ORC: worth asking or not?

[Captain Halliday]

I recently travelled VA to LAX return. When I arrived back in SYD I was ticketed to MEL and then onto my home port. All up 12 hours of layover that I didn't really need.

When I reached the transfer desk in SYD I had 2 hours until the last direct flight to my home port and was reticketed on the direct service. The sector to MEL would have been 10SC x3 with family pooling. When combined with flights I have scheduled for July this would get me to Gold. Without the 30SC I will fall short.

The SCs have posted for the sectors actually travelled. Can I call and ask for the original routing credits? Or can that only be done when you're bumped for operational reasons? I expect VA might consider they have done me a favour but cutting out the 12 hour transit. It also happened to be a day Border Force were on strike - might that help me?

What are my chances of getting ORC and any tips on how I handle the call?

 

[JessicaTam]

If you didn't request the change to the direct flight you should be able to ring and request the ORCs. Do you still have the original BPs?

 

[Captain Halliday]

If you didn't request the change to the direct flight you should be able to ring and request the ORCs. Do you still have the original BPs?

She asked for the BPs and after the 14 hour sector I wasn't thinking and handed them over. I have the itinerary though, but I guess it's the BPs that count.

 

[Hvr]

She asked for the BPs and after the 14 hour sector I wasn't thinking and handed them over. I have the itinerary though, but I guess it's the BPs that count.

D'oh! Another reason to always take a photo of the BPs as soon as they're issued.

Again Jessica's question is important: Who initiated the flight change? You or Virgin staff? If you then probably no chance of getting ORC. But if done by Virgin staff without your asking then I reckon you'd be entitled to seek and receive ORC.

Just email Virgin and ask for it listing the original flights and the actual flights. Cite the PNR and see what they say.

 

[Captain Halliday]

D'oh! Another reason to always take a photo of the BPs as soon as they're issued.

Again Jessica's question is important: Who initiated the flight change? You or Virgin staff? If you then probably no chance of getting ORC. But if done by Virgin staff without your asking then I reckon you'd be entitled to seek and receive ORC.

Just email Virgin and ask for it listing the original flights and the actual flights. Cite the PNR and see what they say.

It's in the grey area, but I was careful with my language. I commented on the long layovers and the midnight arrival.

The VA staffer agreed and said she'd look for a better option.

I mentioned the flight number of the direct service (because I knew it), but regretted saying it. So then I added "but it's the lowest fare class so it probably can't be changed."

To which she replied, "no it can't, but I'll do it anyway."

I'd argue that technically I didn't request a change, but VA might disagree.

 

[bismarck]

I feel like if you were in a position where you could refuse the change, then you're probably not strictly entitled to ORC. No reason not to ask though.

 

[dec540]

It sounds like VA have done you a solid by changing your route and saving you the additional transit time. I feel like it's a bit of a slap in the face to then try to get the SCs from the original route. Just my opinion.

 

[JessicaTam]

It sounds like VA have done you a solid by changing your route and saving you the additional transit time. I feel like it's a bit of a slap in the face to then try to get the SCs from the original route. Just my opinion.

The indirect routing is usually the point of the exercise. Well, with me it is!