Virgin Flyer 2-For-1

[Lizzi]

What exactly was the codeshare flight? The T&Cs call out that it must be booked on "Virgin Australia Australian domestic flights sold in Saver, Flexi and Business fare classes" ... if it was a VA coded flight on XR (Skywest), then I think you've got reason to complain. If it was a codeshare flight on any other airline, then they wouldn't be allowable.

Yeah, it was a Skywest codeshare. Why are the Skywest codeshares different to other ones? Because it's domestic?

 

[medhead]

If the non sale price is $135 (in swanning_it's case) then the 241 is supposed to be based on that price. They can't just pluck another figure out of the air, lets say $150, and we'll call that the non discounted price whenever a 241 is involved and $135 the rest of the time. That's plain wrong. Terms and conditions are not a license to do what you want.

Did you read the T&C? The website price doesn't matter as it specifically says they use different pricing.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Did you read the T&C? The website price doesn't matter as it specifically says they use different pricing.

I think what Jama is saying is that regardless of that part of the T&Cs, advertising a 241 product and then basing it on some unknown, unadvertised phantom figure respresents false advertising.

So what are the magical booking and service fees. Are these advertised somewhere, where we could look on line, get the current price, add the extra tax, add the fees and then end up with an identical price to what is offered? Then perhaps we'd be getting close to amicable, except for the taxes (clearly stated on VM T&Cs the taxes are 241 as well) and the saver lite fare, which is clearly not a sale fare but a saver fare minus the baggage.

 

[notzac]

Yeah, it was a Skywest codeshare. Why are the Skywest codeshares different to other ones? Because it's domestic?

Skywest is the only domestic codeshare - all the others are international. I'd really recommend writing to VA ([email protected]) and requesting an explanation of why these flights can't be booked as a part of a two for one.

 

[medhead]

I think what Jama is saying is that regardless of that part of the T&Cs, advertising a 241 product and then basing it on some unknown, unadvertised phantom figure respresents false advertising.

So what are the magical booking and service fees. Are these advertised somewhere, where we could look on line, get the current price, add the extra tax, add the fees and then end up with an identical price to what is offered? Then perhaps we'd be getting close to amicable, except for the taxes (clearly stated on VM T&Cs the taxes are 241 as well) and the saver lite fare, which is clearly not a sale fare but a saver fare minus the baggage.

But you are getting a 241 fare as per the advertisement. What does it say: buy one flight get the second one free? That statement does not say "buy one Internet available fare get one free". It does not define what fare you buy or get free in 241, that is defined in the T&C.

I'm not sure what the service fees are, I'd guess they are the same as the phone service fees for cash bookings.

Anyway, I'm going to have my turn at this tomorrow.

 

[Lizzi]

I just rang the call centre again and went through the booking process which failed again. This operator said that they were having big problems with the two for one code this week, and to try again tomorrow, but that the Skywest codeshare flights were definitely eligible.

Skywest is the only domestic codeshare - all the others are international. I'd really recommend writing to VA ([email protected]) and requesting an explanation of why these flights can't be booked as a part of a two for one.

 

[medhead]

booked my TWO41 today ADL-MEL-ADL. It actually worked pretty well, only 35 odd minutes to get everything almost done. Saver lite fares were offered and accepted. One issue was that the CSA sold me the same fare class for the return as for the outbound despite the website having a the return fares for about $12 cheaper. I got 2 M fares instead of an M and a U. I wasn't too upset and I'm now wondering if U is a sale fare in some way. Credit card fee charged for both passengers - OK. They also did seat selection for me, but only on the outbound and forgot the inbound. Another phone call to fix that took about 5 minutes.

Also I think it was the normal call centre that did the booking. There were a couple of times on hold, first to check about my Two41 availability as the info was unavailable, the other was to check the price. So I think that was when the M,M booking was confirmed.

Now I just have to add in the Red velocity number to get the family pooling working.

