So, Have you made the switch?

[melbourne rebel]

Having been matched to Gold in November 10, I have flown solely Virgin domestically since then. When they offered the Platinum match, I had already achieved the required SC's to qualify in my own right.

It does look a bit sad when I log in and see my QF credits sitting at 0 for the period since 1 April 2011, having consistently been in the 3000-3500 SC range for the past few years with QF.

Should still qualify for WP on QF with two well structured AONE4 (RTW trip in First) post Christmas, and may give there new Platinum One status a nudge as well if it looks attractive.

The real upside for me with DJ has been the pricing on my regular (weekly at least) MEL-BNE-MEL trips. QF sits just under $2500 for the return in J, with DJ at $1100. Whilst the PE product isn't close to what most class as a J product, as a business owner, I see the obvious savings, but also send a positive message to my team. In saying that, my regular ride on QF to BNE is no world class J experience! Will be interesting to see where they pitch there J product once implemented.

The hard product is inconsistent, and DJ know this and have provided a number of nice gifts in lieu. Soft product is acceptable for a two hour flight.

I credited a recent European return trip in F on Ethiad to Velocity and was disappointed that they had earned the same SC's as business, despite the cost difference.

Overall been a positive move, and a clear demonstration that even a die-hard QF loyalist can vote with there feet when the love is spread around.

 

[Boris spatsky]

So I have made the switch to compare. Domestic only at this stage (work requirements mean QF keeps int'l legs).

As Plat on DJ, first two legs were both upgrades to PE. They really are trying!

However, the food is terrible onboard (for Flexi fare), so is the coffee. Dom Lounges are OK but I think QF still have them on that.

So overall, I still think QF wins domestically, but I have another 6 sectors booked on DJ so will make a valued judgement after those.

I would love to fly VA in J to the US but can't - unless I fund a holiday myself

 

[mannej]

I see DJ are now starting with the adds in the paper as per the QF adds.

The made reference to shiny new planes which they have. I think that is only a half truth as XFA and B are hardly new (although they may be shiny).

It will be interesting to see the market place in another 6-12 months time to see how the status quo is going.

 

[simongr]

I have had my first VA/DJ flights and reported this separately. Personally there is not a compelling argument for me to switch at this time. If I could comfortably make WP on both and had no chance at WP1 on QF then I would split the two and get WP on each. Mostly for me for flights to Saudi and Cyprus.

Domestically I might switch simply through boredom...

I do not think the extra benefits - hotel status etc are compelling for me as they run out and I see FF status as a long term investment rather than a short term one - I am already thinking about holidays in 2012, 2013 and 2015 and what my earn between now and then and what lounge access I will have - six months HHonors status is not that great to me...

 

[greenfish]

Matched to Platinum, 2 velocity reward PE segments since (which I note don't count towards the 8 segments for requalifying as DJ Platinum).

Am nearly half way to QF WP requalifying. Will switch most domestic to DJ once I've requalified, but waiting to see the details of the family SC credits before switching international to DJ. No interest in QF WP1, will just aim to be QF and DJ WP.

QF WP still better for me overall, and on the CBR BNE run, better scheduling with QF. But DJ will more than make their money back on the status match.

 

[JohnK]

Er .. but you do. Fly xx_-SYD-AUH-xx_ and you'll have the option of flying VA metal from Australia to the Middle East. Granted that this might be less convenient than choosing an all-EY-metal itinerary, but the option is there (this is what I do when heading to Europe).

I forgot about that but just on a different note how long is that SYD-AUH flight? According to GCM it is longer than SYD-LAX. :shock: And if still going to on LHR nothing has been gained other than having a really long flight first.

Each to their own but that's 10 hours of my life i'd rather have back.

Point taken. For me it is not about getting there in the quickest time possible but having options instead of being forced through a single transit point.

I think your view on this may be skewed by your opinion of Middle Eastern airlines :shock:

Shewed? I do not want to transit through the Middle East and I dare say many people would hold the same view. And I would definitely not want to overnight there either.

By the way is it any different to people saying they want to avoid LHR? I actually don't mind LHR and I think it is a good airport especially terminal 5.

Is it any different to people saying they want to avoid LAX? I like LAX.

 

[AaronBradford]

I forgot about that but just on a different note how long is that SYD-AUH flight?

SYD-AUH is 14 hrs 50 minutes going by my itinerary for next month. I myself don't mind transiting the Middle East, although I probably wouldn't overnight there.

 

[notzac]

I forgot about that but just on a different note how long is that SYD-AUH flight? According to GCM it is longer than SYD-LAX. :shock: And if still going to on LHR nothing has been gained other than having a really long flight first.

