Fly Forward scam

[PDog]

Sorry medhead, I don't understand? Doesn't J still come in flexi & saver? And if flexible, fly ahead shouldn't be required?
I get the baggage is the tipping point.

 

[medhead]

Sorry medhead, I don't understand? Doesn't J still come in flexi & saver? And if flexible, fly ahead shouldn't be required?
I get the baggage is the tipping point.

Just saying that fare flexibility is a different matter to fly ahead. So my answers to your questions would be: sorry for the confusion, Yes and Yes. Remembering that I haven't specifically checked the fare rules. This is just my general impression, which could be wrong.

but on that point. I also have the impression that all VA fares lose flexibility once you check in. Perhaps not business, but at least all Y fares are not changable once check in is complete.

 

[Milefest]

Sorry medhead, I don't understand? Doesn't J still come in flexi & saver? And if flexible, fly ahead shouldn't be required?
I get the baggage is the tipping point.

J reward flights aren't flexible though, unless you're eligible for fly ahead.

I had just taken myself and 6 family members to Perth all on Virgin for my youngest wedding.

I don't think fly ahead is available on group bookings, I believe it's just your guest allowance that's able to to fly ahead?

What flight were you booked for Stitchit and what flight did they put you on?

 

[Eggsbenedict]

I bought a reduced fare BNE-SYD $95, arrived 13 hours early for the $172 flight, had no problems and still got row 3.

Last 12 months I've had 100% success on getting an earlier flight - I haven't seen them cracking down on this benefit at all.

Flying home to Canberra BUSINESS CLASS tonight through Sydney, tried to catch an earlier flight as I there was a 2 hour wait and was flatly rejected ..... never have this issue through Melbourne. NOT HAPPY

A lot of the SYD to CBR flights are on the ATR72 which has no business class, maybe that was the issue?

 

[esseeeayeenn]

I don't quite understand the discussion of whether a business fare was a saver or a flexi.

Yes there are different business fare buckets within business class, with different rules, and some are more or less flexible than others.
But there are also different fare buckets within both "flexi" and "saver".
These are broad categories of economy fare buckets and the distinction between them is meaningless in relation to business fares.

In my experience when you book online with VA once you choose "business", "flexi" or "saver" you are given the cheapest fare bucket within those categories which is available on the day.
There isn't an opportunity to select the exact fare bucket online (cf QF with more selectable categories but stll fewer user-selectable categories than fare buckets).

Or am I missing something?

 

[vicsta]

Used to consistently book 10pm flights and turn up at the airport early for the 7am flight. Was brilliant flying Virgin because this meant my fare was flexible and usually cheaper.
Nowadays, I'm a "lowly" Silver... Sadly my pleading for flying ahead at the Virgin counters falls on deaf ears nowadays...

 

[dec540]

I used Fly Ahead for a BNE-SYD flight yesterday, so thought it would be worthwhile sharing another success story.

Original flight was at 7PM (booked months ago) however due to a change in plans I was able to get to the airport at approx 12:50PM. I knew there was a chance I wouldn't be able to fly ahead as I booked a very cheap sale fare...

I got to check-in (witch checked luggage) and advised I was on a 7PM flight, asking if there was any option for an earlier flight. Pretty much instant response of "I can get you onto the 2PM flight, do you prefer window or aisle". No issue whatsoever.

This feature alone is enough to get me to do a status run to requal, so it's good to see it still appears to be availble.

 

[TonyHancock]

Another positive reference point for me yesterday. I was on the 18:15 from SYD-MEL and turned up at 15:45. I was on a flexi ticket and had used points to upgrade. I was moved to the 16:30 and kept my upgrade.

This, row 3 selection, four comp upgrade certificates, and of course, priority boarding makes me keen to retain WP with VA.

 

[Edge]

I "flew ahead" from HOB-MEL on Tuesday. Was booked on the 18:10 flight, only earlier flight VA were operating was at 13:00. Was on cheapest fare and the 13:00 flight had a decent load, but again no questions asked. Thank you VA.

 

[Milefest]

Another positive reference point for me yesterday. I was on the 18:15 from SYD-MEL and turned up at 15:45. I was on a flexi ticket and had used points to upgrade. I was moved to the 16:30 and kept my upgrade.

