Flexi Fares on Virgin Domestic flights

[richie9x]

I recently flew two domestic flights with Virgin as flexi fares. In the end I was a bit underwhelmed with what was offered.

The first flight on a 737-800 VH-VOM. This plane had live2air but with a refurbished interior, but an old paint job. From what I could tell all economy seats except for rows 3 and 4 had live2air. Yet supposedly with the flexi fare I paid extra to get IFE, yet the rest of the plane gets it for free. The FA delivered the food pack. It had a egg and mayonnaise wrap, that had lots of wrap but not much filling. Just a simple egg sandwich would have been better.

The return flight on 737-800 VH-YFJ. This plane has been in service less than a month and still had a new plane smell to it. Was very nice to have a new plane. Despite being on a flexi fare I wasn't offered any kind of IFE. Only after the flight I realised that I should have been offer an IFE option, some sort of portable player I gather. The FA then started the meal service, when they came to me they asked if I wanted anything from the menu. Only when I pointed out I had a flexi fare they gave me a food pack. But ended up with the same egg and mayonnaise wrap.

It just doesn't seem like much difference in service between flexi and saver fares. Yet the flexi fare is about twice the cost. It is hard to see the value in flexi fares.

 

[TonyHancock]

It is hard to see the value in flexi fares.

For me it is the half price points upgrade....I'm yet to fly Y with DJ.

 

[leemin]

half price points upgrade

I thought that had finished..?

 

[cmon0005]

I have had to fly with DJ twice in the last few days(with work,they only fly Dj), and keep getting offered the same horrible egg mayo wrap, it was the most horrible wrap I have ever eaten.

Only one good thing with DJ flexing fare is that I changed to earlier flights at the airport at the last minute and they always found me a seat.

but yes under whelmed by lack of IFE and food quality/variety.

 

[Boris spatsky]

And the fact it is not flexi. Bought a flight last week for tomorrow at $264, now to change it i get charged $55 as the flexi fare is now $319. Sorry guys, that is not a flexi fare!!! Call it a flexi saver like QF do, but don't tell me it is fully flexible, as it isn't!

 

[moa999]

I don't think IFE is a flexi fare benefit:
Economy | Virgin Australia

And on a short flight, I would prefer Row 3 in a refurb to Virgins old IFE any day.

A "cheap" flexi will always cost more to change time closer to the date as it will normally only be the most expensive fare bucket available...
However turn up at the airport (if moving forward) and you will get sorted on a flexi.

Agree the wraps are pretty darn average for the additional fare paid... Half price upgrades started again 1 August.

FYI - QF is often no different in this regard in changing flexi fares.

 

[Must...Fly!]

I thought that had finished..?

It had

It's back

 

[markis10]

And the fact it is not flexi. Bought a flight last week for tomorrow at $264, now to change it i get charged $55 as the flexi fare is now $319. Sorry guys, that is not a flexi fare!!! Call it a flexi saver like QF do, but don't tell me it is fully flexible, as it isn't!

It's Flexible, you just need to pay the fare difference, just like QF!

 

[leemin]

It had

It's back

Yay!

Just checked the website - blink and you miss it this time

 

[cmon0005]

And the fact it is not flexi. Bought a flight last week for tomorrow at $264, now to change it i get charged $55 as the flexi fare is now $319.

My last 4 flights I've turned up at the airport hours early a quick trip to the service counter and my flights were changed to an earlier one and boarding pass issued without any fuss. Very handy when your 5 hour meeting turns out to be a 3 hour meeting, and can go straight to the airport early!

 

[Boris spatsky]

I am going to test that out today!

 

[bullerdude]

I don't think IFE is a flexi fare benefit:
Economy | Virgin Australia

It is part of a Flexi Fare according to the fare types page: https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/plan/fare-types/domestic/#flexi

[h=2]Flexi Fare [/h]This is our fully flexible Economy fare. This fare gives you the flexibility to make flight changes without incurring fees. This fare can be cancelled and is fully refundable in most circumstances – at an applicable fee up to 24 hours after departure. The fully flexible Economy fare also gives you the included benefits of a checked baggage allowance of up to 23kg, Priority Check-in and food and drinks package onboard.
[h=3]In the Air[/h]

Cabin Class​	Economy
Food and Drink​	Food and drinks package included. Additional food and beverage available for purchase onboard.
Extra Legroom​	Seating with additional legroom can be purchased
In-flight Entertainment​	Available if offered onboard View our current in-flight entertainment programs View the full Terms and Conditions

 

[moa999]

Which I suspect is no different to the Economy page.
If onboard - ie an old aircraft with IFE, you get it - unless in Row 3 !!

The digiplayer units afaik are only for Business and not many are carried.

