Fly ahead - with a fee

[serfty]

If you don't ask you won't receive ...

.. Seriously I have neve had an issue.

Then again, I don't check luggage, travel generally at off-peak times and always ask in the lounge.

 

[Edge]

I was booked on a saver or saver lite fare on the 4pm ADL-MEL last Tuesday and made it in time to get the 3pm service. I asked if I could fly ahead and was told that I definitely could, but it was quite full and I would have to take a middle seat. I was totally fine with that. I use it all the time and have never been denied.

 

[ap_spd]

same here, was booked for a 9:30 PM flight out of Sydney, reached at around 6 wanted to spend time at lounge; just asked if I can do a fly ahead (was with another pax and had luggage) was told sure, the flight leaves at 7!!
so yes, I have tried fly ahead twice and met with success both times...

 

[Eggsbenedict]

I need to fly ahead on Sat. I'm booked on a Saver but there are only Flexis left for sale. I've never had trouble flying forward except where the flight is completely full (done it prob 12 times).

Can I still fly forward where there's only a different fare class available?

2 SGs travelling together btw

From experence I don't believe you will have any issues at all

 

[TtiGeR]

I often book 8PM services because it can be difficult to tell if I can finish my job on time. Most of the time, I fly ahead and get home early. In some occasions, I even managed to complete my job 1 day earlier so I can leave in the morning.

I guess moving forward, they will spend much more time with me whenever I arrive at the airport as they will have to find the earliest flight with no fare difference (or the one with the minimum fare difference).

Before:
VA: Would you like to leave now? I can put you on the next flight. It will be boarding in 5 minutes.
ME: That would be fantastic. Thank you so much.
Boarding pass printed, heading to security.

After:
ME: Could you please check if I can leave now?
VA: The next flight has only 5 Y seats available so you need to pay a huge fare difference.
ME: How much would that be?
VA: About $450.
ME: Okay.. but it will be boarding in 5 minutes and nobody can buy it any more. Wouldn't it be better to free up a later saleable seat?
VA: I know but unfortunately we can no longer override the rules. The system wouldn't let me move you if I don't enter payment details.
ME: Alright. How about a later flight today but no fare difference or at a reasonable cost?
VA: Let me check... Um.. the system is really slow.. wait.. Oh.. I need to start this all over again. Sorry about that.. (5 mins later) Okay, I can move you to the 9 AM service for $90. The earliest one with no fare difference would be 4PM.
Me: Um... Any flights earlier than 4PM but not as expensive as 9AM?
VA: Let me check again.. Okay.. The 2PM service would cost you $30 or.... the 11AM service for $60.
ME: Let me check with the boss for approval. (calling Mrs with the options available for approval) ...
...

 

[Eggsbenedict]

I often book 8PM services because it can be difficult to tell if I can finish my job on time. Most of the time, I fly ahead and get home early. In some occasions, I even managed to complete my job 1 day earlier so I can leave in the morning.

I guess moving forward, they will spend much more time with me whenever I arrive at the airport as they will have to find the earliest flight with no fare difference (or the one with the minimum fare difference).

Before:
VA: Would you like to leave now? I can put you on the next flight. It will be boarding in 5 minutes.
ME: That would be fantastic. Thank you so much.
Boarding pass printed, heading to security.

After:
ME: Could you please check if I can leave now?
VA: The next flight has only 5 Y seats available so you need to pay a huge fare difference.
ME: How much would that be?
VA: About $450.
ME: Okay.. but it will be boarding in 5 minutes and nobody can buy it any more. Wouldn't it be better to free up a later saleable seat?
VA: I know but unfortunately we can no longer override the rules. The system wouldn't let me move you if I don't enter payment details.
ME: Alright. How about a later flight today but no fare difference or at a reasonable cost?
VA: Let me check... Um.. the system is really slow.. wait.. Oh.. I need to start this all over again. Sorry about that.. (5 mins later) Okay, I can move you to the 9 AM service for $90. The earliest one with no fare difference would be 4PM.
Me: Um... Any flights earlier than 4PM but not as expensive as 9AM?
VA: Let me check again.. Okay.. The 2PM service would cost you $30 or.... the 11AM service for $60.
ME: Let me check with the boss for approval. (calling Mrs with the options available for approval) ...
...

What are you basing the "After" on? It was suggested mid this year that you would only be able to fly forward on the same class ticket however based on my own (3-4 flights a week) and many other recent comments this has never been implemented or enforced.

