Fly Ahead Benefits

[Deleted member 29185]

My apologies if this has been discussed (but I can't find it, by either thread purusal or by search function ).

I get the drift on Fly Ahead and see on the Velocity web page that it does not have a "coming soon" note, so I assume this is now a written benefit (unwritten for some time.....which I've used frequently but was never guaranteed).

My question(s)....Does this mean for me, where I usually don't know exactly how long I will be on a job site, I can book the last flight out for the day on the cheapest fare bucket and expect (rather than hope) that I will be able to be moved to earlier flights should there be a seat (any seat incl. PE) available, at no extra cost?

I also read somewhere, that gold and plat members have flexibility with their bookings regardless of fare type purchased, even the cheapest (usually infexible) fares like Saver and Happy Hour fares. Is this actually a written benefit (I can't see it in the "Gold Benefits" section) and if so, how flexible is flexible? Like if I miss a flight, can I move it to a later flight up to 24 hours after flight provided I haven't checked-in, or do I lose it (à la Saver fare rules)?

 

[LiamR]

My apologies if this has been discussed (but I can't find it, by either thread purusal or by search function ).

I get the drift on Fly Ahead and see on the Velocity web page that it does not have a "coming soon" note, so I assume this is now a written benefit (unwritten for some time.....which I've used frequently but was never guaranteed).

My question(s)....Does this mean for me, where I usually don't know exactly how long I will be on a job site, I can book the last flight out for the day on the cheapest fare bucket and expect (rather than hope) that I will be able to be moved to earlier flights should there be a seat (any seat incl. PE) available, at no extra cost?

I also read somewhere, that gold and plat members have flexibility with their bookings regardless of fare type purchased, even the cheapest (usually infexible) fares like Saver and Happy Hour fares. Is this actually a written benefit (I can't see it in the "Gold Benefits" section) and if so, how flexible is flexible? Like if I miss a flight, can I move it to a later flight up to 24 hours after flight provided I haven't checked-in, or do I lose it (à la Saver fare rules)?

Good question, and while I'm not fully up to speed on the rule, I'll break this into two parts.

Fly Ahead does exactly what you've stated, if you book on the last flight, you can turn up to the lounge and ask to get on the next flight home even on the most un-flexable fare. This is subject to their being spare seats available.

How long can ahead can you request this? Well, I've done a day trip to MEL, landed at 0830, and I had the 2030 flight home, headed into the lounge and asked if there's many seats on the 1800 flight. She moved me then and there. A full 12hrs before the flight. I dare say moving me that early is a goodwill gesture.


Moving people back and forward, I've missed a flight and they put me on the next one at no charge. But, I don't think the 24hr rule would apply. I think it's 'same day' travel. I don't think this is a written benefit and more of a goodwill gesture from the airline.

 

[day-heg]

Swanning, in my experience they will move you if they possibly can... not sure whether they would move you into a PE/Biz seat if you were on a Y fare though.

I have proved this afternoon that it also means Fly Behind, as I missed my flight out of SYD and was moved at no cost. Love this Platinum thing.

Also, I once had a major reshuffle of the diary and ended up having no meetings the following day. I thought I'd try my luck and turned up fully 22hrs before my flight and I asked the question. I was ready to pay, but the Angel said "we're been told if Gold's turn up early (this was pre-Platinum), we can move them into an earlier flight. They didn't specify how early, so I'll just do it!"

I could have kissed her....!

Hope this helps!
D-H.

 

[connieguy]

Swanning, in my experience they will move you if they possibly can... not sure whether they would move you into a PE/Biz seat if you were on a Y fare though.

I have proved this afternoon that it also means Fly Behind, as I missed my flight out of SYD and was moved at no cost. Love this Platinum thing.

Also, I once had a major reshuffle of the diary and ended up having no meetings the following day. I thought I'd try my luck and turned up fully 22hrs before my flight and I asked the question. I was ready to pay, but the Angel said "we're been told if Gold's turn up early (this was pre-Platinum), we can move them into an earlier flight. They didn't specify how early, so I'll just do it!"

I could have kissed her....!

Hope this helps!
D-H.

I had this confirmed in the VA Mel lounge. If there is a seat available on a earlier flight, a VA WP can get it and at no cost. Talk nice and a VA WP will get the BEST seat available regardless of class.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Thanks for the feedback. Seems to be what I was thinking, the apparent gold or plat "flexi" benefit is not a written benefit. When I read it on AFF somewhere, it did come across as a definite so I guess I'm still left wondering over that one.

