Velocity/Virgin websites are RUBBISH

[QF WP]

If you'd really like to have some fun, go here:
https://www.velocityfrequentflyer.com/content/support/
Scroll down to "Member Feedback" and click on "Virgin Australia".

Enjoy the Apache Tomcat server error that ensues.... *facepalm*

I had that same error when doing a booking last night. Did the online version of HUACA. Worked second time around, but I was holding my breath

 

[pauly7]

Moronic website won't let me select seats.... again. This is just a joke!

 

[Denali]

Making hotel booking via Velocity.

1. Found hotel, got to put credit card details in then crash.
2. Searched hotel, got message saying no hotels for search found.
3. Searched hotel again, got the same info as per #1. Made booking.
4. Received email with confirmation number but no voucher PDF. Phone help desk
5. Received email with pdf voucher. Noted that guest are now Mr Denali Smith and Mrs Denali Smith. Same exact name for both Mr & Mrs (my hubby and I have different surnames). I entered hubbys WP details so it auto filled with his details but they went *poof*, although it recorded his correct age/birthday.
6. Phone help desk. Was told no changes can be made as per T&Cs. Transferred to manager, who approved changes to Mr John Brown and Mrs Denali Smith and that Hubbys WP details are recorded for 100% bonus points.

WHILE discussing name correction was asked, "So how are you liking using the new Virgin Holidays site?". I was honest and told her every single time I used it it either crashed, gave me no search hotels only to give them to me on a 2nd or 3rd search attempt and now this crash/pdf/name issue. "Never had these problems when you used Agoda".

She sounded disappointed I didnt rave about them.

 

[Warks]

Booking flights during Happy Hour now. Can do it all except log in. It says my details are incorrect even though they are just the saved details from the browser. Opened another tab and logged into the Velocity site successfully, put in the promo code and managed to book it with no issues...

EXCEPT:

They want to charge me $29 to sit in rows 3-5?? How long has this been in play for SG flyers? Any pleb can buy those seats now? I note row 6 was blocked out but row 7 was open as usual. Normally I can't get north of row 7 before T-48 but I've never seen this before. Haven't booked for a month or so. I can't see an outraged thread anywhere about this either.

 

[anat0l]

EXCEPT:

They want to charge me $29 to sit in rows 3-5?? How long has this been in play for SG flyers? Any pleb can buy those seats now? I note row 6 was blocked out but row 7 was open as usual. Normally I can't get north of row 7 before T-48 but I've never seen this before. Haven't booked for a month or so. I can't see an outraged thread anywhere about this either.

I believe that's the new Economy X option? Upfront seating and a couple of other perks for a fee; WPs get it for free.

 

[Strategic Aviation]

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-free-platinum-members-82025.html#post1614303

 

[pauly7]

Seat selecting for a flight next week. VA website trying to charge me $29 for selecting ANY seat on the plane (domestic)... what can you do but laugh/cry at their hopelessness! Calling the call centre dragons now - settle in for a nice long wait and some fake outsourced call centre sincerity . Happy Easter VA!

 

[Warks]

I believe that's the new Economy X option? Upfront seating and a couple of other perks for a fee; WPs get it for free.

But if enough NBs or otherwise pay the $29 there will be no seats for the WPs before row 6 it seems.

I didn't hear of this 'enhancement' from VA at any time.

 

[Denali]

Forgot to mention in yesterday's post.

When fixing the name issue on the hotel booking, I was told "I'll contact Expedia to let them know of the problem".

VA hotel/holiday booking part of their business was outsourced to Expedia?

 

[anat0l]

But if enough NBs or otherwise pay the $29 there will be no seats for the WPs before row 6 it seems.

I didn't hear of this 'enhancement' from VA at any time.

True, but let's just see that scenario actually play out, particularly before any WPs claim those seats / are autoallocated those seats (and subsequently blocked out from purchase). Maybe if you have no status, you can only purchase row 4 but not row 3; don't know, haven't tried.

I don't know whether the latest VA communication talked about the seats; certainly I only learned about it from the forums or news. It is on their website, albeit not splashed in glory on the home page.


As for pauly7's situation where it is any seat on the plane, not sure about that. Economy X only covers a select number of rows, and I don't think VA have started charging in general for seat selection (if you have no status).

 

[serfty]

But if enough NBs or otherwise pay the $29 there will be no seats for the WPs before row 6 it seems.

I didn't hear of this 'enhancement' from VA at any time.

VA sent emails to all (or most, at least the 5 Velocity members I know received them) and there was a public/news presser.

