PE Taster

[777]

Which means keeping Andrew Demetriou & co happy, not the players! They're not going to be the ones who make the call to switch airlines. In fact, they complained when the AFL ditched Qantas, but it didn't make the slightest difference.

I think you underestimate the effect a bunch of very high profile critics would have on Virgin Australia's reputation. Secondly, if i recall at the time the AFL contract was signed VA trumpeted the extra leg room and coming business class seating as a means to calm the players concerns - so they effectively committed themselves to providing the bump up the front wherever they could.

My point though is that it may well be part of the package that Virgin offered the AFL to get the contract. Don't be surprised if any multi million dollar contract includes generous upgrade provisions.

 

[oz_mark]

I also wouldn't be surprised if the AFL players held some sort of status in the program in their own right.

 

[777]

I also wouldn't be surprised if the AFL players held some sort of status in the program in their own right.

Unless the contract specifically prevented it, you would think by this point that would be the case - particularly for the non Melbourne based clubs.

 

[pshepvic]

I also wouldn't be surprised if the AFL players held some sort of status in the program in their own right.

Unless they travel a lot personally with the airline, I would have thought all their tickets would be non-points/SC earning.

As I said, all depends on whether the seats are paid for or not, but I think they would be more likely to be either significantly discounted or free.

 

[pshepvic]

I think you underestimate the effect a bunch of very high profile critics would have on Virgin Australia's reputation. Secondly, if i recall at the time the AFL contract was signed VA trumpeted the extra leg room and coming business class seating as a means to calm the players concerns - so they effectively committed themselves to providing the bump up the front wherever they could.

My point though is that it may well be part of the package that Virgin offered the AFL to get the contract. Don't be surprised if any multi million dollar contract includes generous upgrade provisions.

And if this is the case I have a problem with it. I don't particularly want to sit in J class with a bunch of poorly behaved footballers when I'm a full fare paying customer. It never happened to me flying QF - they were always down the back.

 

[oz_mark]

Unless they travel a lot personally with the airline, I would have thought all their tickets would be non-points/SC earning.

As I said, all depends on whether the seats are paid for or not, but I think they would be more likely to be either significantly discounted or free.

I would have thought that when they talked about an $8 million contract, that would be what Virgin would get out of the contract. Anyway, as part of dealing with the players dummy spit over the change, they were guaranteed PE, Exit Row or empty seat beside them.

Deal resolves controversy over AFL airline change | Herald Sun

 

[LiamR]

And if this is the case I have a problem with it. I don't particularly want to sit in J class with a bunch of poorly behaved footballers when I'm a full fare paying customer. It never happened to me flying QF - they were always down the back.

I Agree with you, I have sat on an aircraft several times being surrounded by all the football players. Their constant talking, jokes and laughter (Especially during the safety video) kinda irks me. Would be nice if they are put somewhere up the back.

 

[pshepvic]

I Agree with you, I have sat on an aircraft several times being surrounded by all the football players. Their constant talking, jokes and laughter (Especially during the safety video) kinda irks me. Would be nice if they are put somewhere up the back.

Or on a separate plane ... maybe they could hold on to those E170's and use those for the AFL!!

 

[LiamR]

Or on a separate plane ... maybe they could hold on to those E170's and use those for the AFL!!

If we were still in the Virgin Blue LCC days, I'd say they should be asked to step outside on the wing.

When I was in the MEL Lounge the other day, I was thinking they should have their own little room somewhere so they don't take up all of our seating! But then I thought that would sound too exclusive for them.

 

[pshepvic]

I would have thought that when they talked about an $8 million contract, that would be what Virgin would get out of the contract. Anyway, as part of dealing with the players dummy spit over the change, they were guaranteed PE, Exit Row or empty seat beside them.

Deal resolves controversy over AFL airline change | Herald Sun

There were plenty of players in the back with no empty seat between and not in exit rows. The flight was pretty much full from what I could see. In fact, there were more players on board than exit row seats or PE seats available, so on a full flight it would be impossible to guarantee an empty seat in the middle.

As far as the comment in the article about QF goes, I've never seen players upgraded to J class on QF before, and have flown on plenty of flights where they've been on board.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I would have thought that when they talked about an $8 million contract, that would be what Virgin would get out of the contract.

I think, when contract amounts are announced, they talk about the entire package, ie: how much DJs (flights) contribution is and how much the AFLs (advertising) contribution is, combined. Sounds so much better than saying the AFL/DJ contract is worth $10 after the trade adjustments.

