The DJ Op UP Thread.

[lovestotravel]

On Australia Day, me and +1 flying MEL-SYD in the afternoon. Had seats 3A + 3B.

While waiting in the lounge at ca. T-60 got paged, front desk told us we were upgraded to Business Class, but seat only no J catering due to short notice.

Anyway, on boarding I noticed reason for the op-up, Equipment change from 738 to 73G. So had the old PE seating in row 1, with the fold-down table in the centre. Nice legroom, no complaints. When service started, the cabin supervisor took care of the 2 paying J pax in 1D and 1F, all other 6 pax seated in J (incl us) were obviously upgraded as no one else received J service. BUT: the Y FA started her drinks and food service in row 3, the designated J cabin FA only cared for the 2 paying J pax, so no drinks or food or anything for us. (To be honest I didn't bother on this short 55 mins hop, but they simply "overlooked" us which is not good enough.)

Told you were put in "Business Class" but it was PE.... First mistake Virgin
Being overlooked becuase you were an op-up... Second mistake Virgin

Should have simply been told you are being moved to PE and then at least offered drinks in the PE cabin

No food I can understand!

 

[Jama]

On Australia Day, me and +1 flying MEL-SYD in the afternoon. Had seats 3A + 3B.

While waiting in the lounge at ca. T-60 got paged, front desk told us we were upgraded to Business Class, but seat only no J catering due to short notice (fair enough).

Anyway, on boarding I noticed reason for the op-up, Equipment change from 738 to 73G. So had the old PE seating in row 1, with the fold-down table in the centre. Nice legroom, no complaints. When service started, the cabin supervisor took care of the 2 paying J pax in 1D and 1F, all other 6 pax seated in J (incl us) were obviously upgraded as no one else received J service. BUT: the Y FA started her drinks and food service in row 3, the designated J cabin FA only cared for the 2 paying J pax, so no drinks or food or anything for us. (To be honest I didn't bother on this short 55 mins hop, but they simply "overlooked" us which is not good enough.)

That sounds like an OP Down to me.

 

[jsoprano]

Told you were put in "Business Class" but it was PE.... First mistake Virgin
Being overlooked becuase you were an op-up... Second mistake Virgin

Should have simply been told you are being moved to PE and then at least offered drinks in the PE cabin

No food I can understand!

They call it Business Class now, regardless of the type of seats. So not really anything to blame them for. Same for catering, that's fine. I paid ca. $80 on a "cheap and cheerful" sale for the ticket, so had not expected anything. Only issue I have is they tell you "we upgrade you to Business Class because your business is so important to us" (my words), but then the service delivery falls even short of the basic Y service level. That's where I see they have to improve rather quick, or all those new frequent travellers will turn away again if the promised perks for their Gold and Platinum tiers do not stack up to the expectation.

On another note, on returning SYD - MEL yesterday evening, checked bag in at the priority desk. On arrival in MEL it was the last bag on the belt. Not one of the last, THE last; it actually came in between the first bags for the next arrival from ADL on the same belt, when everyone else from the SYD flight was allready somewhere on the Freeway. We were almost on our way to the lost luggage when it appeared between the ADL bags. No "Priority" tag of course.

 

[lovestotravel]

The seating you had is not actually defined on the VA website anymore.....

Virgin Australia's Cabin Classes | Virgin Australia

But I know what you mean, and you know what I mean...

I agree fully on the "service delivery" aspect! I was impressed by the service I received from the MEL lounge staff and cabin crew on my recent J flight.

As you said it was an $80 sale fare, but the staff would have WELL known you were going on an old aircraft, and given that you have flown before with them they should have explained.

 

[serfty]

They call it Business Class now, regardless of the type of seats. ...

That's incorrect.

Recent posts indicate those booked into Business class who score PE seats only get compensatory benefits such as ½ their fare refunded.

 

[jsoprano]

That's incorrect.

Recent posts indicate those booked into Business class who score PE seats only get compensatory benefits such as ½ their fare refunded.

Okay, fair enough if you paid for a J ticket and then found yourself in these seats. For me it didn't matter as I have only paid for Y.

OT, just checked my Velocity account, have been credited 20 SCs which is for "Full Fare Economy". Hadn't expected to get anything else then what I paid for (which would have been 10 SCs). Or is there a double SC promotion on that I have allready forgotten about?

 

[muppet]

Hi everone

Has anyone had any luck with the "surprise" upgrades for Gold and Plat that DJ suggested at the launch of J?

I had one, but I think it was oversold. The rest of my flights have been booked in J, upcoming this week in Y.
m

 

[777]

Was op-upped to J tonight ADL-MEL. Some juggling of passengers and seats due to delays or something - very happy

 

[Jama]

Hi everone

Has anyone had any luck with the "surprise" upgrades for Gold and Plat that DJ suggested at the launch of J?

