Virgin Blue Premium Economy Update

[thegurio]

Yes, I had the same question as I want to book a return trip to PER. I've been informed that the formal lauch will be in March.

Which surprise surprise is when i want to travel!

Absolutely no clue as yet, although I think a similar price to the existing Corporate Plus level fare was mooted.

Bugger, oh well have to save it for special occasions! Any idea if there are any extra status credits? Having only used Blue Saver or Promo Fares i have no idea

 

[Yada Yada]

Any idea if there are any extra status credits? Having only used Blue Saver or Promo Fares i have no idea

SC's currently accrue on $$$ spent so I guess the answer is yes - PE fares will be higher so you will get more SC's. I have no info as to whether there will be any other bonus.

 

[chellak]

How do I know whether my plane is one that has been upgraded for PE?

I'm sitting in seat 2F for a flight SYD->ADE tomorrow morning (yes, I am on a Blue Saver Fare and could access the entire plane on OLCI). I'd like to know if there's any chance that this is a PE seat.

 

[thegurio]

So did you find out what about your plane? Was it? What was your thoughts on the new seats if they were?

 

[wallacej]

So did you find out what about your plane? Was it? What was your thoughts on the new seats if they were?

I have sat in these seats a few times now, however, they are not yet configured for 2 pax. They are still in 3 pax configuration.... however, I did "flip the switch" located under the right side arm rest to "have a look"... much wider, and of course by default nicer.

I had to return the seat to normal by request of FA..

The seats themselves though I didn't find any more or less comfy than their current seats.... for me I think the width and not rubbing shoulders is the single biggest advantages.

I aksed the FA how one could get to sit here after March. She told me that it is for those on the higher fares, and gold members....

 

[Yada Yada]

I aksed the FA how one could get to sit here after March. She told me that it is for those on the higher fares, and gold members....

Hmmm... VB has not announced that the seats may be available to Gold status members. I'm guessing this might be if the seats are not first sold? Anyway, sounds good if that is the plan - it's a good way to maintain loyalty.

 

[wallacej]

Hmmm... VB has not announced that the seats may be available to Gold status members. I'm guessing this might be if the seats are not first sold? Anyway, sounds good if that is the plan - it's a good way to maintain loyalty.

It may bay one of those unwritten nod nod, wink wink kind of arrangements... of course paid for would get first pick..

 

[Standby]

ITS NOW ON SALE travel from 15Mar..let the discussions on relative value commence...on SYDMEL priced about $50 oneway higher than Corp Plus..not much value in that imo

 

[Yada Yada]

I notice that there is nothing in the Fare Type Guide popup window yet to explain details of the new PE fare. I'll be interested to see this - perhaps there may be other benefits on offer (e.g. food/beverage).

I'm assuming that PE also gets Lounge access so one thing I'd like to see VB offer is a $30.00 discount on all PE fares to Gold status members to compensate. The same should be done for Corporate Plus. This rewards loyalty and removes the feeling that you are wasting money on a Lounge entry pass that you don't need.

It will be interesting to see how the new offering is taken up on longer haul flights, e.g. SYD-PER is $919.00 compared with QF's Fully Flex Y at $909.00 and J at $1,611.00. I know I'd pay the extra $10.00 to get VB's PE 2+2 seat with better legroom and have to buy food/drink than pay $10.00 less for Y and get free food/drink but a squishier seat. I guess others will differ on this.

More difficult to know will be if any corporates decide that their employees don't need to wine & dine on Neil Perry swill and save themselves almost $700.00.

 

[Evan]

I'm assuming that PE also gets Lounge access so one thing I'd like to see VB offer is a $30.00 discount on all PE fares to Gold status members to compensate. The same should be done for Corporate Plus. This rewards loyalty and removes the feeling that you are wasting money on a Lounge entry pass that you don't need.

Nice idea, but same argument with QF, if i am a QP member why should i not get a discount on J fare ?

E

 

[Yada Yada]

Nice idea, but same argument with QF, if i am a QP member why should i not get a discount on J fare ?

Until recently a J domestic fare didn't buy you QP access. Now it does so the same idea could in fact be applied to QF. I think it is a good idea. VB values single entry to The Lounge at $30.00 so it would be easy for them to do. You can't buy single entry at the QP so I guess QF would have to come up with a $ value if they were to offer the same.

