Fly ahead - with a fee

[medhead]

So the fact that the last few times I've flown ahead I've ended up in the same booking class as originally booked, despite expert flyer showing no fares in that class means...:?:

They should definitely enforce the hand luggage only rule for fly ahead. (Not to mention enforcing the limits.

If this does happen it also means that they'll move people to upgradable fares.

QF just about never changed flight for me when using the Qantas Club. The business lounge were the same until about 8 to 12 months ago. Since then they've changed my flights about 100% of the time.

Not 100% sure about this as saver and saver lite have the restriction of no changes at all​ within 24 hours of travel.

So unless someone at VA has suddenly realised they can make more money by allowing changes within 24 hours as long as upgrading to a flexi or business class ticket, or allowing agents to change these fares for WP and SG I am going to say this is gossip

Fly ahead allowed changes provided the same fare class was available. Overriding the restriction you mention.

 

[Must...Fly!]

So the fact that the last few times I've flown ahead I've ended up in the same booking class as originally booked, despite expert flyer showing no fares in that class means...:?:

That the agent/port is interpreting the rules as fly ahead available if seats in the same cabin are available and then moving you to that service while keeping you in the same fare class.

Fly ahead allowed changes provided the same fare class was available. Overriding the restriction you mention.

But we're talking about a fare change here, not fly ahead - they are different things and the process to action each is quite different.

 

[medhead]

That the agent/port is interpreting the rules as fly ahead available if seats in the same cabin are available and then moving you to that service while keeping you in the same fare class.

And how does the lounge agent open up S class that doesn't exist. Earlier instance of fly ahead have seen my fare class change.

But we're talking about a fare change here, not fly ahead - they are different things and the process to action each is quite different.

The rumour in the OP says changing fare difference for fly ahead. We are talking about fly ahead.

Besides you raised that savers can't be changed within 24 hours. My point is that if a saver fare is available in the new flight then fly ahead says you can change within 24 hours, overriding the fare restriction.

 

[Must...Fly!]

And how does the lounge agent open up S class that doesn't exist. Earlier instance of fly ahead have seen my fare class change.

Fare buckets always exist, even if there is zero availability.

The rumour in the OP says changing fare difference for fly ahead. We are talking about fly ahead.

Besides you raised that savers can't be changed within 24 hours. My point is that if a saver fare is available in the new flight then fly ahead says you can change within 24 hours, overriding the fare restriction.

Indeed, but there is of course no charge.

I am not sure if agents are actually able to action changes on saver/saver lite within 24 hours and charge the requisite differences and fare change fees by upgrading to flexi. If they are, then putting this policy in to place is quite simple. If not, then it becomes a more complex implementation. I suspect not, as even if one paid a fare difference and upgraded to a flexi, the restriction of the original ticket still applies as per the fare rules. Just the same as someone arriving at the airport on a saver could not pay the going rate and change fee to upgrade to J as there are no changes within 24 hours.

 

[MarkD]

I don't care what class my flight tickets into. I have flown ahead maybe 50 times over the last couple of years, and never once had an issue. In fact a lot of times they have offered it without asking when checking in at the lounge. Seriously, why do people start stressing and getting all excited and worried when someone shares a rumour

 

[medhead]

Fare buckets always exist, even if there is zero availability.

But with zero availability the lounge will usually need to contact someone. They haven't in the last couple of fly a heads I've done. Overall this means I've been moved to the same fare class. So no fee would apply.

Indeed, but there is of course no charge.

I am not sure if agents are actually able to action changes on saver/saver lite within 24 hours and charge the requisite differences and fare change fees by upgrading to flexi. If they are, then putting this policy in to place is quite simple. If not, then it becomes a more complex implementation. I suspect not, as even if one paid a fare difference and upgraded to a flexi, the restriction of the original ticket still applies as per the fare rules. Just the same as someone arriving at the airport on a saver could not pay the going rate and change fee to upgrade to J as there are no changes within 24 hours.

