Flexi Fare "enhancements"

[Aus ATC]

I don't often fly before 4.00pm (except in the mornings and that doesn't count for this question), but today flew BNE-MEL on a flexi fare at 3.00pm, expecting a glass of wine with my "meal". Was "politely" refused by the CSM (after checking with another flight attendant) and advised that only flights departing after 4.00pm qualified. Had a lemonade instead (and that was probably outside the rules based on the response!)

Checked the VA website after the flight and sure enough: "Flexi guests receive a gourmet meal incorporating signature Luke Mangan items and beverages – including complimentary beer and wine on flights departing after 4pm."

Is this a recent "enhancement", or am I just not flying enough during the day to have properly understood the rules all along?

 

[ash.1111]

This has always been the case. Lunch beverage options were juice and tea/coffee. Recently this was extended to include soft drinks.

 

[Noob]

As Ash has said this has always been the case - it matches the QF offering on CityFlyer flights after 4pm.

 

[serfty]

Could you have purchased any?

 

[Aus ATC]

Could you have purchased any?

Yes - available for purchace.

Thanks folks - my misunderstanding. I guess there is a slight reduction in product differentiation now between flexi and saver fares now the latter offer free drinks after 4.00pm weekdays between capital cities (not counting Hobart) - again matching QF.

 

[pshepvic]

Saver only offer coffee tea and water, not wine.


Sent from my iPhone using AustFreqFly app

 

[UP4014]

Yes - available for purchace.

Take a $100 note and offer it up, it's surprising how many times the crew can't change it (or can't be bothered) and give you the drink.

Matt

 

[mja]

Was on the 6.30 SYD -MEL tonight. Ordered a wine and was asked for my credit card......when I queried it, was told in very snippy terms that free wine and beer is only available between 4pm and 7pm. I pointed out that the hour delay wasn't really my fault, but was met by general huffiness.

Guess all the weather related delays put everyone in a bad mood.

How fondly I look back at when platinum first arrived, personal greetings, a seat in PE 99% of the time, your wine's on us tonight Mr MJA.......Now a middle seat in row 4 ( with 2 vacant in row 3), a dude the size of Texas in the aisle seat (and half of mine), no IFE (anyone know why they still walk down offering headsets??) and paying for your grog.

Oh, and to top it off, they had no plastic wine glasses loaded, so got to drink it from a coffee cup.

 

[Baguss]

As Ash has said this has always been the case - it matches the QF offering on CityFlyer flights after 4pm.

Though don't QF offer free wine and beer on all flights (expect first flight) between SYD - PER ? (Probably all East to West coast flights, though I'm unsure)

 

[777]

How fondly I look back at when platinum first arrived, personal greetings, a seat in PE 99% of the time, your wine's on us tonight Mr MJA.

Bloody hell you had a rosy introduction. Been op-up'ed to PE exactly once, and had the free wine exactly almost never. This sudden deterioration in standards you are noting is probably just the law of averages catching up with you i expect.

 

[oz_mark]

Yes - available for purchace.

Thanks folks - my misunderstanding. I guess there is a slight reduction in product differentiation now between flexi and saver fares now the latter offer free drinks after 4.00pm weekdays between capital cities (not counting Hobart) - again matching QF.

Not quite - Qantas don't seem to pull the plug on the drinks at 7 pm.

Though don't QF offer free wine and beer on all flights (expect first flight) between SYD - PER ? (Probably all East to West coast flights, though I'm unsure)

From lunchtime - not on the breakfast flights, so a couple of the early flights can miss out.

 

[LiamR]

Bloody hell you had a rosy introduction. Been op-up'ed to PE exactly once, and had the free wine exactly almost never. This sudden deterioration in standards you are noting is probably just the law of averages catching up with you i expect.

I've been op-up'ed a little more than that (Then again, I fly out of a heavily loaded Y destination lots) but I can certainly remember getting special treatment early when Platinum first launched.

I put it down to having little Platinums and crew being excited about the enhancements. Am I angry? No? Am I receiving every written benefit? Yes.

