Article: When Flying Ahead Backfires

[AFF Editor]

Canonical URL

https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/when-flying-ahead-backfires/

When Flying Ahead Backfires is an article written by the AFF editorial team:

When Flying Ahead Backfires

Fly Ahead is a great benefit for Velocity Gold and Platinum members flying Virgin Australia that can get you home faster... well, usually.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

You can leave a comment or discuss this topic below.

 

[Human]

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!

 

[Bolthead]

The last time I tried to fly ahead, the lady in the Sydney lounge had no idea what I was talking about. (about 6 months ago) I explained the concept to her and she had no idea. I asked was it because the flight was full and she said no. If I wanted to pay to change the flight she could arrange that. I gave up after that......

 

[MEL_Traveller]

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!

True… but it’s far more difficult in business class to wait until at the airport… tiny cabin and they start to process upgrade requests.

I was however in a similar situation to you where there was unexpected traffic on the way to the airport and it was going to be tight (arriving after boarding commenced).

That’s what prompted me to think of the ‘fly later’ benefit for platinums. The one thing that would remove a lot of stress and which I’m glad to see VA adopted when introducing Platinum Plus!

 

[AIRwin]

The last time I tried to fly ahead, the lady in the Sydney lounge had no idea what I was talking about. (about 6 months ago) I explained the concept to her and she had no idea. I asked was it because the flight was full and she said no. If I wanted to pay to change the flight she could arrange that. I gave up after that......

No others behind the desk?