Virgin Business Class Questions

[wombat16]

We did an upgrade via that "upgrade offer" thing Virgin send out. Something different, valentine day present.

I've done a bit of research and wanting to confirm a few things as we haven't flown anything except economy before.

- Our eTicket, invoice etc got resent yet all still say economy. I have only one document "Travel Reservation" that even mentions Business. We're flying personally so not an issue, but seems like the system is pretty glitchy? Concern there is rocking up and having all this documentation saying Economy, no invoice to prove the upgrade etc. I daresay I should mobile checkin 48 hrs in advance and see what it says in passbook, and if that is wrong then call Virgin. Alternatively it seems you can simply check in at the lounge? (carryon luggage)

- We're leaving at 2:10pm ADL -> 3:05pm PER. Seems only a basic afternoon snack is provided as it's after 2? In which case we should eat what's possible at the lounge beforehand. Though flight is over 3 hrs so should be more, bit of contradictory information floating around.

- What time can we arrive at the lounge? We're doing nothing all day so might as well rock up at 8-9am and chill if possible. I daresay ADL is a small lounge so not sure what facilities there is, and Virgins website is short on details, which alludes to there being not much. Wifi, showers, type of food etc.

- You can ask for items off the normal economy menu - drinks, snacks etc? It's not mentioned on Virgins site that I can see but other people on this forum have said it's a given (although some people have been told no by staff, so seems even internally they're not on the same page).

Thanks in advance!

 

[Boof1]

We did an upgrade via that "upgrade offer" thing Virgin send out. Something different, valentine day present.

I've done a bit of research and wanting to confirm a few things as we haven't flown anything except economy before.

- Our eTicket, invoice etc got resent yet all still say economy. I have only one document "Travel Reservation" that even mentions Business. We're flying personally so not an issue, but seems like the system is pretty glitchy? Concern there is rocking up and having all this documentation saying Economy, no invoice to prove the upgrade etc. I daresay I should mobile checkin 48 hrs in advance and see what it says in passbook, and if that is wrong then call Virgin. Alternatively it seems you can simply check in at the lounge? (carryon luggage)

Should be fine, the ticket will upgrade to Z class (or whatever the class is for the bid-now) and you will be checked in as Business. Keep the "you've been successful" email just in case but shouldn't need it.

- We're leaving at 2:10pm ADL -> 3:05pm PER. Seems only a basic afternoon snack is provided as it's after 2? In which case we should eat what's possible at the lounge beforehand. Though flight is over 3 hrs so should be more, bit of contradictory information floating around.

2pm+ is a snack but on that distance you will get a choice of two snacks and it should be a full tray of things (plated snack, small cake, bread roll type affair)

- What time can we arrive at the lounge? We're doing nothing all day so might as well rock up at 8-9am and chill if possible. I daresay ADL is a small lounge so not sure what facilities there is, and Virgins website is short on details, which alludes to there being not much. Wifi, showers, type of food etc.

You can arrive 2 hours prior I think (if no status held with VA). Trust me in the ADL lounge that is a more than ample as there is little to do and less to see unless concrete and car parks are your thing! It's tidy and does the job for a quick visit prior to a flight but not a place I'd want to spend more than a few hours in.

- You can ask for items off the normal economy menu - drinks, snacks etc? It's not mentioned on Virgins site that I can see but other people on this forum have said it's a given (although some people have been told no by staff, so seems even internally they're not on the same page).

You can, they may have the pantry menu, otherwise you can ask for whatever you like from the Economy menu.

Most important thing is to enjoy it!!

Cheers,
Boof

 

[wombat16]

You can arrive 2 hours prior I think (if no status held with VA). Trust me in the ADL lounge that is a more than ample as there is little to do and less to see unless concrete and car parks are your thing!

Was unclear on this one - prepaid/buy at the door single entry is definitely 2 hrs. Different info everywhere so I'm assuming policies have changed a number of times.

Compared with sitting in a hotel it might be alright? On-tap coffee, drinks & food. Long as the chairs are comfy & it has wifi, although I can easily hotspot my phone if there's a powerpoint around. I'd love a shower before the flight if we were there earlier, just because

2pm+ is a snack but on that distance you will get a choice of two snacks and it should be a full tray of things (plated snack, small cake, bread roll type affair)

Bugger. Pretty much get that down the back

Most important thing is to enjoy it!!

Should be good! Certainly something more interesting than a night out at a fancy restaurant usual scenario

 

[TomVexille]

Welcome to AFF wombat16.


​Have you tried selecting a seat yet?

 

[wombat16]

Outside of 48 hrs so can't checkin yet. It does say it's assigned row 2, so assuming the system just isn't "in sync" re: the economy ticket & invoice I received (which is the same as the one I got originally when purchasing the flights)

 

[Milefest]

I've been able to request a main meal after 2 though I'm sure it depends on what they have left. The pantry menu is the best bet if you're not satisfied with the snack option and worst case you can order something from the economy menu.

You should have been resent an itinerary with the updated status being changed from economy to business. For example:





If it's your first time flying J make the most of it, especially if you don't hold status.

Enjoy yourselves!

 

[wombat16]

Got an email saying upgrade was successful. "You will receive your new upgraded itinerary via email."

The new email had two attachments:
"E-Ticket, Itinerary, Receipts and Tax Invoice " - Economy, original paid price
"Travel Reservation" - Business

I daresay it worked, just that there's some kind of issue with their system. For example the upgrade email says the price, but there's been no valid tax invoice sent. The process seems pretty thrown together, which it probably was given the upgrade thing was only added in the past year or so?

Should be great!

 

[Milefest]

It probably has something to do with using a third party system for the UpgradeMe Premium Bid. I think Virgin uses Plusgrade and they might not be able to generate a tax invoice on behalf of VA, I could be wrong.

 

[wombat16]

That's probably it, the email does come from @plusgrade.com. Then @virginaustralia.com sent the itinerary. And because Virgin was paid for economy not business, the invoice is for that, even though the registration does reflect the new status

 

[wombat16]

Going to rock up earlier than 2 hrs, hopefully it's same day access? The site doesn't say at all based on business class, just the relevant Velocity level & one-off $65 purchases.

Call staff seemed to think same day but 0 confidence she knew as it was quite "um ah yeah should be"

 

[wombat16]

The answer for anyone in future is "anytime that day" if on a business ticket.

 

[AIRwin]

The answer for anyone in future is "anytime that day" if on a business ticket.

Ah thanks, does the "Anytime" Access Also Apply to Arrivals?

 

[Quickstatus]

Ah thanks, does the "Anytime" Access Also Apply to Arrivals?

You won't be able to access lounge on arrival at your destination unless you are a Velocity Platinum FF on a VA ticket