Virgin involuntary downgrade scam

[ben95]

The price you paid, minus whatever the cost of a full flex economy ticket is on the day of departure = your refund.

I’m not trying to say the current system is good or your point is invalid, but that’s just simply not true for the context (VA refund policy) here.

As people have mentioned VA does calculate the refund based on the lowest Choice (not flex) fare on the day of the ticket purchase. I’d argue that’s actually a fair methodology.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

I’m not trying to say the current system is good or your point is invalid, but that’s just simply not true for the context (VA refund policy) here.

As people have mentioned VA does calculate the refund based on the lowest Choice (not flex) fare on the day of the ticket purchase. I’d argue that’s actually a fair methodology.

It's probably one of the very few airlines to calculate this way.
What compensation beyond price do they provide?

 

[ferntree]

What compensation beyond price do they provide?

I like your sense of humour!

 

[antycbr]

I’m not trying to say the current system is good or your point is invalid, but that’s just simply not true for the context (VA refund policy) here.

As people have mentioned VA does calculate the refund based on the lowest Choice (not flex) fare on the day of the ticket purchase. I’d argue that’s actually a fair methodology.

I agree. Sometimes thanks to picking oddities VA full flex is higher than Business on the day of purchase so you would be downgraded and theoretically owe VA money for the privilege if they used QFs methodology.

 

[JohnK]

Airlines should never be incentivized to downgrade people, and they should never profit from it like they do today.

Airlines should never be allowed to profit from overselling.

Airlines should never be allowed to profit from downgrades.

Full refund + downgrade compensation and you'll see airlines will never do this again.

Oh and do not allow airlines to oversell flights. I don't care there's a very small percentage of people who can purchase fully flexible airfares and cancel right up until the time of the flight. Those purchasing discounted airfares should not have to fund the ability for the airline to sell fully flexible flights.

 

[FishFood]

I've been 'downgraded' due to an equipment swap. Fortunately I was happy to swap to a different day that business was available for, so no big drama.

Guess that's the risk you take flying in WA/NT/SA

 

[ferntree]

Guess that's the risk you take flying in WA/NT/SA.

... or (in my case) in or out of TAS!

And, yes, I was offered as an alternative business class the following day ... which would have necessitated me forking out the $$$ for a night's accommodation and wasn't practical anyway.

 

[samas]

Have had a flightly notification a few weeks ago about this ADL-BNE being coming up being changed to a Fokker 100 where I'm booked in business but no J on the Fokkers. I am yet to receive any notification from VA so the "please check your SMS or email" in the dashboard seems a bit premature.

Just got an email on this.
The HTML formatting is completely borked but here's the text:

(Also there was no reference at all to my flight number or operating time. Only the date and the PNR)

We wish to advise that there has been a change to your upcoming flight from Adelaide to Brisbane on 28Jul2024.

We regret to advise that the aircraft operating this flight does not have Business Class cabin and you now have been reaccommodated to Economy Class. If you wish to remain on this flight you will be entitled to a refund of the difference in fare for the cabin change

WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?

• Please review new flight details below.
• If you wish to remain on this flight, in Economy Class, please let us know by choosing 'ACCEPT CHANGE' - Your fare difference will be refunded.
• If you would like to cancel your booking for a refund or travel credit, please contact our Guest Contact Centre.
• Our Guest Contact Centre will also be able to assist if you would like to discuss alternative travel options. Subject to availability, we can reaccommodate you in Business Class on another Virgin Australia service within 14 days of your original travel date.

 

[ferntree]

To update the story:

The flight came and went, and sure enough we were bumped down to economy. Never mind, I looked forward to my refund, promised within 21 days of the flight.

Four weeks later and I had received not so much as a red cent. Oh dear, here we go.

Phoned the guest centre and as expected got the run around as my call was shunted from pillar to post. Eventually, the best I could get was someone promising that they would refer the matter to accounts who would process the refund "within 21 days". That's a further 21 days.

I will be checking my credit card balance regularly, but I won't be holding my breath.

 

[UP4014]

I haven't had a good Virgin call centre experience since about 2011. Terrible service for sure.

Good luck with getting your money back.