Note that before this (prior to check-in) rows 3-5 on 737's were only available online for WP in any case. For SG's available seats were generally from row 6 or higher

 

[Jet L]

Just going to give my opinion on YX... Maybe they should block row 3 for WP still and only sell 4 and 5 as YX until check-in then row 3 can be bought by anyone this was it gives WPs a chance to still get row 3... Holiday travelers generally book months out. Ill bet that over holiday time that rows 3 4 5 will be filled with NBs

 

[pauly7]

True, but let's just see that scenario actually play out, particularly before any WPs claim those seats / are autoallocated those seats (and subsequently blocked out from purchase). Maybe if you have no status, you can only purchase row 4 but not row 3; don't know, haven't tried.

I don't know whether the latest VA communication talked about the seats; certainly I only learned about it from the forums or news. It is on their website, albeit not splashed in glory on the home page.


As for pauly7's situation where it is any seat on the plane, not sure about that. Economy X only covers a select number of rows, and I don't think VA have started charging in general for seat selection (if you have no status).

I resolved my situation. Apparently an 'unconfirmed number of premium VA frequent flyers are affected' - being slugged $29 to select a seat anywhere including in business class... they are aware of the bug and until resolved can only call the call centre to allocate. Wonderful.

 

[Warks]

VA sent emails to all (or most, at least the 5 Velocity members I know received them) and there was a public/news presser.

Note that before this (prior to check-in) rows 3-5 on 737's were only available online for WP in any case. For SG's available seats were generally from row 6 or higher

How long ago was this? I read pretty much everything but can't see it in recent weeks. I thought I got all the promo emails (even though they prompt me to receive them every time I book a flight) but don't recall this one. There was a kerfuffle months ago where they tried to do something like this but it got kyboshed as I recall.

 

[anat0l]

How long ago was this? I read pretty much everything but can't see it in recent weeks. I thought I got all the promo emails (even though they prompt me to receive them every time I book a flight) but don't recall this one. There was a kerfuffle months ago where they tried to do something like this but it got kyboshed as I recall.

The only references in VA emails to Economy X I could find was a small info box included in the last couple of sale notice emails (e.g. #MatesRates, 48 Hour Escape to NZ).

I don't have a specific email from VA that announces Economy X.

I learned it faster through forums and AusBT (i.e. news).

I hadn't heard about the "issue" or "bug" affecting pauly7's situation.

 

[Jurahn]

How long ago was this? I read pretty much everything but can't see it in recent weeks. I thought I got all the promo emails (even though they prompt me to receive them every time I book a flight) but don't recall this one. There was a kerfuffle months ago where they tried to do something like this but it got kyboshed as I recall.

The only references in VA emails to Economy X I could find was a small info box included in the last couple of sale notice emails (e.g. #MatesRates, 48 Hour Escape to NZ).

I don't have a specific email from VA that announces Economy X.

I learned it faster through forums and AusBT (i.e. news).

I hadn't heard about the "issue" or "bug" affecting pauly7's situation.

Until today, I hadn't received anything about the introduction of Economy X either. "April VNews" landed in my inbox today and it has a lengthy blurb about it as follows:

Dear Ms. Jurahn,

In late March, Virgin Australia launched Economy X, a new product designed to provide more comfort and an enhanced travelling experience both on the ground and in the air across Virgin Australia’s network.
This product empowers Virgin Australia customers and Velocity members with more flexibility to tailor their travel. The benefits include:
A minimum of 3 inches extra legroom;
Preferred overhead locker space;
Priority boarding (where available);
Priority security screening (Domestic only, where available).

International Long Haul flights also include:
Priority check-in and boarding (where available);
Guaranteed first meal choice (Long Haul flights only);
Premium noise-cancelling headset (Long Haul flights only).


So whether you are travelling for business or leisure, the increased space on board and dedicated benefits will allow you to arrive ready. For more detailed information on Virgin Australia’s Economy X product and its benefits please visit the Virgin Australia website or read through our Program Update.

I look forward to providing you with more updates in the coming months.

Karl Schuster
CEO VFF

 

[Pleb Status]

For information, I received an email from VA at 13:34 AWST on 31 March 2017 titled 'Introducing Economy X'. This email gave a detailed description of the new product etc.

 

[HeavyElectricity]

Here's a copy of the first email regarding Economy X (also mentioned again in 'April vnews', as per above):

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Virgin need to update their mobile platform.

Log in to mobile platform. Need to go to full site because the mobile one is very, very limited in what it can do. Press full site button, go to full site, have to log in again.......

 

[Jurahn]

Here's a copy of the first email regarding Economy X (also mentioned again in 'April vnews', as per above):

Definitely didn't receive a similar email, although I note this particular email was targeted at WPs as it refers to "as a Platinum member. you and any travelling companions ...".