Virgin not so seamless transfer at Sydney

[The Rok]

Actually, wouldn't Sydney to Christchurch technically be a DJ flight? As I understand it only the old V-Australia flights caused the problem with interlining luggage.

I would ask the question at the Business Class Check In Desk.

 

[Nigelinoz]

The other day I was thinking about booking a trip on VA to Townsville,I wanted to book ABX-BNE in Y and BNE-TSV in J,I rang the Virgin call centre and
was told if I booked it it was at my own risk,they would not check bags through from ABX to TSV ,I would have to collect baggage in BNE and recheck and
as the connection was less than 90 minutes (It was 50 minutes) then if I missed the flight they could not guarantee a seat on the next flight out of BNE.
I decided not to book it,shame really as I was looking forward to trying J class and the fare was quite reasonable-$495.00 BNE-TSV in J.
So it appears that Virgin can't link bookings as Qantaslink has done for me in the past.
Cheers
N'oz

 

[LiamR]

I can understand that for new skies but is it still the case?

Last time I asked for two bookings to be linked was back in november. She couldn't access Row three to seat my travelling college (red) next to me.

 

[LiamR]

Actually, wouldn't Sydney to Christchurch technically be a DJ flight? As I understand it only the old V-Australia flights caused the problem with interlining luggage.

I would ask the question at the Business Class Check In Desk.

That's a really good point, SYD-CHC should be on the same computer system as CBR-SYD, so it's even more likely they'll be able to check baggage through.

I'd be interested to see what the end result is, my experience is 18mths old now.

 

[travel]

I had the same experience as Stuser. You can only do if you purchase tickets with international flight. Then domestic ticket price is at a premium price. To add insult - all Cbr - Sydney flights after 2 that cancelled - they flew me up 90 mins later with Qantas and I had to get a cab at my expense to get to Ethiad flight in time - of course prior to my arrival there was no way they would register connection despite all the publicity about codesharingand I found the Cbr staff member rude.

 

[Stuser]

So.... trip report on that one....

..... I fronted up to CBR airport at some early am.... sadly traveling with a big bag cos had camping gear..... asked CLEARLY as suggested that I wanted my bags to be checked in all the way to Christchurch..... first staff member had no idea.... second staff member seemed even less interested....the separate "sectors" proved too much.... and to top it off, of course my DJ flight was really a code share Air NZ flight, so extra complications that I couldn't get managed without me going mental and it was so early

So yep they would only check me into Sydney and I had to suck it up.

Which sucked cos as it happened my 630 flight was scrapped due to technical dramas, we were all moved to a 705 flight that left after 715.... then due to air traffic control "issues" in Sydney we had to circle Sydney for a while, so instead of arriving in Sydney at 720..... got there at 820.... I had a 930 flight from the international terminal in SYDNEY. Great. Stress levels climbing....

On the plane we were told to "go to the transfer desk and let them know we were coming". Of course the transfer desk staff had no idea why we were told to go there, but I did manage to ohmygodweneedtransferpassesourplaneisreallylateweneedthemnow and got free transfer passes for myself and other random passenger who had a 930 flight also.... didn't mention virgin status, just overwhelmed them

picture 2 guys running through the Virgin Sydney domestic terminal to get to their bags..... that if they had been checked through would NOT be happening.... of course we get to bags.... no notice at ALL as to which carousel our bags come onto.... so I ask and I wait. Wait a bit more. Then wait. Oh my god it's my bag.... 835 by now.... stress levels climbing....

Go outside to find transfer bus. Easy, hand over transfer pass, nice, wait a while while other passengers complain about having to pay, yep, finally leave terminal..... oh wait this isn't the Qantas transfer bus so of course now we go OUTSIDE the airport between terminals and get stuck in traffic.... AGH.

Finally we arrive at the international terminal and I delicately make my way to the NZ check in counters, at about 855.... lucky it's dead and they are VERY helpful.... check in bag, starting to relax a little, but still have to pass immigration. Again, lucky was quiet, finally made it to Air NZ lounge with 10 minutes to spare..... a bit sweaty and ugh.

So summary: not having bags checked through all the way SUCKED. Of course, Sydney airport sucks in having terminals so far apart.
Please Virgin, get this sorted out.... It really is substandard!

That's the story finished, but I'll add some extra bits I thought interesting pertaining to my Virgin Gold status....

1. On the two international flights I have taken on VIRGIN metal I have been given express path thingies.... once leaving from Brisbane and today arriving into Sydney. Have not had this on the Air New Zealand metal, on the code share.

2. On the last air NZ flight, my status was recognised by me getting a newspaper and a personal greeting, oh as well as some Bose noise things.... which I didn't use anyway. Didn't help me get free food though every other passenger in my row was getting food.... haha but then I only paid $120 for that flight so care factor LOW....

 

[travel]

Sad that nothing has changed since my dramas last May - just the same experience ex Canberra - I found so much of the advice in this thred just so unrealistic. I am Virgin Gold but doesn't count for much.
Here's hoping they discover the advantage of seamless transfers one day. I'm also Qantas Gold and not often in a position to praise them but in this case they win hands down - through Melbourne and Sydney to many overseas airlines.

 

[Stuser]

Sad that nothing has changed since my dramas last May - just the same experience ex Canberra - I found so much of the advice in this thred just so unrealistic. I am Virgin Gold but doesn't count for much.
Here's hoping they discover the advantage of seamless transfers one day. I'm also Qantas Gold and not often in a position to praise them but in this case they win hands down - through Melbourne and Sydney to many overseas airlines.

which part of virgin gold doesn't count?

I like that we get access to air nz lounges, ANYTIME access to virgin lounges, good seats on plane, free baggage, bonus points, SOMETIMES express path cards

reckon that's pretty good

 

[travel]

Yes I suppose neither of them are all bad.

 

[kristophe]

i had a nightmare last year coming back from LAX > MEL via Syd. Had direct flight out, can't recall why we did the LAX>SYD>MEL option, I think we liked the SYD plane on the way back..

Had to cart 5 suitcases across the Syd intl. transfer to domestic miss the connecting flight and wait around an hour, not something I enjoyed after spending 15 hrs on a mostly turbulent flight. I don't mind Virgin's service, but def flying direct in Future, maybe Qantas.

 

[serfty]

i had a nightmare last year coming back from LAX > MEL via Syd. Had direct flight out, can't recall why we did the LAX>SYD>MEL option, I think we liked the SYD plane on the way back.. ...

Why did you do that?

Weren't you eligible for the free Virgin International to Domestic transfer service at SYD?

Domestic and International Flight Connections | Virgin Australia

 

[bigjobs]

i feel for you OP .. i was on the same PNR from SYD to MKY via BNE the other day .. they couldn't check my bag through continually! Told me I'd have to collect it in BNE and check it in again. I told them I would fly QF next time.

 

[midcoast1]

I booked Brisbane-Melbourne-LAX last year with Virgin.Luggage checked through from Brisbane.Not a problem.On return it was LAX-Sydney-Brisbane but of course had to pick up luggage then go through customs straight to transfer desk.No great problem either

Flight was late into Sydney on return so missed connecting flight but transfer was still no hassle , just transferred to next flight.