Virgin not so seamless transfer at Sydney

[Stuser]

I'm booked to fly canberra to sydney, then sydney to christchurch tomorrow on Virgin, and having usually flown qantas on this route, was having a look at how to transfer at sydney airport. These flights are on separate bookings.

Now my reading of the virgin website seems to tell me that you CAN'T seamlessly transfer using their facilities because my flights are on the separate bookings, and that I have to collect my bags at Sydney domestic and then PAY for the bus transfer, with my bags, from one terminal to the next and start all over again, ie check in at international.

Now whenever I've flown QF on this route, often on separate bookings, I have ALWAYS had my bags checked in direct to destination and been able to use their seamless transfer.

Does anybody know any different, is there any way I can check in at Canberra with Virgin and get my bags checked in all the way etc and use their seamless transfer or NOT? If not, kinda bit grrr.

(I don't know if it makes any difference, but I am Virgin Gold)

Thanks.

 

[awilcockson]

Does anybody know any different, is there any way I can check in at Canberra with Virgin and get my bags checked in all the way etc and use their seamless transfer or NOT? If not, kinda bit grrr.

I don't know about the bus, but there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to get your luggage checked all the way through. Just make sure you have prinouts of both of your itineraries when you check in.

 

[Stuser]

Are you sure?

I meant to say I also called the customer service centre, and was told by the person there that also couldn't connect bookings etc... BUT I don't hold a lot of confidence in them as they had to check the website while I was on the phone.... er hum great knowledge there.... oh dear....

 

[awilcockson]

Are you sure?

I meant to say I also called the customer service centre, and was told by the person there that also couldn't connect bookings etc... BUT I don't hold a lot of confidence in them as they had to check the website while I was on the phone.... er hum great knowledge there.... oh dear....

Although I haven't actually done this with Virgin, I'd be extremely suprised if you couldn't do it, as every other airline is capable of doing it.

 

[UP4014]

Please let us know how you go.

Matt

 

[koonyaflyer]

It is my experience that unless the fare is sold as a through fare on the same booking it is not possible to check you baggage through to the destination. I will be surprised if they are able to assist you with this one unfortunately.

 

[yo yo ma]

Maybe you can try giving them a call to link the bookings?

 

[Stuser]

Hmmm, "assist".... this just shows that although virgin is marketing hard that they are a full service airline, that in some ways they are still a budget carrier....

it's a bit disappointing....

PS Koonya flyer, can't be many of you... I have some friends who live in Koonya!

 

[Stuser]

Maybe you can try giving them a call to link the bookings?

I did. Unlike QF, they couldn't or wouldn't help. Also, as I said before, had to read website to tell me the rules... pretty poor training....

Negative a point to Virgin for this one. Suddenly I feel like I'm flying on Jetstar, not a bona fide competitor to Qantas. Boo.

 

[ozmille]

That would be very ufortunate, I have been able to check in with BA to BKK separate ticket on AY to BRU and no problem through checking the luggae. On the retyrn AY also had no trouble to through check the bags for the separate BA ticket BKK to SYD

 

[notzac]

As I understand it, this is one of those fun limitations imposed by Navitaire. I've had the same problem with separate domestic bookings.

It's a right pain in the nether regions and I hope it's something that will be fixed by the move to Sabre.

 

[tuapekastar]

As I understand it, this is one of those fun limitations imposed by Navitaire. I've had the same problem with separate domestic bookings.

It's a right pain in the nether regions and I hope it's something that will be fixed by the move to Sabre.

That would account for not being able to check the bags through, but surely they could still facilitate a free transfer between terminals one way or another? I wouldn't have thought GDS limitations should prevent that?

 

[The Rok]

They will give you a free transfer pass at the transfer desk if you are gold or platinum

 

[straitman]

They will give you a free transfer pass at the transfer desk if you are gold or platinum

From my experience this should be the case.

 

[Stuser]

They will give you a free transfer pass at the transfer desk if you are gold or platinum

ah ha!

thanks, will "enquire".....

 

[koonyaflyer]

PS Koonya flyer, can't be many of you... I have some friends who live in Koonya!

You are right there .... A few cows, alpacas and the occasional sheep! Not a lot of two legged citizens!
Not too many people know where Koonya is .... Very observant!

 

[The Rok]

BTW, as others have mentioned, they won't check your luggage through on international destinations, however I understand that to be a technical issue as opposed to an unwillingness to do so.

It's most likely a software issue as others have stated.

 

[LiamR]

I don't know about the bus, but there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to get your luggage checked all the way through. Just make sure you have prinouts of both of your itineraries when you check in.

Are you sure?

I meant to say I also called the customer service centre, and was told by the person there that also couldn't connect bookings etc... BUT I don't hold a lot of confidence in them as they had to check the website while I was on the phone.... er hum great knowledge there.... oh dear....

Maybe you can try giving them a call to link the bookings?

Just take both tickets to checkin at your first port and ask them (clearly) to check your baggage through to the final destination, they can do it, although it seems to take them sometime. Usually they'll just hand you a transfer pass anyway free of charge since you are a Gold.

I believe it has to be done manually and not all staff are aware how to do it, ask to see a manager if you get really stuck.

I had two separate bookings going to LA in 2010 and they checked my bags through in Brissy, however I had to collect my boarding pass in Sydney. But that's standard VA.

Worst case scenario they charge you the $5 (I think?) transfer fee or something. But I've never heard of any Gold being charged it.

VA can't link bookings, their system doesn't seem to support merging bookings.

 

[The Rok]

There ya go. Advice from a VA expert. Don't forget to report back the results after the flight.

 

[markis10]

VA can't link bookings, their system doesn't seem to support merging bookings.

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