Fly Ahead - love it

[Deleted member 29185]

My last fly ahead saved me circa $90. Tried to change a flexi and they wanted $90 (the difference was under $60 so I cannot work that out), but instead I decided to fly ahead......for no difference. As I've said previously, fly ahead and family pooling are the only two real benefits with VA.

 

[danielt25]

That's interesting you have been able to fly ahead the DAY BEFORE! How often have you been successful with that?

Well I tried the fly ahead this afternoon to get on the 4:30pm flight (rather than 9pm), Cairns to Brisbane, was told at the Priority check-in counter that the flight was overbooked by 3 PAX and therefore no fly-ahead available. Went to another check-in counter and told "should be ok as I can see seats are blocked out". Eventually told by the supervisor at the Service check-in Counter the flight was overbooked and no fly-ahead available. Was able to book a reward business class flight on the intended flight.

I'm wondering if I had tried this at the Cairns lounge if I would have had more success, or told the same thing.

I do a huge amount of Virgin domestic flights always on the cheapest fare and almost always booked on a later (Cheaper) flight and then "Fly Ahead" sometimes 5 hours or more earlier (Regularly)

I have

- NEVER had problems with checked baggage
- Checked in at the Lounge as much as normal priority checkin
- Flown ahead the DAY BEFORE (Saver fare)
- Flown ahead on a connecting flight when booked on the direct
-Flown ahead on the direct when booked on the connecting
- Upgraded the later flight with points then flown ahead on an earlier flight that had no reward availability
-Flown ahead AFTER the flight had departed; read missed my flight completelty and was put on the next flight (Saver Fare)

My experience is, if there is a seat you will get it.

-

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I'm wondering if I had tried this at the Cairns lounge if I would have had more success, or told the same thing.

If the flight is overbooked, it's overbooked. The blocked seats referred to may simply be bookings that have yet to check in. The 4.35 CNS-BNE is often a busy flight and although the lounge is the better place to go to change, if you had luggage that's a bit more difficult.

Twice I've flown ahead to that flight. Once it had one seat (business) to which I upgraded and secured. The other I looked on line to see very limited availability so I went to the airport early in the morning to do the fly ahead change, then left again to do the days business before returning in the afternoon. (the beauty of a hire car and CNS carpark.....you can park for free in the hire car park).

 

[minodude]

Curious - as someone who has used flyahead probably 120 times in the last 2 years (don't ask!), but has never once tried it with checked bags (I travel light): how does it work? A few of you said it's no problem having check baggage... what is the process?

1. Turn up at check-in counter (rather than lounge) with bags, get them to change your flight (I heard they don't generally do this at the counter - the T&Cs certainly specify lounge-only)?
2. Check in bags for your normal flight, then go to the lounge and move flights (and they... what... ring down to baggage handling and get them to re-route the bag)?
3. Pop into the lounge first, with your bags, get your flight changed, THEN go to bag drop (would work in MEL, or in SYD via premium entrance if they're not busy and the premium entrance staff are willing to do your flight change rather than punting you to the service desk)?

I might need to do it next week, is the only reason I'm asking.

 

[toowongman]

Curious - as someone who has used flyahead probably 120 times in the last 2 years (don't ask!), but has never once tried it with checked bags (I travel light): how does it work? A few of you said it's no problem having check baggage... what is the process?

1. Turn up at check-in counter (rather than lounge) with bags, get them to change your flight (I heard they don't generally do this at the counter - the T&Cs certainly specify lounge-only)?
2. Check in bags for your normal flight, then go to the lounge and move flights (and they... what... ring down to baggage handling and get them to re-route the bag)?
3. Pop into the lounge first, with your bags, get your flight changed, THEN go to bag drop (would work in MEL, or in SYD via premium entrance if they're not busy and the premium entrance staff are willing to do your flight change rather than punting you to the service desk)?

I might need to do it next week, is the only reason I'm asking.

We do it at check-in. As always if you ask nicely they can process it in about thirty seconds.

 

[Eggsbenedict]

Curious - as someone who has used flyahead probably 120 times in the last 2 years (don't ask!), but has never once tried it with checked bags (I travel light): how does it work? A few of you said it's no problem having check baggage... what is the process?

