New VA Fare Structure

[Edge]

I've been doing a bit of analysis as to how these changes will affect me and ultimately I anticipate earning more SCs under the new scheme, making retaining WP easier than before. Most of my flying is funded by my employer, on a policy to fly VA whenever possible unless QF is significantly cheaper.

I need to book MEL-BNE-MEL and MEL-PER-MEL in the coming month. Previously these would have netted me 15 + 15 + 20 + 20 = 70 SCs, now it looks like I will earn 20 + 20 + 30 + 30 = 100 SCs instead (there are no "getaway" fares available in the timeslots I need on these days, only "elevate", and the "elevate" fees are around the same price as the cheapest QF options).

I do pay for a few fares for holidays every year and this will result in fewer SCs earned from family pooling (I'll be booking sale/getaway fares) but this loss should be more than offset by the additional SCs earned for business travel. I guess I'll be right as long as I can keep finding dates/times where getaway fares aren't available.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

My normal route is SYD-OOL

The normal price before the new structure was $99 with specials at $79 (and many prices in between)

The normal price after 30th January 2017 is $89 with specials TBD. (hopefully $69 but I doubt it)

The Elevate price is the same before and after generally @ $125

Although now that I have had another look it appears that the terminology 'normal price' doesn't quite make sense but I am sure you've got the gist. It's all over the place like a dogs breakfast.

When you say "normal price before" I take that to mean the normal (without special discounts) old Saver fare.
When you say "normal price after" I take that to mean the normal (without special discounts) new Getaway fare.
But when you say "The Elevate price is the same before and after generally @ $125." I have absolutely no idea what you mean.
There was no Elevate fare before. There was only Saver and Flexi.
Now there is Getaway (Saver), Elevate (?) and Freedom (Flexi).
What are you comparing the new Elevate fare to?

 

[bean]

lol Virgin you are jokers!!

Id had my mind set on booking 3 business class airfares for the family for a holiday in Rarotonga. Had been waiting for a sale to come out so was constantly checking and was well aware the rate was around $1,950 return. Checked again today and the price has increased to around $2,450-a 28% increase....in a 737...lol surely they jest...

Just no idea.

So after some checking I've found I can get a business class return airfare in a lie flat bed, wide body aircraft with Garuda for $1,800 to Bali. I've travelled with Garuda and they are fantastic, plus you get to use the Qantas business loung.

Hmmmm or should I spend another $800 and fork out $2,500 with virgin to sit in a 737 with a iPad lol

And they wonder why they are loosing money...

 

[Bolthead]

When you say "normal price before" I take that to mean the normal (without special discounts) old Saver fare.

Yes...

you say "normal price after" I take that to mean the normal (without special discounts) new Getaway fare.

Yes...

But when you say "The Elevate price is the same before and after generally @ $125." I have absolutely no idea what you mean.

Point taken... no I mean now, compared to after 30th January 2017. I realise that this may be a bit confusing to some so I have remove it from the OP. My reasoning is not important to my argument, hence I have removed it... (only to me )

There was no Elevate fare before. There was only Saver and Flexi.
Now there is Getaway (Saver), Elevate (?) and Freedom (Flexi).

Yes I know...

What are you comparing the new Elevate fare to?

As stated above...

 

[dfcatch]

I've been doing a bit of analysis as to how these changes will affect me and ultimately I anticipate earning more SCs under the new scheme, making retaining WP easier than before. Most of my flying is funded by my employer, on a policy to fly VA whenever possible unless QF is significantly cheaper.

I need to book MEL-BNE-MEL and MEL-PER-MEL in the coming month. Previously these would have netted me 15 + 15 + 20 + 20 = 70 SCs, now it looks like I will earn 20 + 20 + 30 + 30 = 100 SCs instead (there are no "getaway" fares available in the timeslots I need on these days, only "elevate", and the "elevate" fees are around the same price as the cheapest QF options).

