Virgin to Qantas Comparison

[AustraliaPoochie]

Don't forget, T4 and T3 are now combined.
So they ruff ruff you see, could be those who always travel with JQ.
I promise you, T3 when it was separate from T4 was never like this.
Have travelled in and out of T3 many times, even from AN days!
Also, with VA, you only have to deal with their (outsourced) one call centre/center, in MNL/Manila, my few contacts with them, I can't complain.
Only had to buy a comfort seat booking, PER - ADL a few years back now.
Unlike QF, where (lucky you with P1 get HBA), others have had horror stories on here about their dealings with the 4 different countries that QF has their (outsourced) call centres/centers.

 

[Bundy Bear]

On a Virgin flight now,
Lounges about the same
Virgin answer the phone
Virgin priority boarding wins by a mile.
Economy X when its needed.

Qantas have a bigger international network but then i don’t trust them to stick to it.

 

[Rugby]

I’m registered for the Switch-a-Roo and should retain Gold with 2 J sectors and an SQ return trip before the expiry. My major concern with Virgin is the hassle of flying out of T2 SYD. For the challenge I’m flying out of SYD on QF and back in on VA.

 

[dairyfloss]

I’m registered for the Switch-a-Roo and should retain Gold with 2 J sectors and an SQ return trip before the expiry. My major concern with Virgin is the hassle of flying out of T2 SYD. For the challenge I’m flying out of SYD on QF and back in on VA.

You must be getting quite close to the Platinum qualification of >=200 SCs in the period, no?

 

[encryptededdy]

You must be getting quite close to the Platinum qualification of >=200 SCs in the period, no?

For the purposes of Platinum in the switch-a-roo promotion, all 200 Status Credits must be earned on flights flown with a VA flight number that are operated by Virgin Australia. (not the case for Gold)

 

[UP4014]

My balancing QF and VA.

VA - doesn't fly to where want I go. Fail.

QF - does fly to where I want to go. Pass.

Having the said that I do prefer the QF lounges when on the ground and look forward to QF valet parking reopening around the place if not already.

 

[Vic]

Don't forget, T4 and T3 are now combined.
So they ruff ruff you see, could be those who always travel with JQ.

Pretty sure jetstar pax are not using the virgin lounge

 

[dairyfloss]

For the purposes of Platinum in the switch-a-roo promotion, all 200 Status Credits must be earned on flights flown with a VA flight number that are operated by Virgin Australia. (not the case for Gold)

Ahhh... I see. I hadn't checked that when I set mine up. Thankfully my WP attainment plan is all VA!

 

[antycbr]

Pretty sure jetstar pax are not using the virgin lounge

Surprised that anyone would abandon the VA Melbourne lounge for the gate. The main VA pier is always a zoo.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Surprised that anyone would abandon the VA Melbourne lounge for the gate. The main VA pier is always a zoo.

Thought that T4 gates was "bad", what with minimum fixtures and fittings.
Granted this is only from what the news said, that T4 was very basic.

 

[PuravidaTC]

Just completed the Platinum match switch component (200 SC’s) this morning, will advise how long it takes to update my account.

I flew out of SYD domestic with Virgin this morning and what a total disaster of a terminal Virgin have there.. the absolute opposite of Virgin MEL experience. Forget about luggage bag dropping, they have an incredibly insane process where one actually needs to be served by an agent to drop bags even once tagged - and that’s the prime issue as next to zero passengers (even those in the “priority queues“) used the machines to pretag there bags and instead have the agents do it for them. Talk about not being “match fit”.

The agent I had this morning looked at me in amazement that I had done so, and her eyes rolled that it would make things so much quicker for everyone if more did so. would also be so much quicker of course if it was an automated bag drop like pretty much all other airports, why on earth not SYD??

Also Virgin no longer has any express security lanes there, and screeners all using old X-ray machines requiring everything out of bags so all in all seems like SYD Virgin terminal is like stepping back in time and an absolute cough show!

 

[Harrison_133]

would also be so much quicker of course if it was an automated bag drop like pretty much all other airports, why on earth not SYD??

I wonder if this is more of a Sydney Airport issue, or even to do with the design of the baggage system itself? Jetstar don’t have any self serve bag drops either. Tiger did have 2 lonesome automated belts, but I think they’re currently unused. I agree though, it is a very inefficient set up.

and that’s the prime issue as next to zero passengers (even those in the “priority queues“) used the machines to pretag there bags and instead have the agents do it for them. Talk about not being “match fit”.

