New VA Fare Structure

[Dannyism]

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

Complete Virgin lock-down more like it.... I suspect they are preparing some sort of huge set of articles and updates to their guides.... But yeah... AusBT was onto it pretty quick.

 

[Milefest]

Is FlyAhead available on Getaway fares before December 1st?

 

[anat0l]

Is FlyAhead available on Getaway fares before December 1st?

According to the information given, no. Since the introduction of the new fares in September, Getaway fares officially do not allow Fly Ahead.

 

[Milefest]

According to the information given, no. Since the introduction of the new fares in September, Getaway fares officially do not allow Fly Ahead.

I was confused by this statement: "From 1 December 2016, Platinum and Gold members will still be able to Fly Ahead on all domestic fare types, except the least flexible Getaway fare which is designed for those who know exactly when they want to travel." Why would they say this when when Getaway fares are not eligible for fly ahead from day one?

 

[Cryptarcadian]

According to the terms and conditions, it sounds like you can still Fly Ahead on Getaway fares until 30 Nov.

Also, they've changed the wording of a few things with Fly Ahead for 01 Dec and beyond that are actually good:

• It now explicitly says 3 accompanying guests on the same booking can Fly Ahead
• Checked luggage is now officially OK — "23.5.8 The request for Fly Ahead must be made … at the Virgin Australia Priority check-in counter or Service Desk for members who have baggage and have not yet checked in"
• You can Fly Ahead as long as there are seats in the same cabin, not necessarily the same fare class — "there are available seats in the same cabin as the cabin originally purchased by the Member, on the eligible Fly Ahead flight" rather than the old wording of "there are available seats in the same fare class or a lower fare class than the fare class" (this is how it always worked in practice before anyway, but good to have it in writing)

And this is the most substantive change of course:

• "23.5.11 Fly Ahead requests are not available to Members travelling on group bookings, Getaway Fares or bookings in Fare Classes S, M or T"

 

[Milefest]

Thanks, it looks like they've finally made those unofficial benefits official.

 

[bullerdude]

Good move on VA's part given they removed the benefit from the Getaway fare; at least now the benefit is clear (and more flexible) when travelling on the other fares.

Still annoying that Plat's /Gold's cannot fly ahead on cheapest fares but better than nothing.

 

[Limewood]

Well done Velocity spoon heads with your Jetstar like re-incantion, stupid penny pinching.

 

[pauly7]

Good move on VA's part given they removed the benefit from the Getaway fare; at least now the benefit is clear (and more flexible) when travelling on the other fares.

Still annoying that Plat's /Gold's cannot fly ahead on cheapest fares but better than nothing.

It's going to piss off a lot of BFOD flyers who are used to flying ahead.... watch this space...

 

[kamchatsky]

But is Elevate fares so much more expensive than Gataway fares? My last 2 trips to Melbourne I noticed that there are not much difference between Getaway and Elevate fares.

I guess we cannot "Getaway" with booking cheapest fares at end of the night, then turn up at airport early and demand to fly at peak hour where the ticket is most expensive.

 

[anat0l]

But is Elevate fares so much more expensive than Gataway fares? My last 2 trips to Melbourne I noticed that there are not much difference between Getaway and Elevate fares.

A lot of people are having the same realisation as you are about the fare difference. In some way, some might argue that the difference is negligible, so just cough up and take it, and why not, because you get a swathe more benefits compared to the Getaway fare.

In another way, others may argue, why should we pay more for something which used to be included in the lowest fare that they were used to, especially when rack (and sale) fares are both increasing.

If VA successfully convinces many people to take the higher fare than they are used to purchasing, even if the difference is "slight", that will be more revenue and a victory for them (and the new fare model).

For those who are stuck with BFOD purchasing policies, this could be difficult all around, so no Fly Ahead for them. On the other hand, it doesn't mean that you couldn't front up and try to get an earlier flight; it just means it can't be done "officially".

 

[kamchatsky]

A lot of people are having the same realisation as you are about the fare difference. In some way, some might argue that the difference is negligible, so just cough up and take it, and why not, because you get a swathe more benefits compared to the Getaway fare.

In another way, others may argue, why should we pay more for something which used to be included in the lowest fare that they were used to, especially when rack (and sale) fares are both increasing.

If VA successfully convinces many people to take the higher fare than they are used to purchasing, even if the difference is "slight", that will be more revenue and a victory for them (and the new fare model).

For those who are stuck with BFOD purchasing policies, this could be difficult all around, so no Fly Ahead for them. On the other hand, it doesn't mean that you couldn't front up and try to get an earlier flight; it just means it can't be done "officially".

To me, the difference between a Getaway and Elevate fare for short distance trips is 10SC (15 SC vs 5 SC). That is actually a significant number of SCs. It all adds up for people who travel regularly and it means much faster to get to Gold if you consistently book Elevate fares. Then of course once you reach Gold, then Fly Ahead kicks in as well.

 

[mlob]

sorry if this has been covered. i purchased some time ago some fares ballina sydney on sale under the old system prior to any notification of future changes. will my on sale fares now fall into the get away category which means i will only earn 5 points for the 4 fligghts i have booked this family of 4 :-(

 

[Dannyism]

sorry if this has been covered. i purchased some time ago some fares ballina sydney on sale under the old system prior to any notification of future changes. will my on sale fares now fall into the get away category which means i will only earn 5 points for the 4 fligghts i have booked this family of 4 :-(

When do you fly? SC changes kick in 30 Jan 2017. Even then as long as you bought it before the changes it doesn't affect you I think.

 

[mlob]

When do you fly? SC changes kick in 30 Jan 2017. Even then as long as you bought it before the changes it doesn't affect you I think.

Flying just after the changes come in. Early feb.

 

[Dannyism]

Flying just after the changes come in. Early feb.

I found this "[h=2]Guests with bookings made prior to 7 September 2016[/h]The fare rules at time of purchase will apply for your travel and your first change and cancellation based on your booking prior to 7 September 2016.
"

at this website
https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/faresforyou/

 

[mlob]

When do you fly? SC changes kick in 30 Jan 2017. Even then as long as you bought it before the changes it doesn't affect you I think.

I found this "[h=2]Guests with bookings made prior to 7 September 2016[/h]The fare rules at time of purchase will apply for your travel and your first change and cancellation based on your booking prior to 7 September 2016.
"


at this website
https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/faresforyou/

Thank you for finding that info. That is good to know.