Virgin Australia Website & Fare Structure Revamp

[oz_mark]

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.

I'm hoping they mean something more than a muffin and orange juice :shock:

 

[Oneworldplus2]

SYD-PER in J is $1399 on the A330. I thought it might have been cheaper...



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[futaris]

SYD-PER in J is $1399 on the A330. I thought it might have been cheaper...

Alternatively, it's 33800 Velocity Points + $16 or 36700 Velocity Points for Business.

Compares well to the 36,000 QFF + $23.90 needed for a J Classic award on a 747.
JASA is 36,000 QFF + $120.14.

 

[MiLK_MaN]

I think all my domestic travel may have to be moved to VA now with these fare structure changes.

Normally I fly deep discount economy and flexi saver on the return leg with QF. I just compared the QF and VA for my next 2 domestic legs:

MEL-CBR-MEL: 31/5 -> 2/6
QF: Cheapest early morning fare on 31/5 is $311 @ 08:30. Combine that and flexi saver for return leg is $691
VA: Flexi return was $460

MEL-SYD-MEL: 6/6 -> 7/6
QF: Cheapest early morning fare on 6/6 is $232 @ 07:15. Combine that and flex saver for return leg is $601
VA: Flexi return was $398

I can't justify these inflated costs to my employer, so it looks like my travel is going to VA.

The only disappointing thing for me is my Velocity period ends 30 June Wish I could get a status match, even if I had to prove my frequent travel by completing something like 6 or 8 return flights in a given period or something like that, but I'm sure I'll earn Gold in a short period of time anyway.

 

[ishkaban]

I'm hoping they mean something more than a muffin and orange juice :shock:

Flexi fare food and beverage inclusions

Breakfast –
For flights departing between 0600 and 0930, Guests will be provided
with an inclusive breakfast offering.
This includes a muffin, Brookfarm Muesli bar, apple slices, 250ml
Orange juice, UHT milk/sugar/ stirrer and cutlery pack
Guests will be offered their choice of hot tea or coffee


Lunch –

For flights departing between 0931 and 1559, Guests will be provided
with an inclusive lunch offering.
This contains a Luke Mangan Panini or Wrap, gourmet Lindt chocolate, 250ml
bottle of water and cutlery pack.
Guests will be offered their choice of apple or orange juice


Dinner –

For flights departing between 1600 until the last flight of the day,
Guests will be provided with an inclusive dinner-time offering.
This contains a selection of premium cheeses, crackers and dip,
chocolate, 250ml bottle of water, knife and napkin
Guests can select Crown Lager beer, red wine, white wine
or orange juice.

 

[DJ332]

Dinner –

For flights departing between 1600 until the last flight of the day,
Guests will be provided with an inclusive dinner-time offering.
This contains a selection of premium cheeses, crackers and dip,
chocolate, 250ml bottle of water, knife and napkin
Guests can select Crown Lager beer, red wine, white wine
or orange juice.

Sounds more like pre-dinner nibbles!

 

[Sifor]

Dinner –

For flights departing between 1600 until the last flight of the day,
Guests will be provided with an inclusive dinner-time offering.
This contains a selection of premium cheeses, crackers and dip,
chocolate, 250ml bottle of water, knife and napkin
Guests can select Crown Lager beer, red wine, white wine
or orange juice.

I've always wanted a knife and napkin for dinner..

 

[docjames]

Well my first VA flight is now booked!

Travel not until November (hopefully the new bne lounge open by then and I can get a tour a la the current offer to QF gold and plats).

What finally made me go for it? Really all the improvements to product, website and fare structure. And the fact that QF wanted about 3x the price for the same flight (so I spent the $35 for blue zone whereas on qf I'd get a decent seat for nix due to status).

Maybe I should have tried for a status match??

Anyway, looking forward to seeing how it goes.

 

[Misha]

I'm hoping they mean something more than a muffin and orange juice :shock:

It was. When I boarded my flight yesterday morning I got the breakfast:

Flexi fare food and beverage inclusions

Breakfast –
For flights departing between 0600 and 0930, Guests will be provided
with an inclusive breakfast offering.
This includes a muffin, Brookfarm Muesli bar, apple slices, 250ml
Orange juice, UHT milk/sugar/ stirrer and cutlery pack
Guests will be offered their choice of hot tea or coffee

The muffin was very moist and whatnot, but I only ate two bites worth after gorging myself in the new MEL Lounge. The cold fresh apples slices were a nice touch - as was tea with orange juice (separately!). I didn't eat the muesli bar as I am not a fan. It was substantial and certainly any more on an hour-long flight would be overindulgent.

Couple of things to note:

They didn't do the pre-service announcement a la "PE and Flexi to be served first, then everyone else can order" they basically stated that service of for sale items would commence shortly.

