Free changes to earlier flights for DJ Gold

[StevePER]

I received this from DJ Business Service Centre this morning, not sure if it is a widely known benefit of Gold. I don't remember seeing it published before.

I have received confirmation from the Velocity membership team that if a Velocity Gold Member arrives at the Airport early on the day of travel Airport staff can move the guest free of charge to an earlier flight, please be aware this change is subject to availability and can be performed on any fare type.

This free of charge change is available to Velocity Gold Members only.

 

[markis10]

I received this from DJ Business Service Centre this morning, not sure if it is a widely known benefit of Gold. I don't remember seeing it published before.

That is cool, very handy in a business context!

 

[kamchatsky]

I received this from DJ Business Service Centre this morning, not sure if it is a widely known benefit of Gold. I don't remember seeing it published before.

Smart thinking I say. That's how they can attract more business flyers. Not sure whether QF do this though.

 

[samh004]

Useful, but I was moved to a later flight yesterday morning and an earlier flight yesterday afternoon as a Qantas Pub Silver, free of charge too. Admittedly I could have been refused, and it looks like in this case you’d only be refused if there wasn’t space, so it’s the difference between a written benefit and an unwritten one

 

[DJ737]

Available on any fare type?
Could be open to abuse, say you wanted a 7am flight which costs $300 but book a 10am flight which is available for $99, then turn up at the airport for the 7am and request a move to the 7am flight.

 

[straitman]

Available on any fare type?
Could be open to abuse, say you wanted a 7am flight which costs $300 but book a 10am flight which is available for $99, then turn up at the airport for the 7am and request a move to the 7am flight.

This could well be one that is outside their own tolerances and you could/would be told 'sorry no availability' :!:

 

[Mal]

Could be open to abuse, say you wanted a 7am flight which costs $300 but book a 10am flight which is available for $99, then turn up at the airport for the 7am and request a move to the 7am flight.

But seeing Gold does cost a significant amount per year to earn/retain, this could well be costed into the status. Then again, there is always the "sorry flight is full" card that can be played.

Also, they could keep records on these types of requests and use them for "analysis"...

 

[koonyaflyer]

After 4 years of Gold this is the first time I have come across this, but something I have always felt was reasonable as a top tier pax!

I won't use it often, but it will be valued on the occasions that I do!

 

[pshepvic]

This definitely adds another benefit to having the status matching.

I've found that since being gold, QF will usually move me when even when on a non-flexible fare - I think sometimes depends on who checks you in though. Has even happened on a Friday night.

 

[JohnK]

Useful, but I was moved to a later flight yesterday morning and an earlier flight yesterday afternoon as a Qantas Pub Silver, free of charge too.

Sometimes it is simply a matter of being in the right place at the right time. When my father came to visit me in BNE last month on DJ he was asked if he wanted to go on an earlier flight when he got to the airport.

The change cost nothing and he has no status on the cheapest fare possible.

 

[wallacej]

I have often had my flights shifted earlier on request if I arrived early, but their have been times that I was informed that they were not permitted to move me on that fare class?? Maybe this will clear it up and remove some of the pressure from counter staff, who I am sure are asked often if they can move someones flight for them

Yes, of course, open to abuse, but that is a bit of a roulette shoot if booking a 10am flight hoping to get on a 7am as those flights are most often full. But I guess if you try it, you can use the lounge for another 3 hours whilst you wait for your 10am departure

 

[wallacej]

Also, if bad weather is heading toward the airport of your departure, getting there early can help your chances of an earlier flight. I heard staff speaking about moving early arriving pax onto earlier flights just in case later flights were delayed. i forget the term they used for it now, but something along the lines of "push forward"

 

[kages]

Can confirm it is policy to offer DJ Gold an earlier flight if available. Got one tonight MEL-ADL and my colleague couldnt get a seat on an early but was told it was policy.

 

[Mogul]

They also do it for Silver if you ask, have brought foward a couple flights over the last couple of months, without charge.

Bad traffic last Monday turned up at at check in 10 mins before flight (SYD to BNE)due to leave told too late will the next flight in an hour be OK, no probs, no charges or anything but great service.

All on 'go' fares

 

[Justinf]

I had a positive experience yesterday and today with this.
Arrived at the Lounge in MEL with only hand luggage at 6.15pm to catch an 8.15pm flight to SYD. Was told I could catch the 6.45pm but would have to hurry or I could catch the 7.15pm flight. I opted for the 7.15pm as I wanted to have a sandwich and a Crown lager in the Lounge without having to rush to the gate. Was fantastic. I really appreciated the offer and didn't even have to ask for it. When I took my 5C seat, two men then boarded and sat next to me. The stench coming from their bodies almost made me sick. I politely asked the FA if I could change seats. She led me to the back of the 737-700 where I was seated in row 26 with nobody next to me. That really made my day as the men really, really stank. I can't describe how bad it was.
This afternoon after finishing my business early I was booked on the 6.15pm flight back to MEL. I decided to head to the airport early in the hope of getting on an earlier flight. I arrived at the Lounge at 2pm and was put on the 4.15pm flight and was even given the option of going on the 3.15pm flight, but decided to relax in the Lounge and gladly took the 4.15pm, saving me 2 hours. Was told that only MEL and BRIS flights were being offered that.
I was very grateful and I am typing this from home, whereas I would still be 90 minutes away from home if I had've been stuck with the 6.15pm flight.
Interesting to note that both my fares were rock bottom sale $55 each way fares and in no way, flexible. Although I am a Silver member.
Thankyou DJ. I like you a lot.

 

[wallacej]

Such a simple gesture that really does not cost the airline anything. If you want to take a punt and buy a cheap fare, and "hope" for an earlier flight it is a fabulous good will offer. I certainly would not rely on it if I needed to be somewhere by a certain time because we all know mr. murphy will pop his head up.

Well done Virgin for doing this, all it is doing is filling otherwise empty seats. I have never understood why this could not be done before now. I mean I understand that they need to sell different qty of seats at different prices, but this type of good will gesture is priceless, and really does leave a good taste in your mouth.