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

[bcworld]

Re: Virgin Flyer 2-For-1

Guess this card will be going in the bin after Dec 1st here as well unless Virgin Money come to their senses and undo the blacklisting of Flexi and Business fares.

Since Sabre I've always felt that Virgin Money has been at the mercy of Virgin Australia when it comes to what can and can't be booked with this card. I wouldn't imagine that Virgin Money is 100% responsible for the change in the T&Cs.

 

[kpc]

Significant negative change to this card from 1 December:

- no longer covers taxes for 2nd pax
- now saver lite and saver fares only - eliminating flexi to business upgrades.
- 30 days advance purchase, up from 21 days

updated t&c http://virginmoney.com.au/downloads/credit-cards/Buy_one_seat_get_one_free_Terms_and_Conditions.pdf

Edit: it is clear after rereading t&c this applies to bookings made after 1 December.

cough news. Thanks for informing us. Heard nothing from Virgin Money.

 

[Fifa]

Thanks for the heads up - I'll be getting rid of mine too.

 

[paultiffen]

Hi,

Can you book a flexi now or two now and then just change the dates to later?

 

[newformula]

I wrote up my thoughts on this at http://www.pointhacks.com.au/virgin...ghts-offering-virgin-flyer-visa-december-1st/. I received a summary of the changes a few days ago as I have promoted the card on the site, but it's a really ****ty way to tell people about a key change to a product they use (and by the sounds of it, like) for it to come non-Virgin channels.

The problem Virgin (Australia and Money) have with this change is that the old card benefit was a behaviour changer, pushing bookings to VA.
The new benefits will probably only benefit those who would book VA in those fare classes anyway - which completely defeats the point.

 

[paultiffen]

Are there any restrictions on the free flexi that you obtain?

 

[DeKa]

Are there any restrictions on the free flexi that you obtain?

Standard Flexi rules apply.

 

[medhead]

Ok, regarding the idea of getting a comfort seat as the second guest. I think the terms and conditions have been sufficiently changed to prevent it. I have previously got a comfort seat as my free seat, with some difficulty. However, it now says "valid for two Guests only"

I think this is a change from the previous version.

 

[neon_crossing]

Cancelled mine today. Not worth it anymore. I think a few people will jump off.

 

[titfilou]

+1 here, I think this card will be useless as I was only buying flexi to upgrade or business seats.

Will be cancelling also.

 

[loobloke]

Yeh will be cancelling too ... would people be recommending the AMEX? for $349 and a free return flights seems to earn its value?

 

[scwappy]

A significant devaluation yes, but they are giving plenty of warning, if they actually notify existing customers of the forthcoming changes.


I think they will certainly suffer from significant cancellations of the card. It shows that if you offer something overly generous compared to anything else in the market, then take those benefits away, you may/will suffer significant customer backlash.


Will certainly reassess my options when the card comes up for renewal, and likely to cancel.


If needing to fly at peak times, value could still be gained from holding this card, but will be interesting to see if availability of seats is also decreased. I've been able to get exact times in the past.

 

[LonePine]

Re: Virgin Flyer 2-For-1

Add another disappointment vote here - very poor from Citigroup, though really... should we have expected any different?

Guess this card will be going in the bin after Dec 1st here as well unless Virgin Money come to their senses and undo the blacklisting of Flexi and Business fares.

I think Bank Of Queensland bought the Virgin Money brand a few months ago for around $40million. The branding on the website and actual cardss hasn't caught up yet.

 

[DeKa]

Re: Virgin Flyer 2-For-1

I think Bank Of Queensland bought the Virgin Money brand a few months ago for around $40million. The branding on the website and actual cardss hasn't caught up yet.

The press at the time said credit cards are staying with Citi.

 

[Jama]

Re: Virgin Flyer 2-For-1

I don't know if significant backlash would have any effect on this decision but I did send feedback stating I will be cancelling my card on the 1st Dec as a direct result of these changes. I would encourage everyone to do the same. Unless your happy with the enhancements of course

Here's the email [email protected]

 

[DeKa]

Re: Virgin Flyer 2-For-1

I contacted them yesterday. I got a reply to the effect of we know this feature was popular but we need to make the change to keep the product viable. I replied back and said based on that information I will be cancelling the card.

Shall we encourage people to sign up for new cards now, use the 2-for-1 on Flexis and then cancel before 1 December?

 

[Jama]

Re: Virgin Flyer 2-For-1

I don't know how viable a card that no one wants is !

 

[SuzieQ68]

Re: Virgin Flyer 2-For-1

I don't know how viable a card that no one wants is !

Touche! Another vote from me - I'll be cancelling my card before the end of the year!

 

[blingy90]

Re: Virgin Flyer 2-For-1

So annoyed at these changes! Put me down for another cancellation.

In regards to people voicing their dissastifcation, I would suggest doing so via VM's facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/VirginMoneyAU?ref=ts&fref=ts)

While I severely doubt it will do anything, better to complain in a public forum for everyone to see rather then an e-mail for only VM to see. Just my thoughts!

 

[blingy90]

Also - I question.

I have used my flight allocation for my card and my anniversary isnt till March (so bye bye to this card).

However, I had been planning on getting my partner to get herself a card. My initial reaction last night after reading this was "well theres no point in that now".

However...if she applies etc and gets approved. Could we book ourselves flexi fares for 2014 using the exisitng T&Cs. Im not sure if the T&Cs allow this or only for bookings till the end of November? I guess if its the later...you could still book flexi fares for November and then change the dates to suit for later. Would either of these situations work?

Just want to maximise my SCs and this offer before it goes away!

Any feedback would be appreciated