My Virgin Gold experience

[anat0l]

This is my point precisely William.
Travel documentation (and I flew domestic so that is all that I am talking about) is not defined in the Terms (glossary) that precede 10.3 All Travel that you have referred to.

Not quite true. Although contrived, it is loosely defined in sec 3.4.

I have been told before this, and on a number of occasions since, that a Gold Card is a recognized piece of travel documentation.

Now everyone in here seems to contend that it definitely is not and does not constitute identity. Given the fact I had never been asked before this confirmed my belief.

Who told you that? Whoever it is should be pinned to the wall.

But seriously, if an airline wishes to accept an airline loyalty card as "valid ID", then they accept the risk. It doesn't discharge the culpability of fraud from someone who attempts to fly on a passenger name not matching their's, but some of the culpability may be mitigated by the airline's lack of responsibility in this regard (or may be pursued as a separate action against the airline).

I suppose if there were more crimes related to people travelling on wrong names or identity fraud and the like, we may see the system tighten up considerably, a la like in the US where a photo ID must be presented to get into the sterile area. There has been limited cases of where there has been people who have travelled on the wrong identity (e.g. to attempt to elude authorities), however it seems not enough yet to warrant much more strict procedures.

Its only a domestic flight; if there are security issues I'll be picked up at screening.

Not sure how - security screening has never verified identities, except possibly international, or if a memo had gone around to alert the security on any particular individuals.


Just have your drivers licence or passport for domestic travel, or passport for international travel. I assume you usually travel with these anyway (the drivers licence minimum, as you need it when you drive, let alone for other purposes, e.g. in some cases of making large purchases from some retailers), so there would not be any issue.

 

[LiamR]

Can't believe this thread even exists.

You must photo ID with you, it's a fact. Although I'm willing to agree the website wrote it in a unclear way..

 

[medhead]

This is my point precisely William.
Travel documentation (and I flew domestic so that is all that I am talking about) is not defined in the Terms (glossary) that precede 10.3 All Travel that you have referred to. I have been told before this, and on a number of occasions since, that a Gold Card is a recognized piece of travel documentation.

Now everyone in here seems to contend that it definitely is not and does not constitute identity. Given the fact I had never been asked before this confirmed my belief.

Its only a domestic flight; if there are security issues I'll be picked up at screening. If it was a lost card and was flagged it would have been obviously appropriate to take it a step further. It must be that Virgin is concerned a fully paid for ticket is being slipped to someone else.


I am more than happy to drive, catch a bus/train, fly Qantas or other carrier, or not go in the future. For a domestic flight, without the need for a passport I thought I was carrying all travel documentation I required to fly internally.


Maybe "travel documentation" (and it still seems ambiguous to me for internal flights) can be defined in the future by Virgin to clarify exactly what is and what isn't identification.

(the only analogy I can think of is when you walk into a Club as a member you only display your badge/card. If not a member you id has to be validated via a DL or Passport before you can gain entry).

You're missing two key phrases in reading that:

Travel documentation necessary for us to accept you

Show travel documentation if asked to do so by us

The first one applies to a drivers licence being necessary for them to accept you.

The second means that not asking to see a drivers licence, or to only see the VFF card, does not define that has the necessary documentation. Drivers licence is necessary, they just haven't asked to see it in the past.

Overall, even if a VFF card is an recognised travel document, that does not mean it is the sole travel document necessary for them to accept you. In this case a driver's licence was necessary for them to accept you and they asked to see it.

 

[mannej]

Out of curiosity, what was the point of complaining to VA about this? You said you were disappointed by the response. In all honesty what were you expecting?

 

[Fruitcake]

I can honestly say I've formed no opinion of you. Just simply mentioned that photo ID is actually the gold standard.

I see what you did there .

 

[MH_fan]

I really don't see what the big deal is. Everyone has (or should have) some form of photo ID on them. VA have asked to see mine in the past but not always. It always surprises me that the authorities aren't stricter on things like that. Everywhere else in the world I've travelled to asks to see photo ID whether it be for an international flight or a domestic one. It's a bit lax here in Australia and that's not a good thing.

 

[QF21]

no domestic ID checking in Japan (and domestic includes flying to Naha from Haneda )

 

[anchew]

I have been asked for ID (even after presenting my Velocity card) everytime I flew with VA when checking in luggage - maybe I look dodgy?