Certainly for VB at this point in time it would be a competitive advantage over QF, it rewards loyalty and makes pax feel like they are getting a tangible benefit.

 

[Evan]

Until recently a J domestic fare didn't buy you QP access. Now it does so the same idea could in fact be applied to QF. I think it is a good idea. VB values single entry to The Lounge at $30.00 so it would be easy for them to do. You can't buy single entry at the QP so I guess QF would have to come up with a $ value if they were to offer the same.

Certainly for VB at this point in time it would be a competitive advantage over QF, it rewards loyalty and makes pax feel like they are getting a tangible benefit.

True i forgot about J not getting you in QP, i am lifetime so makes no difference what i fly. But a discount would be great, i am sure it will never happen, and if it does fares will just go up $30 or whatever and the discount will apply.

E

 

[JohnK]

Just looked at some airfares for SYD-MEL return in late March and notice that premium economy is priced at $389 one-way.

That is 4 times the price of the promo airfares and 3 times the price of the blue saver airfares. OK maybe they will include food and lounge access but still not worth it for a little extra width and leg room....

 

[thegurio]

I just priced HBA-ADL (my main route) and its a staggering $579!

Still when compared to QF J at mid $800's to mid $1400's its a bit more reasonable.

But it would still be cheaper to buy membership to the lounge and put up with the "small" seat. I will pony up for it one day but when i'm a bit more flush I think!

 

[wallacej]

I just priced HBA-ADL (my main route) and its a staggering $579!

Still when compared to QF J at mid $800's to mid $1400's its a bit more reasonable.

But it would still be cheaper to buy membership to the lounge and put up with the "small" seat. I will pony up for it one day but when i'm a bit more flush I think!

Not sure if you know, or if you have hit silver yet, but when you hit silver you can use the priority line, and if you don't think you will hit gold to get free lounge access, silver members get a discount on the lounge..

 

[thegurio]

Well i was close - until the start of Nov when my Anniversary came up and all my SC's were wiped.

I have dropped my QF Silver challenge and decided that I'm going to give DJ a good shake. I should reach silver by the end of my year and then i will have Priority line, which, with my timing, i need. And i wouldnt mind the lounge access although im not sure when i would use it, but if its cheaper i guess its more reasonable.

 

[kkutasi]

i just caught a DJ flight to BNK today and was seated in the row behind the Y+ seats

i can't see why anyone would bother. they dont even look bigger or more comfortable than Y. the only difference i could clearly see was that the seats were coloured red rather than blue!

seems like a rip-off to me

 

[JohnK]

I just priced HBA-ADL (my main route) and its a staggering $579!

Still when compared to QF J at mid $800's to mid $1400's its a bit more reasonable.

What are you comparing? DJ premium economy with a little extra width and few inches more leg room to QF business class? There is no comparison!

By the way both domestic products are not worth the money.

 

[thegurio]

What are you comparing? DJ premium economy with a little extra width and few inches more leg room to QF business class? There is no comparison!

By the way both domestic products are not worth the money.

I guess what i was trying to say was that its comparable to the other fares between the two with DJ being around half to 2/3rds the cost of QF. Now i do agree that J is more impressive with QF but at the end of the day its all about width and length isnt it? (of the seat of course) Having said that at those prices i doubt whether i'll take up the offer with those prices.

Is there any options in the pipeline for upgrading with points? Thats about the only way i can think they might actually get filled..

 

[wallacej]

.....<snip>
Having said that at those prices i doubt whether i'll take up the offer with those prices.

Is there any options in the pipeline for upgrading with points? Thats about the only way i can think they might actually get filled..

Agreed. It is unlikely that I will take up the offer to pay that price either. As someone else pointed out, I don't need the full flexibility, already have lounge access, priority line, extra baggage allowance. I have these as a Gold member.

I would think that the pax they are trying to attract would also be Gold, or would soon be if they started using DJ, and would be in the same boat I am now.

If they allowed upgrade for points, but all you get is the seat and maybe the priority line (anyone less than silver would get this advantage), not all the other benefits along with the fare, that might be worth considering. From my end, the seat width is nice, but I really prefer to have an empty seat next to me so I would upgrade with points (if re-valued, not at the current rate)

I still think they should offer free food/drink and TV in these seats. And of course I feel that if the seats are unpaid for, then Gold members should be upgraded!!!