DJ Priority Boarding.. calling Plat, Gold, silver, partner airlines and then the rest

[Deewhy]

Small question:

Why is it that when DJ call a flight for priority boarding that it goes plat, gold, silver (which is fine) THEN partner airline guests THEN reds/everyone else?

I have no status with Virgin, but am still loyal... arguably more loyal than a "partner airline" guest (even one with no status)...but I get kicked to the bottom with pax that may not even be VFFs...

So I am miffed why me as a loyal customer gets treated as the *rse end of the world

 

[SeatBackForward]

Re: DJ Priority Boarding.. calling Plat, Gold, silver, partner airlines and then the

I have no status with Virgin, but am still loyal... arguably more loyal that a "partner airline" guest...but I get kicked to the bottom with pax that may not even be VFFs...

I assume this means you fly enough to be part of their FF program? If so then why not join the program where you might get to Silver? If you don't fly enough to be part of the program, then you don't really have an argument.

 

[clarkkent]

Re: DJ Priority Boarding.. calling Plat, Gold, silver, partner airlines and then the

No priority boarding for Silver btw.

 

[Saab34]

Re: DJ Priority Boarding.. calling Plat, Gold, silver, partner airlines and then the

Priority checkin for Silver. Never heard them call a flight for red's though?

 

[TonyHancock]

Re: DJ Priority Boarding.. calling Plat, Gold, silver, partner airlines and then the

I have no status with Virgin, but am still loyal... arguably more loyal that a "partner airline" guest...but I get kicked to the bottom with pax that may not even be VFFs...

Partner airline status pax are important because DJ status pax expect reciprocal benefits when they travel. In essence DJ is securing the loyalty of it's status pax.

 

[Fruitcake]

Re: DJ Priority Boarding.. calling Plat, Gold, silver, partner airlines and then the

Do DL Medallion pax get any status benefits when flying with VA (beyond lounge access)? I hope not, because lack of SkyPriority access for Velocity status pax on DL annoys me a bit.

 

[Deewhy]

Re: DJ Priority Boarding.. calling Plat, Gold, silver, partner airlines and then the

Partner airline status pax are important because DJ status pax expect reciprocal benefits when they travel. In essence DJ is securing the loyalty of it's status pax.

I understand that, but it's a general call for "partner airline guests" rather than "high status partner airline guests".

 

[Deewhy]

Re: DJ Priority Boarding.. calling Plat, Gold, silver, partner airlines and then the

Priority checkin for Silver. Never heard them call a flight for red's though?

No there isn't a call for red's - it's a call for "everyone else". Just making the point that they consider base level membership = non-members, and the perception that VFF reds are of lower status than their partner airline members - whether they have status with that airline or not (the call is for all partner airline guests).

 

[MarkD]

Re: DJ Priority Boarding.. calling Plat, Gold, silver, partner airlines and then the

:shock:

Small question:

Why is it that when DJ call a flight for priority boarding that it goes plat, gold, silver (fine) THEN partner airline guests THEN reds?

I have no status with Virgin, but am still loyal... arguably more loyal that a "partner airline" guest...but I get kicked to the bottom with pax that may not even be VFFs...

So I am miffed why me as a loyal customer gets treated as the *rse end of the world

Just think, when you fly enough, and are Loyal enough, you too will get priority boarding. I will go out on a limb here and suggest that I would think priority boarding should be reserved for elite levels, seriously, what you are asking for is for everyone to get priority boarding, ie; everyone gets to board first ie; no priority boarding

 

[MarkD]

Re: DJ Priority Boarding.. calling Plat, Gold, silver, partner airlines and then the

No there isn't a call for red's - it's a call for "everyone else". Just making the point that they consider base level membership = non-members, and are of lower status than their partner airline members.

I can live with that, because when I fly partner airlines, I get to use their priority services. The joys of reciprocal services

 

[pmdg7444]

Re: DJ Priority Boarding.. calling Plat, Gold, silver, partner airlines and then the

to be honest, I like to board last------max the amount of time in the lounge

 

[Deewhy]

Re: DJ Priority Boarding.. calling Plat, Gold, silver, partner airlines and then the

:shock:

Just think, when you fly enough, and are Loyal enough, you too will get priority boarding. I will go out on a limb here and suggest that I would think priority boarding should be reserved for elite levels, seriously, what you are asking for is for everyone to get priority boarding, ie; everyone gets to board first ie; no priority boarding

I get that statuses should get priority boarding - no issue with that... the issue I am citing is that low tier members of partner airlines are of higher priority than lowest tier members of their own program. [Sorry, probably didn't come out clearly in the first post].

[and yes, i refrained from answering my own question by saying I should fly more ]

 

[samh004]

Re: DJ Priority Boarding.. calling Plat, Gold, silver, partner airlines and then the

I get that statuses should get priority boarding - no issue with that... the issue I am citing is that low tier members of partner airlines are of higher priority than lowest tier members of their own program. [Sorry, probably didn't come out clearly in the first post].