On the Medicare card issue - what would happen if you don't have your medicare on you? I leave mine at home unless I go to a doctor. How about our international visitors who don't have medicare cards? What if I'm taking my little niece/nephew on a holiday (and for some reason flying JQ)?

 

[Aussie_flyer]

I have been asked for ID (even after presenting my Velocity card) everytime I flew with VA when checking in luggage - maybe I look dodgy?

On the Medicare card issue - what would happen if you don't have your medicare on you? I leave mine at home unless I go to a doctor. How about our international visitors who don't have medicare cards? What if I'm taking my little niece/nephew on a holiday (and for some reason flying JQ)?

If international visitors then bring photo id, i.e. a passport. If they are international visitors then they will have one.

If travelling with a kid then birth certificate, certified copy of birth certificate or student id card if at school are all ok. OR a passport. Really, its quite simple to check the JQ website to find out.

 

[anchew]

Really? The JQ website states that international visitors must bring their kid's birth certificate? How would a student ID 'prove' (I use that term lightly) that the adult traveller is the child's legal guardian? Or were you just taking the Micky?

(And to clarify - I'm thinking domestic JQ)

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Really? The JQ website states that international visitors must bring their kid's birth certificate? How would a student ID 'prove' (I use that term lightly) that the adult traveller is the child's legal guardian? Or were you just taking the Micky?

(And to clarify - I'm thinking domestic JQ)

Go read it. I was simply saying what forms of ID are acceptable

 

[anchew]

Checking in | Jetstar

When your family checks in for a domestic flight, you need to produce either your itinerary or your ID with your name on it. We may require proof of age for infants travelling for free if we believe they may be older than two years.
For Australian domestic flights departing from International terminals all family members over the age of 18 years need to provide us with acceptable photographic ID.
These are the only acceptable forms of identification, all of which must be valid at the time of travel:

• National Passport; or
• Motor Vehicle driver’s licence issued under a law of the Commonwealth of Australia or of an Australian State or Territory
• A document that identifies you, issued by either the Commonwealth of Australia, an Australian State or Territory or an authority of those
• Aviation security identification card issued by the operator of the aircraft or the operator of an airport in Australia.

Children and infants travelling with an adult must be recorded on the back of their parent or guardian’s boarding pass.
For ourinternational flights all parents are required to have a valid passport, with the required validity period for the trip. If you are Australian, your children require their own passports. It is your responsibility at all times to have appropriate travel documentation and entry permits such as visas. Some countries may require proof of onward or return travel and 6 months validity on your passport.
From check-in your family proceeds to airport security. For parents travelling on an international flight with baby food, milk or formula it’s a good idea to have it all together in a bag to present for inspection.

Doesn't say anything about requiring to prove guardianship, bringing a medicare card etc.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I haven't read this whole thread but I might just say I have often chastised my family for leaving for the airport without ID. I always have my DL but the others are so use to not being asked they tend to forget it. Everyone should realise that all of us can (and sometimes do) get asked to produce ID and if we cannot, we may be refused carriage. I've been asked to produce ID on a few occasions and I certainly don't mind at all.

 

[doug81]

Never asked for ID - always plonk the gold/plat card and that's the end of that. Having said that, I always have ID on me anyway. Why do people not carry their ID? Do you go through your things and decide 'I don't need this extra few grams of weight'? Always have mine in my wallet and wallet is with me all the time. Can't really understand people that sometimes have ID, sometimes don't, except if you've forgotten your wallet/purse...

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Well the op had ID but was offended by being asked....

 

[Mondo]

I normally check in via the kiosk or mobile if I am running late. If I have to use the desk, it is only because I have luggage to check in. In that case I always give the agent my VFF card and drivers licence and tell them what flight I am on. Never had an issue. They look at the licence and VFF card and hand it back. Don't see all the fuss.

 

[MH_fan]

Well the op had ID but was offended by being asked....

And therein lies the problem...

 

[Bali Belly]

On a recent check in with virgin ( last Mon ) was asked for id and son next to me also asked with whom he was flying with

 

[Anna]

As an AFFer, obviously the correct response to being asked for ID is "DYKWIA?"

 

[sleeptalker]

I normally check in via the kiosk or mobile if I am running late. If I have to use the desk, it is only because I have luggage to check in. In that case I always give the agent my VFF card and drivers licence and tell them what flight I am on. Never had an issue. They look at the licence and VFF card and hand it back. Don't see all the fuss.

Same here and its never an issue. Can't understand why its a problem to show your ID.???