It’s been the opposite in Melbourne the last few times I’ve gone through. Lots of priority people using the kiosks to print boarding passes and bag tags, then lining up at the desks to have bags manually sent through even with multiple automated belts ready to use. It does clog up the priority desk especially in the morning rush. At least staff were checking it was only priority guests in line…

 

[ferntree]

Back to the general comparison ... one which if you never need to encounter it you're lucky, but if you do...

Qantas no longer have service desks in lounges. As I discovered a few months ago, this can be bordering on the traumatic if because of flight delay you miss a connection and have to depend on the very flakey app to rebook.

Virgin still have real people staffing their lounges to help you out.

 

[ozstamps]

Also Virgin no longer has any express security lanes there, and screeners all using old X-ray machines requiring everything out of bags so all in all seems like SYD Virgin terminal is like stepping back in time and an absolute cough show!

COVID saw the SYD kerbside entry to lounge closed and Jayney wants to save money and keep it so sadly.

HOWEVER when they finally get that organised (=paid for) again, a super fast process to step out of cab, walk a short ramp to private check in agents, a dedicated security belt and staff and a few more steps to your coffee and snack in the lounge. I did it in about 2 minutes once as no other at security belt!

Agree downstairs now in peak times is an embarrassing time wasting ZOO. Near missed a flight last week .. forget about visiting the Lounge.

When Jayney unlocks a few more dollars they might even pay for NEWSPAPERS again in lounges and Business cabins - heaven forbid! The pennies per paper cost to them will sink the show. Seeing fares seem to be on average DOUBLE 3 years back, all long overdue tweaks.

 

[serfty]

When Jayney unlocks a few more dollars they might even pay for NEWSPAPERS again in lounges and Business cabins - heaven forbid! The pennies per paper cost to them will sink the show. Seeing fares seem

You won't be seeing printed mainstream newspapers on a regular basis in any lounge going forward.

Not even the Oz at the gate as was often available pre COVID.

 

[ferntree]

Not even the Oz at the gate as was often available pre COVID.

Then let us be thankful for small mercies.

 

[CaptJCool]

Hmm. My personal thoughts after doing the switch-a-roo.

VA Better:

• Economy Seating: I look forward to trying Economy X once I get VA WP. QF WP doesn't really get me any good seating in Economy, given row 4 and exit rows are free for P1s only.

as a mere WP, row 4 is only MADE available 80 hours out from flight time.
At that point, IF THEY ARE ACTUALLY NOT ALREADY TAKEN, they are FREE.

Never been asked to pay

 

[encryptededdy]

as a mere WP, row 4 is only MADE available 80 hours out from flight time.
At that point, IF THEY ARE ACTUALLY NOT ALREADY TAKEN, they are FREE.

Never been asked to pay

I am aware, but it's much easier to grab an Economy X seat at time of booking than wait till 80hrs out. Also T-80 is not a WP benefit, anyone can do it.

 

[PuravidaTC]

COVID saw the SYD kerbside entry to lounge closed and Jayney wants to save money and keep it so sadly.

HOWEVER when they finally get that organised (=paid for) again, a super fast process to step out of cab, walk a short ramp to private check in agents, a dedicated security belt and staff and a few more steps to your coffee and snack in the lounge. I did it in about 2 minutes once as no other at security belt!

I thought I had read somewhere that that kerbside entry point (when available) was only for those with carry on - so not available to those with checked luggage? Any ideas if that is still the case?

 

[esseeeayeenn]

What about the elephant in the room?
No one has even mentioned the aircraft in the respective fleets.
As a Perth based frequent flyer, Virgin lost me when they relinquished their wide-bodied aircraft.
The Virgin business product - "The Business" - on their A330s was superior to the Qantas suites.
And they did drinks on taxi and drinks promptly after take off.
Without the 45 minutes of QF cabin crew gossiping while they take their time preparing the antiquated drinks trolley.
However so-called business class on a B738 - on either VA or QF - is really just a Premium Economy hard product.
It is totally unsuitable for a trans-continental flight.
Especially a midnight horror / red eye!
Those of you who only ever fly in the golden triangle may not care about aircraft,
But for Perth-based PAX it is all important.