1. Turn up at check-in counter (rather than lounge) with bags, get them to change your flight (I heard they don't generally do this at the counter - the T&Cs certainly specify lounge-only)?
2. Check in bags for your normal flight, then go to the lounge and move flights (and they... what... ring down to baggage handling and get them to re-route the bag)?
3. Pop into the lounge first, with your bags, get your flight changed, THEN go to bag drop (would work in MEL, or in SYD via premium entrance if they're not busy and the premium entrance staff are willing to do your flight change rather than punting you to the service desk)?

I might need to do it next week, is the only reason I'm asking. [/QUOTE

1. Turn up at check-in counter (rather than lounge) with bags, get them to change your flight (I heard they don't generally do this at the counter - the T&Cs certainly specify lounge-only)? YES

Most of my fly aheads are via the Checkins - 100s over the last few years. Only time I would checkin at the lounge would be via Sydney using the Priority entry with no bags. I can't express enough that I have never had any issues ever, I have never been told "Sir as you have bags we can't normally do this" Or "Sir you should normally do this via the lounge" I turn up at the checkin counter mostly Canberra, Brisbane, Sydney and Hobart. Bags or no bags and get on the next flight unless booked out (very rare but does happen between 4pm-6pm from Sydney to Brisbane)

 

[Eggsbenedict]

That's interesting you have been able to fly ahead the DAY BEFORE! How often have you been successful with that?.

Only twice, once from Canberra and once from Hobart however it was no problem either time. Don't know that I would count on it but I would certainly try it again if needed.

 

[minodude]

Hmm. I've been turned away from getting flyahead at checkin counter before in MEL (counter was literally empty, figured it was quicker to try there than in the lounge which might have had a queue), and was told snootily that it had to be done in the lounge. Mind you, I work in IT so don't really look like a typical (?) plat, so that might be it. Or maybe she was just a cow.

Thanks, will try it next week.

 

[danielt25]

The times I've used it, I've lined up in the Priority Check-in line, at which point they then take you over to the service counter ... so you could go straight to the service counter in the first place.

It's best if you haven't already checked in for your existing flight (I don't know if that's essential (to have not checked in) but it makes it easier for them to re-ticket I guess)

I was surprised they have always asked me if I had bags to check-in (as the T&C say it's for carry on only)

Curious - as someone who has used flyahead probably 120 times in the last 2 years (don't ask!), but has never once tried it with checked bags (I travel light): how does it work? A few of you said it's no problem having check baggage... what is the process?

1. Turn up at check-in counter (rather than lounge) with bags, get them to change your flight (I heard they don't generally do this at the counter - the T&Cs certainly specify lounge-only)?
2. Check in bags for your normal flight, then go to the lounge and move flights (and they... what... ring down to baggage handling and get them to re-route the bag)?
3. Pop into the lounge first, with your bags, get your flight changed, THEN go to bag drop (would work in MEL, or in SYD via premium entrance if they're not busy and the premium entrance staff are willing to do your flight change rather than punting you to the service desk)?

I might need to do it next week, is the only reason I'm asking.

 

[doczim]

I had used my final Complimentary upgrade for my melb-brisb flight. I wasn't sure if I was going to use fly ahead and keep my upgrade but I was . I got the catering not guaranteed line, but that wasn't an issue either. so ended up home 2 hours earlier and kept upgrade so very happy.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I had used my final Complimentary upgrade for my melb-brisb flight. I wasn't sure if I was going to use fly ahead and keep my upgrade but I was . I got the catering not guaranteed line, but that wasn't an issue either. so ended up home 2 hours earlier and kept upgrade so very happy.

The last time I did a fly ahead I also upgraded via points and the lounge angel informed me she had rung through to catering to ensure I'd have a full choice of meal. I thought that was pretty nice and a bit of a glimpse back to the not so distant past with regard to service over and beyond by lounge angels!

 

[Demon_fan]

Today was the first time I didn't get to fly ahead, the reason? The plane is full.

