Virgin Flyer 2-For-1

[oz_mark]

Clause 9: "The offer is valid for two guests only and both guests must be booked and travelling together. The offer will provide a 50% discount on each guest's fare price at the date of booking."

50% off the fare. Look at the image. What is the fare? The number next to "fares" or the number next to "Total"?

 

[awilcockson]

I tried to book OOL-SYD return for myself, the wife and 2 kids last night, using the 2-4-1 on two of the fares each way.

The published price for the saver lite fare was $70.70 and saver was $90.70

After nearly an hour on the phone, I was given a total price of close to $700 for the booking! When I compared that to the $582.80 it cost me to book directly I politely told them thanks but not thanks and booked direct.

This "offer" has become a joke, it used to be valuable because it worked with all fare classes, but I'm about to ring and ask for my card to be cancelled and the fee refunded (I only renewed late last year and haven't used the card since).

edit: mine says "temporarily unavailable" right now as well.

edit2: and 13 37 39 goes straight to an engaged signal. awesome.

 

[grubbidok]

I've just got one of these cards this last week. Bummer to see it being devalued.

That being said, the flights we were going to use it on were going to be the more expensive ones we use anyway. In addition, to my knowledge, *currently* VA charges are less than QF (e.g. QF has a $34 charge for SYD-MEL reward flight, $10 more than those charges and $17 more than a VA reward flight). Based on that I still expect to get more than the fee-value out of the CC.

I am annoyed that during this application process none of these changes were discussed though, they must have known them.

 

[robd]

I tried to book OOL-SYD return for myself, the wife and 2 kids last night, using the 2-4-1 on two of the fares each way.

The published price for the saver lite fare was $70.70 and saver was $90.70

After nearly an hour on the phone, I was given a total price of close to $700 for the booking! When I compared that to the $582.80 it cost me to book directly I politely told them thanks but not thanks and booked direct.

This "offer" has become a joke, it used to be valuable because it worked with all fare classes, but I'm about to ring and ask for my card to be cancelled and the fee refunded (I only renewed late last year and haven't used the card since).

edit: mine says "temporarily unavailable" right now as well.

What?????? How does that add up on any level??? 8 x $90.70 (saver) = $725.60. So you got $25.60 discount? 50% of what?

 

[awilcockson]

What?????? How does that add up on any level??? 8 x $90.70 (saver) = $725.60. So you got $25.60 discount? 50% of what?

Don't ask me. When I mentioned that it was unfortunate that it appeared that Saver Lite fares weren't included, she said something along the lines of "there are various fare classes that are and aren't included" but wouldn't go into detail. Hence my decision to ditch the card. My guess is that even the $90.70 saver fares didn't qualify and it was booking into an higher fare bucket.

 

[grubbidok]

My guess is that even the $90.70 saver fares didn't qualify and it was booking into an higher fare bucket.

Newbie question, but could it be because you required 4 tickets and there were only 1-3 available on that flight at the cheaper fare?

 

[oz_mark]

What?????? How does that add up on any level??? 8 x $90.70 (saver) = $725.60. So you got $25.60 discount? 50% of what?

One part of the problem is that the website gives rubbish prices when you select a return flight. So when you see $90.70 it actually means $89 (try it. do a return flight, select two flights, then look at the total it calculates - it is not the sum of the two numbers it displays). So it is really $89 * 8 = 712.

 

[awilcockson]

Newbie question, but could it be because you required 4 tickets and there were only 1-3 available on that flight at the cheaper fare?

I don't think so. I happily booked the exact same flight directly through the website after I got off the phone for $70.70 per person each way (for all 4 of us).

 

[awilcockson]

One part of the problem is that the website gives rubbish prices when you select a return flight. So when you see $90.70 it actually means $89 (try it. do a return flight, select two flights, then look at the total it calculates - it is not the sum of the two numbers it displays). So it is really $89 * 8 = 712.

You are right, I just checked the receipt, and I was charged $69 each way, not the $70.70 quoted. Winning

 

[awilcockson]

Well that was an interesting call:

The retentions officer clearly stated my concerns back to me:

* Just a backup card
* Not happy with huge increase in yearly fee
* Not happy that 2-4-1 is now close to useless

She then offered to refund my $129 fee on to the card, giving me a free card through to December this year. Which I accepted (but wasn't aiming for). I didn't have the gall to ask if I'd still have access to the 2-4-1 offer but I'll let you know once the velocity site gets its act together.

 

[grubbidok]

I don't think so. I happily booked the exact same flight directly through the website after I got off the phone for $70.70 per person each way (for all 4 of us).