We know agents can change saver fares within 24 hours. At least IME. I have also once flown ahead on a saver and then been offered to use one of my complementary upgrades. I think they can already do this stuff.

 

[Must...Fly!]

But with zero availability the lounge will usually need to contact someone. They haven't in the last couple of fly a heads I've done. Overall this means I've been moved to the same fare class. So no fee would apply.

As I said, it's possible to move someone on to a different flight in the same fare class, regardless of what the actual availability of the flight is. This is different to changing a fare and charging a fare difference, which could only be done using what is actually available to purchase (otherwise, what would be the point).

We know agents can change saver fares within 24 hours. At least IME. I have also once flown ahead on a saver and then been offered to use one of my complementary upgrades. I think they can already do this stuff.

It is of course possible, as I said I am not 100% sure about actually charging the fare difference. By the rule book, using a comp upgrade shouldn't have been offered (as we know it's flexi only) but if you were rebooked on to a flexi then it's easier to understand why it was offered.

 

[medhead]

As I said, it's possible to move someone on to a different flight in the same fare class, regardless of what the actual availability of the flight is. This is different to changing a fare and charging a fare difference, which could only be done using what is actually available to purchase (otherwise, what would be the point).

The interesting bit is not being able to move to the same fare bucket (that is actually not the point I was raising) Once again when there is zero availability of a fare bucket then the change usually requires yield management to release a seat in the fare bucket for the luggage agent to make the change. Instead the lounge agent just makes the change without contacting anyone.

You also seem to miss the point that the OP is talking about applying a charge if the saver fare bucket is not available on the new flight. What my example shows is that they move me into the same fare bucket so there would be no fare difference to pay! Such a change for fly ahead would not result in people paying anyway as the fly ahead seems to always move into the same fare bucket.

 

[Bofter]

Virgin do have some differential pricing in the same fare bucket, eg. SZDAS vs SZDA and TZDAS vs TZDA. It would be rather unfortunate if they were to contemplate a fare difference for fly-ahead in that circumstance.*

*(my preference naturally remains no fare difference for fly-ahead if same cabin class is available, let alone fare bucket)

 

[Must...Fly!]

The interesting bit is not being able to move to the same fare bucket (that is actually not the point I was raising) Once again when there is zero availability of a fare bucket then the change usually requires yield management to release a seat in the fare bucket for the luggage agent to make the change. Instead the lounge agent just makes the change without contacting anyone.

You also seem to miss the point that the OP is talking about applying a charge if the saver fare bucket is not available on the new flight. What my example shows is that they move me into the same fare bucket so there would be no fare difference to pay! Such a change for fly ahead would not result in people paying anyway as the fly ahead seems to always move into the same fare bucket.

Just because you are moved in to the same fare class (i.e. S, M, U, T, Q etc) when you fly ahead, this does not by any stretch mean that there is availability in that fare class. It's agents ignoring the actual terms of Fly Ahead, as they have since the start.

If the fare class is not available on the new flight, with the rumoured application of the rule then you would have to pay the fare difference between what you have and what inventory is actually available.

 

[medhead]

To be deleted. (If I remember)

 

[gnani]

Hi all,

i just checked into the Melbourne lounge, and in the process asked the staff about this very topic. She mentioned they haven't been informed of such thing. She then asked one of her colleagues, whom I assumed to be her supervisor. The supervisor's response was that even if there is such a change of policy to be introduced, there was no way the Sydney staff member would have been made aware of it but not her peers. According to her, the info provided to me was inaccurate.

I'm not sure whom to believe at this stage - naturally, just like everyone else, I'm hoping the status quo prevails. Let's hope for the best but plan for the worst.

 

[Bjet]

Right...I flew with Virgin Blue under Etihad or Virgin Atlantic codeshare when I was flying to overseas. A lady at check-in asked me whether I would like to leave early. I was surprised and said YES...so that I can have lots of time to travel from the domestic terminal to the international terminal.

