Does anyone still think VA is superior?

[grubbidok]

I was just thinking that when I came across your post.

As for me I have always thought QF was superior to VA however having said this I can't remember the last time I flew with QF. I have just assumed that QF has a bigger international network with more options for lounge access.

This thread really does show how YMMV and how subjective the whole "what is better" thing actually is.

Funnily enough, I don't actually think either airline is better in terms of product. To me - as a Y BIS - both QF and VA are the buses of the sky and while elite status makes it a little nicer, it doesn't turn a bus into a limo.

The difference for me was even at no status or mid-status when the s**t hit the fan on a few bookings QF told me to get stuffed, whereas VA couldn't have been more helpful. I started moving my business to VA as a result (and started flying more) and although I've had a few minor foibles with VA over the years I've found that when real stuff does go down they do always try and rectify it as best they can.

Can't comment on QF anymore as I haven't flown enough with them to see if they've improved. I get a little disappointed on some of the enhancements, but then I also remember that the QFF has been through enormous negative changes too and the QFF of a few years ago that can be romanticised isn't the one I'd be moving to if I jumped ship today.

 

[JohnK]

Another price consideration is credit card surcharges on domestic and international flights.

Using QF gift vouchers avoids those surcharges fairly effortlessly and conveniently (plus there is the annual bonus points offer and recurrent Amex statement credit offers). The same cannot be said for VA gift vouchers based on my recollection of them.

There is no credit card surcharge using VA gift vouchers apart from final booking using that gift voucher where part payment using credit card is required to complete booking.

Unless of course you can get the gift voucher balance down close to zero. When credit card surcharges were $7 or more I tried getting gift voucher balance as close to zero as possible and forfeit the residual balance.

 

[cove]

The redemption site is still clunky but Virgin has the J seats when QF has none.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

VA is currently an absolute dogs breakfast. I've said it before and here I go again, why is it that most people see it except those that matter?

Having said that, I like the following about VA:

1. I actually really like the fact VA don't tend to upgrade as I enjoy a semi-full J cabin. QF is full all the time IME, which makes VA a better experience. I'd already decided that I'll buy more VA J if they bring out another sale soon.
2. VA food in J is better presented and possibly marginally better, but still tending on boring.
3. VA protect the J cabin better (especially on disembarkation)
4. VA do priority boarding better
5. I was very pleasantly surprised just yesterday when I had to change one of my VA J sale flights booked almost a year ago. The web suggested a fare difference of $250 was payable so I rang the GCC and the lady looked at it (expressed surprise that I still had J sale bookings left from early last year) and then said the fare bucket was still available and changed the flight with no fare difference nor GCC fee. That reminded me of the VA of a few years ago where yes was uttered more than no.
6. Point tnf to SQ seems like a winner. I've got a growing balance of QF points and all I seem to hear is that it's difficult to use them.
7. How's this for being a pleb ... I like the one LCC hangover that suits me ... the ability to use a CC rather than cash. The VA Y "food" offering sucks big time, so buying a drink or two is not a hassle to go searching around for cash (as you have to do on QF)
8. Keep QF honest. No VA would be a disaster to the AU flying industry.
9. The 10% discount

I like the following about QF:

1. The J seats are better, except I like the larger armrest that VA have.
2. Service is more polished.
3. Easier all round experience
4. I'll be interested to see what the new BNE Dom lounge is like. I'm assured it will be a "premium" product ... whatever that means. The old one was ordinary, but so to is the VA lounge, albeit more modern.
5. I actually like the fact I can use JQ to fly CNS-OOL and earn QF points and SCs
6. Life time status. VA has a huge void in their retention policy. Once you reach plat, apart from gifting status, the SCs go to waste.
7. The bonus points or SCs upon reaching certain levels (forgot what they call it)
8. Aquire (not that I'm currently that interested in it, but the discount is handy)

For me, family pooling is really neither here nor there, nor is fly ahead (they used to be, just not so much anymore), but my decision to grow my QF status was certainly a wise move. My strategy to show neither much loyalty has had an excellent side effect, that being for me to become almost blasé about both of them and fly the one who suits me best on the particular day of the week.

I now just pray for ongoing dom J sales so I don't really have to decide whether to keep status or not, that just arrives regardless.

 

[jackthomas]

I've always been a VA fanboy, however have held status with both.
I think VA ground staff are superior, more friendly and helpful. QF staff always seem a big rigid and distant in my experience.
QF lounge offerings are generally better, however I much prefer VA lounge designs.
Being younger, I always feel more 'welcome' on VA and in their lounges, on QF it often feels unwelcoming to younger status members and PAX. (in my experience)

VA Domestic J catering and service is miles ahead of QF, QF Y catering miles ahead of VA.

