New VA Fare Structure

[UP4014]

The problem is I'd wager there are a hell of a lot more people sinking 5 figures over the year compared to people sinking 5 figures into one flight. I think dismissing BIS Y elites is a pretty poor business decision, as they really are bread and butter income that airlines would sorely miss once it's gone.

You don't have to wager, that can be worked out with logic by looking at the number of seats in First versus Economy on any airline.

 

[grubbidok]

You don't have to wager, that can be worked out with logic by looking at the number of seats in First versus Economy on any airline.

Ah yes, but I meant to indicate that I don't think the BIS Y elites that spend five figures (and I'm one of them) are any less important to the VA bottom line than the person that person that occasionally drops five figures on one or two flights. If an airline is willing to drop the former entirely in favour of the latter, it has rocks in its head!

 

[ozstamps]

A VA plat in discount Y gets nothing except lounge access, row 3 and fly ahead, and now they won't get either of the last two.

Pretty True.

I just cannot see what they gain here.



I've been Platinum for 5 years or so, and am requalified for another 12 months and have flights already booked, that will lock it in for the 12 months after that.

Wish I had not bothered. :evil:

And I will not be alone with that, if these petty changes stick.

Row 3 to ME and travel partner is about the most useful benefit of Virgin Platinum.

As I have posted before, Virgin offering some DECENT bennies of Plat over Gold makes far more sense. AND brings them in line with successful overseas plans.

Plans MUST offer decent Bennies to top tier or no-one will bother shooting for it. Right now Virgin Gold and Plat essentially get the same deal.

If Golds currently also get ‘Fly Ahead’ well, in future restrict it to Plats etc. Will p!ss off some Golds for 1 year, but that in turn inspires them to gain Plat and that is good for Virgin.

Leave it as is and many will simply revert back to Qantas, or simply book the cheapest fares.

Unless they see sense, and sniff the wind, and back off or fine tune these current plans, it will cost them business, no doubt about it. Foolish.:idea:

 

[Milefest]

As I have posted before, Virgin offering some DECENT bennies of Plat over Gold makes far more sense. AND brings them in line with successful overseas plans.

Plans MUST offer decent Bennies to top tier or no-one will bother shooting for it. Right now Virgin Gold and Plat essentially get the same deal.

If Golds currently also get ‘Fly Ahead’ well, in future restrict it to Plats etc. Will p!ss off some Golds for 1 year, but that in turn inspires them to gain Plat and that is good for Virgin.

Leave it as is and many will simply revert back to Qantas, or simply book the cheapest fares.

Unless they see sense, and sniff the wind, and back off or fine tune these current plans, it will cost them business, no doubt about it. Foolish.:idea:

I agree that there needs to be further differentiation between the two tiers, though removing already existing benefits to members that have earned them, just to make the benefits more exclusive is a terrible idea. Removing flyahead further devalues attaining status and alienates a larger portion of frequent flyers, if anything they'll fly less.

 

[Dannyism]

Have to admit, I use fly ahead to rort (within the rules) the system. Got my status WP, mostly by flying singapore airlines and rorting (within the rules) family pooling. I only ever fly on the cheapest fare. So I guess I can understand why they might fix up some of the perks that are being abused.

 

[bullerdude]

Two words.

... Row 3

 

[Major]

Have to admit, I use fly ahead to rort (within the rules) the system. Got my status WP, mostly by flying singapore airlines and rorting (within the rules) family pooling. I only ever fly on the cheapest fare. So I guess I can understand why they might fix up some of the perks that are being abused.

Now I know why they want to change the system...grrr

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Have to admit, I use fly ahead to rort (within the rules) the system. Got my status WP, mostly by flying singapore airlines and rorting (within the rules) family pooling. I only ever fly on the cheapest fare. So I guess I can understand why they might fix up some of the perks that are being abused.

Thanks so much for posting that in a forum they monitor. Most helpful.

 

[sausagefingers]

Thanks so much for posting that in a forum they monitor. Most helpful.

You don't think that they're already aware that it happens?

 

[esseeeayeenn]

You don't think that they're already aware that it happens?

What happens?
Despite the previous poster's choice of words, if you're operating within the rules, you're not "rorting" anything.
Of course they know people exploit the letter of the rules to their benefit. That's what people do with rules generally. Ask any tax accountant.

 

[pauly7]

You don't think that they're already aware that it happens?

Of course they do, they've publicly acknowledged that Fly Ahead was 'being abused, significantly' so it was obviously a lot of people and outside this forum

 

[Virgin Bart]

Of course they do, they've publicly acknowledged that Fly Ahead was 'being abused, significantly' so it was obviously a lot of people and outside this forum

Oh wow I didn't think they acknowledged that. Care to share where?

 

[ozstamps]

Now I know why they want to change the system...grrr

I've been active of Flyer Boards for near 20 years and made 30,000+ posts.

Yes, 1000s of posters over the years I've witnessed posting things common sense would dictate they did not.

You'd be amazed how much info Hotels/Airlines pick up from Bulletin Boards.

MOSTLY to downgrade things already in place. :evil::evil:

I suggest those annoyed with this apparent change add their input about those proposed changes.

 

[Milefest]

You don't think that they're already aware that it happens?

It's not that they know it happens, it's the fact that people think the benefit is too generous.

 

[anat0l]

Of course they do, they've publicly acknowledged that Fly Ahead was 'being abused, significantly' so it was obviously a lot of people and outside this forum

Just because it seems to get tougher now doesn't mean it's really going away "for real". Particularly for Platinums and during flow forward, surely they can get a break once in a while to get a change of flight, especially with no checked bags, simply by asking. After all, wasn't it VA that prided itself on a reputation that was supposed to be less rigid than QF?

 

[pauly7]

Oh wow I didn't think they acknowledged that. Care to share where?

Ausbt - email reply from Karl Schuster (the man about to boot JB out allegedly)

 

[grubbidok]

Ausbt - email reply from Karl Schuster (the man about to boot JB out allegedly)

But is it actually high-level rorting or did it just take VA by surprise that people actually utilised a benefit VA actively promoted and they're just choosing to define greater than expected uptake?

 

[williamsf1]

It's not that they know it happens, it's the fact that people think the benefit is too generous.

The intention of fly ahead was to allow people to get a earlier flight once in a while and not “abuse” the system by booking the last flight every time for $99 and then showing up at 6pm each week and getting on a peak flight that is selling at $399.
My understanding of the changes are if there is a $99 fare available on the 6pm service and you are on the last flight fly ahead will be as it is today, but if only a $399 fare available you will have to pay a fee or the full difference.

 

[vmile]

I am not sure how you really 'rort' fly ahead.

If there is an empty seat on a earlier flight and you only have carry on, what extra cost is it for VA??

They always can say, "no". Then they have the extra cost of feeding and watering you in the lounge............

 

[pauly7]

But is it actually high-level rorting or did it just take VA by surprise that people actually utilised a benefit VA actively promoted and they're just choosing to define greater than expected uptake?

Who knows... Doubt they'll divulge much, will only fan the furiously burning flames...