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

[lovestotravel]

Re: Virgin Business Class Lottery - now 0 for 2. Pay for Business, get Premium Econom

I have no interest in involving the ACCC - that was mentioned by other posters. It's an ambit response along the same lines as "you'll be hearing from my lawyer" - a hollow threat.

Far from a hollow threat from me, if don't get the correct J product on my Fri/Sunday flights this weekend, I'll be asking for a 50% refund in the lounge, which I bet they'll have no idea about

I'll then submit a complaint on-line, wait the 21 days for a response

IF, I don't get a 50% refund or a chunk of VFF points I will lodge a complaint with either Consumer Affairs or the ACCC and let them assist.

I am one that will follow things through :mrgreen:

Have used both Consumer Affairs and the ACCC before to resolve issues with companies who think that I will just give up....

 

[lovestotravel]

Re: Virgin Business Class Lottery - now 0 for 2. Pay for Business, get Premium Econom

REMEMBER That we are actually quite lucky that Virgin has bought a Business product to the Australian market

Nothing to do with being lucky, they need to get away from the older Virgin Blue model and make some money.....

It was a business decision and if they don't get sufficient loads in J, they will simply rip the seats out in 12 months and go back to all Economy.

 

[lovestotravel]

Re: Virgin Business Class Lottery - now 0 for 2. Pay for Business, get Premium Econom

Just to add fuel to the fire, I travelled business, but aircraft changed to PE seating. No business class seating, no buisness class food/service. I can certainly see where people are coming from. You pay an extra amount, but get PE product... Would be different if I got a PE seat, but business catering.. Then I wouldn't mind so much.

So you got nothing ?

Have you attempted any refund or anything, or really can't be bothered ?

Virgin themselves seem to realize that there is a problem since they are supposed to offer 50% off the price or another flight if there is PE seating in J.

This in practice doesn't quite seem to be working out (which is another issue), but it does indicate they realize themselves that offering PE seating to J customers will lead to upset customers.

Yep the idea is nice, IF true.....

 

[lovestotravel]

Re: Virgin Business Class Lottery - now 0 for 2. Pay for Business, get Premium Econom

This all comes down to your perception; you perceive the seat to define business, while ignoring what is listed as the product.

The VA Business product is listed as

737 Business Class seat features include:

• Luxury leather
• Generous recline
• 38 inch (95 cm) seat pitch

So does the PE seating give 38 inch pitch ?

From memory NO

 

[mickeyc747]

Re: Virgin Business Class Lottery - now 0 for 2. Pay for Business, get Premium Econom

Far from a hollow threat from me, if don't get the correct J product on my Fri/Sunday flights this weekend, I'll be asking for a 50% refund in the lounge, which I bet they'll have no idea about

I'll then submit a complaint on-line, wait the 21 days for a response

IF, I don't get a 50% refund or a chunk of VFF points I will lodge a complaint with either Consumer Affairs or the ACCC and let them assist.

I am one that will follow things through :mrgreen:

Have used both Consumer Affairs and the ACCC before to resolve issues with companies who think that I will just give up....

I can asure you that you get the 50% refund mine was processed within 4 days including a weekend.

Whilst I agree that you can be upset about not getting the correct aircraft or 100% correct product , it is not the Lounge Angels fault and you would be aware that refunds come through head office and you dont have to wait 21 days just call them I did and it works.

You would also know that you have to try and resolve your issues first with the company before you can venture off to the ACCC and the relevant consumer affairs department.

 

[Reggie]

Re: Virgin Business Class Lottery - now 0 for 2. Pay for Business, get Premium Econom

I congratulate you on your understanding. I find it bizarre that you buy a J product and expect PE, but each to their own. To me, the seating is the most important aspect of J. Out of curiosity if, like other have reported, the catering is stuffed up and no J meals and PE seating, would you also "not be upset", or do you think you'd be feeling a little deflated over the whole "J" experience?

I will be a little more than upset if there is no J service, however i have learnt to not be upset over the seat, after flying for so long with QF in J. The variation in the seats on J are unbelievable. I look at the price of J on DJ vs the price of J on Qantas, and think oh well.

When you reside in PErth, you expect to get shafted by QF and to ssome degree by DJ. Trying flying interational J from PER to Hong Kong or Tokyo, that is reason to cough based on fair paid versus seat when compared to PER-SIN, or even PER-SYD on the 747 in a skybed.

 

[Comoman]

Re: Virgin Business Class Lottery - now 0 for 2. Pay for Business, get Premium Econom

Anyone know if the sick A330 is flying again? I have a J trip to Perth in 24 hours which should be A330 but not sure now

 

[StevePER]

Re: Virgin Business Class Lottery - now 0 for 2. Pay for Business, get Premium Econom

Anyone know if the sick A330 is flying again? I have a J trip to Perth in 24 hours which should be A330 but not sure now

It was still broken yesterday, not sure about today. Which flight are you on? Based on Monday and Tuesday it seems to be the 8am and 8pm flights that are affected.