BTW the booking engine now shows the fare basis on the review page.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Saver lite fares were offered and accepted. One issue was that the CSA sold me the same fare class for the return as for the outbound despite the website having a the return fares for about $12 cheaper. I got 2 M fares instead of an M and a U.

Well, I'm officially confused. Seems it depends on which number the ball lands in when the wheel stops spinning.

I'm happy though, because your experience is still leaving the door ajar on saver lite fares.

 

[medhead]

Well, I'm officially confused. Seems it depends on which number the ball lands in when the wheel stops spinning.

I'm happy though, because your experience is still leaving the door ajar on saver lite fares.

I really don't know. I am sort of kicking myself for not quizzing them about the return, to get the $99 fare instead of the $112. But I was scared to upset things since the booking attempt was actually working. SWMBO still thinks $60 per person each way is a bit expensive.

The other thing I should mention is that my calls were answer very promptly. Unlike previous calls since the change that have seen me hanging up.

 

[Lizzi]

I've just tried again to book these two41 flights on a domestic codeshare and once again after about an hour on the phone the final verdict (from the supervisor's supervisor apparently) is that the new system doesn't allow codeshare flights to be used on this code, so very sorry but it isn't happening. *sigh*

Another interesting tidbit was when she was going to charge me taxes on the second seat before we found it wouldn't work. When I quoted the T&Cs on the website, she had to go check with her supervisor, and reported back that apparently they will be changing the website "soon" to reflect the new policy of double-taxing these bookings.

I just rang the call centre again and went through the booking process which failed again. This operator said that they were having big problems with the two for one code this week, and to try again tomorrow, but that the Skywest codeshare flights were definitely eligible.

 

[bcworld]

One issue was that the CSA sold me the same fare class for the return as for the outbound despite the website having a the return fares for about $12 cheaper. I got 2 M fares instead of an M and a U. I wasn't too upset and I'm now wondering if U is a sale fare in some way.

What they told me last week is that U, T and I are ineligible. These are basically sale fares in the Saver Lite, Saver & Business Saver buckets.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

What they told me last week is that U, T and I are ineligible. These are basically sale fares in the Saver Lite, Saver & Business Saver buckets.

Yet I was told business lite was elligible.

 

[bcworld]

Yet I was told business lite was elligible.

It is...but business sale fares aren't.

 

[Jama]

Another interesting tidbit was when she was going to charge me taxes on the second seat before we found it wouldn't work. When I quoted the T&Cs on the website, she had to go check with her supervisor, and reported back that apparently they will be changing the website "soon" to reflect the new policy of double-taxing these bookings.

Wasn't it stated somewhere by Virgin that we have 2 months before they start applying taxes on the 241.

 

[bullerdude]

Wasn't it stated somewhere by Virgin that we have 2 months before they start applying taxes on the 241.

I believe someone at the call centre may have mentioned that to someone, but i'd hesitate in believing it as the call centre doesn't seem to really known whats going on.

I'd go off the Virgin Money announcement on facebook, which is that nothing has changed. Now obviously this doesn't mean that is won't change eventually, but for the time being all is the same.

The Virgin Flyer Complimentary Flights Benefit

There have been some changes at Virgin Australia in recent times impacting the Fare Class names and Booking System.

Just so you know, your complimentary flights benefit has not changed. You can redeem your complimentary flights on Saver Lite, Saver, Flexi and Business Class Fares, provided the fare you want to book is not a Sale Fare.

With the new booking system, the code has now changed to TWO41. You’ll just need to quote this when calling the Australia Guest Contact Centre on 13 67 89.

Unfortunately, Sale Fares are not currently denoted on the Virgin Australia website and will only be identified by the Guest Contact Centre when you call. We apologise for any inconvenience this causes.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Wasn't it stated somewhere by Virgin that we have 2 months before they start applying taxes on the 241.

Yes, that was me who posted that. The GCC told me that was a memo released last Sat week ago (IIRC). Trouble is, every call since, they seem to "forget" that part until I remind them and then it's "Oh yes, we do have a work-around" (exact words of the last GCC lady).

