V Australia in J - Additional Cost for "Row 5"

[haydensydney]

I was curious about the possibility of booking Row 5 on VA SYD-LAX-SYD as the website says you need to book via guest services. I spoke with the VA team via phone just now and was told that for two seats, one way, the cost is $17,000.

So.... times this by two and a return trip to LA would cost $34,000.

Am I the only one that finds this ridiculous? I mean - I'm all for VA and the DJ group, but that is just obscene. Wouldn't one rather fly QF in F, or via SIN and get F suites on the A380?

I'm starting to value my Row 5 experience when flying HKT-BNE a few months back lol (TR is below, doesn't seem like $34k worth IMO)

Business Class: coughet - Brisbane on V Australia - FlyerTalk Forums

 

[tuppaware]

Seat Guru lists that row as a Bassinet Seat ...hmmm crying babies I think not

Regardless of the price. I would ring up again and ask another person.

 

[haydensydney]

I would ring up again and ask another person.

I was quite surprised when I spoke to them actually, I was expecting her to ask me for the dates I wanted to travel and was thinking that there might be a 20% increase on the full-flex J fare, but no - it sounded like she was reading off a chart somewhere.

She asked "how many seats" and I said "two". She instantly replied $17k each way.

 

[markis10]

Seat Guru lists that row as a Bassinet Seat ...hmmm crying babies I think not

Regardless of the price. I would ring up again and ask another person.

Row 5 is essentially a private cabin owing to its position.

 

[odysseus]

Maybe then it's cheaper if there's a larger group taking it (haven't looked at chart but I'm assuming it seats more than two).

 

[thegurio]

I think the issue is it's one way... I am looking at flights to LAX in July and on the same flights the one way price is $4300 and yet the 2 way price (on one leg) is $1440. Which sucks because i want to get MrsGurio and GrommetGurio one way on points with QF and the other way on DJ/VA and me pay both ways to get me closer to gold! It looks like the point gods have made my mind up by leaving it so late though.

 

[Dave Noble]

I was quite surprised when I spoke to them actually, I was expecting her to ask me for the dates I wanted to travel and was thinking that there might be a 20% increase on the full-flex J fare, but no - it sounded like she was reading off a chart somewhere.

She asked "how many seats" and I said "two". She instantly replied $17k each way.

The full fare business return is $14860 , so is about a 15% premium on the price. Perhaps they just keep those seats back for full fare passengers until day of departure

Dave

 

[haydensydney]

The full fare business return is $14860 , so is about a 15% premium on the price. Perhaps they just keep those seats back for full fare passengers until day of departure

Dave

Yes, but the $17,000 figure quotes was one way, whereas the 15% premium you mention is based on a $14k return figure.

Doesn't seem right, but if people (like Brittney Spears) want to pay a premium for their secluded cabin, good on them - I wish I could be so lucky!!

 

[anat0l]

Does the price mean you will get row 5 all to yourself? (That is, guaranteed no other pax)

In which case it might be on the ball park, but still a heck of a lot of cash to hand over just for J, even if it is that good and you get two complimentary limo transfers (one to origin airport, one from destination airport). Not on any point, but I'd also assume that this is a fully flexible booking (cancellable without any charges). I wonder if you would also get access to a special lounge or waiting area all to yourself (cf. QF First who even if they pay in cash still use the regular F lounge with other F pax and OWEs/WPs).

Too bad VA give you status credits based on mileage and class, not $$$ spent

My guess is that if you get row 5 all to yourself, for 2 pax that means another 5 seats that go begging. Had you said that 7 pax will take the row, the average cost may be less. For example, say it costs you $17k per pax for 2 pax taking row 5. That seems to correspond to $34k for the row. Divide that by 7 yields approximately $4.9k per pax. It'd probably be a wee bit higher than that in order to account for extra profit loading, but does that theory sound plausible?

Looks like you may want to try utilising your status to try and finagle row 5. It may mean, however, that you will have to share the exclusivity with other pax.

 

[dajop]

Yes, but the $17,000 figure quotes was one way, whereas the 15% premium you mention is based on a $14k return figure.

