Virgin Happy Hour [Thursdays]

[Jurahn]

Re: Happy hours not so cheery anymore

I saw some cheap ($69) SYD-MEL fares so thought I'd bite but they were for mid January 2017! I've said it before - how many people know where they'll be travelling that far out?

Not many, I would think! Although I do - this time anyway. I'm waiting for fares to come out for March/April 2017 to the US as I already have accommodation booked for a specialised course, and hoping to pick up a reasonable PE sale fare - although I wonder what the upgrade (to J) availability will be like by then ...

 

[JohnK]

Re: Happy hours not so cheery anymore

Back in the early days most discount codes applied to any class.

I remember that as well but sometime last year the discounts were not valid on the cheaper fares so I wasn't booking as many VA flights. Need to check again.

 

[clipped_wings]

Re: Happy hours not so cheery anymore

Not many, I would think! Although I do - this time anyway. I'm waiting for fares to come out for March/April 2017 to the US as I already have accommodation booked for a specialised course, and hoping to pick up a reasonable PE sale fare - although I wonder what the upgrade (to J) availability will be like by then ...

We booked our return PE seats SYD-LAX late last December, for August this year. They were $5,000 for 2 of us, but advanced enough to ensure we had the pick of seats in the new, smaller cabin. I have only seen a better price once since then, but verrrrry cheap at $3900 for both. Happened on the 24 hour birthday sale window. I could have cried, but happy we were secure with our booking. The only thing I should have done, is upgrade with cash to J, it was only $700 per person per sector, which would have equated to 2 x return SYD-LAX in brand new Business Class for a total outlay of $7800. The points bonanza opportunity haunts me still.....................

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Re: Happy hours not so cheery anymore

We booked our return PE seats SYD-LAX late last December, for August this year. They were $5,000 for 2 of us, but advanced enough to ensure we had the pick of seats in the new, smaller cabin. I have only seen a better price once since then, but verrrrry cheap at $3900 for both. Happened on the 24 hour birthday sale window. I could have cried, but happy we were secure with our booking. The only thing I should have done, is upgrade with cash to J, it was only $700 per person per sector, which would have equated to 2 x return SYD-LAX in brand new Business Class for a total outlay of $7800. The points bonanza opportunity haunts me still.....................

I know that feeling. It's the worst. Be happy with what you have though! Sounds like you did very well.

 

[clipped_wings]

Re: Happy hours not so cheery anymore

Oh absolutely, I couldn't agree more. The joy of flying (in any class) - is a privilege not everyone can experience, so I count my blessings that we have the opportunity to plan and create the overseas adventures that have become such an exciting annual event for our family.

 

[Renato1]

Virgin Happy Hour - Don't Dawdle

I noticed my Virgin Happy Hour email earlier this evening, and saw that it had flights from $129 to Brisbane in late October, instead of the regular $195 fare. As we has coincidentally been thinking of going there at that time, this led to discussion with my wife of how many days to go for, checking out apartments at Booking.com, making a decision, booking the apartment etc. Then I went to book the actual flight and found I had 11 minutes left before Happy Hour ended.

So I got the flights up, and there were the $129 fares at each of 11am, 12pm and 2pm.
And I clicked on $129 button for 12pm, whereupon the next page came up with all the details and a fare of $195.
So, wondering where the $129 fare went, I clicked the Back Button, and found that 11am and 12pm now had fares of $195 each. So I clicked on the $129 button for 2pm, and that price came up on the next screen which I booked. Then I got the $129 fare for coming back from Brisbane without any problem.

As a relative newbie at this, I just wanted to ask if this is a regular occurence with Happy Hour?
That the fare price changes after it is clicked on, and that some of the fare prices change before Happy Hour is over?

If so, I guess the message is don't spend to much time discussing things with the wife.
Regards,
Renato

 

[toowongman]

You need to be fast, only a certain number of seats per flight will have the discounted price. Sometimes "Happy Hour" is for book first, think later trips [e.g. when those domestic J sectors went for $200 in 2012]

 

[Denali]

Re: Happy hours not so cheery anymore

.... The points bonanza opportunity haunts me still.....................

