Virgin Flyer 2-For-1 - Significant negative changes from Dec 1

[Deleted member 29185]

Yup, never had a plan that charged for incoming SMS while roaming.

OK, so when roaming, how do I prevent incoming calls wanting to sell me a solar power systems I don't need whilst receiving the wanted texts?

 

[serfty]

Either forward all your phone calls to VM before you leave (I receive an SMS when a VM is available) or perhaps try getting a Skype number (small monthly fee) and forward to that. There's more in a recent thread around November 20th.

 

[serfty]

Either forward all your phone calls to VM before you leave (I receive an SMS when a VM is available) or perhaps try getting a Skype number (small monthly fee) and forward to that. There's more in a recent thread around November 20th.

Here's that thread:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....questions/how-keep-touch-long-trip-55666.html

 

[aupirate]

My High Flyer was due to renew 20/12 called up and said I wished to cancel because of the changes to the T& C`s was comped another year for HF and companion card, over $300 worth, thanks Virgin Money!

 

[LonePine]

My High Flyer was due to renew 20/12 called up and said I wished to cancel because of the changes to the T& C`s was comped another year for HF and companion card, over $300 worth, thanks Virgin Money!

That's a good outcome. Our Flyer card is due next March, might try the same thing

 

[ksthommo]

Also got the fee wavied for the normal card. Lady on the other end of the phone mentioned they have been getting lots of complaints about the changes.

 

[aupirate]

Also got the fee waved for the normal card. Lady on the other end of the phone mentioned they have been getting lots of complaints about the changes.

Yes I think they are well prepped by those who have gone before us and roll over with no argument whatsoever.

 

[psylink]

I cancelled mine due to the changes not providing value any more + the CitiBank free Signature promo.

When I called to cancel I wasn't met with resistance or offers of fee's being waived ($3k/month spend w/ automatic DD of payment). They couldn't close my account until the had the final payment but I couldn't be sure of final payment unless they stopped the cards from working (mrs psylink forgets which card to use) so they offered to cancel the companion card. Attempted to login to the online system to download my statement data for input into accounting programs and my account is dead. Spoke to the CSR's and they have actually closed my account without final payment.

So now I need to reactivate it, get sent a new card and new netbanking details to download my statement data then close the account again. Ugh!

Say one thing.. do another...

 

[eastwest101]

....They couldn't close my account until the had the final payment but I couldn't be sure of final payment unless they stopped the cards from working (mrs psylink forgets which card to use) so they offered to cancel the companion card. Attempted to login to the online system to download my statement data for input into accounting programs and my account is dead. Spoke to the CSR's and they have actually closed my account without final payment.

So now I need to reactivate it, get sent a new card and new netbanking details to download my statement data then close the account again. Ugh!

Say one thing.. do another...

Do you have an tax/accounting/business reason to "balance out the card" ? Otherwise - why bother to go through all the trouble of re-opening just to pay the balance and then close the account?

Seems they were quite happy to close the account - I would be tempted to say nothing and see if they sheepishly come back with a letter in the mail asking for their money? I guess its a case of the legal difference between the card and internet access being de-activated vs the account actually being really closed....

Thanks for the heads up on the incompetence of closing accounts though! Something to watch out for.

 

[psylink]

Do you have an tax/accounting/business reason to "balance out the card" ?

Personal accounting reasons. I meticulously track and categorise our family spend by downloading the qif files from netbanking. I would be missing a month worth of data and OCD me doesn't like that!

The CSR did say that even though the account is closed I need to pay the money ASAP and interest will apply if it goes past the normal due date. I've already paid the amount in full, just waiting to sort out this data download fiasco.

 

[eastwest101]

The CSR did say that even though the account is closed I need to pay the money ASAP and interest will apply if it goes past the normal due date. I've already paid the amount in full, just waiting to sort out this data download fiasco.

I am sure you do this but another reason to keep all T&Cs, screen shot everything and keep written records. If they are really that incompetent then I can see this going several ways:

1. you go back to same chicken and egg argument about stopping card to pay the balance - you want the card stopped & they close the account without consent
2. the account is closed and due to privacy they cannot issue you new login/password to download your data
3. the account is closed so they can't charge you to mail out a paper statement/hard copy
4. they do reopen the account but "forget" that you have paid out the balance and try to charge you interest
5. they do re-open the account and charge an establishment fee again.

Rinse and repeat Monty Pythonesque steps above....

 

[psylink]

screen shot everything and keep written records.

All it takes is one company to screw you over once to learn that lesson in life! The new card and first letter arrived on Friday. Awaiting letter 2 and 3 to come so I can sign up for net banking and see if it will work. Fingers crossed!