Of course I needn't remind you they've told us a lot of things that conflict with just about everything in just about every new call made.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I believe someone at the call centre may have mentioned that to someone, but i'd hesitate in believing it as the call centre doesn't seem to really known whats going on.

I'd go off the Virgin Money announcement on facebook, which is that nothing has changed. Now obviously this doesn't mean that is won't change eventually, but for the time being all is the same.

The Virgin Flyer Complimentary Flights Benefit

There have been some changes at Virgin Australia in recent times impacting the Fare Class names and Booking System.

Just so you know, your complimentary flights benefit has not changed. You can redeem your complimentary flights on Saver Lite, Saver, Flexi and Business Class Fares, provided the fare you want to book is not a Sale Fare.

With the new booking system, the code has now changed to TWO41. You’ll just need to quote this when calling the Australia Guest Contact Centre on 13 67 89.

Unfortunately, Sale Fares are not currently denoted on the Virgin Australia website and will only be identified by the Guest Contact Centre when you call. We apologise for any inconvenience this causes.

HA........HA........

Thanks for that! I asked on a different thread what was the number to call to get Australia.

It looks like that may be it by their terminology

Australia Guest Contact Centre on 13 67 89.

Is that an admission from VA that their OS call staff haven't got a hope of dealing with these queries?

I'm also bloody annoyed that after numerous hours on the phone to be DELIBERATELY told that saver lites were not possible, here they tell the FB hoards they are!

P*# Poor communications VA.

 

[medhead]

What they told me last week is that U, T and I are ineligible. These are basically sale fares in the Saver Lite, Saver & Business Saver buckets.

Thanks for that.

I am amazed, I had absolutely no problems. Didn't quiz them at all and it was all as expected. Even the taxes where correctly for one person, only a couple of $ more that the website price, but I assume that was due to the more expensive return fare.

 

[bcworld]

What they told me last week is that U, T and I are ineligible. These are basically sale fares in the Saver Lite, Saver & Business Saver buckets.

I noticed something today.

The fare basis for the lowest non sale Saver Lite fare is UZDA.
The fare basis for the lowest non sale Saver fare is TZDA.

The fare basis for a sale Saver Lite fare is UZDAS.
The fare basis for a sale Saver fare is TZDAS.

I guess the S on the end indicates sale.

With my limited understanding of fare basis codes and booking classes I thought typically the first letter is the booking class.

If the manual says no U or T fares as I was told I would not be surprised if a) the manual isn't quite correct (complete) and b) agents were currently unable to distinguish between UZDA and UZDAS or simply don't understand the difference. Seems odd to me the sale fare would book into the same bucket as the non sale fare?? Just a thought.

 

[Jayshakur]

I believe someone at the call centre may have mentioned that to someone, but i'd hesitate in believing it as the call centre doesn't seem to really known whats going on.

I'd go off the Virgin Money announcement on facebook, which is that nothing has changed. Now obviously this doesn't mean that is won't change eventually, but for the time being all is the same.

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I called up twice, first time reached the phillipines call centre and was advertised that for a fare that is $125 (saver) the cost for 2-4-1 was $ 144 excluding credit card fees, he couldnt explain the "extra cost" as I expected a free seat when I buy an internet saver ticket! Explanation was very poor, called up again and got to NZ call centre and was advised that they have recently changed policy...ie tax on the second free ticket.which is now confirmed by this thread. It is misleading to advertise a product as 2-4-1 "Flying’s better with Friends - Buy one seat, get one free."..NZ helpdesk advised that they will honor the deals during the "transition period" but in future the second seat will have tax. WHY do I have to pay tax on it when I paid my annual fee in advance which included benefits such as 4 free flights. My point is that if they want to change the policy fine, but refund my annual fee as this is one of the benefits I paid for. Will not use virgin money products again, quite misleading. Hope fair trading do something about it.