Virgin Business Class Lottery - Pay for Business, get Premium Economy! Now 0 for 2.

[Fruitcake]

Re: Virgin Business Class Lottery - Pay for Business, get Premium Economy! Now 0 for

I think reports of the first two rows being left empty relate only to 73Hs being used on non-business routes. 73Gs have an all-economy cabin and, since the demise of Y+ and the decision not to sell J on these anymore, every seat is now sold as Y.

 

[markis10]

Re: Virgin Business Class Lottery - Pay for Business, get Premium Economy! Now 0 for

Also, our automatic allocation was 1B/C (I switched to the Starboard side as SWMBO prefers bulkheads).

I think you will find there is bulkheads on both sides!

 

[markis10]

Re: Virgin Business Class Lottery - Pay for Business, get Premium Economy! Now 0 for

I think reports of the first two rows being left empty relate only to 73Hs being used on non-business routes. 73Gs have an all-economy cabin and, since the demise of Y+ and the decision not to sell J on these anymore, every seat is now sold as Y.

That does not make sense, in which case its probably true :mrgreen:, at least they are leaving one by one.

 

[kevrosmith]

Re: Virgin Business Class Lottery - Pay for Business, get Premium Economy! Now 0 for

Hopefully it is the case, or maybe a shadow with our combined "brevet" WP/SG'ness.

However, that may not be always happen.

See the post by DrAndyC I linked to: "... so squashed 3 each side in row 1 ..."

Also, our automatic allocation was 1B/C (I switched to the Starboard side as SWMBO prefers bulkheads).

If you are DJ Platinum (and it looks like you are), then there's a good chance they will block the middle seat for you. Even more likely if the loads are light, as you indicate above. And if in doubt, it always pays to ask for a seat-block at check-in. They are getting better at arranging their status pax at the front and leaving seats empty in-between, though it's not a sure thing still.

 

[Fruitcake]

Re: Virgin Business Class Lottery - Pay for Business, get Premium Economy! Now 0 for

And, if the cabin still has the old seats, the middle seat is empty, and if you are sufficiently skilled in the dark arts of seat manipulation, you can fold down the tray table in the middle seat and have your armrest swing out a bit to enjoy the warm nostalgia of the Virgin Blue Premium Economy hard product.

 

[serfty]

Re: Virgin Business Class Lottery - Pay for Business, get Premium Economy! Now 0 for

I think you will find there is bulkheads on both sides!

Maybe, but I wanted to be sure. Last 737 I was in had nothing on the port side.

I think reports of the first two rows being left empty relate only to 73Hs being used on non-business routes. 73Gs have an all-economy cabin and, since the demise of Y+ and the decision not to sell J on these anymore, every seat is now sold as Y.

I wonder what service we will get (complimentary? Choice of menu?).

 

[TonyHancock]

Re: Virgin Business Class Lottery - Pay for Business, get Premium Economy! Now 0 for

I wonder what service we will get?

My experience was Y service!

 

[MichaelD]

Re: Virgin Business Class Lottery - Pay for Business, get Premium Economy! Now 0 for

Look like I am to fall victim to this.

How does this make you feel?

 

[serfty]

Re: Virgin Business Class Lottery - Pay for Business, get Premium Economy! Now 0 for

My experience was Y service!

Did you have to pay?

How does this make you feel?

A bit slighted, but not much I can do. It's only a 45 minute flight.

Hopefully there would be a level of compensation. (Although what that may be from H class points+pay bookings I don't know.)

Of course, If I have to pay for food/drink I'll be more annoyed!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Re: Virgin Business Class Lottery - Pay for Business, get Premium Economy! Now 0 for

I think reports of the first two rows being left empty relate only to 73Hs being used on non-business routes.

And ejets on non J routes as well, otherwise my experience concurs.

 

[TonyHancock]

Re: Virgin Business Class Lottery - Pay for Business, get Premium Economy! Now 0 for

Did you have to pay?

I ordered the Luke Mangan sandwich and was asked to pay, but a quick wave of the boarding pass which still said business and all was well.

Mine was a SYD-MEL flight and I received a 50% credit to the points I used to upgrade.

How does this make you feel?

It was no great drama, if you fly enough stuff like this happens.

 

[serfty]

Re: Virgin Business Class Lottery - Pay for Business, get Premium Economy! Now 0 for

I ordered the Luke Mangan sandwich and was asked to pay, but a quick wave of the boarding pass which still said business and all was well.

Mine was a SYD-MEL flight and I received a 50% credit to the points I used to upgrade. ...

OK, if not on the BP then a Quick wave of my e-ticket printout¹ should do the trick.


¹ Which says in part:

Velocity Redemption Fare - Premium Economy
...
In the air, you can enjoy in-flight entertainment and complimentary food and drinks from our on board menu. ...