 

[anat0l]

It is part of a Flexi Fare according to the fare types page: https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/plan/fare-types/domestic/#flexi

[h=2]Flexi Fare [/h]This is our fully flexible Economy fare. This fare gives you the flexibility to make flight changes without incurring fees. This fare can be cancelled and is fully refundable in most circumstances – at an applicable fee up to 24 hours after departure. The fully flexible Economy fare also gives you the included benefits of a checked baggage allowance of up to 23kg, Priority Check-in and food and drinks package onboard.

This is the part that confuses me a bit. If the fare is fully refundable, that implies you can get everything you paid for back (with the possible exception of the credit card processing fee). But the fees and charges rules on the VA website say that if you cancel online (the best option), you are charged a Cancel Fee of $80. Or, is there a difference between a cancellation and a refund which I'm not taking into account here? (Perhaps, 'cancel' means you don't shift the fare to another flight yet, but it remains with you as an active PNR; cf. refund means the fare is credited back to your original form of payment and the PNR is 'deactivated' / 'lapses' / whatever the relevant term is here).

Which I suspect is no different to the Economy page.
If onboard - ie an old aircraft with IFE, you get it - unless in Row 3 !!

The digiplayer units afaik are only for Business and not many are carried.

I suppose someone on a Flexi fare next time should try requesting one and seeing what happens.

Alternatively, do the "smarter" thing and either cash in some points or a complimentary upgrade (VA Platinum only) and get it all and more.

 

[serfty]

DJ "Flexi" fares are NOT fully refundable!

There's a comprehensive thread on that here.

Posted on a wing and a prayer ...

 

[moa999]

They are fully refundable*

* Minus a hefty $80 cancellation fee, that is higher than the saver fares

The main difference is you can/cancel change up to 24 hrs after the flight, rather than 24 hrs before.

 

[bullerdude]

Which I suspect is no different to the Economy page.
If onboard - ie an old aircraft with IFE, you get it - unless in Row 3 !!

The digiplayer units afaik are only for Business and not many are carried.

Nope it doesn't say that - which is kinda confusing since you get it on the old refitted aircraft...

[h=2]Saver Fare[/h]

This is our discount Economy fare. It gives you the best possible price, but restricts your ability to change or cancel your fare. Saver fares are non-refundable – however they can be credited for later use (conditions apply).​

In-flight Entertainment​	Available for purchase if offered onboard View our current in-flight entertainment programs View the full Terms and Conditions

 

[bullerdude]

This is the part that confuses me a bit. If the fare is fully refundable, that implies you can get everything you paid for back (with the possible exception of the credit card processing fee). But the fees and charges rules on the VA website say that if you cancel online (the best option), you are charged a Cancel Fee of $80. Or, is there a difference between a cancellation and a refund which I'm not taking into account here? (Perhaps, 'cancel' means you don't shift the fare to another flight yet, but it remains with you as an active PNR; cf. refund means the fare is credited back to your original form of payment and the PNR is 'deactivated' / 'lapses' / whatever the relevant term is here).

Nope. You are charged the fee if you cancel/refund or whatever you decide to call it.

[h=2]Flexi Fare[/h][h=3]Online Changes and Cancellations*[/h]

Flight Change Fee	Any fare difference
Cancel Fee	$80

[h=3]Changes and Cancellations made via our Guest Contact Centre*[/h]

Flight Change Fee	Any fare difference
Name Change Fee	$80
Cancel Fee	$100
Refund Fee	$100
Baggage Service Fee[SUP]#[/SUP]	N/A
Guest Contact Centre Fare Difference^[SUP]&[/SUP]	N/A

 

[serfty]

DJ "Flexi" fares are NOT fully refundable!

There's a comprehensive thread on that here.

Posted on a wing and a prayer ...

Here's that thread: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....velocity/flexi-fares-not-so-much-33368-2.html

I'll merge them soon enough.

They are fully refundable*

* Minus a hefty $80 cancellation fee, that is higher than the saver fares

The main difference is you can/cancel change up to 24 hrs after the flight, rather than 24 hrs before.

You forgot the additional $100 that's payable should you want a refund to "Method of Payment". You have to contact the GCC for this, so the cancellation fee increases by $20 to $100 as well.

Bye Bye that $198 flexi fare (oh, you still owe us $2).

I noted this back in January:

Actually, the fees have changed.

It's now $100 ($80 online) cancel fee for a flexi and, if you want a refund to your credit card (rather than use the balance as credit) there's an additional $100 refund fee!:shock:

Domestic Fees and Surcharges | Virgin Australia

 

[kalboy]

Half price upgrades with points ... There is a God. THANK YOU. you have made my week..