Entertainment Book to give VA voucher discounts and no CC fee

[AustraliaPoochie]

I would go the digital book.
I have seen the wad of booklet, the EB is a huge great big thing.
Though you only tear off a bit each time you want to use a chit, still, lots of paper used to print it, not to mention ink, and the resources that EB would need to send the booklet to you, postage and packaging, etc.
The digital one, also means you don't need to tear off the chit, and have a change of "losing the chit" in wallet, or pocket, or in taxi or in the car!
I think down the track, I probably personally would buy a years worth of the EB and support my favorite charity, but right now, would put the $300 towards VA the lounge membership (as a PS member).

 

[Cynicor]

But with digital you can't share coupons with your friends (easily).

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Good point.

 

[kyle]

If the cash due on top of the voucher is less than $50 I think you'll still avoid paying the $7.70?

Here's my experience.

Ordered a $200 voucher on Wednesday night. Only received it late this afternoon (Friday), still within the two business days timeframe I guess.

But the stinger is, even though the balance I have to pay is $38, I still copped the $7.70 per person per flight. So that $50 threshold seems to only apply to the cash component of cash+points redemptions. Further more, the only options to pay the remaining balance are by credit or debit cards, both attract the $7.70 fee per person per flight.

Looks like this will be the last time I'm buying these VA vouchers via Entertainment Book.

 

[mlob]

I purchased a $1000 voucher to cover a few upcoming trips. I'm happy. Using this plus discount codes and avoiding credit card fees. Feel I am in front.

 

[Happy Dude]

I purchased a $1000 voucher to cover a few upcoming trips. I'm happy. Using this plus discount codes and avoiding credit card fees. Feel I am in front.

I agree mlob. I would add that there's no 2% handling fee as speculated earlier.

Bummer about the non-waiver of sub $50 purchases though. Just need to use the last $50 on a single pax ticket.

 

[JohnK]

Looks like this will be the last time I'm buying these VA vouchers via Entertainment Book.

If you order a $500+ voucher or even a $1000 voucher and book 4-5 flights then it is certainly worth saving 5% and the $7.70 for each of those bookings.

I have never purchased Entertainment book but this could be the right time.

 

[eastwest101]

If you order a $500+ voucher or even a $1000 voucher and book 4-5 flights then it is certainly worth saving 5% and the $7.70 for each of those bookings.

I have never purchased Entertainment book but this could be the right time.

Agree with the maths there JohnK - as others have also pointed out - if you know you are going to be spending at least $500 or $1000 on VA flights then it does make sense. But you do realise that means that you will have to actually fly VA? I don't have too many problems with VA myself, but from some of your other comments weren't they on your banned airline list for a while? Maybe I was mistaken so apologies in advance....

 

[JohnK]

Agree with the maths there JohnK - as others have also pointed out - if you know you are going to be spending at least $500 or $1000 on VA flights then it does make sense. But you do realise that means that you will have to actually fly VA? I don't have too many problems with VA myself, but from some of your other comments weren't they on your banned airline list for a while? Maybe I was mistaken so apologies in advance....

My preference is Qantas but when Qantas wants to charge ~$145 for one way SYD-BNE then I need to bite my lip, tuck my pride in and put up with VA for a few flights. And if the saving is significant I will even fly out of OOL on VA but don't like flying into OOL as it shuts down earlier than BNE.

My maths is quite good and last year I was able to purchase a $700 gift voucher for I think 8 flights and I had it spot on to the dollar and avoid the ridiculous $7.70 fee.

 

[kyle]

Agree with the maths there JohnK - as others have also pointed out - if you know you are going to be spending at least $500 or $1000 on VA flights then it does make sense. But you do realise that means that you will have to actually fly VA? I don't have too many problems with VA myself, but from some of your other comments weren't they on your banned airline list for a while? Maybe I was mistaken so apologies in advance....

My thoughts too. I don't necessarily want to fly VA every time. And sometimes, I'd want to use VA points and those vouchers can't be used for the cash component.

 

[JohnK]

Has anyone used their $50 voucher for Virgin Holidays?

Am I doing something wrong? What a rip-off. I would have thought flight + accommodation would have included some sort of discount. Boy was I wrong.

As an example I tried SYD-MEL in October for 1 night and the included accommodation was some dump called Barkly Hotel in St Kilda for ~$310. Most half decent motels/hotels were +$100 on top of that.

I can do it cheaper by booking flights and accommodation separately.

Still the 5% discount on the $1000 voucher was worth the $70 purchase price of the Entertainment book.

 

[TomVexille]

What's the timeframe that it's taking for the voucher to hit everyones inbox? Is it right on 2 business days? I ordered one before lunchtime yesterday so what are my chances of getting it today, or is it going to show up Monday?

 

[markis10]

What's the timeframe that it's taking for the voucher to hit everyones inbox? Is it right on 2 business days? I ordered one before lunchtime yesterday so what are my chances of getting it today, or is it going to show up Monday?

Its a lottery and varies, but I have never seen it longer than the two days. Wish they would fix the balance check, the expiry date seems to be limited to early Aug.

 

[TomVexille]

Its a lottery and varies, but I have never seen it longer than the two days. Wish they would fix the balance check, the expiry date seems to be limited to early Aug.

Thanks. Is that 2 days, or 2 business days?

 

[markis10]

Think it's Biz days, all mine are early week orders.

 

[TomVexille]

Think it's Biz days, all mine are early week orders.

Okay. Thanks again.

 

[TomVexille]

What's the timeframe that it's taking for the voucher to hit everyones inbox? Is it right on 2 business days? I ordered one before lunchtime yesterday so what are my chances of getting it today, or is it going to show up Monday?

Update: Voucher was in my inbox this afternoon, flight booked. Good work Entertainment Book and VA

 

[quick_dry]

ncluded accommodation was some dump called Barkly Hotel in St Kilda

vinyl wrapped foam mattress, prominent signs that sleeping bags can't be taken up to rooms, glow in the dark numbers next to each bunk bed. It is a real treat.

I hadn't used that $50 credit yet, doesn't sound like it is worth it.

 

[quokka77]

Another data point: ordered my voucher Fri pm (I'm stupid like that) arrived Monday afternoon. Just a quick helpful tip for anyone redeeming their voucher. I read the T and C's which state that long haul redemptions must be booked via the Call Centre. Therefore I called the call centre, and was told: you can't use this voucher to book a codeshare (I wanted to book VA codeshare on SQ metal) unless it shows as bookable via our website. To which I replied: I'm looking at the flights on your site right now. A few minutes on hold: "sorry, nothing we can do, our version of the T and C's for gift vouchers exclude codeshares operated by other carriers". I asked for this to be escalated to a manager, but was told due to Sydney weather IRROPs, none were available, and either call back later, or try submitting feedback via the website. Decided to give it a go and try to book via the website, just to see if it would work, and 3 minutes later, flights booked online, and confirmation PNR received in my inbox. Should have ignored that bit about "longhaul must be booked via the call centre". Now I just have to retrieve my SQ reference or e-ticket and try to reserve seats via SQ somehow... All's well that ends well, and it's $50 in my pocket at the end of the day.

 

[Grimace1]

Another data point: ordered my voucher Fri pm (I'm stupid like that) arrived Monday afternoon. Just a quick helpful tip for anyone redeeming their voucher. I read the T and C's which state that long haul redemptions must be booked via the Call Centre.

I wonder if the T & C are just simply out of date then, since you able to use the gift voucher online !