I can't work out VAs on-board F&B

[Deleted member 29185]

I disagree they should become full service as I don't want to pay Qantas prices but I think they should clarify their F&B offerings particularly for regional ports.

Don't always believe you pay less on VA than QF. I find numerous searches gives me QF the cheapest and it's not just obscure regional destinations either.

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

Don't always believe you pay less on VA than QF. I find numerous searches gives me QF the cheapest and it's not just obscure regional destinations either.

That does surprise me. Are there any examples of routes where QF is cheaper? I must admit I am a little ignorant as I have the VA blinders on for DOM travel and rarely price check as I have no QFF status and detest Jetstar which is really the only other operator out of my base.

 

[serfty]

With an exception here or there, I do find that VA is generally cheaper.

This is especially true at the lowest base fare levels normally available months before a flight.

The closer you get to flight time the greater the chances of QF being the less expensive option; I suspect that's due to finagle factors more than anything else.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

That does surprise me. Are there any examples of routes where QF is cheaper?

Yes. Heaps of them, but my comment was not to whine at VA (this time), it was a suggestion to you and others to price check before blindly believing VA is much cheaper. I'm finding lately, it's about 50/50. I use QF and I also use VA. The VA plat experience is not enough to keep me blindly throwing $$$ at them for the privilege. Some of the differences have been extraordinary, but admittedly, those might be described as obscure regional by some, even though BNE-GLT is not an obscure regional to me.

Just do you homework and you can find some excellent QF fares as opposed to the VA ones.

 

[Justinf]

Half an egg and lettuce sandwich SYD-MEL 1pm today. Half. Not one or one round as we used to call it. Half.

 

[SimonF]

Half an egg and lettuce sandwich SYD-MEL 1pm today. Half. Not one or one round as we used to call it. Half.

Haha. You're lucky!

 

[Jousams]

I know I had a massive and prolonged winge about this several months ago. But it is still the case that on some SYD-OOL flights where I am on a flexi fare and have paid up to $305, I've been asked to pay for a coke...

 

[kevrosmith]

From my experience, a lot of the CSM's and crew are just lazy and don't read the service manifest (if that's what it is called) properly. Granted, they are often just as confused as everyone else, but as I understand it, it is clear on each flight what service is provided, especially in regard to drinks. I'm often on the 18:30 SYD-CNS and for many months, flights departing between (I think it is) 18:00 and 19:30 are offered complimentary beer, wine and softdrinks in addition to the complimentary tea, coffee and water. Seeing I'm often in J, once the CSM has made their (incorrect) announcement from the top of their head, I often query it and suggest that beer, wine and softdrinks are complimentary. They scurry around for their paper, have a read and then sometimes update their announcement.

I'm sure there's lots of internal announcements that the crew have to keep up with, and I'm sure that many don't bother with keeping up to date and memorising what's what for each combination of route, aircraft type, flight time, length of flight etc. However, the information is available for them to access, and it annoys me that they just assume that they know what service to offer without checking. I know when I'm gonna have a good flight with a good CSM when they get the announcements right: fortunately, there are a few out there that are on the ball and they are probably the best CSMs within VA.

 

[jaspon]

I know I had a massive and prolonged winge about this several months ago. But it is still the case that on some SYD-OOL flights where I am on a flexi fare and have paid up to $305, I've been asked to pay for a coke...

thats right, its always free tea , coffee, water and juice regardless of fare. Free beer/wine/soft drinks etc is only mon -fri, flights scheduled dep between 5-7pm

 

[Jousams]

thats right, its always free tea , coffee, water and juice regardless of fare. Free beer/wine/soft drinks etc is only mon -fri, flights scheduled dep between 5-7pm

even on full fare?

 

[JohnK]

even on full fare?

Flexi fare these days means nothing in my experience.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Don't forgot you can't compare QF and VA on a level playing field.
Some things QF will include and once you price it into VA fares, the lower prices of VA rise.
Int to dom transfers with QF for eg. QF bus brings you from int to secure dom zone at SYDd, but VA bus drops you on the public zone.
OR in Y, 17.20pm ADL - SYD dep, flat wafers and dip and cookies on QF with coffee vs coffee/tea/water only on Saver Lite.

 

[notzac]

Flexi fare these days means nothing in my experience.

Flexi fare means it's flexible - yeah it's changed from what it used to be, but it seems to me there's little point in comparing with the past. You also get more SCs and you can use upgrade certificates if you so choose.

 

[JohnK]

Flexi fare means it's flexible - yeah it's changed from what it used to be, but it seems to me there's little point in comparing with the past. You also get more SCs and you can use upgrade certificates if you so choose.

Apologies. Comment was regarding food and beverage.

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

Int to dom transfers with QF for eg. QF bus brings you from int to secure dom zone at SYDd, but VA bus drops you on the public zone.

That's what Premium Entry is for - but I do acknowledge you still have to go through security.

I agree that Flexis mean nothing anymore. I believe that you should get a more substantial snack at least and a drink even. I swear I remember reading somewhere that these complementary snacks were going to include Tim-Tams so first time I got those nuts and seeds I was very disappointed .

 

[Jousams]

I would be quite a happy camper if I got a free soft drink. Untill then, I will continue to winge, and probably, continue to use virgin...

 

[blackcat20]

I would be quite a happy camper if I got a free soft drink. Untill then, I will continue to winge, and probably, continue to use virgin...

I really don't understand why theI can't stump up for a can of coke or similar. For the cost of a flexi fare, it'd set them back 20c or so... Reeks of being cheap.

 

[Jousams]

I really don't understand why theI can't stump up for a can of coke or similar. For the cost of a flexi fare, it'd set them back 20c or so... Reeks of being cheap.

It's the central pillar of their 200m cost cutting strategy

 

[Captain Halliday]

I really don't understand why theI can't stump up for a can of coke or similar. For the cost of a flexi fare, it'd set them back 20c or so... Reeks of being cheap.

It also sends a message that the don't know which part of the market they're after. With corporate status matches and advertising campaigns they're trying to be a premium airline, but unless you buy business class they're still a LCC model and it shows onboard.

 

[Plutonus]

Next year when they post a profit of 20c, you'll know that you directly contributed to their success.