Then a FA came up to me (there were no PE pax, I was in 3C on a Flexi) asking if I wanted my breakfast which she was holding in front of me. "Oooh yes please" I thought, thinking I would get out of my phone and take photos for AFF. Well of course, I had given a dirty half eaten tray back to her 30 minutes later without forgetting to take one snap!

The spoon and knife (plastic of course) were fine, but with a muffin as sticky and moist as that one was - IMO you would probably be better suited to a fork? I guess you could dig in with a spoon...

Also forgot to mention that they also came up pre-takeoff when handing out headsets to everyone to unlock my Live2Air since it was Flexi. I just watched the (free) maps channel as I normally do thinking "nearly Canberra, tme to come on down". They seemed very used to the new arrangements like nothing hd changed. No sign of disorganisation on this flight.

With the inclusion of a meal - the 1 hour flight really does fly by. It reminds me of years ago when one flew between the two state capitals where it felt like a blink of an eye and you were there. Also - the death stares of fellow pax everytime I got a meal on its own (or free TV) was quite funny. "Is everything alright Mr #####? Anything else we can do for you sir?" I don't know if that was due to flexi fare (seriously doubt it), being DJ Gold (perhaps), or just because I had an attentive crew who were extremely professional (most likely). Rare flight as there were 5 FA on (what I think was a 737-700) - I don't often see flights with more than the standard 3 FAs.

Anywho very mightily pleased. Hope flight back this afternoon/evening is as pleasant

Happy Virgin-ing

 

[Noob]

Hey everyone I'm a newbie nooby!

Last time I flew with Virgin Australia from Adel-Perth return I was on one of the Embraer-190s. There were 4 FA's for a 100 seater jet! The service was faultless, much better than previous Qantas flights....


I personally think it is smart having a fare (saver) where food is optional, because not everyone wants to eat on a flight, even a 4hr flight if it means the fare is cheaper. For the leisure market many people would prefer to pack a sandwich or eat something before hand and get a great deal.

Please buy more Embraers VA, I prefer them over 737s.

 

[Misha]

Now, VA needs to do one other thing to win my dream airline makeover bonus points. I need them to introduce on demand upgrades to empty business seats - either by cash, points, (or you can comp me).

well this worked for me this weekend... if we say it enough on this forum - maybe VA & CD98 will pass it on?

 

[LiamR]

well this worked for me this weekend... if we say it enough on this forum - maybe VA & CD98 will pass it on?

While we are on the subject....

Why don't we make it policy that AFF'ers get unlimited domestic upgrades on Virgin? All you have to do is present an AFF card, or show VA staff your AFF baggage tag.

*Glances at CrazyDave98*

I Joke of course..

 

[Virgin Australia]

While we are on the subject....

Why don't we make it policy that AFF'ers get unlimited domestic upgrades on Virgin? All you have to do is present an AFF card, or show VA staff your AFF baggage tag.

*Glances at CrazyDave98*

I Joke of course..

Why not earn double status credits at the same time if you are on twitter too?

(i joke of course)

 

[777]

Why not earn double status credits at the same time if you are on twitter too?

(i joke of course)

I think status credits should be proportional to how many twitter followers you have.

 

[straitman]

I think status credits should be proportional to how many twitter followers you have.

Well that's non for me :!:

 

[Noob]

Just read this on VA's fb today -

"Option to upgrade to a seat in our Premium Economy or Business Class cabin using your Velocity Reward Points (coming soon)"

Don't know if that is old news.....

 

[crazydave98]

Just read this on VA's fb today -

"Option to upgrade to a seat in our Premium Economy or Business Class cabin using your Velocity Reward Points (coming soon)"

Don't know if that is old news.....

Well spotted. It's been in the works for some time as we are well aware it is one of the features of a frequent flyer program most valued by members.

 

[KSyd]

Hi Everyone,

I've read this board a lot when planning trips but this is my first time posting. I've read through the Credit Card threads but haven't found any info about this- apologies if I've missed something.

I am wondering any of the Virgin Money CC holders with the "2 for 1" offer have tried to book since the restructure?

It looks like there is no longer a "Go Fare," but the Terms and Conditions on the Virgin Money Website have not changed. How will fare availability be determined?

Cheers,
K

 

[oz_mark]

It looks like there is no longer a "Go Fare," but the Terms and Conditions on the Virgin Money Website have not changed. How will fare availability be determined?

Can't exactly help, but the T&C's avalable through the webjet offer (Virgin Flyer Credit Card | Virgin Credit Cards | Virgin Money ) are in line with the current fare descriptions, so this may be a guide see: http://virginmoney.com.au/downloads/credit-cards/VMoney-Buy-one-get-one-free-Ts-and-Cs-webjet.pdf

 

[Nigelinoz]

Perhaps slightly off topic but while watching tv last night I noticed that on the ad for the Virgin credit card they still refer to "Free Virgin Blue Flights".-obviously haven't filmed an updated ad yet, the funny thing was that not 10 minutes later they showed the Virgin Australia ad!
Cheers
N'oz