Virgin Australia waives Fees & Fare Difference for those needing to get home

[Must...Fly!]

There has been so much talk about VA's future on this forum over the last fortnight and I still believe the airline will be saved from collapse.

But you know what? If these are to be the last days of Virgin Australia (which, again, I don't believe they will), then let's all commend them for the below policy and actually helping people to get where they need to be, without asking them to decide if they can afford to or not.

My congratulations to the management team at Virgin Australia who decided on this policy for travelers. You should take great pride in consciously choosing to make things easier for people at a time like this, when for many reasons things are doubtless so challenging for you.

Domestic travel restrictions and booking waiver

The Virgin Australia Group is aware of the latest travel advice from the Australian Government regarding non-essential domestic travel and the restrictions implemented by Australian states and territories.

As a result, guests can move onto an earlier flight to get back to their home states with change fee and fare difference waived. Guests must have an original travel date on or before Friday 27 March and move to a flight departing on or before Tuesday 24 March, when the majority of restrictions come into effect. Guests can be moved by presenting at the Virgin Australia check-in counter at the airport or contacting the Guest Contact Centre.

We recommend all passengers travelling internationally to check the latest information and advice on the relevant Government websites. The Australian Government information is available at the Border Force website, Department of Health website and Smartraveller.

Virgin Australia has waived change fees and fare differences for Australians wanting to head home before domestic travel restrictions are introduced on Tuesday.

Western Australia and South Australia have joined Tasmania and the Northern Territory in closing their borders and Virgin says it will work to re-accommodate passengers booked to depart on Virgin Australia and Tigerair flights on or before March 27.

They can change to a flight on or before Tuesday by presenting at the airline’s check-in counters or via their contact centers.

Tigerair passengers unable to get a seat on the low-cost carrier will be rebooked on a Virgin Australia flight without additional cost.

“We want guests to know that during these uncertain times, we’re committed to getting them home,’’ a Virgin spokesperson said.

“Whether they’re overseas or interstate, we’re waiving change fees and fare differences to get them safely home before travel and border restrictions come into effect.”

The arrangements are in addition to waivers offered to passengers who were due to depart before June 30.

Both Virgin and Qantas are reducing flights as a result of the restrictions and a warning by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison to avoid all but non-essential travel.

Virgin offers quick way home for Aussies facing restrictions

www.airlineratings.com

 

[aus_flyer]

Cudos. Well done, Virgin.

 

[knagelli]

Indeed a great gesture by VA to help everyone get back home , Well done !!

 

[Mexpirate]

I think their response to every aspect of this crisis has been pretty exceptional, only minor annoyance is being unable to get through to their call centre but appreciate that's out of their control:

Managed to alter 3 seperate flights with zero hassle, including a full no questions asked refund on a flight I had failed to board 2 days earlier.

Lovely lady whilst checking in and ensuring my bag got to it's final destination as my connecting flight was on a seperate booking was exceptionally friendly and helpful, despite letting slip that she expected to find out if she would lose her job that day, every staff member I came across seemed to be acting far more professionally than I would manage in their current situation

Extension and bonus status credits for velocity members is very generous

Total flexility in changing flights to accommodate everyone, especially this latest announcements ensuring no extra costs for passengers

Meanwhile Alan Joyce's apparent determination to eliminate the competition has made me think very little of Qantas and I think really highlights why we NEED competition in the market so this ballsack can't treat us all with the same disdain.

Fingers crossed that VA come out the other side of this