Has any QFF's switched over to Virgin, or may?

[pauly7]

Jack, we can see that you are a Virgin Fanboi, and that's great. I've always said each to their own and what suits you.

However Virgin don't do everything better than Qantas. So please stop beating that drum. I've had some great meals on QF and some average ones. But I've never had a frozen meal or one I couldn't eat.

And Qantas isn't "twice the price" of Virgin, sometimes QF are cheaper, sometime Virgin are. And alot of the time they are around the same!

/end rant!

Plus 100. Getting weary of the spam from the new fan bois.

Facts are good. Opinions are fine. Stupidly one sided and untrue comments over and over again destroys real and healthy discussion.

 

[Awesom Andy]

I find it hard to compare prices, and different airlines obviously have different promotion periods (unless discounting for competiton's sake). Then, I would also have to look at, if I'll be checking in luggage, and if I'll be getting food on-board. Say, if I'm doing the 90min SYD-MEL dash, I would most likely be using DJ's base rate for comparing prices. But if I'm going to PER for a week or 2, then I would most likely using the price with the add-ons. There's no golden rule as to who is cheaper, just what is the best fare of the day for the fare with the features I need. While having QP membership changes my own formula a little bit, I'm not prepared to forgo massive savings for the lounge.

 

[JohnK]

That's why Virgin have introduced flexi fare types. Id much rather Virgin's fresh clean food then Qantas ridiculous servings and frozen. But thats your opinion, in a year i would say why would you travel on qantas for twice as much when there is a better product on virgin.

Flexible airfare types? Why? I would rather have all inclusive airfares instead of the silly add-on airfares ala LCC style.

Would you like to sit or stand? Would you like some water? How about something to eat? Luggage? Insurance? OLCI or airport check-in? Printed boarding pass? Select a seat? Use the toilet? Read a magazine?

And you are absolutely sure Virgin provides fresh clean food? Just as well you did not mention healthy then. Remember the chicken wraps?

And the Qantas product is still streets ahead of the Virgin product and funnily enough Qantas is cheaper for my travel needs.

 

[Limewood]

Another problem in changing over is the credit cards, if one has say ANZ QFF one, it can be a real pain.

 

[notzac]

Flexible airfare types? Why? I would rather have all inclusive airfares instead of the silly add-on airfares ala LCC style.

You actually answered your own question - DJ's flexi fares include 23kg baggage (across multiple bags if that's your thing), food onboard and priority check-in. See: View All Fares | Virgin Australia

 

[notzac]

Another problem in changing over is the credit cards, if one has say ANZ QFF one, it can be a real pain.

Yup .. I'm struggling with this at the moment. I've found the new Velocity Platinum AmEx card to be a good replacement for my QF Ultimate AmEx card, but still struggling with the Woolies card .. I could have the Virgin Money card, but that means dealing with Citibank -- something I'm trying to avoid.

 

[JohnK]

You actually answered your own question - DJ's flexi fares include 23kg baggage (across multiple bags if that's your thing), food onboard and priority check-in. See: View All Fares | Virgin Australia

And how do they compare with QF red e-deals which are all inclusive?

 

[notzac]

And how do they compare with QF red e-deals which are all inclusive?

Price wise they don't (at face value, not considering anything for the flexibility of the fare), but you asked why there would be interest in a flexible fare in the first place -- which is what I answered

The other thing worth thinking about is that corps would generally receive a discount of some sort on the face value of the ticket in exchange for volume purchases, which would also be a consideration.

At the end of the day it's different horses for different courses .. you've made it fairly clear that DJ's fares don't suit you, so I understand where you're coming from. For my part, I almost never eat on the plane for dietary reasons and luggage isn't a concern either way, so it's not an issue for me personally.

 

[markis10]

Another problem in changing over is the credit cards, if one has say ANZ QFF one, it can be a real pain.

What do you mean, you can change cards with ANZ to any other ANZ card very easily, so changing to an ANZ Rewards Platinum card thats uncapped that earns 3 Velocity points per $ spend (AMEX) is pretty easy. Spend $2500 on the card, get 7500 velocity rewards points which can then be redeemed for a one way J flight SYD-PER (+150 cash)!

[h=4]How to change your card type[/h] Complete the Change your credit card type form (PDF 156kB) and return it to ANZ.

 

[MarkD]

I have found that VA Flexi tend to have cheaper flexi fares closer to the date of travel than similar QF fares. At the end of the day its not only price that comes into play, its also the timing, and the options for flight changes on the route you are travelling, which essentially is the reason for buying a flexi fare anyway.
Luggage, as a gold is included so I can ignore that cost, and on short haul, ive had a snack in the lounge anyway

 

[Noob]

And how do they compare with QF red e-deals which are all inclusive?

Why would you compare a discount economy fare on QF which is all inclusive with a flexible fare on VA which is all inclusive??? Obviously the flexible fare will be more expensive....