 

[Eggsbenedict]

Two updates for fly ahead. Myself and a friend where booked on the 7.15pm BNE to CBR today. We both won paid upgrade bids putting us on Z fares.

My friend (SG) caught the first flight this morning out of BNE using "fly ahead" he checked in via Priority downstairs he was given a bit of the "Sir with this fare type we should'nt really do this" but was still moved to the morning flight and still in the upgraded business.

I have checked in myself for the 3pm attended downstairs Priority checkin no issues with fly ahead but suggested I do it upstairs as it's tricky and she did not want to make a mistake. Entered the lounge again no issue with Fly Ahead however it's tricky and takes awhile so go have a seat and we will bring over the BP

 

[mmikeemike]

Can confirm it's easier when travelling with bags to not have checked in.

I did FF MEL SYD a few months ago but had checked in online. Had myself (gold) and a guest (red) travelling and she had to spend 20 minutes splitting the booking and moving things around.

A guy came up to the next check in agent and also FF while we were there and he got done in minutes.

Agent was initially grumpy and rude about it but I think I talked her around

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I had an interesting fly ahead experience earlier this week. I approached the check-in counters and asked if I could fly ahead. I had already done a dummy booking and knew there were plenty of available seats still for sale so I expected there would be no problem despite me having luggage to check.

The lady then asked me if I had just come off an international flight, which I was truthfully able to tell her no and she happily agreed to bring my booking forward. After a second or two of confused thought, I asked her whether it would have made a difference. She replied that yes, it would then have been a travel agent booking and she wouldn't be able to do it! :shock:
I fly internationally (albeit short haul) every month and none of them are travel agent bookings, so can anyone tell me why fly ahead would be refused simply because you'd just flown in from OS? I'm tending to think she was assuming everyone who flies internationally must use a travel agent, but in my case, I don't use travel agents at all and certainly not for domestic sectors.

 

[pythonisman]

can anyone tell me why fly ahead would be refused simply because you'd just flown in from OS?

Not sure there- I'll be heading back from LAX via BNE in a couple of weeks and if I land on time / early and am quick through customs then I was hoping to get on the next flight as I have to go straight to work in SYD, but if there's a known limitation I won't try that / will just take my time.

Will either have a shower in the lounge in BNE or on arrival into SYD (are the showers in BNE any better than they were before?)

 

[jpk]

I've had issues a couple of times trying to fly ahead when coming off a transpac. I'm only guessing, but even though they have moved to Sabre, the longhaul operation sometimes seems to still be separate to the rest of the org.

Last time in BNE the girl at the transfer desk at the international terminal tried, struggled and gave up, even though I could see availability on VA and EF. I was also on a full Y fare. Went over to the domestic terminal in a less than happy mood and asked the angel what the deal was, she couldn't move me as I'd checked in a bag, but she did upgrade me

 

[Demon_fan]

I had an interesting fly ahead experience earlier this week. I approached the check-in counters and asked if I could fly ahead. I had already done a dummy booking and knew there were plenty of available seats still for sale so I expected there would be no problem despite me having luggage to check.

The lady then asked me if I had just come off an international flight, which I was truthfully able to tell her no and she happily agreed to bring my booking forward. After a second or two of confused thought, I asked her whether it would have made a difference. She replied that yes, it would then have been a travel agent booking and she wouldn't be able to do it! :shock:
I fly internationally (albeit short haul) every month and none of them are travel agent bookings, so can anyone tell me why fly ahead would be refused simply because you'd just flown in from OS? I'm tending to think she was assuming everyone who flies internationally must use a travel agent, but in my case, I don't use travel agents at all and certainly not for domestic sectors.

Back in June, I landed in SYD after flying in from AUH. I was able to fly ahead and my booking was through a travel agent.

 

[JohnK]

Fly ahead is great.

Got to OOL an hour earlier last week and asked if I can get on the 7:05pm flight as I was on the 8:05pm flight. Got into SYD ~5 minutes earlier. Just as well I was able to swap my 4C for 4C on earlier flight otherwise I would have been mighty peeved.

 

[andye]

Very pleased to be flying home to SYD from BNE an hour early-even better to be asked if I wanted Row 3 window or aisle on the earlier flight