 

[kamchatsky]

I have been trying fly VA for work whenever I can, my main reasons are:

- Easier to qualify for VA Gold/Plat, especially I can book Elevate fares due to Gateway fares being non-refundable, not to mention earning SCs on Coles shopping;
- I get either exit row or row 3 80% of the time as EY Gold when I go to the counter at check-in to ask for those seats; I would have no chance in QF as there are so many QF Plats and P1s around;
- Fare is definitely cheaper than QF for all my work routes, so I am spending less than most of my colleagues who always choose QF;
- VA has more reward seats on VA metal than QF; as QF Nothing I could hardly see any reward seats availability on the routes I wanted as they are only available to elites;
- Ability to transfer VA points to SQ: This is a big winner as I can use VA points to book Suites and Business Class seats at 350 days ahead. This is especially important at peak dates such as Christmas and New Year; I have already transferred about 200K to Krisflyer to redeem 4 J Savers, and will transfer more for another leg shortly;
- Premium entry at Sydney airport is fantastic. I skip all the queues and straight into the lounge. It saves so much time;
- They keep QF honest. Last thing I want is another post Ansett era;

So yes, VA is definitely better for me in experience than QF right now. I do need to go for VA Gold though once my EY Gold expires at end of March. I don't want to start QF elite marathon at the bottom.

Ironically, I will fly QF in 2 days time because VA's flight is actually full. So let's see if recent QF Y is better than VA Y or not. Admittedly I did quite enjoy QF J SYD-ADL about 10 months ago as it was on their newly refurbished 737s.

 

[grubbidok]

Being younger, I always feel more 'welcome' on VA and in their lounges, on QF it often feels unwelcoming to younger status members and PAX. (in my experience)

And you can wear thongs in the lounge!!! *ducks*

 

[jackthomas]

I'm actually a large supporter of QF's Lounge dress code, wish VA enforced the same.

 

[Jet L]

I wish VA enforced a dress code it bothers me when someone is in board-shorts a singlet and thongs... Its an airport lounge not a pub, at least look presentable

 

[Strategic Aviation]

There is no credit card surcharge using VA gift vouchers apart from final booking using that gift voucher where part payment using credit card is required to complete booking.

Unless of course you can get the gift voucher balance down close to zero. When credit card surcharges were $7 or more I tried getting gift voucher balance as close to zero as possible and forfeit the residual balance.

Basically how I remembered it, and much more convoluted or virtually impossible to redeem 100% value with no additional costs.

I also seem to recall that a credit card payment fee applied to purchasing the gift voucher itself previously (a couple of years ago). Now there's a $2.75 "processing and handling fee" per voucher.

 

[JohnK]

Basically how I remembered it, and much more convoluted or virtually impossible to redeem 100% value with no additional costs.

I also seem to recall that a credit card payment fee applied to purchasing the gift voucher itself previously (a couple of years ago). Now there's a $2.75 "processing and handling fee" per voucher.

Doesn't Entertainment card give 5% discount but you can now only purchase 1 gift voucher per year?

 

[Milefest]

I wish VA enforced a dress code it bothers me when someone is in board-shorts a singlet and thongs... Its an airport lounge not a pub, at least look presentable

The pub down the road from me has a stricter dress code than the VA lounge...

 

[pauly7]

The pub down the road from me has a stricter dress code than the VA lounge...

Nominated: Post of the year

 

[straitman]

Nominated: Post of the year

We need to see a list of the other entrants.

 

[Jet L]

The pub down the road from me has a stricter dress code than the VA lounge...

Hopefully VA will see this and start enforcing the smart casual rule that is published on their website but I doubt it, most pubs do have a no thongs or singlets dress dress code which is great but in this case it's just sad

 

[bean]

Hopefully VA will see this and start enforcing the smart casual rule that is published on their website but I doubt it, most pubs do have a no thongs or singlets dress dress code which is great but in this case it's just sad

Mehhh if Im coming home from Fiji I'm hardly going to be wearing pants and sneakers. But fifos in dirty work boots and fluro is another story..

 

[grubbidok]

Hopefully VA will see this and start enforcing the smart casual rule that is published on their website but I doubt it, most pubs do have a no thongs or singlets dress dress code which is great but in this case it's just sad

Did not mean to kick of the thong wars of 2016 all over again but if I'm honest, the relaxed dress code of the VA lounges is a benefit of VA over QF for me. Agree with bean, would rather have stndards based on cleanliness (and behaviour) than on fashion standards.

 

[kamchatsky]

Just flown QF today from CBR-SYD departing at 5pm. My observations:

- QC at CBR (I have a lounge pass) is quite similar to VA Lounge at CBR in food and drinks offerings, just a lot more people and bigger. VA's one is actually more quiet.
- QF gave me exit row when I go and ask on the counter, even though I am QF Nothing status.
- QF gave me cheese and crackers and also a soft drink. To me similar to a bag of pretzels and drink from VA on equivalent flight.
- Inflight entertainment is wireless, same as VA, except QF has slightly better range of movies.

So with these, I would still stick with VA only because it is easier to get Gold than QF. It would take me a lot more flights to get to Gold. I am not see much more superior service and offerings from QF over VA in short domestic sectors.

 

[OzEire]

Software drink huh Kamchatsky. Did you have a Coke Xero ?

 

[rtyuiop]

Agree with bean, would rather have stndards based on cleanliness (and behaviour) than on fashion standards.

Words to live by! If someone nearby is wearing thongs and behaving well it impacts me in no way, but if they're a loud idiot in a suit it would be great to have them moved...