Stick with Qantas? Or book with Virgin?

[Jenelle]

I have to go Mel-Bris in May.

I can get $99 each way with Virgin.

or

$165 each way with Qantas.

I have always been loyal to Qantas but with that fare difference... I dunno - I think I'll have to go Virgin.

If you are Qantas 'loyal' does this mean you never fly with Virgin - even with fare differences like that?

 

[Altair]

You need to think about what additional benefits you will get from QF.
Do you need the status credits, have QP access, like the freebies you may get with them, schedules suit you?
Have DJ given bad service to you?
If the additional benefits are not much then the fare difference is certainly too high so go with DJ. I remember what my Marketing professor told me, loyalty programs are captive marketing. They are not really to reward your customers but to make them think they can only use you otherwise they will not get their rewards. DJ has Velocity now, The Lounge and decent schedules in the main markets....
But I own TOL shares which has a majority ownership of Virgin Blue....

 

[Bolman]

Loyalty only goes so far.

Why give your money away for the sake of being loyal?

I consider myself loyal to Qantas whenever they are loyal to me... but in the case of next week when I couldn't make an award booking due to non-availability - I said - screw you Qantas and booked with Virgin. They were cheaper anyway.

Only thing I lose is a few measly ff points and status credits which, like has been said above, are not the same value as the fare difference.

Signed,
Loyal Qantas Customer.

 

[simongr]

I am loyal to QF to the point that I probably paid a bit more for my flights to BNE - but for me there are benefits that across two people were kind of worth the money. The main thing being business class checkin, the lounge and in theory priority baggage. Also status meant I got a better seat. Maybe not $130 worth though ($260 for two people)

 

[JohnK]

That is a significant $aving on a such a short trip.

How much value do you place on loyalty? Unless you had specific goals in mind, like QF Lifetime Gold, go with the cheaper option.

 

[Mal]

I have a value quotient where I prefer Qantas over Virgin.

It does vary at different times of the year based on things such as my SC count for the year and a few other things such as flight schedule, length and availability etc.

My difference is much less than what the difference you've been quoted. Just buy the Virgin tickets, join the Velocity scheme and enjoy the flight.

 

[serfty]

I did the DJ side of things MEL/BNE/MEL; mainly 'cause of the $85 & $165 fare available at short notice (against QF's $165 & $245).

If you can work your travel at 3+ months notice a QFFer generally find such little difference in price to make QF the better bet.

 

[clifford]

Go with DJ.

They have a decent FF program don't they?

And why fly an American airline such as Cute cough?

:;

 

[SeatBackForward]

Go with the cheapest fare, for a two hour flight, it wont make much difference who you fly with, you're better keeping the money for yourself.

 

[Yada Yada]

I've found that Virgin Blue has consistently friendlier crews and compared with QF's 737's, better seat pitch. So if you're flying economy, then not only is Virgin Blue cheaper, they provide a better service. The only thing you miss out on is two free cookies and a cuppa (or a "meal" if you happen to fly at the right time and can actually eat it), but even paying for food and drink on DJ will still leave you way in front money-wise.

I fly Virgin Blue most weeks and have VLounge access so for me they are almost always a better all-round option.

 

[Happy Dude]

$130 difference is way too great to remain "loyal" IMHO (unless I'm not paying, of course). I cannot think of a single thing that I would pay a 50% premium for an (almost) equivalent product. I'd keep the cash as SCs and FFPs are not that important to me for such a short trip, and even with spending $30 at airport cafes/bars you're still a hunj ahead! Think of the products you could buy......

 

[Jenelle]

You are all wonderful!

I did a totally guilt free booking and am now going to Brissy $200 return.

Thanks heaps!

 

[Bolman]

You are all wonderful!

I did a totally guilt free booking and am now going to Brissy $200 return.

Thanks heaps!

I think we may have all contributed a little to reducing Qantas' profit...!

Power to the little people!!

O no! Will that affect the value of my ff points???????

 

[Yada Yada]

You are all wonderful!

I did a totally guilt free booking and am now going to Brissy $200 return.

Don't forget that for $30 you can enter the Virgin Blue lounge as a casual visitor.

 

[alien]

stick with virgin they are usually cheaper i find.