OK, I know it was our *second* date, but still ...

[UP4014]

I was peeved afterwards when I didn't win the lottery

Yes that should have been automatic

 

[Vic]

Now that VAd has a few 737-700s without a J cabin, there is more onerous having to search and see, and hope that "my" flight, does not get swapped to a 737-700, and the "dates" might go downhill, when you find all the econX are taken, and you don't have the choice of them as VFF WP.
When we were into this thread, all that VAd had were the 737-800s, even though not a lot of them, but at least with the 737-800s, we have J cabin, and knew 320s had no J cabin, and that VA had gotten rid of their 330s and 777s.
But now, no J cabin to buy on some routes, not the best!
But, to each their own, some don't mind not having a J cabin, but personally, I would like at least the option of buying a business class seat, without having to phone up for a comfort seat request, or to buying an econX seat.

Agreed. Worse than that is when you book J only to be downgraded when the metal is changed to Y only.

Hmm, the whole J cabin not being there is a bit of a furphy really.

1. Harder to search?
NO! Not at all. When searching to book a flight the fact that business is not available to buy is a massive hint.

2. Downgraded?
Ring and ask to change flight to one with business. One of my business travellers actually moved to a different business flight 2 days later, on the basis of an aircraft change. The best part, that change was massively beneficial due to changed meeting requirements.

3. Having to 'buy' economy X????
In theory, economy X costs less than business. So I'm not sure of the issues involved in buying economy X rather than business. I'm confused, are you saying you need to call to get economy X?
Also for some of us economy X is free.