Have to stop looking after Ive booked... that way I cant beat myself up when I find a better deal.

 

[Renato1]

You need to be fast, only a certain number of seats per flight will have the discounted price. Sometimes "Happy Hour" is for book first, think later trips [e.g. when those domestic J sectors went for $200 in 2012]

Thanks for that.

Anyhow, today I rang up Amex who had no problem booking my free Platinum Edge flight on the exact same flights as what I bought last night, with my wife sitting next to me on the seats I booked last night. Great service.

So I've spent $258 on two return trips to Bisbane - which I think is pretty good. Believe or not, I've never been to Queensland.
Regards,
Renato

 

[Denali]

Hubby just reminded me we have the $129 flight vouchers... but we have nowhere we want to go and by my spreadsheet, I would have secured WP until 2018 by early next year (we are self funded travellers)

Are they transferable?

 

[clipped_wings]

Hubby just reminded me we have the $129 flight vouchers... but we have nowhere we want to go and by my spreadsheet, I would have secured WP until 2018 by early next year (we are self funded travellers)

Are they transferable?

Well, if all else fails, then fly nowhere! Book a flight to somewhere you really didn't want to go. Stop for a cuppa and a leg stretch, then hop back on a plane and fly all the way home.

I would love this luxury. Flying for absolutely no reason, other than flying.....................!

 

[clipped_wings]

You need to be fast, only a certain number of seats per flight will have the discounted price. Sometimes "Happy Hour" is for book first, think later trips [e.g. when those domestic J sectors went for $200 in 2012]

Totally agree. We secured the flights first, then said "SHIZZIT! - now we have to build a holiday!"

But what a spectacular way to waste the hours eh?

 

[JohnK]

Hubby just reminded me we have the $129 flight vouchers... but we have nowhere we want to go and by my spreadsheet, I would have secured WP until 2018 by early next year (we are self funded travellers)

Are they transferable?

These should work the same as gift vouchers. You should in theory be able to book a flight for anyone.

For what's it's worth my $129 gift voucher had expiry until October 2017.

 

[Melburnian1]

The Thursday 11 August 'Happy Hour' did not have any flights on offer to or from LAX. How often have VA1/2/7/8 been featured lately, and what has been a typical Y, W or J return fare?

 

[Bagpuss]

The Thursday 11 August 'Happy Hour' did not have any flights on offer to or from LAX. How often have VA1/2/7/8 been featured lately, and what has been a typical Y, W or J return fare?

Y - approx $1,000
W - approx $2,000
J - approx $5,500 to $6,000
... Not "typical", but normally available.

Also consider Air NZ.

 

[steel_au]

I need to pick up a couple of flights from PER-SYD return for Friday the 2nd/Return the next day. Going to see Aladdin the musical with my wife as a special treat.

Is it worth waiting for Thursday to pay for the flights or should I just go ahead and book now. Just wondering how much cheaper than a standard fare would they be. Also if I chose to pay by points instead of cash, does that generally tick down with the current paying price or not really?

 

[Bolthead]

The availability dates usually used for Happy Hour is well in advance of 2nd September. (assuming you mean September 2016). I would book now...

I need to pick up a couple of flights from PER-SYD return for Friday the 2nd/Return the next day. Going to see Aladdin the musical with my wife as a special treat.

Is it worth waiting for Thursday to pay for the flights or should I just go ahead and book now. Just wondering how much cheaper than a standard fare would they be. Also if I chose to pay by points instead of cash, does that generally tick down with the current paying price or not really?

 

[steel_au]

Cheers thanks.

 

[Milefest]

Looks like Elevate fares are immune to Happy Hour unfortunately.

 

[HeavyElectricity]

Looks like Elevate fares are immune to Happy Hour unfortunately.

Although the happy hour page claims the prices includes seat selection... (I'm guessing it hasn't been updated correctly?) :/


Edit: Oh wait - seat selection charges haven't been introduced yet, I forgot.