New VA Fare Structure

[Deleted member 29185]

Maybe it's just worth waiting and seeing.

Many of us have been waiting since about 2011/2012 ....... and seen ...... and decided. The human life expectancy in Australia is only so long!

 

[drewbles]

VA's backtrack on this under the guise of 'We've listened to feedback' quite clearly displays the place zero value on loyalty.

If you value loyalty, you reward your highest spending customers with perks. One such perk could be complimentary seat selection.

Instead, they decided to nickel and dime them, seeing if they can get away with it.

Sorry VA, too little too late for me. I have my Platinum renewal locked in for the next year and will use my four upgrades (so you'll get some more revenue from me) but after that, it's farewell.

My QF forward booking sheet has never looked busier (and I just booked a heap of DL travel for when i'm in the USA, all in F, and it's being credited directly to AS).

I don't trust a company that tries to take advantage of people then backtracks and trys to play their cards with sleight of hand.

 

[kamchatsky]

VA was already on Amadeus for the long haul operations. At the time it would have been a very simple change from the old DJ system (navitaire) to move the domestic / short haul operation over to 1A

GDS contracts are normally for a 10 year period with airlines.

Given that the domestic operation is so much larger than the international operations at that time, I doubt that it would be a "very simple change". Otherwise they would probably have done it. Chances are a lot of their backend operations would need to be upgraded to cater the massive load, and Amadeus quoted them normal price (i.e. a lot of money) for all the variations. Then Sabre came along and made an irresistible offer ....

 

[williamsf1]

Given that the domestic operation is so much larger than the international operations at that time, I doubt that it would be a "very simple change". Otherwise they would probably have done it. Chances are a lot of their backend operations would need to be upgraded to cater the massive load, and Amadeus quoted them normal price (i.e. a lot of money) for all the variations. Then Sabre came along and made an irresistible offer ....

The change to Sabre was more a political one rather than a sensible business one.

VA still use some Amadeus products for various back end systems, so the change would have been a lot painless that the migration to Sabre….

 

[Deleted member 29185]

The change to Sabre was more a political one rather than a sensible business one.

VA still use some Amadeus products for various back end systems, so the change would have been a lot painless that the migration to Sabre….

In the words of the short prince off Shrek ...... "some of you may suffer, but it's a sacrifice I'm prepared to make" (or close to it).

Funny enough, as we debate these downgrades of service here in the VA camp, QF are currently praising their customers and rewarding them for helping achieve their record?? profit! I wonder if that is just coincidence or whether it's QF taking great delight in, not just sticking the knife in, but giving it a bloody decent twist at the same time!

As I said previously, I'm actually feeling relieved that VA have been so accommodating in lasering off my shackles for me!

 

[esseeeayeenn]

In the words of the short prince off Shrek ...... "some of you may suffer, but it's a sacrifice I'm prepared to make" (or close to it).

Funny enough, as we debate these downgrades of service here in the VA camp, QF are currently praising their customers and rewarding them for helping achieve their record?? profit! I wonder if that is just coincidence or whether it's QF taking great delight in, not just sticking the knife in, but giving it a bloody decent twist at the same time!

As I said previously, I'm actually feeling relieved that VA have been so accommodating in lasering off my shackles for me!

What's the reward? The 20% off economy reward seats?

 

[HeavyElectricity]

We will release full details prior to the launch of ‘Fares For You’ on 7 September 2016 and we are confident that the changes will be seen as fair, balanced and continue to protect the benefits of our most valuable members in a way that is commercially sustainable.

We're now less than a week away from the launch of the new fares. Any updates that can be shared with us on how this affects Velocity earn/redemptions?

 

[dfcatch]

We're now less than a week away from the launch of the new fares. Any updates that can be shared with us on how this affects Velocity earn/redemptions?

There have been no changes announced (or indicated) for earning/redemptions.

Only changes to benefits eligible on particular fare types.

 

[andye]

Lowest fare types have been flagged as not earning status bonuses-suspect this could stick but doubt it would save VA much cash

 

[HeavyElectricity]

There have been no changes announced (or indicated) for earning/redemptions.