Mind you, I have absolutely no knowledge of such matters and the above passage is nothing more than my understanding (which may or may not be anywhere near correct)!

 

[777]

I guess you could look at this several ways. One is that the players are freeloaders (which seems to be the starting assumption) or alternately that the AFL contract is one of the biggest that VA has landed and you would expect that to come with some benefits/ privileges (or whoever negotiated it from AFL end wasn't trying).

I'm actually sympathetic to basic complaint about losing your selected seat but to put it in context exchange the terms "group of AFL players" with "group of frequent flyers travelling together". I don't see how it is any different to being relocated for any other group travelling together.

Like it or not, AFL players are very frequent flyers who travel a lot of bum in seat miles every year. Their employer has a major contract with the airline. I don't see how complaints about them as a group (as opposed to stupid individual behaviour which you're entitled to call out) should put them in a separate category to any other high value flyer who's employer has a deal with the airline.

 

[QF WP]

So has anybody heard that they have stopped them, effective yesterday?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

So has anybody heard that they have stopped them, effective yesterday?

I spoke to them yesterday about my silverish looking gold card and asked that question. The lady said definitely finished yesterday!

 

[VMAN]

So has anybody heard that they have stopped them, effective yesterday?

Spoke with Platinum Guest Centre yesterday for a Taster Upgrade which was processed in under 2 minutes which was great (first time I booked a Taster it took 30+ minutes)

Once completed I asked what will be happening once the PE Taster expires (which as we all know was 31st Aug) and I was told the following.

1. There are no Taster Upgrades as of 1st Sept
2. Upgrades can only be requested by Platinum Card Holders (Thank God that I made it to Platinum )
3. All Ugrades will only be awarded from Flexi Tickets ( I loved my upgrades from a saver fare)
4. Ugrades can only be awarded from either your free upgrade credits (4 per year) or by points. No cash payable upgrades. If you want to use cash you will need to pay the full air fare difference which can be hundreds of dollars.

Overall I am very happy with the new program and when comparing to the Red Roo it is definately a winner! The only area where VFF does nnot hold up against QFF is the upgrades. With QFF you can now upgrade from a Red e Deal where with FF you need to buy a Flexi. I dont mind this except that if I buy a Flexi and go for an upgrade and get knocked back due to lack of availablity then I will be annoyed that I paid the extra money for a flexi ticket for no reason. So note to VA, please consider the flexi rule and also include your Gold Members for upgrades too (they good volume business too). I must admit, if I could only make gold with VA I would probably stick with QFF for the upgrades.

Some may agree some may disagree but that's my 2.2 cents (the.2 cents is to pay the GST )

 

[MarkD]

Just throwing it out there, but what happens when 4 platinums who will only sit in 2d are on the same flight? Lol at the tears and tantrums

Re players. I havent been on a dj domestic with afl. But back in the late 90s at act rugby union used to fly Ansett every fortnight cbr-bne to play the local comp. Any brumbies players were golden wing and ALWAYS were in j if via syd, or up front in the wonderful kendall crjs


Sent from my iphone and AFF app

 

[oz_mark]

4. Ugrades can only be awarded from either your free upgrade credits (4 per year) or by points. No cash payable upgrades. If you want to use cash you will need to pay the full air fare difference which can be hundreds of dollars.

While platinums may be the only ones with upgrade certificates, I can't see anything that limits points upgrades to any particular level. There T&C's of the Upgrade are:

1. Members will earn Points and Status Credits based on the original fare class purchased.
2. Upgrades are available on eligible Virgin Australia, Pacific Blue, and Polynesian Blue flights.
3. Upgrades are provided subject to premium availability (W Class).
4. Points will be deducted from the members account at time of the upgrade.
5. A member can use their Points to upgrade another member’s flight using their Points.
6. Velocity may alter the Points price for an upgrade to a Premium seat at any time at its discretion.
7. When a members flight has been upgraded to a Premium fare, all standard fare class Terms and Conditions are applicable.
8. No changes or cancellations permitted; Points will be forfeited
9. Catering cannot be confirmed on upgrades.
10. Upon first verifying that a premium redemption seat is available online, members may call to request an upgrade at anytime up to 24 hours prior to scheduled departure time. Upgrades will not be accepted any less than 24 hours prior to travel.

Flight Upgrade Terms| Velocity Frequent Flyer