Has any QFF's switched over to Virgin, or may?

[medhead]

4. Virgin is not always cheaper ok? I've seen plenty of times were QF fully flex was cheaper than DJ. Latest one was last month going to HBA. QF were the cheapest option. And we didn't need to add on luggage or food.

Of course, a single flight comparison is pointless for the question of which airline is cheaper. On any given day either airline can be more expensive. But on my numbers (72 flights) Virgin works out cheaper on average.

 

[nlagalle]

Of course, a single flight comparison is pointless for the question of which airline is cheaper. On any given day either airline can be more expensive. But on my numbers (72 flights) Virgin works out cheaper on average.

True, and as JohnK pointed out QF is cheaper on average for him too. My point was refuting that Virgin is cheaper than QF, which sometimes it's flex ticket isn't.For my average travel to SYD, on the fare class I book, QF comes in better for us the last time I checked.

 

[Noob]

Not everyone is going to want to swap lol Everyone wants different things, we could argue to the cows come home which airline is better. There are people who wouldn't swap to Virgin if they offered first class suites at Y prices.

Qantas is a great airline. Virgin is a great airline. Overall we are pretty lucky in Australia, we are getting back to having at least two quality airlines.

 

[medhead]

True, and as JohnK pointed out QF is cheaper on average for him too. My point was refuting that Virgin is cheaper than QF, which sometimes it's flex ticket isn't.For my average travel to SYD, on the fare class I book, QF comes in better for us the last time I checked.

JohnK didn't point out averages, he made some anecdotal claims about the price comparison that don't match my experience. e.g. limited availability of Virgin sale fares. But in the past it has seemed that he doesn't really check for Virgin sale fares consistently. I'm also surprised because I frequently see the Virgin sale fares on the most popular ADL-SYD flight on Monday morning when the Qantas sale fare is not available on the same flight and they are asking 150% of the base non-sale fare. Basically, saying that I checked for a flight and Virgin was more expensive so I booked Qantas, is not a proper comparison for the big picture.

Without going into the variables (because I can see a range of points) it all comes out that our travel needs are so varied that it is impossible for any one of us to determine which airline is cheaper on the whole. You clearly have much more variety in your travel and I would guess you book closer to the travel date, maybe at shortish notice. What you see and what I see can't be compared. But JohnK and I have a similar travel profile, so it would be really interesting (from an academic POV) to compare what we each achieve week in, week out.

Anyway, all I saying is that we can't really say that one airline is cheaper than the other. So there is little point in debating on a price comparison

Caveat: this is not a comment about the route map or timetable of DJ, lounges or etc. Only price assuming route and time are basically the same.

 

[UP4014]

I think 'best fare of the day' is the term used.

 

[JohnK]

Genuine question, but why? Obviously if you do a lot of intra Europe or intra China travel (for example) *A membership would be a huge boon but equally Virgin's partnerships are pretty impressive and growing by the day - in one stop routes from Australia they appear to be catching up if not surpassing QF.

[/quote]
Our experiences and needs are likely to be different. I do expect to do flying in Europe and intra-Asia. I don't want to be forced onto Etihad flights, or any Middle-Eastern carrier for that matter. My reasons are personal (some from experience) and irrelevant to the discussion.

In my recent experience the customer focus at Virgin is excellent. Why do you assume it is not?

Because all the recent talk has been on business class seats and routes and frankly as a customer I could not care any less about new business class seats.

Again, is this based on recent experience or an assumption based on an experience on DJ from one or more years ago? I have had cringeworthy experiences with DJ in the past but i fly them 40 times a year or more and can't remember the last time it happened.

I may waffle on a lot of the times but 3 out 4 of my last flights have been on Virgin. I have not noticed any difference in approach to professionalism. Turning around to each and giggling through safety announcements is not professional. Their current focus appears to be status flyers and selling as much in flight as possible.

Well, that's a basic cost proposition which is simple enough if DJ fight + Luggage is more expensive than QF flight including (one piece) of luggage then that's a pretty simple equation. In my experience DJ flights (including luggage) are on average cheaper for the routes i fly but that depends a lot on where and when - YMMV and fair enough if it does.