This, row 3 selection, four comp upgrade certificates, and of course, priority boarding makes me keen to retain WP with VA.

On Tuesday I left Surry Hills at around 11am, arrived at the airport by 11:30am, flew ahead to the 12pm flight, arrived at Brisbane airport at 12:30pm, was in the city by 1:15pm. Fly ahead is a huge draw card for me, Premium Entry is the cherry on top (no queues ever, personalized service, private check in/security).

They stuffed up priority boarding though. The ticket scanner broke and while they were trying to fix it, they started general boarding.

 

[justcallmeryan]

Been using Fly Ahead regularly since introduced and never once had an issue, except on a Saturday afternoon MEL - SYD when they explained all flights were full and I'd have to wait! D'Oh!

My current travel strategy is now to buy the cheap evening fares and if finished earlier turn up and see about getting home a bit sonner. The only time it hasn't worked is the above example. Works with saver and flexi.

I am SYD based though so rarely have to speak to the lounge attendants other than a friendly good morning. MEL and BNE staff always super friendly.

No issue with luggage either although that's a rare one for me.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Sorry medhead, I don't understand? Doesn't J still come in flexi & saver? And if flexible, fly ahead shouldn't be required?
I get the baggage is the tipping point.

This is an interesting point. It used to be the case, but VA removed the ability to choose fare class. The buckets now just disappear as they sell out, but I'm not sure this is still the case for J. I can't say that I recall J fares changing as they sell out??? Can anyone confirm? I have the feeling the particular issue raised would have more to do with the group checking in at PER with luggage and not being able to change "through checked" luggage at SYD.

I also have the impression that all VA fares lose flexibility once you check in.

I believe this is definitely the case, but VA can "uncheck" a pax to make the changes, but the mentioned group of travellers had not just checked in, but also flown the first leg so I'm also wondering if they were under airport control at that point, which effectively locks VA out of the equation.

 

[Muppet501st]

I've use Fly Forward on numerous occasions,

Last year, had booked for wife and myself BNE-HBA via MEL - needing the extra SCs to requalify a couple of months before review date. But as it turned out, I didn't need need the extra SCs. So original flight was leaving BNE @ 7am, and getting into HBA mid afternoon, but when we got to the airport, asked if we could go on the direct 10am flight instead of going thru MEL. No worries, so instead of Flying Forward, we flew later but arrived earlier Similar story on the way back, but flights back to BNE leaving similar times, and put on the direct flight instead of going thru MEL

 

[JohnK]

I hardly ever get to airport early to ask for fly ahead. Got to BNE airport ~5:00pm Friday and on 6:30pm flight with luggage to check. Was thinking of asking to fly ahead but talked myself out of it.

Go to checkin counter and hand over Gold card. "Sydney please. Think I'm on 6:30pm flight."
Check in agent taps away "You happy to stay on that or do you want to go on the 6:00pm flight?"
"That would depend on the availability of a good seat."
"Window seat in row 3 or aisle seat in row 4!"
"I'll take the aisle seat thanks."

Good to get home earlier Friday.

 

[docjames]

I hardly ever get to airport early to ask for fly ahead. Got to BNE airport ~5:00pm Friday and on 6:30pm flight with luggage to check. Was thinking of asking to fly ahead but talked myself out of it.

Go to checkin counter and hand over Gold card. "Sydney please. Think I'm on 6:30pm flight."
Check in agent taps away "You happy to stay on that or do you want to go on the 6:00pm flight?"
"That would depend on the availability of a good seat."
"Window seat in row 3 or aisle seat in row 4!"
"I'll take the aisle seat thanks."

Good to get home earlier Friday.

A good VA experience JohnK!

 

[Milefest]

I hardly ever get to airport early to ask for fly ahead. Got to BNE airport ~5:00pm Friday and on 6:30pm flight with luggage to check. Was thinking of asking to fly ahead but talked myself out of it.

Go to checkin counter and hand over Gold card. "Sydney please. Think I'm on 6:30pm flight."
Check in agent taps away "You happy to stay on that or do you want to go on the 6:00pm flight?"
"That would depend on the availability of a good seat."
"Window seat in row 3 or aisle seat in row 4!"
"I'll take the aisle seat thanks."

Good to get home earlier Friday.

And sometimes you FlyAhead provides a better seat than what was selected at the time of your booking!