 

[StevePER]

Re: Virgin Business Class Lottery - now 0 for 2. Pay for Business, get Premium Econom

Looks like XFB was back in service today.

Source: libhomeradar - easy collect aircraft information - Database search results

 

[mannej]

Re: Virgin Business Class Lottery - now 0 for 2. Pay for Business, get Premium Econom

When you reside in PErth, you expect to get shafted by QF and to ssome degree by DJ. Trying flying interational J from PER to Hong Kong or Tokyo, that is reason to cough based on fair paid versus seat when compared to PER-SIN, or even PER-SYD on the 747 in a skybed.

PER-HKG is on a 333 and has been for a number of years now.
When the 380 issues were around, PER-SIN was the route downgraded to a 767, not PER-HKG. PER-SIN has also seen the domestic 332 (2-3-2) if the 333 capacity was required else where.

 

[AirlineGuy]

Re: Virgin Business Class Lottery - now 0 for 2. Pay for Business, get Premium Econom

Looks like Virgin have listened, again. As far as I can tell, sale of Business Class is no longer available on any service operated by a -700 series.

 

[gwilli1]

Re: Virgin Business Class Lottery - now 0 for 2. Pay for Business, get Premium Econom

Looks like Virgin have listened, again. As far as I can tell, sale of Business Class is no longer available on any service operated by a -700 series.

Source ??? ....You know you have just sent every AFFer online to check this out ....


Edit : Have just done some random checks , SYD-MEL , all 737-700 have had Business removed . The AFF community have spoken & VA have responded .

 

[lovestotravel]

Re: Virgin Business Class Lottery - now 0 for 2. Pay for Business, get Premium Econom

Looks like Virgin have listened, again. As far as I can tell, sale of Business Class is no longer available on any service operated by a -700 series.

Agree

Source is the VA website

I was looking for flights for the weekend after this one and noticed LOTS of "No Fares" in business

They are all flights operated by 737-700's!!!!!!

Well done to VA for doing this, although it shouldn't have been sold like that from the start!

 

[james1]

Re: Virgin Business Class Lottery - now 0 for 2. Pay for Business, get Premium Econom

Although slightly outside my own field of legal expertise, I would suggest that a case could be made for recompense based purely on the fact that Virgin have promoted and sold a product which they knowingly could not always deliver. The refunds proffered are fine, but these in themselves suggest an acknowledgment that the product has failed to deliver on expectation. Indeed neither the visual or written descriptions of this product as promoted on the website seem to match the experiences as being reported here on the so called 'rogue' aircraft. A disclaimer at time of purchase would have removed ambiguity. The what is 'fair and reasonable' test could form the basis of a sound argument for those who feel let down.

I think the real surprise is the decision to go head to head with your competitor with a product which you know at times will be second best.

The removal of the class for sale pretty much confirms that they know they got it wrong. They should at least be commended for being listening.

 

[Reggie]

Re: Virgin Business Class Lottery - now 0 for 2. Pay for Business, get Premium Econom

PER-HKG is on a 333 and has been for a number of years now.
When the 380 issues were around, PER-SIN was the route downgraded to a 767, not PER-HKG. PER-SIN has also seen the domestic 332 (2-3-2) if the 333 capacity was required else where.

You are correct. I was on the 767 from SIN during the A380 issues and was givena $300 credit for it.

Been a while since I did PER-HKG

However the Tokyo flight was the pits.

 

[lovestotravel]

Re: Virgin Business Class Lottery - now 0 for 2. Pay for Business, get Premium Econom

Although slightly outside my own field of legal expertise, I would suggest that a case could be made for recompense based purely on the fact that Virgin have promoted and sold a product which they knowingly could not always deliver. The refunds proffered are fine, but these in themselves suggest an acknowledgment that the product has failed to deliver on expectation. Indeed neither the visual or written descriptions of this product as promoted on the website seem to match the experiences as being reported here on the so called 'rogue' aircraft. A disclaimer at time of purchase would have removed ambiguity. The what is 'fair and reasonable' test could form the basis of a sound argument for those who feel let down.

I think the real surprise is the decision to go head to head with your competitor with a product which you know at times will be second best.

The removal of the class for sale pretty much confirms that they know they got it wrong. They should at least be commended for being listening.

Your post is 100% spot on!!!!!!!!!

