Virgin Australia Website & Fare Structure Revamp

[concorde71]

Very impressed with this new fare structure. Very impressed

 

[antycbr]

The new fare structure is awesome. The gap between Blue Saver/Go and Flexible was too big previously, now its definitely a reasonable extra spend for included benefits.

Servicing the inclusion of meals on the flight won't be too complex, I was on a CBR-SYD flight that had a number of EY codeshare passengers. The cabin crew had a list of passengers with entitlements and as they worked their way through this list was referenced.

Perhaps a future enhancement will be on saver fares you can choose to add catering at purchase or through manage my bookings (like baggage). I can see this being a popular option for flights greater than three hours and would help Virgin with planning the number of hot meals to be loaded on board the aircraft and for budget business travellers to avoid having a second tax invoice to be expensed. This is something that Air Asia have mastered very successfully on their flights, and they use the same underlying reservation system if i recall.

 

[Keith009]

The new fare structure is a step in the right direction.

However, there still seems to be a fairly large gap between Saver and Flexi, especially on some of the shorter segments like MEL-SYD or MEL-ADL.

Of course this isn't a problem for corporate travellers as work is paying, and the flexible fare rules will more than justify the additional expense of a Flexi fare. And for these travellers the Flexi fare is a compelling proposition cf what QF charges for the same flexibility.

However, I think the premium for Flexi is a little steep for leisure travellers, especially on routes such as MEL-OOL, MEL-MCY and even the less popular flights to SYD/BNE/ADL/PER. Or even self-funded, price sensitive SME travellers. Many do want some additional onboard bells and whistles, but do not require flexible fare rules, and for these passengers I'm afraid the QF Red E-deals are still going to be more attractive, notwithstanding the fact that domestic catering on QF ranges between barely edible and intolerable. At the risk of running contrary to your goal of simplifying fares structures, I feel that there should be a fare in between Saver and Flexi offering the extra onboard frills of the Flexi fare but with significantly less flexible fare rules - ala Virgin America's Main Cabin Select Instant Upgrade fares (which are quite often as little as $40 above the non-refundable Main Cabin fare), at least on thinner segments or flight times.

 

[Virgin Australia]

When and from where, will we be able to use our points for upgrades to Premium Economy/Business?

Humble apologies, as you've picked up my one mistake!

For a Saver Fare:
Option to upgrade to a seat in our Premium Economy or Business Class cabin using your Velocity Reward Points is a feature coming soon!

Well spotted!

Also, on a Saver fare, there is no charge for checked baggage for our Velocity Gold and Silver members.

 

[kamchatsky]

I seem to recall that quite a few AFF members have travelled Tiger. So let's say compete with Tiger for passengers.

I used to, but with TT going at the moment, I don't think I am going back to them anytime soon.

 

[DSFlyer]

Looks like a whole lot more Flexi flights coming up - this gives business the options needed at a great price.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

At the risk of running contrary to your goal of simplifying fares structures, I feel that there should be a fare in between Saver and Flexi offering the extra onboard frills of the Flexi fare but with significantly less flexible fare rules - ala Virgin America's Main Cabin Select Instant Upgrade fares (which are quite often as little as $40 above the non-refundable Main Cabin fare), at least on thinner segments or flight times.

And so the MR runs begin. I would like to a this as well, like AA's instand upgrade fares.

 

[LiamR]

One of the things I only noticed today is the ability to standby for a earlier flight on the flexi ticket.

For me, this is a huge advantage, when I do day trips, I don't know what flight I'll be on until I leave for the airport. So instead of purchasing full Y fares or J seats on QF. I could book a Flexi ticket with VA for the last flight home, and then try to get on the earliest flight home.

 

[Misha]

Thanks Virgin for updating us... I am sure we all look forward to the up and coming Velocity Points Upgrade option.

CrazyDave - thanks for your post too - we know you are well in the know I had no intentions of getting a scoop! - I just wanted to share my find

... but please feel free to advise us of changes to Velocity you have been involved with as soon as you like.

*end my smug voice*

 

[Virgin Australia]

CrazyDave - thanks for your post too - we know you are well in the know I had no intentions of getting a scoop! - I just wanted to share my find

... but please feel free to advise us of changes to Velocity you have been involved with as soon as you like.

CrazyDave won't be doing that.... I won't let him

 

[Misha]

CrazyDave won't be doing that.... I won't let him

Spoil Sport! :evil:

 

[samh004]

Also, on a Saver fare, there is no charge for checked baggage for our Velocity Gold and Silver members.

I would hope so

Otherwise my next trip could have cost more than planned!

 

[NM]

I seem to recall that quite a few AFF members have travelled Tiger. So let's say compete with Tiger for passengers.

Oh, such a subtle difference.

And I must congratulate CD98 and the "team" at DJ/VA for delivering this "enhancement" at the most opportune time. Your insight, in my opinion, reflects your desire to innovate and "make a difference" in the Australian domestic travel market. I tip my hat to the decision makers. Well done. Two words that compare/contrast the Aussie market players are "Visionary" and "Ostrich" - apply the appropriate tag to the flying tail of your choice.

 

[Mal]

How strange is it that DJ has chosen to remove the incorrect Fee Change page on their website. Thanks for taking my comments on-board

And a bigger thanks for highlighting the fee changes as part of the fare changes.

As some of you noticed over the weekend we made some significant changes to our FEE structure.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Yeah, they've always had that taste tester thing, but I don't know of anyone who has used it, since you had to be on the previously highest ticket available.

Ye have such little faith! I used the taster.....once

And it was for both flexi and corp + fares. An extra $30 over the flexible fare and it was worth it, not so much worth for corp +.

 

[oz_mark]

• Inclusive food and drink package

Any definition or guidance on what is meant by a 'food and drink package'?

Does it vary by time of day?

 

[LiamR]

Any definition or guidance on what is meant by a 'food and drink package'?

Does it vary by time of day?

Think along the lines of Qantas Refreshments..... or at least thats what I was told. You can't just take your pick of the menu.

 

[anat0l]

Have to hand it to Virgin Australia on this one - great simple fare structure.

I haven't seen the price levels yet, but I'm sure they're a good spectrum and a threat to Qantas.

Just don't cancel a flight with Virgin and you'll be just fine. Change fees for Saver fares are a tad high, but I think they're on par with Qantas (if not on face value then after factoring fare differences etc.). Oh yeah, and don't try and check-in too early if you're an uncertain flyer

 

[777]

One thing VA need to fix to with this structure

One thing VA need to fix to with this structure is the inability to reserve a seat without checking in. If i book a flexi fare (which i will probably do quite regularly from here) it would be nice to be able to reserve a seat (in my case 3 or 4 C or D ideally) without checking in - as once i check in, i forfeit my ticket if i miss the flight.

Any chance of upgrading the IT so a seat can be reserved before checking in? Or - at the very least - can i get my seat allocation preferences into the system so you guys know to give me an aisle ?

 

[Virgin Australia]

Re: One thing VA need to fix to with this structure

One thing VA need to fix to with this structure is the inability to reserve a seat without checking in. If i book a flexi fare (which i will probably do quite regularly from here) it would be nice to be able to reserve a seat (in my case 3 or 4 C or D ideally) without checking in - as once i check in, i forfeit my ticket if i miss the flight.

Any chance of upgrading the IT so a seat can be reserved before checking in? Or - at the very least - can i get my seat allocation preferences into the system so you guys know to give me an aisle ?

noted 777....