I have posted my findings on AFF a number times. During sales the majoirty of the time QF is cheaper than DJ without luggage. A few months back QF airfares were $75 including luggage, food and beverage and DJ were $88 mot including luggage. By the way I have done my research and QF is what works for me. I am not going to fly SYD-BNE on a Sunday monrning, or even Monday morning, and then BNE-SYD on a Friday morning. Mid week flights Virgin seem to be a little better but I work during the week.

Just curious if you think there are *any* areas where DJ beat or at least rival QF. There appears to be a stack of them piling up in the Virgin threads but perhaps they are less obvious or less relevant to the casual DJ flyer.

I think some of their ground staff may be friendlier than QF staff.

I am still not convinced on Virign schedules as I think Qantas wins hands down. For my needs anyway which is what this thread was about. Would we switch to Virgin?

 

[JohnK]

This is not my experience really. I've put my averages out already but overall Virgin has been $14 cheaper on average for my commuting. So the same as qantas if including baggage on average, but not more expensive. For all my flights this year Virgin has been about $25 cheaper on average. I think the massive advantage of Virgin is the happy hours. These are generally for days only a month or 2 out. Compared to Qantas when the cheap non sale fares can only really be had about 3 or 4 months in advance and sale fares maybe down to 2 to 3 months.

Not sure whether you read my extensive analysis a while back for my flying needs. Qantas is way in front and as I value QFF points a lot more than Velocity points there is a gain there as well.

In my experience Virign would need to be at least $20 cheaper to even make me consider flying them.

JohnK didn't point out averages, he made some anecdotal claims about the price comparison that don't match my experience. e.g. limited availability of Virgin sale fares. But in the past it has seemed that he doesn't really check for Virgin sale fares consistently. I'm also surprised because I frequently see the Virgin sale fares on the most popular ADL-SYD flight on Monday morning when the Qantas sale fare is not available on the same flight and they are asking 150% of the base non-sale fare. Basically, saying that I checked for a flight and Virgin was more expensive so I booked Qantas, is not a proper comparison for the big picture.

Without going into the variables (because I can see a range of points) it all comes out that our travel needs are so varied that it is impossible for any one of us to determine which airline is cheaper on the whole. You clearly have much more variety in your travel and I would guess you book closer to the travel date, maybe at shortish notice. What you see and what I see can't be compared. But JohnK and I have a similar travel profile, so it would be really interesting (from an academic POV) to compare what we each achieve week in, week out.

Yes we do have slightly different travel patterns. You are commuting ADL-SYD which is going against the flow of traffic. I am commuting SYD-BNE which goes with the flow of traffic. Commuting BNE-SYD may well be a totally different story but I do not want to research this as I am commuting SYD-BNE.

Whether youbelieve me or not when Virign have sale airfares SYD-BNE and vv there is almost no chance you will find a sale airfare SYD-BNE on a Sunday night. There will be some on Sunday morning but that defeats the purpose of trying to be in Sydney on the weekend. Similarly coming back BNE-SYD on a Friday night there is hardly ever any Virgin sale fares Friday night. You will find some before lunch but again I am not wasting a holiday, or sick day, getting back to Sydney early on Friday.

So in general outside of school holidays (aroiund 5-6 weeks a year) Qantas is much, much, cheaper than Virgin and that is including luggage, food, beverages, business lounge and much better FF program.

Now I am really upset with Qantas but not enough to move over to Vrigin in the hope that they will better in 4-5 years time.

Plenty of time to get on board later if I so desire when I have Lifetime Gold in 1-3 years.

 

[markis10]

You always need to look at the bigger picture in terms of value I suppose, I do a lot of hotel stays at $200 a night with PC, that translates into 1200 points/miles with the current double promo, after six nights I have enough points for a PE flight with $50 to BNE that can be booked within hours of departure, by comparison the same number of points with QF would not even get me a classic award 24 hours out with QF!

 

[JohnK]

But Mark that is the bigger picture for our individual needs.

It is nice that we are all different and there is no way I am paying $200 for a night at a hotel with a possililty of siting in the same seats at the front of the aircraft as the rest of the plane. I will rather have $100/night saving and forego to opportunity to sit in a Virgin economy once every 6 flights that is no different to row 4 a QF 737. And yes Mark I have sat in both seats and I know which I would much rather prefer.

