Platinum is Worthless!! $150 charge for long-haul international exit row seats?

[birder]

I am completely stunned. I called Virgin to get seats for my upcoming trip to the US and asked for exit row. I got them free previously on Virgin, and have always gotten them free on Air NZ as Gold Elite. Well, I was told that they changed their policy and Platinum are treated just like any joe shmuck off the street, and charged $150 for an exit row seat. As I'm also trying to upgrade to PE using points, I was told that if I did get the upgrade, I would not be refunded the $150 for each leg, so that's $300 wasted.

Utterly unbelievable. Why should I maintain my status on Virgin? I already put up with the huge headache of having to pay baggage fees within the US (because Delta won't give Virgin Platinum members free luggage allowance - you pay for every bag, just like anyone else).

Does anyone know Qantas' policy on this? Even if it's the same as Virgin's, at least I'll be a member of an alliance and get free baggage in the US as part of an international trip.

You might say, but you'll have to start at the bottom with Qantas. Well, how is this any different than where I am now?

 

[medhead]

Qantas charge $160 to platinum. But free for plat one I believe.


Sent from the Throne

 

[simongr]

Qantas charge $160 to platinum. But free for play one I believe.

Yep - correct for P1 - just checked the booklet - not available online though.

 

[simongr]

I am completely stunned. I called Virgin to get seats for my upcoming trip to the US and asked for exit row. I got them free previously on Virgin, and have always gotten them free on Air NZ as Gold Elite. Well, I was told that they changed their policy and Platinum are treated just like any joe shmuck off the street, and charged $150 for an exit row seat. As I'm also trying to upgrade to PE using points, I was told that if I did get the upgrade, I would not be refunded the $150 for each leg, so that's $300 wasted.

Utterly unbelievable. Why should I maintain my status on Virgin? I already put up with the huge headache of having to pay baggage fees within the US (because Delta won't give Virgin Platinum members free luggage allowance - you pay for every bag, just like anyone else).

Does anyone know Qantas' policy on this? Even if it's the same as Virgin's, at least I'll be a member of an alliance and get free baggage in the US as part of an international trip.

You might say, but you'll have to start at the bottom with Qantas. Well, how is this any different than where I am now?

How about - lounge access, four free upgrades per year, partner pooling, bonus points earning, free hotel status...

 

[samh004]

Does anyone know Qantas' policy on this? Even if it's the same as Virgin's, at least I'll be a member of an alliance and get free baggage in the US as part of an international trip.

As above, plus I think if you're upgraded then you also don't get a refund on the seats you paid for. Same across the board really. Should have known this was going to happen seeing as VA is just a clone

You might say, but you'll have to start at the bottom with Qantas. Well, how is this any different than where I am now?

If you were a Qantas status member living on the Gold Coast when they pulled out of OOL, I'd check your account and see if you've been bumped, you might not start at the bottom, but you will get slugged the same fees (or slightly more).

 

[birder]

How about - lounge access, four free upgrades per year, partner pooling, bonus points earning, free hotel status...

I don't use the four free upgrades b/c I never get to book in flexi fare (I have to book the cheapest possible fare). My partner does not travel except for perhaps once every 2 years. What good are bonus points, unless I can use them to get a better seat?* I like having Hilton Diamond but it really doesn't get me much. Lounge access is the best, but I can sit in the terminal with the best of them for a year until I get status with Qantas.

My absolute priority with a frequent flyer program is a comfortable economy seat. I can only fly economy (again, my employer's rules) and I need a decent seat. I also hate baggage fees.

I'm wondering if it's worth going back to Air NZ - if they still allow Golds/Gold Elites to book exit rows in advance (and for free).

* yes, I know Virgin now allows upgrades for select international fares. But again, I have to book the cheapest fare, and this time around, only one leg of the journey was high enough to even request an upgrade.

 

[simongr]

My point was that I would not consider Virgin WP status to be worthless or even worth less than the equivalent status in QF.

 

[birder]

My point was that I would not consider Virgin WP status to be worthless or even worth less than the equivalent status in QF.

Fair enough, and I have to see what Qantas offers before I leave Virgin. But I really get very little out of Virgin Platinum, which is a huge disappointment. For all the things I disliked about Air NZ, at least I got confirmable international upgrades and free economy exit row seating. Not to mention the Star Alliance network.

 

[simongr]

Given that your primary concern is exit row seating - you only get that domestically as a QF WP so you wont get much benefit. If you can make NZ work for you I would go NZ.

 

[yohy?!]

doesnt delta give VA elites first bag free for domestic US?

 

[trippin_the_rift]

So... You fly for free on company dime, get all the points/status benefits and are upset that all those discount economy tickets that you don't pay for wont entitle you to a free exit seat?

Clearly you're not paid enough. If you were you'd be in PE/J on personal trips , or realise you're being overpaid to put up with flying in Y!

Agree the points upgrade with no refund sounds daft

Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[birder]

So... You fly for free on company dime, get all the points/status benefits and are upset that all those discount economy tickets that you don't pay for wont entitle you to a free exit seat?

Clearly you're not paid enough. If you were you'd be in PE/J on personal trips , or realise you're being overpaid to put up with flying in Y!

Agree the points upgrade with no refund sounds daft

Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app

I'm an academic and I work at a university. Unless I have a medical condition that requires me to fly premium economy, I fly economy, period.

I haven't done as much flying this year, but next year I'll be doing 14-16 international trips. That's $4200-4500 (out of pocket) for me to get exit rows each way. Certainly willing to deal with the hassle of flying through Auckland to save that amount of cash. Hate to say it, but on this point, the Kiwis have got you beat.

 

[pblackie]

I fly VA/Etihad between Europe and AU on a regular basis, at check-in I ask for an exit seat and have yet failed to be given one free of charge - when they can they block a row of seats off for me and on occaision upgraded me. Seems the benefits are applied at check in as opposed to when booking so if you object to the cost might be worthwile not paying and asking for an exit seat at check-in.

 

[138-CAN]

* yes, I know Virgin now allows upgrades for select international fares. But again, I have to book the cheapest fare, and this time around, only one leg of the journey was high enough to even request an upgrade.

If it helps you should know that with Qantas the cheapest possible international fares (Sale fares as opposed to Red E-Deals) are not able to be upgraded using points. Sounds like this may be a factor for you.

 

[777]

Mrs 777 (partner gold) got a row of 3 seats blocked out for her twice on VA international. Only at checkin though.

 

[mella2007]

Mrs 777 (partner gold) got a row of 3 seats blocked out for her twice on VA international. Only at checkin though.

Yep I had the same done for me at LAX check in and I'm only Gold.