I do pay for a few fares for holidays every year and this will result in fewer SCs earned from family pooling (I'll be booking sale/getaway fares) but this loss should be more than offset by the additional SCs earned for business travel. I guess I'll be right as long as I can keep finding dates/times where getaway fares aren't available.

Not a bad analysis and not a bad result.

Except for the status benefits which you are no longer entitled to receive when flying with your family on leisure trips.

This is the problem with the new structures.

The new SC structure is actually quite decent.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I need to book MEL-BNE-MEL and MEL-PER-MEL in the coming month. Previously these would have netted me 15 + 15 + 20 + 20 = 70 SCs, now it looks like I will earn 20 + 20 + 30 + 30 = 100 SCs instead (there are no "getaway" fares available in the timeslots I need on these days, only "elevate", and the "elevate" fees are around the same price as the cheapest QF options).

When you say that you need to book in the coming month, do you also need to travel that month as well? If so, I believe you'll be on the old SC rate. Also, does your work have a cheapest fare policy (your post seems to suggest it does), as there may be future flights where elevate gets trumped by getaway, in which case you'll earn less than what you did previously!

EDIT: link to the response by VFF about SC earn remaining at previous level until 30/1/17.

 

[Tassieoptom]

Not a bad analysis and not a bad result.

Except for the status benefits which you are no longer entitled to receive when flying with your family on leisure trips.

This is the problem with the new structures.

The new SC structure is actually quite decent.

Sorry dfcatch, I have been back over the changes pages on the VA website but am unsure what you mean here. What status benefits are being lost when travelling with family? The benefits of international lounge access and priority check in are the main reason I chase status. Especially as international travel for me is more leisure than work, and more with Mrs Tassieoptom.
Thanks in advance.

 

[dfcatch]

Sorry dfcatch, I have been back over the changes pages on the VA website but am unsure what you mean here. What status benefits are being lost when travelling with family? The benefits of international lounge access and priority check in are the main reason I chase status. Especially as international travel for me is more leisure than work, and more with Mrs Tassieoptom.
Thanks in advance.

The inference was that the only time he would be earning less status credits would be when flying with family on Getaway fares. (But that he'd still safely make status on Elevate fares for work travel).

But on Getaway fares there are restrictions on benefits - such as Fly Ahead and Status Bonus.

These may be important for many folks.

 

[Tassieoptom]

The inference was that the only time he would be earning less status credits would be when flying with family on Getaway fares. (But that he'd still safely make status on Elevate fares for work travel).

But on Getaway fares there are restrictions on benefits - such as Fly Ahead and Status Bonus.

These may be important for many folks.

Ta, that makes sense, I was reading too much into it. I did agree with your other comments to as to the changes. Cheers

 

[serfty]

...
But on Getaway fares there are restrictions on benefits - such as Fly Ahead and Status Bonus. ...

Lounge access remains ...

... These may be important for many folks.

For me the changes have little effect.

1. I rarely use fly-ahead.

2. I book the cheapest fares far ahead so the halving of WP points earn is insignificant.

 

[dfcatch]

Lounge access remains ...
For me the changes have little effect.

1. I rarely use fly-ahead.

2. I book the cheapest fares far ahead so the halving of WP points earn is insignificant.

True... but given that VA awards points based on fare, removing the Status Bonus is petty considering Getaway Fares are supposedly cheaper than the others (and therefore earn less anyway).

 

[trippin_the_rift]

True... but given that VA awards points based on fare, removing the Status Bonus is petty considering Getaway Fares are supposedly cheaper than the others (and therefore earn less anyway).

From the look of the data (yeah, I have just a bit... ), it would appear VA is recalibrating the domestic point/sc earn as part of a broader strategy.