But if the company credit card is paying then why not!

 

[greenfish]

Having just stepped of a reward PE on DJ, it is about the standard of economy at best on QF. They did have a hot pie for food, which was great (and unexpected, the menu states flights over 2hrs only), but when we were put in a holding pattern, the announcement of the 15 minute delay included "and the bar is now closed".

Equivalent QF delay landing into BNE, I was plied with extra wine. It makes a difference.

As for fares, DJ is often a touch cheaper to CBR on Monday morning - but is usually dearer on the Friday night coming home - just my experience. However the DJ flight time on the Monday morning means I arrive at my desk 30 minutes later - I charge by the hour, so QF wins.

 

[markis10]

But Mark that is the bigger picture for our individual needs.

It is nice that we are all different and there is no way I am paying $200 for a night at a hotel with a possililty of siting in the same seats at the front of the aircraft as the rest of the plane. I will rather have $100/night saving and forego to opportunity to sit in a Virgin economy once every 6 flights that is no different to row 4 a QF 737. And yes Mark I have sat in both seats and I know which I would much rather prefer.

But if the company credit card is paying then why not!

It still comes down to the value of the points no matter who pays for their accrual, point being you cannot even get a seat with QF under 24 hours while I can get one for less spend with more leg room and free spirits etc with DJ, with lounge access thrown in that you don't get with QF in Y.

For 6900 points plus $166 I could head to Perth in J with DJ in the morning which is not a seat you have sat in JohnK, that might change your preference, maybe not, regardless of the seat, cheap award flights at short notice are priceless IMHO.

 

[cove]

markis10 have you done the J flight SYD-PER-SYD?

 

[markis10]

markis10 have you done the J flight SYD-PER-SYD?

Not with DJ yet, but will be next month, need to replenish the Vasse Felix stocks, seems like a good reason for a trip to PER.

 

[greenfish]

It still comes down to the value of the points no matter who pays for their accrual, point being you cannot even get a seat with QF under 24 hours while I can get one for less spend with more leg room and free spirits etc with DJ, with lounge access thrown in that you don't get with QF in Y.

For 6900 points plus $166 I could head to Perth in J with DJ in the morning which is not a seat you have sat in JohnK, that might change your preference, maybe not, regardless of the seat, cheap award flights at short notice are priceless IMHO.

The cheap DJ PE award seats are great value - but they don't earn SCs or miles, and since they have lounge access - what's the benefit of switching to DJ for other flights? I earn enough credit card points to feed my DJ award seat appetite.

Also, these cheap PE award seats are a recent arrival, and may well vanish just as quickly as they arrived - or everyone else will notice what great value they are, and they'll book them solid. At the moment they're serving a valuable purpose for those weeks when QF and DJ regular fares are prohibitively expensive Friday night ex-CBR.

 

[QF WP]

Not with DJ yet, but will be next month, need to replenish the Vasse Felix stocks, seems like a good reason for a trip to PER.

Let be know when you are going, that's going to be close to my trip.

I've also run out of Vasse Felix Cabernet Merlots and Tempranillos.

Perhaps we can have a drink with cove - he's always been around for a tipple

Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[cove]

Gee it sounds like a raid on our WA wine stocks! Bring bananas and we will let you in! Actually better Not.Better still bring spending money and we will get you into Mosswood and Cullens if you are into reds.

 

[markis10]

Gee it sounds like a raid on our WA wine stocks! Bring bananas and we will let you in! Actually better Not.Better still bring spending money and we will get you into Mosswood and Cullens if you are into reds.

The WA Beagles can get nasty when it comes to QLD fruit, even in the DJ terminal!

 

[cove]

We will be outa here in Perth part way through September and Serfty is proposing drinks in Sydney on September 3rd.

 

[oz_mark]

The WA Beagles can get nasty when it comes to QLD fruit, even in the DJ terminal!

Nasty?? They just sit there wagging their tails waiting for their treat!:mrgreen:

 

[cove]

Yes we need Imere12 to put the bananas on the Tully-Perth express seeing they are $17 a kilo over in Perth.Come over on Virgin points.....I need proof that they have improved a hundred per cent before I try them again.