Points needed for flight increased?

[tickthelist]

Looking at doing a reward flight and it seems the points needed have dramatically increased. In this case I’m looking for a flight from Melbourne to Brisbane one way. The minimum number of points required as per the Virgin website is 11,800+$21.47 in taxes. However for the times I’m looking for, as well any other times in the next nine months I can find, the minimum price is 11,800+$116.39 or 31,200 points.

Looks like the number of points required for a flight has doubled! Am I missing something or has the value of points plummeted?

 

[oz_mark]

I'd be asking them for a breakdown of the 'taxes'. Something looks wrong with that number.

 

[tickthelist]

Yes, I will give them a ring, wonder if they are grabbing up other “fees” to boost their points/flt

 

[Mattg]

Goodness me, something is very clearly wrong with the Virgin website. I'm seeing taxes of $68.99 for a SYD-MEL economy reward seat or $160.19 for business, in addition to the correct amount of points. For this route with VA the taxes should be under $30.

 

[serfty]

 

[tickthelist]

I was looking at 23/3 but then randomly looked at a variety of dates out to October - all the same

 

[Mattg]

Here's one example I found..

 

[tickthelist]

Any seat is cheaper on many occasions

 

[oz_mark]

Mistake fares aren't always cheaper!

 

[tickthelist]

It seems to be an error on Virgin site, just booked it through Platinum Call Centre and got the flight for 16K points as it should be. The operator is registering a fault with the site

 

[Mattg]

It seems to be an error on Virgin site, just booked it through Platinum Call Centre and got the flight for 16K points as it should be. The operator is registering a fault with the site

That's good. The website is showing the correct number of points though - it's the taxes that are wrong. I assume you were charged the correct taxes as well over the phone?

 

[tickthelist]

Yes that’s right, just taxes/charges were wrong.

 

[serfty]

LAX International flights seem ok.

 

[Mattg]

LAX International flights seem ok.

Yes, it seems to just be domestic flights.

Some of the taxes being quoted though are borderline ridiculous (especially for business class). Here's another example..

 

[Fifa]

I have just been looking at SYD-BNE for April.
Points are correct but taxes run at $123.88

 

[Pleb Status]

All fixed now...

(Or at least SYD-PER on 01APR18)...

 

[Mattg]

All fixed now...

(Or at least SYD-PER on 01APR18)...
View attachment 119565

That's more like it!

 

[Fifa]

All fixed now...

Whew!
The taxes for my flight are now back to $25.73. Now to book...

 

[Fifa]

Whew!
The taxes for my flight are now back to $25.73. Now to book...

And now the taxes are $28.30!

 

[Mattg]

And now the taxes are $28.30!

OK, now I'm really confused. I've just had a look at the taxes that should be payable for BNE-SYD and it's $25.73 according to the fare breakdown on ITA Matrix.

But I've just checked a reward booking a made for BNE-SYD a month ago and I see that I was charged $28.30 (exactly what is now being quoted on the VA website). As far as I can tell, $28.30 is the correct amount if GST is charged on the taxes of $25.73. Is that correct practice?