Free Upgrade* [*to Cocos Islands only]

[doctork]

Just got off the phone to the Velocity call centre.
I'm a Velocity Silver living in Sydney, and have a complimentary upgrade in my account.
So I called, only to find that the only Sydney-based route available for upgrade is:

SYD-CCK

That's right, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. I didn't even know that VA flew there? Skywest maybe?
Needless to say, I don't have any business in the Indian Ocean right now - was hoping to use it on that other obscure route: SYD-MEL (where there might be some capacity?!)

Not complaining, but very amused.
Hope availability is better if I make Gold.

 

[get me outta here]

The sign I saw when getting off said, "Welcome to Cocos Islands elevation 10 feet". I wanted to keep one foot on the stairs just in case there was a little wash from the sea.

 

[doctork]

How did you get there? ie., from which port, via what airports and on what airline(s)?
And what touristy stuff is there? or is it all business?

 

[Fruitcake]

So I called, only to find that the only Sydney-based route available for upgrade is:

SYD-CCK

Well... if that is accurate (and I doubt it - I think someone the call centre is mistaken) it's hardly that bad a deal - the only way you can get there is flying SYD-PER-XCH (Christmas Island)-CCK.

Given there is no business class cabin PER-XCH-CCK, consider it a SYD-PER upgrade. Just don't check any baggage, or it might get lonely when it gets to CCK without you .

 

[richie9x]

I always had Cocos Island as a place I would like to visit. Strange to think there is a part of Australia that is closer to Bangkok than it is to Canberra.

From what I recall the flight from Perth goes via Christmas island. It is in a turbo prop to hence no business class. When you look at the map the airport takes up a good chunk of the island.

 

[Mak404matt]

How did you get there? ie., from which port, via what airports and on what airline(s)?
And what touristy stuff is there? or is it all business?

Virgin are the only airline to serve it, it is only served from Perth on an E190.

It operates via XCH (Christmas Island).

It is a contracted route, Cobham (Then NationalJet) had the contract before VA.

We snorkel there, and mostly just relax! It is one of my favorite destinations!

 

[Fruitcake]

It is in a turbo prop to hence no business class.

VA has had the contract since 2010, they've been using E190s, but there is no business class service offered.

 

[smit0847]

Another example of the overseas robots having no concept of Australia or Australians.

 

[williamsf1]

I think you may have been feed the incorrect information.

COMP upgrades are valid on only flexi fare where a business cabin is sold and has Z class ( reward ) availability .

From Sydney , depending on the day , you should be able to upgrade to most VA destinations

 

[doctork]

I think you may have been feed the incorrect information.

COMP upgrades are valid on only flexi fare where a business cabin is sold and has Z class ( reward ) availability .

From Sydney , depending on the day , you should be able to upgrade to most VA destinations

They offered me an upgrade using points: is that a Z bucket too?
I think I have had an encounter with the 'Call Centre Wall Of Ignorance'
Still funny, I think.
I'll try again.
Then again, I love snorkelling, and maybe VA know this, and are trying to subtly sell me a holiday?

 

[QFBOY]

When I lived on XCH prior to the detention centre days it was a thrice weekly service operated by Ansett WA.
It operated as follows.

Wednesday: PER-XCH-CCK-PER
Saturday: PER-CCK-XCH-PER
Sunday, operated fortnightly only freight service PER-XCH-PER

Many years ago it was TAA one week and Ansett the next, but that's a long time ago.


Cheers

 

[Ansettaddict123]

VA has had the contract since 2010, they've been using E190s, but there is no business class service offered.

A few services here and there have also been on 73H metal also (scheduled or not i dont know). I know that the E190s are at times far too small for the amount of cargo they were trying to get onto them

 

[Formal Hall]

I would take them up on this. Upgraded on the coast to coast service would be grand and Cocos is arguably the most unique location on the VA network Map; perhaps they'd have a one-seat business class service on PER-CEK if the Cocos was still a autocratic feudal system! (see Dynasties - 16/11/2004: Episode 2: Clunies ).