Velocity Changes incl SC earn on ASAs, SC by sector and baggage changes

[robbie1984]

Re: VA: Earn Status Credits on Reward Seats

One thing I'm not liking about in the new system is that their sale fares all appear to be in Saver Lite, which doesn't let you pre-purchase baggage (can do it at the airport for $40). The base sale fare is still pretty much the same ($85 one way BNE-SYD), so that's effectively a $28 price jump (was previously $12 to add bags) if you want checked luggage.

Qantas was previously a bit more expensive with their sale fares, but they're currently $105 one way on the date I want (can be as low as $99 on other days), so it's $4 cheaper than Virgin's $109 saver fare but with a meal in addition to baggage. For me it won't matter (having status with VA), but my SO will probably have to book with QF.

I don't think the Saver Lite fares allow baggage to be purchased even at the airport. From memory you would need to upgrade to a saver fare and pay the change fee and the fare difference. seems the info on that page is confusing as all of the other areas of the website don't mention purchasing baggage.

 

[kevrosmith]

Re: VA: Earn Status Credits on Reward Seats

I don't think the Saver Lite fares allow baggage to be purchased even at the airport. From memory you would need to upgrade to a saver fare and pay the change fee and the fare difference. seems the info on that page is confusing as all of the other areas of the website don't mention purchasing baggage.

No that's not correct. On the web site it says the following:

"

Guests travelling on a Saver Lite fare can only purchase an additional baggage allowance at the airport at a higher fee, pre-purchase is not available."​

Checked baggage allowance | Virgin Australia

But that is interesting to note that sale fares are in the Saver Lite column. I think that will certainly catch many people out! Time for another email to friends who don't travel so frequently, and aren't as savvy with these issues.

 

[robbie1984]

Re: VA: Earn Status Credits on Reward Seats

No that's not correct. On the web site it says the following:

"

Guests travelling on a Saver Lite fare can only purchase an additional baggage allowance at the airport at a higher fee, pre-purchase is not available."​

Checked baggage allowance | Virgin Australia

But that is interesting to note that sale fares are in the Saver Lite column. I think that will certainly catch many people out! Time for another email to friends who don't travel so frequently, and aren't as savvy with these issues.

But it also says
"

This fare does not include a checked baggage allowance. Guests who buy a Saver Lite fare will not be able to purchase any checked baggage allowances. However guests can upgrade to the next available fare brand, if check-in baggage allowance is required."
​

 

[kevrosmith]

Re: VA: Earn Status Credits on Reward Seats

But it also says
"

This fare does not include a checked baggage allowance. Guests who buy a Saver Lite fare will not be able to purchase any checked baggage allowances. However guests can upgrade to the next available fare brand, if check-in baggage allowance is required."
​

Ohhhh.... I see. Some conflicts on their web sites there. If the $40 (for first bag) worked out to be cheaper than upgrading the "fare brand", I know which quote I'd be printing out and taking to the airport!

 

[anat0l]

Re: VA: Earn Status Credits on Reward Seats

But it also says
"

This fare does not include a checked baggage allowance. Guests who buy a Saver Lite fare will not be able to purchase any checked baggage allowances. However guests can upgrade to the next available fare brand, if check-in baggage allowance is required."
​

Either way it's a potentially expensive exercise for the sake of saving between $12 and $30, if you need it.

Many here have status (even Silver) so we all take it for granted - it's a moot point.

 

[bullerdude]

Re: VA: Earn Status Credits on Reward Seats

I understood the Saver Lite baggage dilemma to be you can only purchase additional bags at the airport which can only be done after upgrading to a regular saver fare. The key being you have to upgrade to get one bag, then you can purchase extra bags.

I don't think you can buy a bag when on a saver lite fare.

 

[JohnK]

Re: VA: Earn Status Credits on Reward Seats

I don't think the Saver Lite fares allow baggage to be purchased even at the airport. From memory you would need to upgrade to a saver fare and pay the change fee and the fare difference. seems the info on that page is confusing as all of the other areas of the website don't mention purchasing baggage.

These changes do not look good.

I am convinced Virgin do not want to shed the LCC tag....

 

[Boris spatsky]

So i am confused - if i am WP and on Saver Lite fare, do i still get free baggage?

 

[notzac]

So i am confused - if i am WP and on Saver Lite fare, do i still get free baggage?

Yes. https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/plan/baggage/checked-baggage/ and click on Inclusive Allowances.

 

[pangwen]

So i am confused - if i am WP and on Saver Lite fare, do i still get free baggage?

Yep - if you have any status at all, you get free baggage on Saver Lite. This just affects Red and non-velocity members.

Effectively, if you don't have status and want baggage, it is now more likely that you'll be paying more for a VA fare than a QF one. My observation is based on sale fares to SYD and MEL ex BNE, which haven't changed much compared to the old system (and were only slightly cheaper than QF's sale fares previously), but which will now incur a higher baggage fee.

 

[bullerdude]

Yep - if you have any status at all, you get free baggage on Saver Lite. This just affects Red and non-velocity members.

Effectively, if you don't have status and want baggage, it is now more likely that you'll be paying more for a VA fare than a QF one. My observation is based on sale fares to SYD and MEL ex BNE, which haven't changed much compared to the old system (and were only slightly cheaper than QF's sale fares previously), but which will now incur a higher baggage fee.

The 'sale fare' does present an issue, because if you have to upgrade to get baggage then its not really a sale fare... I have a feeling that this may be another effect from the changes that was overlooked.

I might sent of more feedback (about the 4th or 5th this week) to Virgin and ask them to clarify the issue - they have been quite responsive to good feedback so far.

 

[MarkD]

The 'sale fare' does present an issue, because if you have to upgrade to get baggage then its not really a sale fare... I have a feeling that this may be another effect from the changes that was overlooked.

I might sent of more feedback (about the 4th or 5th this week) to Virgin and ask them to clarify the issue - they have been quite responsive to good feedback so far.

Hope you are sending an invoice as well, for pointing out all their stuff ups