA have left some sale inventory in the system, it gets extended or a new sale comes along with the same dates in mind....


I'm thinking more in not doing this. Nothing against VA of course, just finances are on a descending gradient at the moment, so need to be careful. (Says he who is planning to stock up on US DM miles...) Hope to do something like this next year, not in appreciation per se, but to shoot for Platinum requalification (need my 8 sectors)...

 

[markis10]

Sale has been extended to Wed midnight!

 

[Storyteller]

Writing from the US after a knuckle dragging week on the StarMegaDo3!! (the One Wold Mega Do is coming up in January for the foolish & the young at heart). Currently enjoying some nibbles & a fine wine is very salubrious surroundings.....

It's good to see that a few folk will be joing me on the trip to ADL.

I'll be home in a couple of days & will upgrade the Interested etc lists.

 

[tuapekastar]

I'd liketo do this (the bit from MEL onwards anyway) but am struggling with the tight CBR connection. Without having looked in detail, if for any reason I/we misconnect, what possible chaos does it cause with subsequent flights?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I'd liketo do this (the bit from MEL onwards anyway) but am struggling with the tight CBR connection. Without having looked in detail, if for any reason I/we misconnect, what possible chaos does it cause with subsequent flights?

A CBR misconnection would mean problems. Either an o/nite in CBR or SYD or a change to the 1700 CBR-MEL-ADL flight.......which on Y- fares may be an issue, unless route changes or the unwritten "fly behind" (incl. next day) benefit for golds and plats is permitted

 

[tuapekastar]

A CBR misconnection would mean problems. Either an o/nite in CBR or SYD or a change to the 1700 CBR-MEL-ADL flight.......which on Y- fares may be an issue, unless route changes or the unwritten "fly behind" (incl. next day) benefit for golds and plats is permitted

I feared it may get ugly. Maybe I'll take an abbreviated trip and end up in ADL anyway (without going near CBR)!

 

[straitman]

I feared it may get ugly. Maybe I'll take an abbreviated trip and end up in ADL anyway (without going near CBR)!

At this point I'll probably be starting in CBR so it should work for me :!:

 

[Mal]

The 5am flight ex-BNE is Happy hour sale today - save $7 ($102).
DJ436 (SYD-ADL) is on special @ $99.

 

[markis10]

How can someone call a 5am flight happy hour, maybe QF could do grumpy hour to compete LOL.

 

[Mal]

How can someone call a 5am flight happy hour, maybe QF could do grumpy hour to compete LOL.

Haha, yes. The cab fare for me would add ~$50 alone. Let alone the (big) chance of me sleeping in and missing it.

 

[Mal]

I've now booked

DJ 436 SYD-ADL 1815 1950 $99

So as long as I get to SYD, I will be in ADL. Still umming and aahing about the rest. (and trying to work out how to get back to BNE cheaply on the SUN).

 

[MarkD]

I think the connection is too tight in CBR as well, HOWEVER, When I booked, I was under the impression that there was a fair amount of interest, and the reason for the CBR stop was for a bunch of AFF (Mostly Gold and Plat FFers) to try out the ATR. VA Know whats going on, and some of us have booked accordingly, dont you think 15 or so Golds and Platinums on the same flight is something Virgin would be interested in making run smooth. Dont you think if the MEL-CBR flight is delayed that will upset the apple cart, then they will throw us on a direct MEL-SYD, seats permitting obviously. Hopefully this wont all turn to **** because people who said they would do it, now dont bother. At this stage, the only leg I have booked thats not on the original Itinary is BNE-MEL.
Also I have booked ADL-BNE at 20:35 ex ADL same night ($119 Mal)