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

[jas]

1x complimentary domestic flexi->business upgrade per year for VFF Gold members.

 

[Fruitcake]

1x complimentary domestic flexi->business upgrade per year for VFF Gold members.

The 'bonus complimentary fare upgrade'? You'll probably find that was a one-off - the T&Cs don't give much scope for a repeat. It's listed under 'Special Offers' in section 22:

"22.1.1 On 15 August 2012, all members who were Platinum and Gold at that time were each awarded one Bonus Complimentary Fare Upgrade, entitling the Member to upgrade one flight sector from a Virgin Australia domestic Flexi Fare to a Virgin Australia domestic Business Class fare."

 

[DGW]

1x complimentary domestic flexi->business upgrade per year for VFF Gold members.

FYI that was a one-off for Golds and not an ongoing benefit.

Edit: beaten

 

[jas]

Shows how much I read these things...

Oh well it was nice while it lasted!

 

[777]

Stupid question but i if i book some flexis on the card before dreaded cut-off date can i change the dates like a regular flexi or are they restricted?

 

[tm.smile]

Stupid question but i if i book some flexis on the card before dreaded cut-off date can i change the dates like a regular flexi or are they restricted?

Will be treated like normal flexis. Terms state tickets can't be split and both passengers must travel together, but I split my ticket to upgrade using comp and points so possible too.

 

[DeKa]

Will be treated like normal flexis. Terms state tickets can't be split and both passengers must travel together, but I split my ticket to upgrade using comp and points so possible too.

Interesting. I didn't need to split my ticket to do an upgrade recently - I used 1 x comp and 3 lots of points for a return trip upgrade. It all shows up on the ticket.

 

[tm.smile]

Interesting. I didn't need to split my ticket to do an upgrade recently - I used 1 x comp and 3 lots of points for a return trip upgrade. It all shows up on the ticket.

Interesting indeed. I was under the assumption upgrades needed to apply to everyone. Oh well. At least we know tickets can be split on 2for1s...

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Stupid question but i if i book some flexis on the card before dreaded cut-off date can i change the dates like a regular flexi or are they restricted?

Seems many of us are contemplating the same options.

 

[LonePine]

For us, this card has been quite good. When traveling as a family on our own coin, we only fly the cheap seats anyway.

We've booked a trip in January next year and were able to get the three of us from ADL to BNE return for just over $500. If we were didn't have this card, the same trip in the school holidays would have cost around $750. For us, it is not all about J travel or chasing the maximum status runs.

Between work and the 2 4 1 family trips away, I'll hit gold for the first time next month and with trips already booked, I will be half way to maintaining by January 2014

 

[Rallo]

The card for families is still good value but for a person who does not fly a great deal the flexis were a great way to experience business class especially when they ran the half points upgrade promo.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

For us, this card has been quite good. When traveling as a family on our own coin, we only fly the cheap seats anyway.

We've booked a trip in January next year and were able to get the three of us from ADL to BNE return for just over $500. If we were didn't have this card, the same trip in the school holidays would have cost around $750. For us, it is not all about J travel or chasing the maximum status runs.

Between work and the 2 4 1 family trips away, I'll hit gold for the first time next month and with trips already booked, I will be half way to maintaining by January 2014

Well constructed and balanced post which reminds us why we have so many different products in the marketplace. Congrats on your upcoming gold!

 

[Sojourner]

Will be treated like normal flexis. Terms state tickets can't be split and both passengers must travel together, but I split my ticket to upgrade using comp and points so possible too.

But if you wanted to change flights you'd have to pay fare difference. I don't think you would you still get the new flight you changed to at half price would you? Booking a 2 for 1 is a nightmare in itself, so I imagine getting someone to change your flight to a new one while keeping it half the rate would be impossible. I hope I am wrong though, and would be interested in anyone elses experience in changing either a flexi or business fare booked on a 2 for 1

 

[777]

But if you wanted to change flights you'd have to pay fare difference. I don't think you would you still get the new flight you changed to at half price would you? Booking a 2 for 1 is a nightmare in itself, so I imagine getting someone to change your flight to a new one while keeping it half the rate would be impossible. I hope I am wrong though, and would be interested in anyone elses experience in changing either a flexi or business fare booked on a 2 for 1

This was the point of my question: has anybody done this?

 

[bcworld]

This was the point of my question: has anybody done this?

People have certainly done it before and retained that 2 for 1 pricing. The issue is the answer to the question is likely to be different if the change is made after 1st Dec. But make any changes prior to then and you should be fine.

 

[DeKa]

This was the point of my question: has anybody done this?

I've done it .. the price is re-calculated, then halved.

 

[777]

I've done it .. the price is re-calculated, then halved.

Can you do it online or is it a call centre thing?

 

[bcworld]

Can you do it online or is it a call centre thing?

Call centre.

 

[grubbidok]

I'm with Lone Pine. I just used these for SYD-MKY [direct return] and saved ~$500 on saver fares ($260 v $760) for a trip for Mrs Grubbidok and I to see my mum's new block. The upcoming changes would 'only' have saved me ~$300-350. Both options mean we can afford both of us visit my mum instead of having to have Mrs Grubbidok stay home. Definitely not as good as previously, but not bad for one redemption, and more than pays for the card. It may be devalued with the changes, but still represents extraordinary value for a 'non-elite'-CC, especially for normal punters out there already used to doing it in Y on their own coin, or using it to actually get places they wouldn't be able to otherwise.

 

[Jama]

For me a $200 difference would prevent us travelling as a family when we otherwise would have.

If your happy just cancelling out the cost of the card there are plenty free cards on he market.

I do see what your saying and a saving is a saving, but I'm sure they'll be happy to reduce the current benefits as much as their user base will accept. When they read these forums and see that people feel that the changes are still great value they can chalk it up as a great success and plan the next level of reductions that will be accepted.

On another note I have only used the card as a status member and haven't had any issues myself, but I have heard others without status, hence only access to the general call centre, say what a nightmare it is trying to book. They were going to cancel the card because the benefits weren't worth the frustration, and that was before any changes were proposed.