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?

 

[foften]

I haven’t used it but I could see it having merit if you are coming in from overseas and book a later flight to ensure any delays in your original flight don’t cause you to miss your interconnect. If you come in early you can get the earlier flight. Would be particularly useful if you come into Sydney as delays on your outbound flight might cause you to miss Sydney curfew and have an overnighter in Sydney. That happened to us.

 

[Beano]

Not VA but QF. I had a flight booked MEL-SYD in the late afternoon. I arrived early and managed to change to an earlier flight. That flight was cancelled, a bit like you, so asked to be put back on the original flight. My original seat had gone so was at the middle of the plane in an aisle seat, generally OK. That flight was delayed so ended up in SYD later than the flight after my original one. QF can easily do the same as VA but my changes were easier!

 

[azizikhan]

This year I've used fly ahead quite often flying back to Melbourne from Sydney and Canberra and it's been quite seamless. I show up at the lounge. Ask the friendly persons, can I be put on this flight, cilckety clack, it's done. I've done it with 45 mins to the flight and it works fine. So far so good.

Ceveat : 1. I'm not fussed where they put me. I know it's best effort. As Platinum I usually get Economy-X seats.

Ceveat : 2. Once I asked for fly ahead and there were no business seats available so they got me the best economy x seats they could find. Which was nice.

 

[Simpic]

Haha, I was in the lounge with you and yes I agree with the desk agent!

We went into town for some food…. A long Saturday.

 

[Beano]

just a question, if you booked in J and could only get a Y, do you just have to wear it? No refund?

 

[Peter Riddell]

I had a similar situation flying MEL-SYD. Managed to get on a flight roughly 2hrs before my booked flight, only to have my "earlier" flight delayed by about 4hrs. And there were no seats and no way they would entertain getting me back on my original flight. I was quite unimpressed.

 

[Edge]

I flew ahead from ADL-MEL a few weeks ago, from a 17:50 to a 16:50 departure.

Due to an aircraft issue the “earlier” flight ended up departing at 22:30pm. Surprised it flew that night at all. Couldn’t “reverse” the fly ahead as all the other flights were full.

 

[Maz11]

My Fly ahead was also not successful. Arrived very early for my Sydney ‘ Brisbane’ Townsville flight. Asked at the counter about fly ahead and the lady at priority had no idea it was a thing, had to call a manager over and it all took some time but eventually had my earlier plane booked.

Headed straight there not long boarded the plane although there seemed to be some delay in take off and we left later than scheduled., flight seemed to deviate from path a bit.and There was storm activity outside flight was bumpy,
finally over the speaker “Its your pilot speaking , due to lengthy circling being unable to land due to storm activity, we dont have enough fuel ******RIGHT THERE FOR THAT SPLIT SECOND I WAS LIKE WHAAA YOU DONT HAVE ENOUGH FUEL !!1.
Then he continued speaking, we dont have enough fuel to continue circling so we have made the unfortunate decision that we have to return to Sydney, sorry for the bad news folks”.

So back to Sydney we flew and to add sour lemon I had to walk past the people queued up to catch my original flight ..which took off on time and landed in Brissy ok !!

At least we were put up for the night in Sydney but instead of a Fly Ahead it was a very much Fly way after, situation !!!

 

[PERLHR]

I think the issue here is the attitude of the staff member. Perhaps they should be reported in some form of feedback. Should.never get away with an attitude of disinterest. Perhaps a job change suggestion is next! I've only done fly ahead once...at ADL. In biz. Worked wonderfully.

 

[kevrosmith]

'Fly Later' is now a feature offered to Platinum Plus members, so I wonder if you would've been treated differently at the lounge if you were P+. And then also wonder (though highly doubt it) if you were declined because Fly Later is now a feature of P+. (I'm assuming you are not Platinum Plus member).

 

[MG1]

Thanks for sharing, Matt. An unfortunate, but interesting, situation.

 

[prelude]

I've probably used Fly Ahead around a dozen times, of which once my 'earlier' flight departed around 5 min after my original flight. I'd be pretty miffed if that had turned into a 6 hour delay.

Notable, however, I was once advised NOT to attempt a fly ahead (~2h earlier?) out of ADL, as the agent told me that the incoming flight had been delayed. Was very appreciative as my original flight ended up departing earlier than the target 'Fly Ahead' flight.

 

[chitown_boy]

Approached the service desk near Gate 34 at T2 Sydney at 2pm to see if they can assist with Fly Ahead with no status. Was referred to staff member at Gate 34 who very happily moved my SYD-MEL flight from 7:15pm departure to 4pm departure. Amazing service and all done with a smile, no status and on a cheapo Y reward flight ! I've tried and failed with QF even as a platinum (and gotten quite a patronising no when I tried in Brisbane recently).

 

[ozstamps]

Had a fly ahead in recent days ADL-SYD.

Called the day before just in case it might be doable.

Offshore agent says 'for SYD-MEL-BNE it can only be done 2 hours ahead'.

I commented - 'surely that means for flights BETWEEN SYD-MEL-BNE.'

Hear the gears turning in her head over that one, and she emailed me the earlier flight confirmation.

The flight I wanted was midday, and was wide open and would never have been an issue but pleased to get it done the day before.

 

[Mattg]

Not with Virgin Australia, but I attempted to fly ahead last Sunday on a Mexican airline and it most definitely backfired spectacularly.

I was in Guadalajara and booked to fly to Mexico City on a 6pm flight with Viva. Around 11am, the city got locked down and roads started to get blockaded, so I headed straight to the airport and switched to the next available flight, scheduled for 4pm.

By this time, the airport was temporarily closed due to the security situation (there was also a shooting scare in the airport). I won't go into the details here but these articles gives a bit of a summary:

Chaos At Mexican Airports, As Cartel Attacks After Death Of "El Mencho"

There's chaos in the Mexican state of Jalisco, as cartel boss "El Mencho" has been taken out by the military, leading to revenge.

onemileatatime.com

Cartel-linked violence sparks airport chaos in Mexico - AeroTime

Chaos at Puerto Vallarta/Guadalajara airports: Airlines cancel flights due to violence in Jalisco, Mexico, sparked by death of prominent drug cartel leader.

www.aerotime.aero

Around 2pm the check-in counters re-opened and I was able to check in and head airside. The scheduled departure time came and went, and there was no sign of the 4pm flight leaving. Eventually, around 7pm, it just disappeared from the airport screens and ultimately got cancelled.

I tried to rebook onto another Viva flight but the best they could offer was 8am the next morning. I rebooked onto that, and shortly after they cancelled that flight as well and rebooked me for Wednesday night (!). By this time, all other flights were fully booked and I had no way to book a ticket on another airline for that evening. There was no way to get out of Guadalajara Airport (even if there was, it wouldn't have been safe) and the airport hotel was fully booked, so I ended up sleeping on the airport floor and finally managed to get out at 11am on Monday, on a different airline.

The 6pm flight I'd originally booked did actually run, albeit with a ~4 hour delay. If I would have not changed to an earlier flight, I would have got out of there that night. That's with the benefit of hindsight, though - there was no way to predict that when I changed my flight!