 

[TonyHancock]

Re: Virgin Business Class Lottery - Pay for Business, get Premium Economy! Now 0 for

OK, if not on the BP then a Quick wave of my e-ticket printout¹ should do the trick.

Might be worth a quick question at the lounge, but I'm sure you will get to choose from the menu for free.

On a separate note I had a spare seat next to me on what was a crowded flight.

 

[DaleS]

Re: Virgin Business Class Lottery - Pay for Business, get Premium Economy! Now 0 for

Recently flew J upgrade from ADL-SYD, SYD-BNK on a Saturday. Was called on Friday and advised (with apologies) of change of plane for the 2nd leg. ADL-SYD in J was full bar 1 seat (next to me) and we were very professionally looked after by Kerrie. Very friendly cabin with 2 ladies booked in VA to Abu Dhabi and various discussions ensued on how to get to the Int terminal, lounge access, seating arrangements etc. It was one of those really enjoyable flights.
After some time in the SYD lounge boarded the next flight. It was one of the old basic layouts not even with the PE seating. Unfortunately I forgot to look at the name of the plane when I got off. Must say I'm loving the premium boarding - it's one thing that really works as there was the usual crush at the gate . As a gold I was in row 2 with nobody next to me. While the crew was pleasant & efficient it was really noticeable that they were used to working in a plane without J. They all looked really young and there wasn't same sort of service you get on planes with a J cabin. However for a short flight they got all meals & drinks served etc.

So got 2 completely different experiences. Missing J on the 2nd leg was unfortunate but in the scheme of things it was on the 2nd shorter leg so I survived. Was told I'll get a 50% upgrade points refund so just waiting to see those appear.

 

[DrAndyC]

Re: Virgin Business Class Lottery - Pay for Business, get Premium Economy! Now 0 for

I was squashed 3 each side with no bulkhead (I was in 1C = horrendous). It was the last day of school holidays. In all fairness the flight was FULL and in MEL they even called 3 passengers at the gate and bumped them from the ADL flight. I did receive a voucher of half my initial fare however 1 week later so I didn't mind.

 

[moa999]

Re: Virgin Business Class Lottery - Pay for Business, get Premium Economy! Now 0 for

Got "regraded" today from a 737-8 to a 737-7 on bne-syd.
Was on a flexible that I had used a comp upgrade on.

Was called at about 10am and offered later flight that didn't suit, and the two previous flights had no idea either so this flight it was.

Internal communications still bad.
Checked in at desk (online didn't work for some reason). Had the manager come over, same story, asked about move to later, said no, told OK, we'll you will still get business service, if you have time see the lounge girls for a credit shell, otherwise call when back in syd.
Upstairs the incoming was 20min late so went to lounge and asked about credit shell. Oh no we can't do that you should get a call in a couple of days.

Had a great flight in any event in Row 1 with a hilarious crew who just made otp. Notably only flexi meal on board which was a very average egg wrap.

So what should I expect??
Credit shell of biz very flexible (guessing 529 less 220/360) depending if they use paid fair or last price.
Refund of my upgrade?

 

[Moopere]

Re: Virgin Business Class Lottery - Pay for Business, get Premium Economy! Now 0 for

I'd want the refund of the price over a saver fare + my points back as a minimum. Even the upgrade from Flexi as a refund wouldn't satisfy me as I'd never book a flexi except as a step to a J ticket.

Even then, though calmed, I'd be far from happy. I don't book business class for the fun of playing the lottery, theres a real reason and its personal comfort.

 

[dfcatch]

I'd want the refund of the price over a saver fare + my points back as a minimum. Even the upgrade from Flexi as a refund wouldn't satisfy me as I'd never book a flexi except as a step to a J ticket.

Even then, though calmed, I'd be far from happy. I don't book business class for the fun of playing the lottery, theres a real reason and its personal comfort.

Agree 1000% with this.

 

[Deleted member]

Re: Virgin Business Class Lottery - Pay for Business, get Premium Economy! Now 0 for

without getting into the semantics of QF V DJ.
I dont like DJ (I never have) it is as far as I am concerned STILL a LCC trying to morph into a full service Carrier or at least in the first 3 rows.
once this changes (if it ever does) then I may cahnge my mind.
buying a Fare, then buying a sandwich, then a drink, then pay for checked luggage, then pay for IFE....are the fares that much better? or am i being harsh? is the (small?) saving worth it?
As for the free Amex flight on DJ, I give that away now.
In fairness I (and Mrs GPH) have decided that we would rather fly less but do it in J (or better if available) .
So QF with the better (for us) network gets our vote

 

[samh004]

Re: Virgin Business Class Lottery - Pay for Business, get Premium Economy! Now 0 for

buying a Fare, then buying a sandwich, then a drink, then pay for checked luggage, then pay for IFE....

I’ve never done it in that order… I didn’t realise that was possible