I had one, but I think it was oversold. The rest of my flights have been booked in J, upcoming this week in Y.
m

I've never had an OpUp. I usually always get my seat choice though in row 3.

 

[Bolthead]

I'm sure this has been answered before but had a quick look and couldn't find anything....

Do you think your chances of getting an op-up are greater if you......

Check-in at the lounge.
or
Check in with baggage
or
Check-in on line (I always check-in on line)

I had an op-up OOL-SYD last year. It happened on on line and I couldn't believe it. (didn't complain)

Whenever I go to the lounge with my printed on line boarding pass I get a nice smile and they write the gate number on the paper. Always wishfully thinking they will upgrade my seat. I am a Plat!

 

[serfty]

Op ups are so rare that:

1) There not enough statistical evidence to draw a comparison between check-in strategies, and,

2) I simply don't expect them.

I'll do whatever it takes to optimise my expected travel. If an op-up occurs, so be it.

 

[LiamR]

I'm sure this has been answered before but had a quick look and couldn't find anything....

Do you think your chances of getting an op-up are greater if you......

Check-in at the lounge.
or
Check in with baggage
or
Check-in on line (I always check-in on line)

I had an op-up OOL-SYD last year. It happened on on line and I couldn't believe it. (didn't complain)

Whenever I go to the lounge with my printed on line boarding pass I get a nice smile and they write the gate number on the paper. Always wishfully thinking they will upgrade my seat. I am a Plat!

Op ups are so rare that:

1) There not enough statistical evidence to draw a comparison between check-in strategies, and,

2) I simply don't expect them.

I'll do whatever it takes to optimise my expected travel. If an op-up occurs, so be it.

Completely agree with what serfty said, don't ever expect them.

However, if I had to guess. I'd say Check in via Kiosk/Online/Priority desk, then ask at the Lounge if there is a better seat available for you. As the lounge staff look at the passenger loads in economy and will pro actively op-up pax if the flight is oversold. Much easier to upgrade a pax that is standing infront of you, than having to page one.

But I never exepct one, I just take them as a bonus when I'm fortunate enough to recieve one. I wouldn't go out of my way to try.

 

[rockplat]

my family - myself, husband, child 12 and child 10 got an OP UP at sydney, double beeped at the priorty boarding lane.....Only ever OP UP and was surprised it invloved the family, always thought we have a better chance when travelling alone.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

my family - myself, husband, child 12 and child 10 got an OP UP at sydney, double beeped at the priorty boarding lane.....Only ever OP UP and was surprised it invloved the family, always thought we have a better chance when travelling alone.

I've had the whole family op-uped twice!

 

[777]

I've had the whole family op-uped twice!

Personally, I like the idea that they are more likely to op-up when travelling with family. I travel for work 50 odd flights a year, the family ones are actually special. It's also cool to have someone to share the joy with.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Personally, I like the idea that they are more likely to op-up when travelling with family. I travel for work 50 odd flights a year, the family ones are actually special. It's also cool to have someone to share the joy with.

777, That was my feeling exactly!

On my own (majority of my flights), I like a moderate level of service and comfort. But if not, well that's life.

With my family in tow, it's really special. Trouble is, they think I get that treatment every flight.

 

[777]

Op upped again this morning. Was some issues with my flight and got put on one 15mins later in J. Currently 2/5 for op ups since J was introduced. Don't mind those odds!

 

[Bolthead]

Op upped again this morning. Was some issues with my flight and got put on one 15mins later in J. Currently 2/5 for op ups since J was introduced. Don't mind those odds!

Congrats: How did you check in , online? Lounge? Baggage checkin?

 

[777]

Both time have been in Lounge with carry on only. Both times there appears to have been a genuine operational reason. First one was a much delayed earlier flight had led to many passengers being bumped to my flight so much seating reallocation. Today I was due out on 7:15am flight but was rung yesterday and told there was an issue and offered the choice of a 7am or 7:30. I went the 7:30 and was op-upped at check in.

 

[MandM]

3/4 - flew VA MEL-SYD-LAX.
MEL-SYD started in 10a, moved to 4F at the lounge and then to 3C at the gate.
at the transfer desk at SYD I asked how full the flight to LAX was looking. Much to my surprise (considering I had booked a deep discount Y ticket and had confirmed seat 20h via phone) the agent replied 'premium is looking pretty full'. She asked if an aisle seat was still ok and handed me a boarding pass for 11A
And it gets better. Once on board I had no one seated next to me. I was on the aisle in the middle bank of 4 seats. The only other person in the row was another gold on the other aisle. Service was excellent at all points. Priority baggage even worked.
As this is my first OP up, i do have one question; are status credits and points credited at the op up or the original ticket rate?