Hmmm... I *hope* it's just a Sabre issue and some systems haven't righted yet, as I hear many third party systems are having strange and expensive prices given to them (like our work travel agent's), whereas most pre-Sabre comments seem positive. I'm hoping it's that, but I can't help but feel like having the buyer's remorse just a little bit. Good to see they're at least understanding of why people may want to leave.

 

[bcworld]

Since when can't you book saver fares?

OK...so I spoke to someone in the Philippines about this. What she told me:

2for1 can't be booked into:

U Class - Saver Lite
T Class - Seems to be the cheapest Saver fare class
I Class - Business Saver

So you're now forced to buy a bag inclusive fare regardless of whether you already have allowance through status.

Playing with KVS and looking at an example route (MEL-OOL) the next cheapest Saver fare after T seems to be about $4 higher than T - but I'm not an expert on the fare rules so can't say for sure it would be allowed.

So point taken. The value of 2-4-1 is significantly reduced if you plan to use it for flights where there is ready availability of the cheapest fares. It will still work for flights where those fares are sold out or not available or you want to book flexi.

Couldn't get a straight answer on taxes so that could be another dimension.

 

[777]

2for1 can't be booked into:

U Class - Saver Lite
T Class - Seems to be the cheapest Saver fare class
I Class - Business Saver

Pretty poor form to change it but i can personally live with it. If they change it so you can't book upgradable flexis then it will be over for me.

 

[bullerdude]

Well the popup info window of the Virgin Money website (at present) clearly says that the 50% off includes taxes.

So whilst that may be changing the T+C's - potentially downgrading the benefits value - there are no taxes at present.

The complimentary seat is worked out by giving you a 50% discount off the total fare (taxes included) and standard credit card fees apply, the amount will be advised to you at the time of making the booking and you must use your Flyer Credit Card to pay for the tickets.

Link: http://virginmoney.com.au/lightbox/credit-card/4-free-flights-lightbox.html

 

[bullerdude]

OK...so I spoke to someone in the Philippines about this. What she told me:
U Class - Saver Lite
T Class - Seems to be the cheapest Saver fare class
I Class - Business Saver

I think its poor form that VM/VA haven't clearly specified which fare classes are included in the Terms and Conditions - this effectively allows them to change to fare classes as they see fit because they are not defined as part of the signed credit card agreement.

I would almost go as far as saying that its misleading advertising as the consumer really doesn't have anyway to what is/isn't part of the deal other than the word on a (usually) unreliable call center agent.

 

[bcworld]

I think its poor form that VM/VA haven't clearly specified which fare classes are included in the Terms and Conditions - this effectively allows them to change to fare classes as they see fit because they are not defined as part of the signed credit card agreement.

I would almost go as far as saying that its misleading advertising as the consumer really doesn't have anyway to what is/isn't part of the deal other than the word on a (usually) unreliable call center agent.

The thing is the T&Cs specifically state that the prices may not be the same as seen on the website. I agree it's too open ended.

I was also told on the call that they are working on changes to the website to show costs for other fare classes but I honestly can't see that coming for the general public.

 

[oz_mark]

I think its poor form that VM/VA haven't clearly specified which fare classes are included in the Terms and Conditions - this effectively allows them to change to fare classes as they see fit because they are not defined as part of the signed credit card agreement.

I would almost go as far as saying that its misleading advertising as the consumer really doesn't have anyway to what is/isn't part of the deal other than the word on a (usually) unreliable call center agent.

It's a lot better than when there had to be a Blue Saver around to be able to redeem the free flight...

 

[bullerdude]

I was also told on the call that they are working on changes to the website to show costs for other fare classes but I honestly can't see that coming for the general public.

Actually, there is a chance that is may be coming to the website.

After sending some very detailed feedback last week about the inability to book specific classes - which directly affect various things such as point upgrades - I had a call from Virgin Guest Services at Corporate HQ advising me that the IT team had started work in fixing that exact issue.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

If they change it so you can't book upgradable flexis then it will be over for me.

Wasn't it previously insinuated that was a convenient glitch, which may or may not be corrected (destroyed) by the Sabre move? IE you can't double dip on offers or was that referencing the half points upgrade promo?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

It's a lot better than when there had to be a Blue Saver around to be able to redeem the free flight...

That's definitely true, but the difference is many of us didn't take up the CC offer back then because of that reason. They then changed those restrictive terms and we all part with our money on that basis and now they've got us, they change them yet again.