 

[dfcatch]

I should think that you would receive the wine on a 6:30 sched. Flight regardless of actual departure time

 

[pshepvic]

Was on the 6.30 SYD -MEL tonight. Ordered a wine and was asked for my credit card......when I queried it, was told in very snippy terms that free wine and beer is only available between 4pm and 7pm. I pointed out that the hour delay wasn't really my fault, but was met by general huffiness.

Guess all the weather related delays put everyone in a bad mood.

How fondly I look back at when platinum first arrived, personal greetings, a seat in PE 99% of the time, your wine's on us tonight Mr MJA.......Now a middle seat in row 4 ( with 2 vacant in row 3), a dude the size of Texas in the aisle seat (and half of mine), no IFE (anyone know why they still walk down offering headsets??) and paying for your grog.

Oh, and to top it off, they had no plastic wine glasses loaded, so got to drink it from a coffee cup.

I was sitting 2 rows behind you! The service on the flight last night was probably the worst I've seen in a long time - they were rude, flustered and rushed. Even though I had my Flexi meal in front of me the FA serving drinks still said "would you like to purchase a drink from the menu?" to which I replied "no, but I'd like the drink I'm supposed to get with my meal".


Sent from my iPhone using AustFreqFly app

 

[mja]

I've been op-up'ed a little more than that (Then again, I fly out of a heavily loaded Y destination lots) but I can certainly remember getting special treatment early when Platinum first launched.

I put it down to having little Platinums and crew being excited about the enhancements. Am I angry? No? Am I receiving every written benefit? Yes.

Takes more than that to get me angry..........just an observation.

 

[dfcatch]

Sounds like a rogue flight with rogue service - feedback time

 

[Justinf]

Sorry for the bump but didn't want to start another thread.
I flew SY-MEL at 6pm on a Tuesday with my 11-year-old.
I was offered a complimentary beer or wine. Cool! I had a beer. I asked for a lemonade for my daughter and was asked to $3 in payment. Only booze and water available for the freebies.
My question is, while the 4-7pm grog service is good for me, what about people who do not drink alcohol or those who are too young to imbibe? Not complaining, just asking a legit question.
Side question: do flights departing at 4pm get the free drink offering or does it have to be 4.15pm or whatever? I am on a flexi fare departing SYD-MEL on a Friday and was just wondering.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

what about people who do not drink alcohol or those who are too young to imbibe?

This has been raised in the past and I thought it was resolved positively. Obviously not.

 

[williamsf1]

Side question: do flights departing at 4pm get the free drink offering or does it have to be 4.15pm or whatever? I am on a flexi fare departing SYD-MEL on a Friday and was just wondering.[/QUOTE]

I often depart BNE-SYD at 1600 hrs and free beer/ wine is offered

 

[jaspon]

Sorry for the bump but didn't want to start another thread.
I flew SY-MEL at 6pm on a Tuesday with my 11-year-old.
I was offered a complimentary beer or wine. Cool! I had a beer. I asked for a lemonade for my daughter and was asked to $3 in payment. Only booze and water available for the freebies.
My question is, while the 4-7pm grog service is good for me, what about people who do not drink alcohol or those who are too young to imbibe? Not complaining, just asking a legit question.
Side question: do flights departing at 4pm get the free drink offering or does it have to be 4.15pm or whatever? I am on a flexi fare departing SYD-MEL on a Friday and was just wondering.

You may be confusing the flexi fare entitlements with the capital city services.

I am pretty sure that Monday to Friday between mainland capital cities with flights which have a scheduled departure time between 4pm - 7pm, complimentary beer or wine is served to all economy guests.

With the flexi fare, guests who have purchased that fare type always receive a complimentary non alcoholic drink and if after 4pm, a beer or wine.
And of course all guests receive complimentary tea, coffee and water on all flights at all times

I guess in the case of minors, its tough luck, in regards to a free soft drink, unless they are on a flexi fare.
Obviously its just the way they have created the service standards.
Maybe some direct feedback/suggestion to VA is required