[and yes, i refrained from answering my own question by saying I should fly more ]

I’m not sure priority boarding is offered to low tier members of partner airlines though, they welcome partner airlines because if there was no reciprocity then those members might be flying the competition, and as they award points to some of them, it seems fair to single them out when making the boarding call.

However some programs only have two tiers, such as SQ Silver and Gold, yes there are higher bits to it, but for the most part it’s two levels. When you compare that to Virgin Australia you can say, well why can’t our Silver members get priority, but then you see there’s 3 tiers over here, and perhaps their Silver is worth more than our Silver.

As a Red member you’re always going to be at the bottom, and the only way is up. And I guess, if they advertised/welcomed their partner members, with status, below the very bottom of their program, Red members without status, it would seem a bit of a slap in the face to the partners. Those members may then choose to fly with the competitor instead and there’s a problem. They probably also look at Red members as perhaps having that choice too, perhaps that’s why they’re only Red, because they’ve been picking and choosing between carriers.

 

[777]

Re: DJ Priority Boarding.. calling Plat, Gold, silver, partner airlines and then the

I think you've misheard it. You've certainly heard something different from me. I've heard them announce something along the lines of boarding for "Velocity platinum, gold, business class guests and eligible members of our partner programs" which i have always taken to mean high tier members not all members. If it was as you describe that would be an anomaly and some cause for concern but i'm 99% sure that isn't the interpretation intended.

Of course if it was as simple as that we could all simply apply for Delta or ANZ card of any type, never use it, and jump to the front of the queue.

 

[ff-jr]

Re: DJ Priority Boarding.. calling Plat, Gold, silver, partner airlines and then the

I imagine it would be harder and more time consuming for the staff at the gate to process partner guests with "x" partner airline status because I'm assuming it doesn't show on the ticket and it would require that staff to have a broad knowledge of the status levels of each partner airline as well as a recognition of each tier's entitlements. It's simpler just to include them all and lets face it, when we're talking a small handful on people on most flights, it's not life it's adversely affecting your experience.

Also keep in mind that for the average flyer (ie those who aren't as particularly knowledgeable or experienced as a true frequent flyer/your average AFF'er), layovers and connecting flights can be a hassle just by nature. It's a small token of appreciation to sweeten the experience and try to retain these customers on future flights, especially when it could often be the all important first impression of VA.

It's not a dig at Reds or Silvers and there is a good reason behind it. Essentially though, if you're Australian and you want the privilege then you've got to earn it.

 

[pat25d]

Re: DJ Priority Boarding.. calling Plat, Gold, silver, partner airlines and then the

Even if it was for all pax with partner airlines (e.g. a non-status Y pax on a Delta codeshare) maybe it is just being polite.

I would assume that over 95% of pax on codeshares on VA metal are most likely from overseas, shouldn't we be giving them a warm welcome to Australia?

I would think if I was waiting in line for a bus to Taronga Zoo/Margaret River/MCG/Sunshine Coast that I would be extra nice to people from overseas given the money they are injecting into our economy.

Our should we just kick anyone that aren't like us to the back of the line?

 

[pshepvic]

Re: DJ Priority Boarding.. calling Plat, Gold, silver, partner airlines and then the

I think the intention is that it is for status-pax, but in my experience the announcement does not say this. Every flight I've had this year (about 24 on DJ) they have said "welcome plat, gold, guests from partner airlines" - not once have they said "eligible" or "equivalent". I don't think it would make any difference anyway - it will be a very small number, most probably will assume it is Plat, Gold etc anyway, and even if one or two go through then it's not like priority boarding on QF with the entire plane load ignoring the proper procedure!

Comments above indicate that DJ status pax don't get priority on DL, and I don't think DL do on DJ either. However, NZ status pax DO get priority on DJ (per the agreement) and it would be very difficult to check eligibility as status for those pax does not appear on the BP. Maybe once the new system is implemented and integrated with the partners, that may change.

 

[wallacej]

Re: DJ Priority Boarding.. calling Plat, Gold, silver, partner airlines and then the

It doesnt really bother anyone in any case, simply because virgin have those fantastic priority boarding lines. love them, come early or late after lounging and walk straight on in....love it love it love it...
Only 190 status credits from earning the big platinum, and doing it the hard way on saver fares and no international. By the time I reach the level thoug, I dont think I will want to get on another plane : yeah right!

 

[777]

Re: DJ Priority Boarding.. calling Plat, Gold, silver, partner airlines and then the

Just got back from NTL - MEL flight and heard the announcement very clearly. Was definitely velocity Plat, Gold, etc and ELIGIBLE members of partner programs and not simply members of those programs.