Bit disappointed that the CSR promised the letters would be sent express "at virgins cost" yet they arrived standard post.

 

[tinkybelle]

basically anyone who actually pays for this card has to be a luny!!!
I certainly won't be after jan 5 and my renewal
Last year they did give me half price and free sup
lets see what they say this year
I still have 4 free( well thats a joke) tiXs to use and if I can't upgrade then what the point of buying in advance.

 

[bcworld]

basically anyone who actually pays for this card has to be a luny!!!

I know it's not popular to defend the card but it's clearly not that bad.

Simple example...some friends of mine will make at least 2 MEL-PER returns per year. I estimate they'll save a minimum of $290 in fare component each trip. $580-$129 = c. $450. And they have a card to allow them to accumulate Velocity points. I think that maths still makes sense...no?

 

[LonePine]

I know it's not popular to defend the card but it's clearly not that bad.

Simple example...some friends of mine will make at least 2 MEL-PER returns per year. I estimate they'll save a minimum of $290 in fare component each trip. $580-$129 = c. $450. And they have a card to allow them to accumulate Velocity points. I think that maths still makes sense...no?

I think you are correct. We have had the Flyer card since March this year and have taken advantage to the 241 offers. We have also accumulated over 30K in FF points with our normal everyday spend. (that does not count the sign on bonus of 30K as well).

I don't want to get flamed but I think most of those who are upset at the changes are those who booked flexis and upgraded. As a family, we only ever fly the cheap seats.

If there was an equivalent card that gave me 4 discounted flights a year and earned us over 36K FF points per annum for less than $170, then show me where and I'll sign up.

 

[Rallo]

I think you are correct. We have had the Flyer card since March this year and have taken advantage to the 241 offers. We have also accumulated over 30K in FF points with our normal everyday spend. (that does not count the sign on bonus of 30K as well).

I don't want to get flamed but I think most of those who are upset at the changes are those who booked flexis and upgraded. As a family, we only ever fly the cheap seats.

If there was an equivalent card that gave me 4 discounted flights a year and earned us over 36K FF points per annum for less than $170, then show me where and I'll sign up.

You are right, the card is still good for families though some concern will be availability of saver fares during school holidays especially to destinations such as the Gold Coast.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I couldn't be sure of final payment unless they stopped the cards from working (mrs psylink forgets which card to use)

Having the benefit of reading the subsequent posts to this and having a "missus" of similar ilk, could I say in hindsight, surely taking a hinged, sharp cutting implement (sissors) to said Mrs psylinks card would have removed all the problems? Sometimes the simplest solutions are best!

 

[tuttytown]

Wow, I have been placed in a MEGA pickle by this. I was advised over the phone (after 1 December) that my pre-December 1 flexi bookings with this program would be fine to split and change with minimal if any cost as long as the destinations/names were the same, if I needed to do it. Called up for flights coming up, as due to personal issues I have had to change/split the booking... advised that the change fee would be approx $165 one way, approx $220 the other way. This is only BNE-MEL and MEL-BNE too, mind you. There's no actual fare difference (in fact the return flight is cheaper...) I really hope it gets resolved by a call back in the morning, otherwise I'm in the hole financially over new year. Fingers crossed.

 

[medhead]

Wow, I have been placed in a MEGA pickle by this. I was advised over the phone (after 1 December) that my pre-December 1 flexi bookings with this program would be fine to split and change with minimal if any cost as long as the destinations/names were the same, if I needed to do it. Called up for flights coming up, as due to personal issues I have had to change/split the booking... advised that the change fee would be approx $165 one way, approx $220 the other way. This is only BNE-MEL and MEL-BNE too, mind you. There's no actual fare difference (in fact the return flight is cheaper...) I really hope it gets resolved by a call back in the morning, otherwise I'm in the hole financially over new year. Fingers crossed.

You cannot change to a cheaper fare. In that situation they usually bump you up to the next most expensive fare.

 

[thehound]

I didn't see this thread until today (thanks Deka), so wasn't aware of the changes. In terms of data points, I've called a couple of times in the last week to book 2 for 1 flights, one PER-BNE return and the other PER-ADL (all savers). The Brisbane flights were ~$800 all up if paid outright (for 2 pax), and I was quoted a little around $650 for them. Same with the Adelaide flight, which is $310 for two tix online, and I was quoted $277.14.

The Adelaide flight quote is obviously particularly poor - about 10% off the original prices!

Whilst I'm sure I could save more than the annual card fee, I need to save a lot before deliberately choosing to go with Virgin, with whom I have no status, versus the much better Qantas experience as an SG. I'll stick with QF. The card is getting cancelled.