Virgin 'Fly Ahead'

[RooFlyer]

Still learning the Virgin ropes....

I have a business flight CBR-xMEL-HBA this Wednesday evening, with bad weather predicted. HLO.

I've just called to see if I can get an earlier flight home and answer was yes out of CBR, but same flight MEL-HBA. I may do that to get at least half way but if I leave as-is, and I ask to 'Fly ahead' on the day (under J fare; I have VA gold and this to get me to Plat under status challenge):

* If there is no business seat on the fly-ahead flight, do I still get original SCs? If yes, would they usually credit normally, or would I have to chase?

* If there is a fare difference, do I have to pay it under 'fly ahead'?

* Can I request over the phone, or do I have to go early to check-in and hope ....

Thanks

 

[encryptededdy]

* If there is a fare difference, do I have to pay it under 'fly ahead'?

* Can I request over the phone, or do I have to go early to check-in and hope ....

My understanding is

• No fare difference payable
• Only Platinums can request over the phone officially

 

[RooFlyer]

Thanks. I might call as a J pax and try my luck, but if my experience with the call centre is anything to go by today, I'd have no chance of talking them into it!

 

[Harrison_133]

Thanks. I might call as a J pax and try my luck, but if my experience with the call centre is anything to go by today, I'd have no chance of talking them into it!

Fly Ahead through the call centre needs to be requested on the day of travel. You can’t do it a few days in advance. If you’re travelling in the evening, try calling in the morning on the day of travel, you might have better luck.

I assume you’re on the last MEL-HBA flight of the day? I find they’re pretty good at helping people make short connections when there’s a delay on the first sector. For example, getting everyone to stay seated on arrival so the late connectors can disembark first. I travel quite a bit on the evening LST flight that leaves around the same time as that HBA one, and they sometimes hold those flights a little so people don’t misconnect and get stranded overnight. I hope that helps slightly.

 

[RooFlyer]

Fly Ahead through the call centre needs to be requested on the day of travel. You can’t do it a few days in advance. If you’re travelling in the evening, try calling in the morning on the day of travel, you might have better luck.

Sorry, I meant that when I called today enquiring about early flights (even with pay fare difference, so not necessarily 'fly ahead' , they found it difficult to understand what I was after.

I assume you’re on the last MEL-HBA flight of the day? I find they’re pretty good at helping people make short connections when there’s a delay on the first sector. For example, getting everyone to stay seated on arrival so the late connectors can disembark first. I travel quite a bit on the evening LST flight that leaves around the same time as that HBA one, and they sometimes hold those flights a little so people don’t misconnect and get stranded overnight. I hope that helps slightly.

Its not a very short connection, just trying to move everything forward to avoid getting stuck. Just checked the forecast, doesn't look that bad in the pm in CBR or MEL, so might be OK.