I'll share more over the coming week, but the modelling I've done around the changes wasn't conveyed properly in the VA message. Domestic status bonus points were likely under the microscope to validate earnings which were derived by having the bonus in place or was VA shelling out points to status pax when the bonus points had no bearing on their decision-making process when booking a fare. Plus, VA needed to rejig it so higher price fares held more value to specific member segments.

Reading between the lines, and having some insight into a few VA challenges - I think we'll see more program updates over the coming year.

However in saying that, I do have something special to share with AFF next week which will put all of this into perspective.

 

[CJEMNMAC]

Just been reading this whole thread and my Velocity email with all the exciting new developments.

It jacks me right off when any company makes "changes" that are implied beneficial to customers, send confusing, poorly worded emails to try and sell me on how good something that removes benefits will be for my circumstance.

When it is all said and done, this whole change for me at least, being entirely self funded is a complete disadvantage.

 

[Mogul]

From the look of the data (yeah, I have just a bit... ), it would appear VA is recalibrating the domestic point/sc earn as part of a broader strategy.

I'll share more over the coming week, but the modelling I've done around the changes wasn't conveyed properly in the VA message. Domestic status bonus points were likely under the microscope to validate earnings which were derived by having the bonus in place or was VA shelling out points to status pax when the bonus points had no bearing on their decision-making process when booking a fare. Plus, VA needed to rejig it so higher price fares held more value to specific member segments.

Reading between the lines, and having some insight into a few VA challenges - I think we'll see more program updates over the coming year.

However in saying that, I do have something special to share with AFF next week which will put all of this into perspective.

Lifetime status???

 

[nowheretogo]

In regards to VA's international business class, I recently flew it return to LAX in July. Great product! Great seats, beds and service. But when you now look at the price its expensive. My trip next week to LAX is with China Southern with my wife. Yes I have to go via China and its 24 hours, but at $5,000 business class return as opposed to VA at $13,000, makes sense to me. Another trip with my Wife and 3 kids in January will probably be with them as well. $4500 business class each as opposed to $8500 for VA, its more about the journey and not the destination as I say to my kids.

I fly 70 legs a year with VA domestically and rarely use fly ahead. SC and Points wont be a real issue for me but their prices increases are disappointing. I think they may struggle if they continue with their current path, especially with international.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I do have something special to share with AFF next week which will put all of this into perspective.

Well come on! It's now next week! Spit it out man.

In regards to VA's international business class, I recently flew it return to LAX in July. Great product! Great seats, beds and service. But when you now look at the price its expensive.

Of course any company can price their product at whichever level they choose and if a great product is expensive, I see no issue in that, but by far the greatest angst that I've noticed both with the product (domestic/short haul 738's) and with feedback from many AFFers is that the product is marginal and disintergrating yet the only thing they seem to have excelled with, is jacking the price up. They need inducements to get people to spend the money they want, yet they're removing them and continuing to push prices up. I'll be curious to hear what trippin_the_rift has to say this week!

 

[Dave R32]

I have been a loyal VA user for many years, going back to the "Blue Room" days etc. During that time I have had to plead with two employers to let me use VA over QF when QF has been company policy. Well I guess it's time to change, these latest changes to VFF will impact me, as I have to book the cheapest fares available which means I wont make Platinum again, and Gold will be a struggle. My company pays for Qantas Club so I am off to join the red tail brigade.

Cheers
Dave.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Well come on! It's now next week! Spit it out man.

Is it Christmas already?

So I don't double post, this will help as you can visualise fare structure changes and status credit earning on these fares:
Program Update: Virgin Australia’s Fares For You - Page 13

Calculator at the bottom: Qantas and Virgin Australia Points/Status Credit Calculator

 

[Dannyism]

I'm really surprised that 'pointshack' hasn't done an article on this yet...

 

[bean]

I'm really surprised that 'pointshack' hasn't done an article on this yet...

pointshack seem to be heavily focuses towards Qantas from what I've noticed lately..?

Just look at their main page-8 of the 13 articles are Qantas related, not one of them Virgin.