Different Treatment as an Upgrade Customer

[Mondo]

I flew PER-SYD flexi recently and used one of my complimentary upgrades to J more than 24 hours prior to departure. During the meal service, I asked what dish I would like, when I responded, I was told that I would have to wait for everyone else to give their selection as only certain amount of the dish was loaded on board. I understand that an on departure upgrade immediately before the flight in the lounge may be not be catering guaranteed, but this upgrade request was confirmed more than 24 hours before the flight. It worked out that they did have one dish left that I wanted (which didn't taste that great in the end anyway).

Has anyone else noticed this now, or have been treated any differently by cabin crew from a upgraded ticket or award flight? I presume the manifest shows the fare class of all passengers? Does anyone know if QF adopt the same policies?

Cheers

 

[juddles]

I flew PER-SYD flexi recently and used one of my complimentary upgrades to J more than 24 hours prior to departure. During the meal service, I asked what dish I would like, when I responded, I was told that I would have to wait for everyone else to give their selection as only certain amount of the dish was loaded on board. I understand that an on departure upgrade immediately before the flight in the lounge may be not be catering guaranteed, but this upgrade request was confirmed more than 24 hours before the flight. It worked out that they did have one dish left that I wanted (which didn't taste that great in the end anyway).

Has anyone else noticed this now, or have been treated any differently by cabin crew from a upgraded ticket or award flight? I presume the manifest shows the fare class of all passengers? Does anyone know if QF adopt the same policies?

Cheers

That is Virgin

 

[hydrabyss]

I made a complaint regarding a domestic business class flight and was given points as compensation even though it was a plat upgrade flight. Person on the phone said it did not matter if it was an upgrade or full fare the service you expect and receive is the same. Cabin crew may be a different matter and may come down to a persons point of view.

 

[gaz0303]

Thats disappointing. Only ever flown QF J on point upgrades awarded at boarding or other airlines on free upgrades. Always been treated as per other customers in J and never had anything like tried on me.

 

[DC3]

Complimentary upgrade? How did you get that? If I had a free upgrade, any meal option would do.

Edit: Oh, VA. Sorry, doing this on an iPhone, and the app is awful.

Anyway, slightly OT, but I've noticed on QF that late upgraders seem to have to wait to see what choices are left at the end. Maybe for catering reasons, so the late-comers will get what's left. Admittedly, not your situation.

 

[Mondo]

Complimentary upgrade? How did you get that? If I had a free upgrade, any meal option would do.

Good question. As a Platinum frequent flyer with VA you are given 4 complimentary upgrades from Flexi Y to J provided that there are reward seats available.

 

[Blackswan]

I'd definitely be making a complaint. Out of interest (and not that it matters), was it a 737 or 330 service?

 

[Mondo]

I'd definitely be making a complaint. Out of interest (and not that it matters), was it a 737 or 330 service?

Was a 330 service

 

[Mattg]

I've never experienced anything like that with Qantas...

 

[clipped_wings]

We've upgraded with both cash a week prior and points upgrade at the Lounge counter. We were treated with impeccable service on the 737 each time. For the points upgrade, they politely advised that meals may not be first choice, but as the cabins were empty, we got whatever we wanted. The full cabin was probably the one with the least amount of attention but it's obvious why that was.

I hate that there would be a manifest with fare classes identified. Just because I didn't pay the $2400 J class fare, doesn't mean I didn't already spend $10,000 earning the points on my Virgin credit card or flying the thousands of paid miles on Virgin PE flights for my points in the first place. I think anyone who has secured a J fare is a J passenger.

 

[williamsf1]

I've never experienced anything like that with Qantas...

I have when doing a upgrade in the lounge

 

[williamsf1]

This is very poor form ... You upgraded outside 24 hours so full catering should have been provided regardless of the upgrade. a complaint is worthy

 

[DC3]

I've never experienced anything like that with Qantas...

I have when doing a upgrade in the lounge

Yes, have heard this a number of times on QF flights in J. Can't comment on VA.

 

[Mattg]

We've upgraded with both cash a week prior and points upgrade at the Lounge counter. We were treated with impeccable service on the 737 each time. For the points upgrade, they politely advised that meals may not be first choice, but as the cabins were empty, we got whatever we wanted. The full cabin was probably the one with the least amount of attention but it's obvious why that was.

I hate that there would be a manifest with fare classes identified. Just because I didn't pay the $2400 J class fare, doesn't mean I didn't already spend $10,000 earning the points on my Virgin credit card or flying the thousands of paid miles on Virgin PE flights for my points in the first place. I think anyone who has secured a J fare is a J passenger.

Agreed. If you're in J, you should be given all of the benefits that goes with it. You wouldn't deny a business class passenger lounge access because they upgraded with points, so why treat them any differently on board?

Yes, have heard this a number of times on QF flights in J. Can't comment on VA.

On-departure upgrades that are confirmed in the lounge are perhaps an exception, as "catering not assured" is one of the specific conditions that must be agreed to. Having said that, the one time I got an upgrade on departure (on QF) I was given a full choice of meals anyway.

 

[TomVexille]

Agreed. If you're in J, you should be given all of the benefits that goes with it. You wouldn't deny a business class passenger lounge access because they upgraded with points, so why treat them any differently on board?

While not a points upgrade, don't EK deny lounge access to pax who have taken their cash upgrade offer?

 

[bubblyguy]

From what I've been told if you end up in Business Class within 3 hours of the flight - fly forward, upgrade or buy a ticket - Virgin does not assure catering.

The cabin crew get a list with a code that says who has been issued the full catering not assured tag. Usually the lounge puts a sticker on your boarding pass. Qantas print it on the boarding pass under Service Information.

Guess it is a balance of being able to take upgrades and also ensuring there isn't significant wastage on every flight.

The OP must of had the tag applied by mistake unless they flew foward?

 

[medhead]

Yes, have heard this a number of times on QF flights in J. Can't comment on VA.

Both airlines flag "meal not assured" for lounge upgrades. VA are a fair bit more militant about it. The only time meal not assured has been a real issue on QF was travelling with family, 4 of us upgraded in the lounge. Youngest child had to have their Y kids meal the other 3 of us were only allowed to have 2 of the salmon options from the J menu. But in row 3 we were offered a meal choice in front of the 2 staff members in row 1.

 

[bean]

I saw it haven just the other day in J-I was full fare and got first choice, the poor bloke next to me must have been upgrade and was given the leftovers after everyone else has ordered.

Felt sorry for him-I got the beautiful lamb shank and he got some rubbish looking pea and ham soup lol

 

[DC3]

...I got the beautiful lamb shank and he got some rubbish looking pea and ham soup lol

Did you let him know how delicious that tender and juicy shank tasted?

 

[Pleb Status]

I have upgraded numerous times on VA (using points, WP upgrades and UpgradeMe bids) and never had this happen before.

I have had it happen a few times on QF however.