 

[MH_fan]

I've never had a problem with Fly Ahead either. This perk for SG and WP alone has resulted in the majority of my domestic travel being moved to VA. I vote with my wallet and since QF denied me this service several months ago (even though it is an unpublished benefit for WP), I haven't got a single forward domestic (or international for that matter) booking with them. However, over at VA...

 

[mattyj89]

I'm a frequent fly-aheader; visit my parents in regional Victoria quite a bit and have to catch a train to Melbourne then the Skybus to the airport; always catch a train that gives 3 hours in Melbourne between arriving and flying out (just in case train gets delayed or cancelled as has happened in the past); usually end up at the airport two hours early, but have always flown ahead with no issues

 

[lang_13]

similar story here - never had a problem flying ahead even on a saver lite at peak times. i have always found the lounge staff excellent (esp in Sydney) - even had one staff member come and find where i was sitting in the lounge with a boarding pass for an earlier flight...

 

[Deleted member 29185]

In some occasions, I even managed to complete my job 1 day earlier so I can leave in the morning...

Was this event when you tried a day early?

I'm like the others, no drama (even with checked luggage) to secure fly ahead on the same day. I have tried a day early and been refused. YMMV however.

 

[woodborer]

I'm like the others, no drama (even with checked luggage) to secure fly ahead on the same day. I have tried a day early and been refused. YMMV however.

Restricting Fly Ahead to the same day seems reasonable - otherwise where would it end. From what I can see on this board there would be folk booking happy hour fares and then trying to fly ahead 6 weeks.

 

[Major]

Earlier this year a mate and I were checking in at the SYD lounge and asked for an earlier flight. My mate ( who has no status) was a bit embarrassed when the lounge angel commented that he was a month early for his flight. We thought he was about to be slugged with a giant fee but she not only changed the date but put us on the earlier flight.
All of this in about 30 seconds, handed over BP's with a smile and wished us a pleasant flight.

Other airlines should take note of this, it wasn't hard at all. Good work VA

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Restricting Fly Ahead to the same day seems reasonable - otherwise where would it end. From what I can see on this board there would be folk booking happy hour fares and then trying to fly ahead 6 weeks.

I didn't suggest the refusal was unreasonable, but in the spirit of a fair dinkum AFFer.........I tried it on regardless!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

the lounge angel commented that he was a month early for his flight. We thought he was about to be slugged with a giant fee but she not only changed the date but put us on the earlier flight.

Ca we assume it was a business fare bucket?

 

[Major]

Ca we assume it was a business fare bucket?

No...he was on a saver and simply stuffed up his return date

 

[777]

The only times I've ever had problems with fly ahead is when there is literally no available seats. Worked fine every other time.

 

[Edge]

Earlier this year a mate and I were checking in at the SYD lounge and asked for an earlier flight. My mate ( who has no status) was a bit embarrassed when the lounge angel commented that he was a month early for his flight. We thought he was about to be slugged with a giant fee but she not only changed the date but put us on the earlier flight.
All of this in about 30 seconds, handed over BP's with a smile and wished us a pleasant flight.

Other airlines should take note of this, it wasn't hard at all. Good work VA

Had a similar experience earlier in the year. Though I was booked one day later, not one month later. I only found out when I went to board my flight and was denied at the gate. The staff at BNE got me on the next available flight ($50 fee - totally reasonable). The did it quickly and efficiently and it was my travel agents fault for booking (and my fault for not double checking the dates!)

Also flew ahead from BNE last night - booked on 4.55pm, flew on 3.55pm.

 

[ap_spd]

Had a similar experience earlier in the year. Though I was booked one day later, not one month later. I only found out when I went to board my flight and was denied at the gate. The staff at BNE got me on the next available flight ($50 fee - totally reasonable). The did it quickly and efficiently and it was my travel agents fault for booking (and my fault for not double checking the dates!)

Also flew ahead from BNE last night - booked on 4.55pm, flew on 3.55pm.

Bigger problem than fly ahead, how did you turn up at the gate when the check-in should not have been allowed...

 

[kevrosmith]

Bigger problem than fly ahead, how did you turn up at the gate when the check-in should not have been allowed...

It's possible to check-in online and on mobile 48 hours before the flight with VA.

 

[Edge]

It's possible to check-in online and on mobile 48 hours before the flight with VA.

^^what he said