I often use Fly Ahead on Friday nights before weekend visits to Sydney — I book the 7:30pm MEL-SYD flight months ahead, because flights at or after that time are usually cheaper (and sometimes I do get held up at work), but more often than not I Fly Ahead on the 6:30pm or 7pm flight.
Earlier this year I learned a valuable lesson.
I called earlier in the day on Friday and asked to be moved to the 6:30pm flight, which Virgin duly did. But driving to the airport I encountered not one but two car crashes on the way. Traffic was moving at a very slow crawl and it was clear that I wasn’t going to make the 6:30pm flight.
While stuck on Bolte Bridge, I called Virgin and begged.
“I’m so, so sorry to do this to you but I called earlier and was put on the 6:30 flight but there have been two car accidents on the way and traffic is at a standstill and I’m sorry to ask but is there any chance at all you can put me back on my original 7:30 flight I’d be so grateful and I’m so sorry again to ask but I’m just not going to make the 6:30…”. Or words to that effect.
After being on hold for maybe 10 minutes, the agent told me that he’d put me back on the 7:30pm.
The lesson: even though Platinums can change their flight by phone, it’s much safer to get to the airport before asking for an earlier flight!
www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au
