Question about VA Platinum free flight or upgrades?

[PERLHR]

I'm sure it's obvious but as it's the first time for me I just want to check. Departing Perth and wanting to go to Queenstown. As flights will have to be "via" somewhere as no one fly's anywhere really from Perth, do I need to phone VA to see about availability on chosen route and wouldi have to consider using all 4 freebies and since I want to go as a couple I'm wondering if it is viable? Also is this in biz class or just down the back for ages? I just don't think VA from what I have read makes it clear. Perhaps even they try and make it complicated rather than being available on line?

 

[SilverFlamingo]

As you mentioned, you’d need to fly via Brisbane, Melbourne, or Sydney. As such, this requires two certificates per passenger, each way. Platinums are given four free each year, so you won’t be able to upgrade every flight for both of you.

In terms of availability… if you can find Business Reward seats on the dates you’re looking for, you’ll be able to upgrade via the call centre immediately after booking.

 

[paros_fan]

How is everyone finding Business reward seats? I'm struggling to find anything on any date from Sydney to Perth, Cairns, Darwin, basically anywhere that isn't just Brisbane or Melbourne!

And the online tool makes it impossible to without searching and clicking every date.
Surely there is an easier way to find business reward seats?

Post automatically merged: Jun 9, 2023

How is everyone finding Business reward seats? I'm struggling to find anything on any date from Sydney to Perth or Cairns or Darwin or basically anywhere that isn't just Brisbane or Melbourne!

And the online tool makes it impossible to without searching and clicking every date.
Surely there is an easier way to find business reward seats?

 

[TMP]

J rewards from the east coast to Perth and vice versa are like hen's teeth at the moment. Demand far outstripping supply.

 

[AIRwin]

How is everyone finding Business reward seats?

Post automatically merged: Jun 9, 2023

How is everyone finding Business reward seats?

How many seats?

 

[paros_fan]

How many seats?

Just 2

 

[ThePW]

It appears the Business rewards are being drip-fed. i.e. on some routes, you book one and another appears shortly after. Can't get two at the same time. But there's no guarantee another seat will appear as someone may have already booked the first one.

 

[Bagpuss]

J rewards from the east coast to Perth and vice versa are like hen's teeth at the moment. Demand far outstripping supply.

Business class isn't actually filling up, Perth <> East Coast and if it does it's all last minute upgrades.
I saw a post elsewhere and there was 1 person in business class Melbourne to Perth.
My recent flights, business class has been half empty.

I wonder if it's because they are trying to get full revenue passengers and it's simply not working.

On the other hand a lot of the flights, I've been on are half to 3/4 full across both cabins. Though they are definitely operating more services. I'm sure Perth <> Melbourne was 4 flights a day ... Now it can be 7 or 8. This could be due to a number of reasons 1) Less seats with a330 exit 2) Qantas ongoing ramp up 3) Expecting REX to launch to Perth

 

[Bagpuss]

It appears the Business rewards are being drip-fed. i.e. on some routes, you book one and another appears shortly after. Can't get two at the same time. But there's no guarantee another seat will appear as someone may have already booked the first one.

They **can** appear as 2, though rare (and not sure the red eye is the best option for a business class experience).

 

[paros_fan]

They **can** appear as 2, though rare (and not sure the red eye is the best option for a business class experience).

I've managed to find the odd 1 but not for 2 people. And I wouldn't do redeye in non-flat bed...

 

[Bagpuss]

I've managed to find the odd 1 but not for 2 people. And I wouldn't do redeye in non-flat bed...

I recall seeing 2 a few weeks ago (can't remember which Perth routing it was) , though it was a flight the next day.

I wouldn't do row 3, or exit rows on red-eye either (then when you notice the fixed arm rest is uncomfortable)

 

[Harrison_133]

I wonder if it's because they are trying to get full revenue passengers and it's simply not working.

The CCO said in an interview about a month ago that demand for the business class cabin is dramatically higher than it was pre-covid for Virgin, and that they have 90% plus load factors of people actually buying the product.

Comments were made at the World Aviation Festival. The full clips are on YouTube somewhere.

 

[TMP]

Business class isn't actually filling up, Perth <> East Coast and if it does it's all last minute upgrades.
I saw a post elsewhere and there was 1 person in business class Melbourne to Perth.
My recent flights, business class has been half empty.

I wonder if it's because they are trying to get full revenue passengers and it's simply not working.

On the other hand a lot of the flights, I've been on are half to 3/4 full across both cabins. Though they are definitely operating more services. I'm sure Perth <> Melbourne was 4 flights a day ... Now it can be 7 or 8. This could be due to a number of reasons 1) Less seats with a330 exit 2) Qantas ongoing ramp up 3) Expecting REX to launch to Perth

Might help them to drop their prices then. Perth to east coast not getting any discount love at the moment.

 

[oz_mark]

Might help them to drop their prices then. Perth to east coast not getting any discount love at the moment.

Might have to wait for Rex to start flying to Perth!

 

[PERLHR]

Might help them to drop their prices then. Perth to east coast not getting any discount love at the moment.

I think the prices are also ridiculous. Even when doing dummy bookings and as far as choosing seats on my selected days we'll in advance the cabin is empty. I truly believe that actually using AA (especially) QF points or BA Avios flying from Perth to the East Coast and MEL is actually great value on QF metal. VA seems expensive (even for points) from what I can see.

 

[SilverFlamingo]

Business class isn't actually filling up, Perth <> East Coast and if it does it's all last minute upgrades.
I saw a post elsewhere and there was 1 person in business class Melbourne to Perth.
My recent flights, business class has been half empty.

I wonder if it's because they are trying to get full revenue passengers and it's simply not working.

On the other hand a lot of the flights, I've been on are half to 3/4 full across both cabins. Though they are definitely operating more services. I'm sure Perth <> Melbourne was 4 flights a day ... Now it can be 7 or 8. This could be due to a number of reasons 1) Less seats with a330 exit 2) Qantas ongoing ramp up 3) Expecting REX to launch to Perth

BITRE figures have had PER-BNE/MEL/SYD at 80%+ full for some time now.

Every VA flight I’ve been on has been full in J east-west since November.

 

[PERLHR]

BITRE figures have had PER-BNE/MEL/SYD at 80%+ full for some time now.

Every VA flight I’ve been on has been full in J east-west since November.

They eventually fill with upgrades.

 

[AIRwin]

They eventually fill with upgrades.

UpgradeMe bids?

 

[SilverFlamingo]

They eventually fill with upgrades.

Yes, most VA flights are going out checkers in J after upgrades clear. PER base has the highest paid J rate of the four capitals.. so I’m not sure you’re on the money here mate

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Lucky at onemileatatime reported that VA seems to be releasing one seat, and as soon as that’s booked, the second will become available. And so on, until. the quote of award seats for that flight is filled. Problem is it might be hard to tell if the one seat you book hits the quote, or not.