Only changes to benefits eligible on particular fare types.

I was thinking more along the lines of what type of fare does a economy reward seat fall in to (e.g. does it get seat selection and food)? What will be the various points cost for upgrades to business with the new fares? Etc. Etc.

A lot of these are described in terms of 'saver' and 'flexi' at the moment.

Less than a week out, they must know how it will work - I was hoping Velocity Frequent Flyer was able to share further details with us here.

 

[grubbidok]

I flew on a QF ticket to get home from Asia recently, first time since 2011 — ironically, in large part because VA's terrible website wouldn't let me do a multi-city booking departing from almost any city outside Australia (and an SQ one-way ticket didn't make sense in this case). Turns out, I actually enjoyed the QF flight, even as someone with no status. So…

I just had a similar revelationary experience with VA and DL between SYD-LAX on a multi-city itinerary with DL over and VA back. I'm not sure if it was just a bad day for VA, but the DL flight in Y IME was a much better experience than the VA one. If a US legacy can offer a better experience, VA definitely need to sort itself out.

If they're worried about losing money, they should look at halting the decline of their product and start making themselves more attractive to new customers (i.e. actually making new routes instead of cancelling existing ones and making a decent alliance). Fiddling with fare structure won't help them a toss unless they fix those bigger issues.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I was hoping Velocity Frequent Flyer was able to share further details with us here.

I think the old adage is "willing and able".

Able, yes ... willing, not on your life pal!

 

[Pleb Status]

Last day today to book VA fares under the 'old' fare rules.

I expect a fair bit of commotion tomorrow in the media etc as the introduction of the new rules will be surprise to most.

It will be 'interesting' to quantify the full extent of the damage. Of the known changes, the seat selection fee for lower tier FF will be of most interest. I am guessing $5-$7 per sector for a non Space+ seat.

 

[Bolthead]

Last day today to book VA fares under the 'old' fare rules.

I expect a fair bit of commotion tomorrow in the media etc as the introduction of the new rules will be surprise to most.

It will be 'interesting' to quantify the full extent of the damage. Of the known changes, the seat selection fee for lower tier FF will be of most interest. I am guessing $5-$7 per sector for a non Space+ seat.

Thanks for the reminder... must go and make a few bookings.

As I have previously predicted besides the banter regarding Fly Ahead I still think they will change some of the rules for Family Pooling... if I am wrong I will take it on the chin and go to the corner for a sulk...

 

[Grimace1]

Seems like they are now updating the website and their booking engine is offline for the last 20 minutes

 

[Dannyism]

Having a look at a few different flights, my best guess is that as far as price goes: getaway = saver, elevate = saver +30 dollars, freedom = flexi.

I'm feeling like now I have to pay for my status credits and fly ahead and bonus points.... Not happy about this, but I guess in a few month it will be the new normal and I will have forgotten all about it.. Sigh...

 

[adame]

On Brisbane to Sydney the Getaway fare is $99 and the Elevate is $179. That's ridiculous.

 

[Ausbt]

Yesterday I looked at VA808 SYD-MEL 21/09/16 under the old structure and screen-shotted the page. Saver = $195.00; Flexi = $399.00.
Today it is Getaway = $old Out; Elevate = $195.00; Freedom = $399.00

 

[adame]

I booked Brisbane to Sydney yesterday and it was $89 for Saver fare. Now it's $99 for Getaway with half of the benefits for the exact same dates.

Earn rate for SC is now $20 per credit.

 

[pauly7]

Having a look at a few different flights, my best guess is that as far as price goes: getaway = saver, elevate = saver +30 dollars, freedom = flexi.

I'm feeling like now I have to pay for my status credits and fly ahead and bonus points.... Not happy about this, but I guess in a few month it will be the new normal and I will have forgotten all about it.. Sigh...

Luckily for you, you have the option to pay more for SC's. Lots of businesses have strict BFOD policies where they won't get the choice... This feels very... Jetstar!