Aah, wasn't the $17K for two pax one way? So that would be $17K return for one pax, ie the 15% premium that Dave Noble was referring to.

 

[Travel Guru]

Does the price mean you will get row 5 all to yourself? (That is, guaranteed no other pax)

In which case it might be on the ball park, but still a heck of a lot of cash to hand over just for J, even if it is that good and you get two complimentary limo transfers (one to origin airport, one from destination airport). Not on any point, but I'd also assume that this is a fully flexible booking (cancellable without any charges). I wonder if you would also get access to a special lounge or waiting area all to yourself (cf. QF First who even if they pay in cash still use the regular F lounge with other F pax and OWEs/WPs).

Too bad VA give you status credits based on mileage and class, not $$$ spent

My guess is that if you get row 5 all to yourself, for 2 pax that means another 5 seats that go begging. Had you said that 7 pax will take the row, the average cost may be less. For example, say it costs you $17k per pax for 2 pax taking row 5. That seems to correspond to $34k for the row. Divide that by 7 yields approximately $4.9k per pax. It'd probably be a wee bit higher than that in order to account for extra profit loading, but does that theory sound plausible?

Looks like you may want to try utilising your status to try and finagle row 5. It may mean, however, that you will have to share the exclusivity with other pax.

What you'd get I assume is just 2 seats.

The way they have it configured (for those who haven't seen it) is that Row 5 is on its own behind the bar and lavatories, and is in a 2 3 2 configuration, with the 2's on either side having a curtain that can be pulled across to create your own private "cabin" within a cabin.

It would certainly be a good way to go for celebs/public figures, as would provide privacy when seating, but personally I don't think it's worth 17k

From what I could see when I flew in August, alot of the time when unoccupied its used by staff when resting, though i have had colleagues assigned row 5 on AD tickets and on standard J tickets, i guess the 17k is just if you want it guaranteed to you.

TG

 

[odysseus]

Ah, so much for the idea of the row being exclusive. Guess it's just all premium for the difference then.

 

[Mal]

It would certainly be a good way to go for celebs/public figures, as would provide privacy when seating, but personally I don't think it's worth 17k

Maybe it's priced that high to stop people from pre-booking it. It is the "celebrity" cabin, so they probably want it available at the last minute.

You too can sit in the seats that such icons as "Britney Spears", "Fergie"/"Will.i.am" (Black Eyed Peas) have used. Hopefully they're properly disinfected after some of the celebs have been there ...

 

[samh004]

Maybe it's priced that high to stop people from pre-booking it. It is the "celebrity" cabin, so they probably want it available at the last minute.

You too can sit in the seats that such icons as "Britney Spears", "Fergie"/"Will.i.am" (Black Eyed Peas) have used. Hopefully they're properly disinfected after some of the celebs have been there ...

If you can catch an STD from a toilet seat, I don’t want to know what you can catch from those seats

I know, I know…

 

[pauly7]

Maybe it's priced that high to stop people from pre-booking it. It is the "celebrity" cabin, so they probably want it available at the last minute.

You too can sit in the seats that such icons as "Britney Spears", "Fergie"/"Will.i.am" (Black Eyed Peas) have used. Hopefully they're properly disinfected after some of the celebs have been there ...

LOL I think you will find celebs will fly Qantas/United not Virgin.

 

[anat0l]

LOL I think you will find celebs will fly Qantas/United not Virgin.

At least one celebrity has flown Virgin.... besides, hasn't the UK PM switched to VS for travel? (Yes I'm well aware that Gordon Brown is not a celebrity...)

And who in their right mind would fly UA of all airlines? B grade actors? :mrgreen:

 

[Mal]

LOL I think you will find celebs will fly Qantas/United not Virgin.

Proper "celebs" ? or "half baked celebs". The ones I mentioned have flown V Australia and have had that row.

 

[Travel Guru]

LOL I think you will find celebs will fly Qantas/United not Virgin.

Why would they fly QF or UA over VA?

V Australia kicks butt...its certainly better than QF and no need to even mention UA.

I'm a OW SG, but i'd fly VA over QF anyday.

TG