Virgin changing its fare structure

[aus_flyer]

In what way? Cost?

Cost.. but in particular the crazy disconnect between a red e-deal and a flexi. Take BNE-SYD... Lots of flights available at $150 for a red e-deal or $633 for a flexi. More than quadruple for what? Not much.

Yes, I realise a lot of huge corporates are getting big discounts on corporate fares. But even then, most companies don't allow staff to book flexi fares unless certain conditions apply (eg. reasonable expectation a meeting will finish early, or it's a Friday afternoon, etc).

For this Platinum One who is in charge of travel for staff, the VA changes are very appealing - greater flexibility for an extra $50 or so. I think it will be very tempting for a lot of people and companies.

 

[justinbrett]

Cost.. but in particular the crazy disconnect between a red e-deal and a flexi. Take BNE-SYD... Lots of flights available at $150 for a red e-deal or $633 for a flexi. More than quadruple for what? Not much.

Yes, I realise a lot of huge corporates are getting big discounts on corporate fares. But even then, most companies don't allow staff to book flexi fares unless certain conditions apply (eg. reasonable expectation a meeting will finish early, or it's a Friday afternoon, etc).

For this Platinum One who is in charge of travel for staff, the VA changes are very appealing - greater flexibility for an extra $50 or so. I think it will be very tempting for a lot of people and companies.

But there’s a lot more differences between the fares on QF. Ie no same day changes or cancel to credit even with the $99 change fee. It’s more like VA’s lite fare.

 

[CaptJCool]

On Saturday 14th September for example

QF
Syd-Bris.
J is $549. 40 SCs
Y flexi $633. 20 SCs
Red E $166

 

[justinbrett]

On Saturday 14th September for example

QF
Syd-Bris.
J is $549. 40 SCs
Y flexi $633. 20 SCs
Red E $166

Same as VA as Matt posted up thread.

A result of selling J seats at a discount which frankly nobody should complain about. There were many flights on QF selling for over 1K in J on the day you specified. Grabbing a cheap J fare will limit your ability to change flights once the cheap fares have sold out on the day you travel, you’re looking at a $500+ change fee in fare differences.

 

[CaptJCool]

Same as VA as Matt posted up thread.

A result of selling J seats at a discount which frankly nobody should complain about. There were many flights on QF selling for over 1K in J on the day you specified. Grabbing a cheap J fare will limit your ability to change flights once the cheap fares have sold out on the day you travel, you’re looking at a $500+ change fee in fare differences.

Yes
I’m aware

That’s why I RARELY change dates

 

[Mattg]

This has been delayed to 9 October 2024.

 

[Boof1]

What is old, is new again.

Flex was roughly $50 or so more on short flights (golden triangle, ADL and HBA to/from MEL) when VA launched these fares years ago. The gap widened over time, and suddenly it is back to $50 or so.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out for consumer pax as well.

 

[ben95]

This will be great news for PT, it might finally make sense to use those upgrade vouchers now flex fares are more reasonable.

 

[serfty]

This has been delayed to 9 October 2024.

It does not seem to have happened as yet ...

 

[ChrisBNE]

It does not seem to have happened as yet ...
View attachment 411041

yeah it’s been pushed to 6 November.

 

[Mattg]

The changes went live today.



Finally, some reasonable Flex pricing! I might actually be able to use my Platinum upgrades now

A shame that VA will move to spend-based status credit earn next year, as I would definitely have considered spending an extra $40 buying a Flex fare instead of Choice for an extra 10 status credits. Probably wouldn't for an extra 4 status credits, which is what you'd get under the post-2025 system.

I would also note that Velocity is currently pricing points upgrades from Flex fares at around half the cost of upgrades from Choice fares, but only for the next couple of weeks. Get in now for the best deals on upgrades from Flex fares!

 

[kamchatsky]

Wow the Flex price is definitely coming down a lot! It is a shame that I already booked my Choice flights quite cheaply. That would really suit individuals and small to medium companies who wants extra flexibility without breaking the bank

 

[Gold Member]

MEL-PER and vv Flex pricing from $388. Business pricing at $1,128. Plat complimentary upgrades are back baby!

 

[kamchatsky]

MEL-PER and vv Flex pricing from $388. Business pricing at $1,128. Plat complimentary upgrades are back baby!

That's probably why they want to make their elite tier structure to be based on spend, and make Plats much harder to obtain. Otherwise too many people will get all those comp upgrades

 

[Mattg]

It looks like there's also now a bigger difference on some routes between Economy Lite and Choice.

 

[azza007]

SYD-MEL-HBA from memory used to be around $500 in business for 110SC



Currently $384 for 110SC now vs only 32SC when the changes come in

 

[RooFlyer]

Never mind the Flex pricing, look at Business!! Is it a conspiracy to stop anyone reaching Plat? . Just means I'll have to fly Business 100% of the time.

 

[kamchatsky]

Never mind the Flex pricing, look at Business!! Is it a conspiracy to stop anyone reaching Plat? . Just means I'll have to fly Business 100% of the time.

Yes it is a conspiracy that VA decided to offer customers good value for money airfares you should boycott them and pay QF sky high fares instead.