Virgin and Velocity websites - enough is enough

[maninblack]

It is August 2012. Enough is enough is enough. Fix it Virgin. What a ridiculous mess. Virgin talks the talk but doesn't walk the walk or as Lincoln said, "You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time."

 

[markis10]

Organisations tend to react to constructive feedback better than diatribe, worth a thought!

 

[medhead]

They work for me, maybe I've just learnt to adapt. What's the problem?

 

[Deewhy]

What particular issues are you facing?

 

[maninblack]

Organisations tend to react to constructive feedback better than diatribe, worth a thought!

Virgin has had a truckload, no an A380 load of constructive criticism about their hopelessly deficient website and have not managed to change a thing in many months, even though Virgin staff have told me that they know that it is absolutely hopeless and horrible and that elements of it are simply dysfunctional, therefore I am surprised and as a consumer disappointed. But thanks for the advice, I will keep it in mind for the organisations that do actually react to constructive feedback.

 

[mkentwell]

I am perplexed, what are the problems? I can to navigate, book flights, look at my Status & points, etc, so not seeing the problem.

 

[smit0847]

whats the problem? You should try ana.co.jp for a truly awful airline website!

 

[777]

It is August 2012. Enough is enough is enough. Fix it Virgin. What a ridiculous mess. Virgin talks the talk but doesn't walk the walk or as Lincoln said, "You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time."

The only announcements I've seen about improved IT are related to the migration to sabre. Virgin have never claimed that would happen by now. Unless you've seen them claim something other than that?

 

[simongr]

Couple of things I dont like - the seat selection page is not intuitive and I have selected seats and then lost them as I didnt click through.

 

[oz_mark]

The only announcements I've seen about improved IT are related to the migration to sabre. Virgin have never claimed that would happen by now. Unless you've seen them claim something other than that?

The issue likely is that while that project is underway, any major changes to other systems that need to interact with the reservation system will likely be on hold. I wouldn't be expecting any major improvements until the migration onto Sabre is done.

 

[777]

The issue likely is that while that project is underway, any major changes to other systems that need to interact with the reservation system will likely be on hold. I wouldn't be expecting any major improvements until the migration onto Sabre is done.

Stop being so BLOODY REASONABLE!!!!

 

[maninblack]

Stop being so BLOODY REASONABLE!!!!

Yes Virgin plan to adopt the SabreSonic system by early next year and then at least in theory fix their website architecture, like the total schmozzle that exists between the Velocity and Virgin websites, the need to repeatedly re-login to manage bookings, the dead ends, the International res system that does not interface with the domestic system, an international manage bookings page that does not work at all and so on and so on. Virgin are not a charity so as the consumer forking out the $$$ and the time I do not need to be so BLOODY REASONABLE about all of this.

 

[lovestotravel]

I am still waiting for a list of these "problems"

 

[MandM]

If we are talking managing international long haul bookings, or trying to purchase them with points, then I'm with you. Those problems have been frustrating me for months. The rest of the things I need it to do are fine.

 

[777]

Yes Virgin plan to adopt the SabreSonic system by early next year and then at least in theory fix their website architecture, like the total schmozzle that exists between the Velocity and Virgin websites, the need to repeatedly re-login to manage bookings, the dead ends, the International res system that does not interface with the domestic system, an international manage bookings page that does not work at all and so on and so on. Virgin are not a charity so as the consumer forking out the $$$ and the time I do not need to be so BLOODY REASONABLE about all of this.

Weren't you going to never fly them again at some point in the past? You'd probably feel better if you did that.

 

[Warks]

A problem I've always had and not been able to solve is that I can't see how to make a flight booking NOT with points when logged into Velocity. I have clicked every damn button there but all I get is points offers etc. My only way to manage it is to come into the main site without logging in, make the booking and then click the box that says something like "are you a Velocity member?" and the details go in automatically. For this reason I keep two bookmarks of the relevant pages.

Now I can't believe the website can be that bad and it's just me but if it is the case then it is a problem.
Not sure what other problems people have. Seems to work okay except I don't like how the default setting is to select their travel insurance for the flight - of course I always spot it and de-select it but they do have a nerve. I guess it's just business though.

 

[maninblack]

Weren't you going to never fly them again at some point in the past? You'd probably feel better if you did that.

No, your memory serves you incorrectly.

I said, "I don't think most people are saying they will never fly with VA again. They are saying VA J class is not up to scratch and at least for the time being they are heading back to QF. At least that's what I am saying."

I understand that some people have their brand favorites but I don't understand why some members get so hot under the collar every time a member dares to criticise Virgin. They are fare game for critique as are QF and any other airline. What would make me feel better is Virgin delivering up a really good product (across the board)

 

[777]

No, your memory serves you incorrectly.

I said, "I don't think most people are saying they will never fly with VA again. They are saying VA J class is not up to scratch and at least for the time being they are heading back to QF. At least that's what I am saying."

Oh, i thought that was after you said you'd never fly them again. But my memory may not serve me correctly.

I understand that some people have their brand favorites but I don't understand why some members get so hot under the collar every time a member dares to criticise Virgin. They are fare game for critique as are QF and any other airline. What would make me feel better is Virgin delivering up a really good product (across the board)

Critique would be great. If you ever feel like doing that, i'd look forward to it. The opening post above is not critique.

 

[drewbles]

Stop being so BLOODY REASONABLE!!!!

One never lets logic and reason get in the way of a whinge.

Perhaps need some Cheese to go with their Whine though

(and I'm sure that the lack-of-change or improvement to either site is due to migration to sabre, and the ensuing headaches it's causing).

But yes, both sites, especially Velocity, are deficient in many areas, and i'm sure it's being addressed (just we are all impatient)

 

[medhead]

<redacted deleted post>

Really? I thought it was a reasonable point. As I said already I have no problems doing what I need to do. I don't have to login in multiple times when managing bookings. It didn't take me long to learn how to use the websites.


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