With the Fly Ahead benefit, I wasn't expecting a PE/Biz seat necessarily, this would/should be awarded if needed via a status hierachy, but my meaning was more about the actual written benefit......

Fly Ahead

• When arriving at the Virgin Australia lounge, you and any other guests on the same booking may request to Fly Ahead to your destination on an earlier flight.
• Available to guests travelling with hand luggage only and subject to availability.

• and
  
  

  Fly Ahead 13.1 In the event that a Gold or Platinum Member, who has been ticketed for a domestic Virgin Australia flight, arrives at the Virgin Australia lounge in time to be carried on an earlier Virgin Australia domestic flight with available seating to the same destination, you are entitled to make a request that you and an accompanying guest be carried on that earlier flight (Fly Ahead).
  13.2 The request for Fly Ahead must be made to a Virgin Australia staff member at the Virgin Australia lounge. Fulfilment of your request is not guaranteed and is subject to the following conditions:

  13.2.1 the accompanying guest must hold a fully paid reserved seat to the same domestic destination;
  13.2.2 the Fly Ahead flight selection is made at least 30 minutes before departure while the flight is still open for check-in and the member and guest only carry hand luggage and agree no meal is guaranteed; and
  13.2.3 there are available seats on the eligible Fly Ahead flight and no guests are displaced.​

  
  
  The way that reads is confusing. Firstly it says you are entitled to make a request to fly ahead.
  
  I've always been entitled (and for that matter everyone is entitled) to make a request. That doesn't for one minute suggest that request will be actioned. Secondly, 13.2.3 mentions only that seats are available and no guests are displaced. It doesn't state, nor does it suggest at all, that the available seats have to be within the same fare bucket, therefore the premium seats seem to be included (although higher tier FFers on the same flight may be the ones to be upgraded).
  
  Thirdly, there is no mention at all of having to pay any fare difference. Is this applicable or not??
  
  Forthly, Is there limitations on how far ahead? Like if I fly the first flight of the day (as I usually do) and find my client cancels, can I jump on the very next morning flight out or do I have to wait for say, the afternoon, or early evening or more to the point....due to cough schedules in/out of ports like PPP or HTI where I'd normally have to overnight, if a client cancels, can I do a same plane turn around (seat available of course), a full day earlier??
  
  Sorry for pressing the point, but if anyone has any experience here, I'd appreciate it. I'd like to know what I am entitled to ask for, as this is one benefit which for me will be a real benefit (and there are a few of those for me in this latest FF revamp). As I've said, I have many times been offered fly ahead, but that was always understood by me to be a nice touch from DJ, rather than an actual implied benefit. Now that it is a "written benefit" I'd really like to know what I am entitled to expect.
  ​

 

[Major]

Whilst checking in my bag at CBR for a BNE flight I was asked if I would like an earlier flight. No extra $, no fuss, all fixed in 30 sec ( seat 3A ).
2 weeks ago I was asked the same question at the kerbside checkin SYD - OOL, hand luggage only. Same result but seat 3F.

It would appear that if there are seats there is no problem catching an earlier flight. Both of these flights were cheap Y fares.

 

[goldfishinabowl]

I thought I'd try my luck and turned up fully 22hrs before my flight and I asked the question. I was ready to pay, but the Angel said "we're been told if Gold's turn up early (this was pre-Platinum), we can move them into an earlier flight. They didn't specify how early, so I'll just do it!"

This is such a good example of the importance of empowering staff and the good that can spread from doing so.

 

[MarkD]

I was booked on a 4pm Bne-CBR via Syd, and arrived at 2pm. Checked in at the lounge, and was asked if I wanted to travel on the 3.30 direct, said OK, and was given 1A, full premium service, on a flexi fare.
Nearly every other occasion when arriving at the lounge if there is an earlier flight, they ask, if I want to move to it. Im Gold btw

 

[JohnK]

There is another thread on this as well but this appears to be a little more specific.

In my limited experience VA check-in will move you to earlier flights, if space available, regardless of fare class.

Lady in front of me at check-in on Friday night was asked if she wanted earlier BNE-MEL flight, and moved, with checked luggage and I also asked for earlier BNE-SYD flight with carry on only.