The Virgin Australia Newbie Questions Thread

[kerfuffle]

Are Waitlisted Points upgrade requests cleared before $$$ Bids?

Apologies - I’m sure this has been asked before but I couldn’t find the definitive answer elsewhere.

Doubt it. I only got off the waitlist for the first time ever recently and just snuck in; turns out you shouldn't be checking in so early and instead check in as close to the cut-off time or if you get confirmed an upgrade

 

[SYD]

Doubt it. I only got off the waitlist for the first time ever recently and just snuck in; turns out you shouldn't be checking in so early and instead check in as close to the cut-off time or if you get confirmed an upgrade

Which is completely opposite to QF (hence why QF Bid thread is very quiet)?

 

[MooTime]

I've been informed unofficially that point upgrades get placed ahead of $$$ bids. Also read it here on AFF. No idea if that's how it's done, very hard to prove it

I have a points upgrade with VA next week from flex fare, see how I go, but of course no idea others and if any cash bids on same flight.

I'd safely assume the earlier your bid in, points or cash puts you ahead of others of the same bid. Status plays a part obviously.

 

[GaryD]

Does anybody know how many status credits you earn from Perth to Broome W.A.

 

[SYD]

I've been informed unofficially that point upgrades get placed ahead of $$$ bids. Also read it here on AFF. No idea if that's how it's done, very hard to prove it

I have a points upgrade with VA next week from flex fare, see how I go, but of course no idea others and if any cash bids on same flight.

I'd safely assume the earlier your bid in, points or cash puts you ahead of others of the same bid. Status plays a part obviously.

I gather it’s a bit more complicated. I put a Waitlist upgrade request the day I booked some flights (flying tomorrow). From what I can tell, the Points waitlist has dropped out but they still happy to take a $ bid (I think up to 4 hrs prior now?).

 

[Human]

Lite: 7
Choice: 20
Flex: 35
Business: 80

Just go to make a booking and when you click on the flight it will show you the number of SC's in the column outlining each fare type (third from the bottom):

 

[Amanad78]

I will be travelling with a group of friends soon.
I'm Gold so can guest 1 into the lounge. Can I also use my silver and Amex passess to guest the rest of them in?

Thanks

 

[Human]

I will be travelling with a group of friends soon.
I'm Gold so can guest 1 into the lounge. Can I also use my silver and Amex passess to guest the rest of them in?
Thanks

Should be fine. You can definitely use your passes for others (though I've only ever done it for people on the same booking as me), so I can't see any problems unless the lounge is overcrowded at the time.

 

[exceladdict]

Flying VA for the first time next week since pre covid, because BFOD was hundreds of dollars cheaper; but have lost all VA status. What should I be aware of flying VA 2.0? I assume everything on board is pay to enjoy these days?

 

[AIRwin]

What should I be aware of flying VA 2.0?

Select seats at T-48

 

[RooFlyer]

What should I be aware of flying VA 2.0?

If you can get Row 3 of EconomyX (you'll have to pay), it has more legroom than Business.

 

[SYD]

Flying VA for the first time next week since pre covid, because BFOD was hundreds of dollars cheaper; but have lost all VA status. What should I be aware of flying VA 2.0? I assume everything on board is pay to enjoy these days?

I’ve just completed my first four sectors since 2020.

Tea/Coffee and water are gratis but pay to play for food, drinks and wifi in whY.

If you have stray points to use for an upgrade, only do it if there’s an award seat available. Their “Waitlist upgrade” system doesn’t work the same as QF re priority order of points v bids. Basically it doesn’t work. Bids trump and, whilst you probably don’t won’t to spend your own nickel, someone with no status can get a J seat, with food and lounge access for the price of pay to enter lounge access (at the lower bid end).

Select seats at T-48

I missed that memo but realised what was happening and managed to recover on 1 of 2 whY sectors (had J anyway on the other 2 plus a successful J bid).

As well as Exonomy X, there’s also “preferred” seating for less but regular legroom - just forward seats.

 

[baggyred]

Quick question that I see has been discussed here - but just want clarity

If there is an award business ticket and I book a Y ticket - if i then select upgrade on points - does it go through automatically?

From memory that is how QF works

 

[SYD]

Quick question that I see has been discussed here - but just want clarity

If there is an award business ticket and I book a Y ticket - if i then select upgrade on points - does it go through automatically?

From memory that is how QF works

It’s supposed to. If it shows “Waitlist” then minimal chance of getting the upgrade with points.

 

[baggyred]

Thank you

 

[baggyred]

Just booked - and worked immediately as suggested

Thanks again

 

[RedSMS]

Hey all,

Quite peeved at this situation....

Due to fly MEL-OOL this Saturday, and return Monday with VA.

I was silver at the time of booking , and asked on here how to use my 2 lounge passes.

I just recieved the email reminder of my upcoming flights, and they've bumped me back to red status!

This was one of the major reasons I booked with Virgin, so that I could make use of my 2 lounge passes, and now I don't have them!

What should I do? Should I contact them?

Can I purchase a single entry online or at the lounge?

I took a screenshot of my silver 'card', could that work?

Not happy Jan!

 

[knagelli]

Hey all,

Quite peeved at this situation....

Due to fly MEL-OOL this Saturday, and return Monday with VA.

I was silver at the time of booking , and asked on here how to use my 2 lounge passes.

I just recieved the email reminder of my upcoming flights, and they've bumped me back to red status!

This was one of the major reasons I booked with Virgin, so that I could make use of my 2 lounge passes, and now I don't have them!

What should I do? Should I contact them?

Can I purchase a single entry online or at the lounge?

I took a screenshot of my silver 'card', could that work?

Not happy Jan!

It is sad that it had happened to you but why was your status back to red ? Were you silver from last year and since you did not meet the criteria to maintain your silver status by your review date , because of which you are now red ?

Sharing these details will help others understand the issue and share any suggestions/work arounds.

On a different note why do you want to pay to get into Virgin lounge as honestly it's not worth the money if you have to pay for that. YMMV

Even though you have taken the image of your silver card , when you scan your boarding pass/membership status at the kiosk , I am assuming it will recognize you are not a silver member and might not let you in.

 

[MooTime]

Hey all,

Quite peeved at this situation....

Due to fly MEL-OOL this Saturday, and return Monday with VA.

I was silver at the time of booking , and asked on here how to use my 2 lounge passes.

I just recieved the email reminder of my upcoming flights, and they've bumped me back to red status!

This was one of the major reasons I booked with Virgin, so that I could make use of my 2 lounge passes, and now I don't have them!

What should I do? Should I contact them?

Can I purchase a single entry online or at the lounge?

I took a screenshot of my silver 'card', could that work?

Not happy Jan!

Your anniversary date must be yesterday or so.

I will be in Melb virgin lounge Saturday about 9am, happy to guest you in if that helps /suits.

 

[SYD]

I had a similar situation that I was going to write up in “Made a travel mistake” thread. I knew I would hard land to Red a week or so ago but bought some flights in the TSC that would get me back to SG.

Technically for status, it wouldn’t have mattered if I flew while still Silver (pre review date) or post. What I had forgotten / not realised is the “grace period” Is only 2 wks now - it used to be 1 mth(?):

So
1. I also lost 2x lounge passes but recovered because the first to flights were in J, so lounge gratis,
2. Attained Silver after those first 2x flights and 2x passes back
3. Next two flights were in whY but a successful Bid Now meant only needed 1x lounge pass.

The thing I totally forgot about was the lost opportunity to earn bonus points by status….