New Virgin Australia fare categories

[Mattg]

Virgin has replaced its fare families. As some have predicted on here, the lowest fare category no longer comes with complimentary seat selection. It also doesn't come with a checked bag and earns fewer status credits.

Here are the inclusions for a CBR-BNE flight:



Getaway is now "Lite"
Elevate is now "Choice"
Freedom is now "Flex"
Business Saver is gone

All domestic flights still earn 5 points per $1 spent but there is a new status credit earn table: Virgin Australia



There are no changes to Velocity Reward Seat bookings, which still include a checked bag & seat selection.

More details here:

Virgin Cuts Bags, Velocity Benefits on New "Economy Lite" Fares

Virgin Australia has removed checked baggage, seat selection, a range of Velocity benefits, and reduced status credits, on its cheapest Economy Class

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[aus_flyer]

Was hoping VA would match QF (for Points Club members) and give SC to award bookings

 

[AIRwin]

As some have predicted on here, the lowest fare category no longer comes with complimentary seat selection. It also doesn't come with a checked bag and earns fewer status credits.

$20 extra on CBR-BNE for a "bundle" of seat selection, 23 kg checked baggage, 100 additional points, applicable points bonus, 10 additional status credits, eligible sector count and upgradeability...

 

[Must...Fly!]

From the T&Cs

Seat selection on Economy Lite fares will become complimentary within 3 hours of the flight’s scheduled departure, when checking in online or at the airport.

 

[Carrots]

$20 extra on CBR-BNE for a "bundle" of seat selection, 23 kg checked baggage, 100 additional points, 10 additional status credits, eligible sector count and upgradeability...

And $349 for a J seat... bargain!!

 

[HS-TQE]

Not really a surprise, considering that the 'return' of the 'lite fare' (Seat-only) was talked about way back in the early Scurrah era of VA mk 1.

 

[Mattg]

Another thing to note is that Economy Lite fares are not eligible for UpgradeMe Premium Bids.

And $349 for a J seat... bargain!!

In fact, it's $299 when booking at least 4 weeks in advance and still earns 55 status credits now.

 

[henrus]

This is worse than the old Virgin fares that didn't include a checked bag as those with status don't receive anything either.



Also going is the Fly Ahead option for Gold on Choice fares. This will remain available for Gold members on choice and then disappear on 13 Nov 2021 after which its only possible on Flex/Business fares but remain and option to Platinum status holders on Choice, Flex and Business fares.

Also seat select on lite fares is also only an option for Platinum status holders who will still get the usual options. On a lite fare, when not logged in it spits out $10 from BNE-CNS, logged in as Gold it shows further forward options but still $10, logged in as Platinum it shows all seats including Economy X as free.

Overall I see it as a way to provide further benefits to those with platinum status.

 

[henrus]

Also to top if all off there is another new website...

Virgin Australia | Bring on Wonderful

Fly with award-winning service and great value fares to popular destinations across Australia. We can't wait to welcome you onboard Virgin Australia soon.

beta.virginaustralia.com

 

[Carrots]

Given how easy (relatively and pre Covid) it was to gain Gold, creating greater differentials to Platinum is certainly a plus.

(unless you're a Gold )

 

[SYD]

The Accelerate email announcing the changes states:

“It will also bring Virgin Australia in line with most major US and European carriers.”

I’m not sure that’s a positive! Most enhancements come from them.

 

[jakeseven7]

The Accelerate email announcing the changes states:

“It will also bring Virgin Australia in line with most major US and European carriers.”

I’m not sure that’s a positive! Most enhancements come from them.

Lucky they are competing directly with so many major US and European carriers…

 

[oz_ally]

I was almost Gold and then Covid hit so although I got my Silver extended my SC dropped right down. Now I’m almost about to hit Gold for the first time I’m thinking it’s not going to be worth it

 

[kpc]

I hope I get an extension to my Va Plat status then

 

[Carrots]

I was almost Gold and then Covid hit so although I got my Silver extended my SC dropped right down. Now I’m almost about to hit Gold for the first time I’m thinking it’s not going to be worth it

Two words.... Lounge access .

The rest, outside of baggage allowance, to a large extent is irrelevant.

Oh and the Gold match to a Europcar/Hertz and IHG/Hilton - also handy.

 

[Mattg]

Overall I see it as a way to provide further benefits to those with platinum status.

Except that they're not actually providing any further benefits to those with platinum status. All they've done is remove benefits for everyone else.

 

[oz_ally]

Two words.... Lounge access .

The rest, outside of baggage allowance, to a large extent is irrelevant.

Oh and the Gold match to a Europcar/Hertz and IHG/Hilton - also handy.

Yeah that’s true because I do pay for it atm and it will be great to not have to - but it’s no good while the lounges aren’t open And even before this second wave of lounge closures it’s just not the same although they were starting to improve. The last time I was in Brisbane lounge it was takeaway only I don’t drive so the car one is no good for me but I will have to look into that Hilton one

 

[MooTime]

I like the changes, fare class names seem more relevant, Elevate & Freedom, where'd they come from, ha!

The showing of points to gain from each fare is a copy from QF if I'm not wrong, VA you always had to work it out or just be surprise.

Good changes & No complaints from me.

Could've been lot worse & gone el cheap so good stuff VA.

 

[kyle]

Virgin has replaced its fare families. As some have predicted on here, the lowest fare category no longer comes with complimentary seat selection. It also doesn't come with a checked bag and earns fewer status credits.

Here are the inclusions for a CBR-BNE flight:

View attachment 255915

Getaway is now "Lite"
Elevate is now "Choice"
Freedom is now "Flex"
Business Saver is gone

All domestic flights still earn 5 points per $1 spent but there is a new status credit earn table: Virgin Australia

View attachment 255916

There are no changes to Velocity Reward Seat bookings, which still include a checked bag & seat selection.

More details here:

Virgin Cuts Bags, Velocity Benefits on New "Economy Lite" Fares

Virgin Australia has removed checked baggage, seat selection, a range of Velocity benefits, and reduced status credits, on its cheapest Economy Class

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

Look very much like the options on a survey I completed a while back.

 

[kamchatsky]

Except that they're not actually providing any further benefits to those with platinum status. All they've done is remove benefits for everyone else.

This is VA2 and not VA1. We cannot have VA1 expectations anymore.