It's about 14 hours or so ... from my own experience, it's a pleasant enough flight and I get a nice little snooze on the way over, plus the service makes the flight seem to go faster. AUH is a fairly easy airport to transit as well; everything is fairly well signposted and transit security is mercifully quick (no need to take liquids out or shoes off or anything crazy like that) .. from there it's a 30 second wander in to the lounge complex, and come flight time it's a relatively quick saunter to the gates, past some fairly reasonably priced duty free.

I get that some people may not like flighting with Middle Eastern airlines .. especially if previous experience has been with EK. To me, EY seems to have the good Arabian hospitality and incredibly multi-cultural crew that EK does, without being quite as fussy or having the over-the-top bling that EK appear to be obsessed with.

I still prefer travelling on an Australian airline, if for no other reason than the crew make the long trip shorter with the relaxed/friendly service thing that seems uniquely Australian .. but am perfectly happy flighting on EY. There's something to be said for being on the way home, waiting at AUH and seeing the VA livery (it sticks out somewhat..) and knowing that you're on the home stretch

[SIZE=-2]One of these is not like the other..[/SIZE]​

 

[notzac]

Oh, and..

Point taken. For me it is not about getting there in the quickest time possible but having options instead of being forced through a single transit point.

If you're talking QF and you want to get somewhere in Europe other than LHR or FRA, you are going to get forced through a single transit point (LHR) .. which necessitates a terminal change to connect to BA shorthaul at the very least, and serious quantities of liquor and therapy if things go pear shaped (as they are wont to do at LHR..!)

For the sake of clarity, I'm intentionally ignoring purchasing fares through CX or AY.

 

[JohnK]

It's about 14 hours or so

That is a really long flight especially in economy.

I get that some people may not like flighting with Middle Eastern airlines .. especially if previous experience has been with EK. To me, EY seems to have the good Arabian hospitality and incredibly multi-cultural crew that EK does, without being quite as fussy or having the over-the-top bling that EK appear to be obsessed with.

Try GF! It is one thing to travel in business class and it is another to travel in economy on these airlines. If people feel comfortable with them then by all means go ahead and fly them but do note that some people have had bad experiences which are not attributed to just the airline.

And if people do not understand what I mean I am not going to spell it out.

For the sake of clarity, I'm intentionally ignoring purchasing fares through CX or AY.

That is a little unfair as the alliance Qantas is aligned with also includes these airlines plus BA, RJ and MA to name a few.

What Virgin is saying is that we will get you to AUH and then you have no other choice than EY into Europe.

As I said this may work well for some people. And you know what? I think it is fantastic if it actually works well for some people.

 

[notzac]

And you know what? I think it is fantastic if it actually works well for some people.

Absolutely! I'm not criticising your choice in any way, but it's indeed wonderful that there are plenty of options out there (that earn the all-important points and status .. )

 

[Vinny]

Have made the switch, although new status took a long time to happen. If VA had their act together I would have booked more flights both domestic and international with them, but Qf gold still gave me certainty of lounge access and increased luggage.

Currently trying to burn QF points which can be more than difficult. Non co operative website and customer nonservice making it beyond a joke.

Looking forward to a long and happy association with VA and what expansion of award opportunities may take place. 17 years with QF and looking for a refreshing change.

 

[pauly7]

Through the changes Virgin are making they are going to expand their customer base. Virgin isn't Qantas, and some people prefer the type of product Qantas offer and won't "switch", which is exactly what VA predicted - they want to be "the airline of choice", not the largest airline.


IMO Virgin are going to win some and Qantas are going to loose some - not massive numbers, but enough to make VA the successful airline it deserves to be.

I think you mean lose.

I'm sure VA will gain some and I'm sure QF will gain some back! Where I see VA getting beat ATM is with my BFOD employer - QF are doing a great job of making sure they have better pricing at T-2/3 weeks which is where a lot of business book.

Our BFOD is therefore still skewing heavily towards QF. Interestingly JQ has dropped in the mix as they seem to either almost always sell out or jack their prices way up at T-2/3 weeks.

 

[nlagalle]

Well I was about to post last night that due to travel policy changes at work it made it harder to book virgin flights (qantas is very easy now to book and get full SC earning thanks to the recent change) and low and behold I am off to Darwin on Sunday flying VA and in PE (was $80 more expensive so I said bill me) so I will be going MEL-BNE-DRW on Virgin and home on QF.

Also had I wanted the morning flight with Qantas instead I would have been paying far less than the Virgin flexi too.

 

[Jasecoop]

Been given the VA plat level but yet to make it regular. Mainly due to the Embraer planes from Adelaide (not convinced on their Y+ product although never flown it) and the schedule doesnt seem to work out as well as qantas. But can say definately over qantas and when I have a reasonable choice I will take the alternative