 

[DC3]

Re: Virgin Business Class Lottery - now 0 for 2. Pay for Business, get Premium Econom

Looks like Virgin have listened, again. As far as I can tell, sale of Business Class is no longer available on any service operated by a -700 series.

Although, when I looked at SYD-BNE-MKY and vv, there are still some 700s being used on some legs, sold as business.

 

[gwilli1]

Re: Virgin Business Class Lottery - now 0 for 2. Pay for Business, get Premium Econom

Although, when I looked at SYD-BNE-MKY and vv, there are still some 700s being used on some legs, sold as business.

Yes you are correct . It appears that they are still selling business on 1 stop fares i.e. SYD-BNE-MKY where a 737-800 & possibly E190, is operating at least one of the sectors. I looked at BNE-MKY as a standalone sector & they have removed Business fares on all 737-700 ( check was up to 29/2 )

Example:

SYD-BNE-MKY - Sat 4th February

DJ909 737-800
DJ605 737-700

If booked as a connection then business is charged due to the 737-800 operating the SYD-BNE sector



[TABLE="width: 0"]
[TR]
[TH="class: fareHeading portHeading, colspan: 3, align: left"]Departs
Arrives
Flight[/TH]
[TH="class: goFareHeading, bgcolor: #FAFAFA, align: center"]saver[/TH]
[TH="class: flexibleFareHeading, bgcolor: #FAFAFA, align: center"]flexi[/TH]
[TH="class: premiumFareHeading, bgcolor: #FAFAFA, align: center"]business[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: fareHeading, colspan: 2, align: left"]Sort By Direct flights Elapsed flying time Price Departure time[/TD]
[TD="class: fareHeading, align: left"][/TD]
[TD="class: goFareHeadingBaggage, bgcolor: #FAFAFA, align: center"][/TD]
[TD="class: flexibleFareHeadingBaggage, bgcolor: #FAFAFA, align: center"][/TD]
[TD="class: premiumFareHeadingBaggage, bgcolor: #FAFAFA, align: center"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 3"][/TD]
[TD="class: fareCol4, align: center"][/TD]
[TD="class: fareCol4, align: center"][/TD]
[TD="class: fareCol5, align: center"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 3"]07:00 amSydney
07:30 amBrisbane
DJ 909

08:55 amBrisbane
10:25 amMackay
DJ 605[/TD]
[TD="class: fareCol4, align: center"]

$179.00​

[/TD]
[TD="class: fareCol4, align: center"]

$299.00​

[/TD]
[TD="class: fareCol4, align: center"]

$509.00​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]


BNE-MKY - Sat 4th February

If you where to book BNE-MKY DJ605 separately , then business is not an option



[TABLE="width: 0"]
[TR]
[TH="class: fareHeading portHeading, colspan: 3, align: left"]Departs
Arrives
Flight[/TH]
[TH="class: goFareHeading, bgcolor: #FAFAFA, align: center"]saver[/TH]
[TH="class: flexibleFareHeading, bgcolor: #FAFAFA, align: center"]flexi[/TH]
[TH="class: premiumFareHeading, bgcolor: #FAFAFA, align: center"]business[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: fareHeading, colspan: 2, align: left"]Sort By Direct flights Elapsed flying time Price Departure time[/TD]
[TD="class: fareHeading, align: left"][/TD]
[TD="class: goFareHeadingBaggage, bgcolor: #FAFAFA, align: center"][/TD]
[TD="class: flexibleFareHeadingBaggage, bgcolor: #FAFAFA, align: center"][/TD]
[TD="class: premiumFareHeadingBaggage, bgcolor: #FAFAFA, align: center"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 3"]08:55 amBrisbane
10:25 amMackay
DJ 605[/TD]
[TD="class: fareCol4, align: center"]

$88.00​

[/TD]
[TD="class: fareCol4, align: center"]

$239.00​

[/TD]
[TD="class: fareCol5, align: center"]No Fares[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]


Still a few bugs to be ironed out .

 

[MichaelD]

Re: Virgin Business Class Lottery - now 0 for 2. Pay for Business, get Premium Econom

...sale of Business Class is no longer available on any service operated by a -700 series.

This also applies to E190s - you can no longer buy direct flights scheduled on 737-700s or E190s in Business Class.

WELL DONE Virgin. This is exactly the right response to your initial misstep.

EDIT: Make that SOME E190s (eg ABX-SYD). More research needed on this point.

 

[AirlineGuy]

Re: Virgin Business Class Lottery - now 0 for 2. Pay for Business, get Premium Econom

This also applies to E190s - you can no longer buy direct flights scheduled on 737-700s or E190s in Business Class.


EDIT: Make that SOME E190s (eg ABX-SYD). More research needed on this point

Appears as though Business Class is now available SYD CBR on VA operated services on the 190 from 6th onwards...?