 

[medhead]

Well if I want to fly ADL-SYD on 22 august (first available rededeal) at 6am (both airlines have a flight at this time) the red e-deal is $209 and DJ flexi is $235. If I want to fly sooner then it is flexi on QF @$279 vs DJ flexi @$265 or $235 on a Monday.

Going out to November QF ready @$209 bs DJ flexi @$235.

 

[markis10]

Well if I want to fly ADL-SYD on 22 august (first available rededeal) at 6am (both airlines have a flight at this time) the red e-deal is $209 and DJ flexi is $235. If I want to fly sooner then it is flexi on QF @$279 vs DJ flexi @$265 or $235 on a Monday.

Going out to November QF ready @$209 bs DJ flexi @$235.

Or 6900 velocity points + $50 odd! Award availability is a consideration and a valid alternative if you commute when there is good availability!

 

[medhead]

Or 6900 velocity points + $50 odd! Award availability is a consideration and a valid alternative if you commute when there is good availability!

Totally. I've neatly timed my awards for school holidays.

 

[nlagalle]

Why would you compare a discount economy fare on QF which is all inclusive with a flexible fare on VA which is all inclusive??? Obviously the flexible fare will be more expensive....

JohnK's point is that even the dic economy fare as all inclusions, Virgin doesn't.. so it works out cheaper for him (baggage etc).

 

[JohnK]

Why would you compare a discount economy fare on QF which is all inclusive with a flexible fare on VA which is all inclusive??? Obviously the flexible fare will be more expensive....

Because once I purchase a cheap VA airfare and add on everything then I may as well be purchasing a flexible fare which of course is more expensive than the cheap airfare on QF which is all inclusive.

Anyway we could be going around and around in circles comparing airfares and what is best for each individual....

 

[MarkD]

I think the big thing is the flexi fare is changeable, where a red-e deal is not, so comparing similar classes would be best. As JohnK said, we could go round in circles all day comparing the different fares at different time.
Bottom line, if you prefer VA you will choose them, If you prefer QF, they get the sale, If you want to go to one of the regional ports that are only serviced by QF (at this stage) then it will be QF all the way. That is the part that VA will struggle with. Usually 2-3 times a year, I need to go to Dubbo. A major inland centre, and I have to fly QF (or REX), so for ease of transfers etc, I will choose QF BNE-SYD-DBO. No way I would do VA BNE-SYD, then out collect bags, check in again, back through security (Even though they will depart from the VA terminal in SYD)..... you get the idea. However for BNE-SYD only, well, Id go VA. So until they can sort out their regional network connections, and through connections, they will fail to make any REAL impact on corporate clients, who would prefer to use one carrier for their air transport.
Thats just how I feel about it

 

[777]

If you want to go to one of the regional ports that are only serviced by QF (at this stage) then it will be QF all the way. That is the part that VA will struggle with. Usually 2-3 times a year, I need to go to Dubbo. A major inland centre, and I have to fly QF (or REX), so for ease of transfers etc, I will choose QF BNE-SYD-DBO.

Fair enough. Alternately you may need to go to one of those obscure coastal centers like, say, Newcastle or the Gold Coast (Australia's 2 largest non capital cities) regularly which has been a reason why quite a few folks have taken their business to VA.

 

[MarkD]

Fair enough. Alternately you may need to go to one of those obscure coastal centers like, say, Newcastle or the Gold Coast (Australia's 2 largest non capital cities) regularly which has been a reason why quite a few folks have taken their business to VA.

Thats right. I use whoever works for me, for what I need to do. Newcastle would be VA as would any flts exOOL and any intercapital flights ( except drw- that flt time is so awful) would also be VA. Because that is what WORKS FOR ME. Everybody has different needs and will see things their own way. My way is to pay whichever airline provides the service I need when I need it (excluding jetstar or tiger, have tried j* once and never tiger~ would rather drive or take the bus).


Damn you iphone and fat fingers. Sent from my iphone and AFF app )

 

[drron]

I think the big thing is the flexi fare is changeable, where a red-e deal is not, so comparing similar classes would be best. As JohnK said, we could go round in circles all day comparing the different fares at different time.
Bottom line, if you prefer VA you will choose them, If you prefer QF, they get the sale, If you want to go to one of the regional ports that are only serviced by QF (at this stage) then it will be QF all the way. That is the part that VA will struggle with. Usually 2-3 times a year, I need to go to Dubbo. A major inland centre, and I have to fly QF (or REX), so for ease of transfers etc, I will choose QF BNE-SYD-DBO. No way I would do VA BNE-SYD, then out collect bags, check in again, back through security (Even though they will depart from the VA terminal in SYD)..... you get the idea. However for BNE-SYD only, well, Id go VA. So until they can sort out their regional network connections, and through connections, they will fail to make any REAL impact on corporate clients, who would prefer to use one carrier for their air transport.
Thats just how I feel about it

But DJ has an interline agreement with Rex.I have used it flying from MCY to Mt.Gambier and Burnie.Dont have to pick up your bags.