Virgin StaffTravel

[Smurfy]

My daughter has joined Virgin put me on group one staff travel. However I am trying find out if I can travel to Sydney to New York with Virgin and delta on staff benefits. Can some one assist us. re code share rules Please.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Welcome to the forum

A question your daughter needs to ask at work. Not the topic for a frequent flyer forum
From what I read have off duty staff travel is not guaranteed. Airline staff can spend days waiting for an eligible seat. Some buy a seat to get home

 

[straitman]

My daughter has joined Virgin put me on group one staff travel. However I am trying find out if I can travel to Sydney to New York with Virgin and delta on staff benefits. Can some one assist us. re code share rules Please.

Hi Smurfy,

Welcome to AFF.

As Mwenenzi says, the only place to get the real information on this is from VA themselves.

 

[smit0847]

Welcome to AFF.

As others have said, you'll need to check with VA as to the rules. I am fairly certain that you cannot travel internationally on VA staff travel without the staff members travelling with you.

 

[sogg]

My mate is a pilot with virgin, went on staff travel together to the USA about 2 years ago, getting there was fine with Vaus, didn't use delta domestically as i think there is a term that it can only be for your spouse, etihad was the same. As a group 1 im pretty sure you dont have to have the staff memeber flying with you, I think recently the staff travel system has changed at Virgin. So it may not be the same anymore.

My advice if going on staff travel is
1. Dont fly during peak periods, school holidays etc. You can end up being bumped upto 5 days in a row
2. Book in business class, it will give you the best chance of getting on the plane, because if you book business and there is only premium or economy left, you get the preference over the staff on lower standby fairs
3. Be prepared to take any flight you can out of LAX to get back to Aus, sometimes its easier to get on the LAX-BNE than the LAX-SYD on that day

But as others have said, best to get your daughter to login to the staff travel website for the latest terms

 

[richie9x]

As others have suggested you really need to ask Virgin.

Generally these days most staff discount fares on other airlines are available from a agreement called Zonal Employee Discount (ZED) this has largely replaced the old Industry Discount (ID). Virgin Australia will need to have entered into an agreement with a US carrier (probably Delta). It really comes down to the agreement, if any, Virgin has with Delta. Benefits available can even change based on staff seniority.

My uncle works for an airline and my aunt is able to travel with ZED fares on some airlines by herself. She is issued with a special identification from the airline as sometimes at check in they request it.

 

[elbarto]

I know that with VA the staff member will put you in group 1 or group 2. They have different privileges & priorities from what I know, but what exactly they are I can't remember.

 

[AIRwin]

Welcome Smurfy! I'd like to be Smurfette's new best friend...

 

[EvanC]

In case anyone was wondering, the travel is not eligible for points or SC earn. My ex's dad works for VA (then DJ) - was good while it lasted!

 

[sogg]

In case anyone was wondering, the travel is not eligible for points or SC earn. My ex's dad works for VA (then DJ) - was good while it lasted!

I was tempted to try and claim points and sc for my fare but i thought its abit greedy to pay peanuts and then want points and sc ontop of that

 

[EvanC]

I was tempted to try and claim points and sc for my fare but i thought its abit greedy to pay peanuts and then want points and sc ontop of that

I tried

It went in, but "not eligible for earn" and all zeroes:

 

[ash.1111]

It's a lot to explain unfortunately and you are best asking the employee. With Delta, you are quite low ranking to get on, though, and is managed by the ID90 programme.

 

[milehighclub]

You should be careful not to enter any frequent flyer number on a staff travel booking. It could result in loss of benefits for the employee (and yourself!)

 

[Simo]

Welcome to the forum

 

[ash.1111]

You should be careful not to enter any frequent flyer number on a staff travel booking. It could result in loss of benefits for the employee (and yourself!)

Really? I never heard that, is that an ID90 policy? You could argue you wanted to have your FF # on there if you have a lounge membership or something.

 

[Smurfy]

Really? I never heard that, is that an ID90 policy? You could argue you wanted to have your FF # on there if you have a lounge membership or something.

Thanks every one for your help. My daughter is still figuring out all the policy's. I hope someone would be able to help Even with Group 1 pricing?

 

[ozbeachbabe]

You should be careful not to enter any frequent flyer number on a staff travel booking. It could result in loss of benefits for the employee (and yourself!)

Really? I never heard that, is that an ID90 policy? You could argue you wanted to have your FF # on there if you have a lounge membership or something.

It would depend on the airline however QF don't permit employees travelling on travel travel to use the lounge (even if a member) unless they are travelling on a commercial ticket as used by the travelling public. The only exceptions would be senior management or where the employee had been authorised to use the lounge as reported in a separate thread about CSM's meeting their KPI's.l

If a frequent flyer number was entered into a staff booking it would give the staff traveller a higher priority for onload/upgrade as they would be treated as a commercial standby pax and therefore queue jump the regrade order of eligible staff which would be a definite no-no & lead to disciplinary action as mentioned above.