 

[tobes]

To be honest I always thought this perk was one of those ones that goes two ways for the airlines. The opportunity loss on an airline seat that has flown is used as a classic example in business and economics 101. Unless the processing costs are extremely high it would always make sense to have someone fly ahead on a seat that was about to fly empty to potentially allow someone to buy the later ticket. Unless I've been misunderstanding everything in my MBA....

 

[reniklaf]

It sounds like a furphy to me! I agree with tobes, if you arrive early enough for a flight to catch a prior one with only carry-on, then it makes perfect sense (for the carrier) to put you in an empty seat, and potentially free up a later saleable seat. I have had this happen on numerous occasions with both V & Q in the lounge.

 

[anat0l]

The only thing I can think of is that this benefit lets you "game" the system by purchasing a fare on the last flight of the day (or the latest flight you can afford to take). The last flights of the day are typically amongst the cheapest, especially compared to travelling in the peak. Then, armed with no checked bags, you can fly ahead in the peak, effectively bypassing having to purchase a fare that you needed for convenience.

It's perhaps an obtuse example, but so be it.

I still doubt VA is adversely changing the rules or modus operandi on Fly Ahead.

 

[Matthew Herbert]

I've actually only ever used it once. Flights into and out of Hobart are limited, so not much choice anyway.
However the time I did use it - they were BRILLIANT.
I was flying PER-SYD-HBA in J and unfortunately the PER-SYD leg was on a 737. The amazing supervisor at PER checkin re-routed me via MEL so that I got an A330 and got home earlier! Winning!

 

[Cynicor]

The only thing I can think of is that this benefit lets you "game" the system by purchasing a fare on the last flight of the day (or the latest flight you can afford to take). The last flights of the day are typically amongst the cheapest, especially compared to travelling in the peak. Then, armed with no checked bags, you can fly ahead in the peak, effectively bypassing having to purchase a fare that you needed for convenience.

It's perhaps an obtuse example, but so be it.

I still doubt VA is adversely changing the rules or modus operandi on Fly Ahead.

But the peak is "peak" for a reason- it has the most flyers. I don't fly domestic normally, but if loads are 100% (are they ever?) then the person who buys the cheap ticket risks having to fly out on the last flight of the day.

Or, you may get many people doing this and those earlier seats become filled by others trying to game the system too. So you miss out and have to adjust your behaviour appropriately- by buying an earlier, more expensive, ticket next time.

I think that problem, in my limited view, would quickly sort itself out and be fairly self limiting.

 

[anat0l]

But the peak is "peak" for a reason- it has the most flyers. I don't fly domestic normally, but if loads are 100% (are they ever?) then the person who buys the cheap ticket risks having to fly out on the last flight of the day.

Or, you may get many people doing this and those earlier seats become filled by others trying to game the system too. So you miss out and have to adjust your behaviour appropriately- by buying an earlier, more expensive, ticket next time.

I think that problem, in my limited view, would quickly sort itself out and be fairly self limiting.

In theory it should self-limit itself (at least in a capacity sense). A more adapted version would not be travelling in the peak but just before it, e.g. 2-3 pm or so.

Not everyone may game the system, but as we have seen "everyone's" participation is not necessarily required for airlines to change something. That said, I doubt this kind of scenario would be any reason to "fix" this benefit; ergo I don't think anything material will happen.

 

[mickeyc747]

I've actually only ever used it once. Flights into and out of Hobart are limited, so not much choice anyway.
However the time I did use it - they were BRILLIANT.
I was flying PER-SYD-HBA in J and unfortunately the PER-SYD leg was on a 737. The amazing supervisor at PER checkin re-routed me via MEL so that I got an A330 and got home earlier! Winning!

Great work, Melbourne could not do it yesterday, but in fairness to the lounge staff it was Velocity Platinum not letting them over ride a Z class fare. Yet it has been done before when it suits VA.