Fly Ahead - love it

[jneufeld]

I think MEL is the only lounge in the country where this would work as the lounge in landside before security. I don't imagine you would be allowed to take your full complement of luggage airside to go to the lounge in cities where it is airside. The exception may be going to the SYD Premium Entry front desk to get your flight changed then heading back round to bag drop.

 

[medhead]

I think MEL is the only lounge in the country where this would work as the lounge in landside before security. I don't imagine you would be allowed to take your full complement of luggage airside to go to the lounge in cities where it is airside. The exception may be going to the SYD Premium Entry front desk to get your flight changed then heading back round to bag drop.

I've done the same in SYD. Where access to the premium entry for fly ahead eligible passengers makes the process rather quick.

 

[justcallmeryan]

I've done the same in SYD. Where access to the premium entry for fly ahead eligible passengers makes the process rather quick.

That's what I thought could work. The BNE lounge is also not that far from security...

 

[Deleted member 29185]

The BNE lounge is also not that far from security...

Too far to just nip up there and leave baggage unattended and you wouldn't be able to take it all through with you..............perhaps you may have meant BNE lounge is not that far from having a premium entry ? (OT but I also heard a whisper that they are going to have baggage check in at the premium entry....I hope that rumour is correct)

 

[justcallmeryan]

Too far to just nip up there and leave baggage unattended and you wouldn't be able to take it all through with you..............perhaps you may have meant BNE lounge is not that far from having a premium entry ? (OT but I also heard a whisper that they are going to have baggage check in at the premium entry....I hope that rumour is correct)

Of course this would only work with baggage that 'could' pass as carry on. My roller bag today was a bit larger than I felt comfortable taking as a carry on, but no doubt others would have.

 

[mmikeemike]

I've never had an issue using Fly Ahead with checked baggage. Have done it multiple times in Mel and Syd (once via the transfer desk at the intl term).

 

[Eggsbenedict]

Yep, no issue with fly ahead with checked bag's

I've never had an issue using Fly Ahead with checked baggage. Have done it multiple times in Mel and Syd (once via the transfer desk at the intl term).

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Yep, no issue with fly ahead with checked bag's

I have the feeling the only issue is to enable VA to say no due to time frames. I have only once missed a fly ahead due to checked luggage and that plane was full. As it turned out, one pax didn't turn up and the lounge angel tried hard to get me on it, but it was not possible at T-15 with a checked bag. Makes sense (and it was an ATR, so no loss....I got to stay on a 738)!

 

[Demon_fan]

I managed a little 'work around' of the Fly Ahead baggage issue today which I thought I'd share (we all love a good 'work around' don't we?). Apologies if already been discussed before.

Today I landed in MEL at 10.45am from BKK on JQ. I had a separate VA ticket booked MEL - SYD for 4pm allowing some extra time in case of delays and being on separate PNRs/airlines. With an on time arrival at MEL, and after clearing customs, I made my way over over to the VA lounge at about 11.30am and requested Fly Ahead. The lovely lounge attendant managed to move me from a 4pm departure to a much more civilised 1pm - saving me 3 hours of extra waiting around. Once I received my new boarding pass, I left the lounge and went back up to the bag check area and checked my bag. Somewhat of a round about way of doing it, but certainly worthwhile trying now and again!

Note: I imagine this wouldn't work if I had been moved forward to a flight that was within the 30 minute cut off for checking bags, but this morning I had enough time.

LOVE LOVE LOVE Fly Ahead.

On a side note, I got to use the MEL showers for the first time and was pleasantly impressed. The facilities are pretty good for a domestic lounge!

Why wouldn't you just go to the check in counter originally?

Every time I've had luggage, I just got straight to the check-in counter and have been put on an earlier flight. No need to go to the lounge.

 

[justcallmeryan]

Why wouldn't you just go to the check in counter originally?

Every time I've had luggage, I just got straight to the check-in counter and have been put on an earlier flight. No need to go to the lounge.

I thought that it was only the lounge angels that could move you to an earlier flight? In the early t & c's that was certainly the case?

 

[Eggsbenedict]

I do a huge amount of Virgin domestic flights always on the cheapest fare and almost always booked on a later (Cheaper) flight and then "Fly Ahead" sometimes 5 hours or more earlier (Regularly)

I have

- NEVER had problems with checked baggage
- Checked in at the Lounge as much as normal priority checkin
- Flown ahead the DAY BEFORE (Saver fare)
- Flown ahead on a connecting flight when booked on the direct
-Flown ahead on the direct when booked on the connecting
- Upgraded the later flight with points then flown ahead on an earlier flight that had no reward availability
-Flown ahead AFTER the flight had departed; read missed my flight completelty and was put on the next flight (Saver Fare)

My experience is, if there is a seat you will get it.

-

I thought that it was only the lounge angels that could move you to an earlier flight? In the early t & c's that was certainly the case?

 

[SimonF]

I do a huge amount of Virgin domestic flights always on the cheapest fare and almost always booked on a later (Cheaper) flight and then "Fly Ahead" sometimes 5 hours or more earlier (Regularly)

I have

- NEVER had problems with checked baggage
- Checked in at the Lounge as much as normal priority checkin
- Flown ahead the DAY BEFORE (Saver fare)
- Flown ahead on a connecting flight when booked on the direct
-Flown ahead on the direct when booked on the connecting
- Upgraded the later flight with points then flown ahead on an earlier flight that had no reward availability
-Flown ahead AFTER the flight had departed; read missed my flight completelty and was put on the next flight (Saver Fare)

My experience is, if there is a seat you will get it.

-

I was told recently on two occasions they do not allow you to change from connecting flight to direct and vice versa. One check in agent told me flying connecting flights was more expensive than direct implying I was trying to scam the system. I was like I think you need to look at your fares because that's not the case.

 

[Eggsbenedict]

I will admit to my connecting/direct changes being in Hobart where they seem more laid back. Maybe also due to be a WP

I was told recently on two occasions they do not allow you to change from connecting flight to direct and vice versa. One check in agent told me flying connecting flights was more expensive than direct implying I was trying to scam the system. I was like I think you need to look at your fares because that's not the case.

 

[SimonF]

I will admit to my connecting/direct changes being in Hobart where they seem more laid back. Maybe also due to be a WP

Hobart was one of those two airports that gave me that spiel. Got told it recently changed. Even spoke with the supervisor.

 

[justcallmeryan]

I do a huge amount of Virgin domestic flights always on the cheapest fare and almost always booked on a later (Cheaper) flight and then "Fly Ahead" sometimes 5 hours or more earlier (Regularly)

I have

- NEVER had problems with checked baggage
- Checked in at the Lounge as much as normal priority checkin
- Flown ahead the DAY BEFORE (Saver fare)
- Flown ahead on a connecting flight when booked on the direct
-Flown ahead on the direct when booked on the connecting
- Upgraded the later flight with points then flown ahead on an earlier flight that had no reward availability
-Flown ahead AFTER the flight had departed; read missed my flight completelty and was put on the next flight (Saver Fare)

My experience is, if there is a seat you will get it.

-

WOW!!! I clearly need to get more adventurous in my flying with VA..... Thanks for that.

 

[toowongman]

I was told recently on two occasions they do not allow you to change from connecting flight to direct and vice versa.

Lazy agent. Anecdotally speaking they'll get you on the next flight (or put you on the direct if you're originally connecting) if you ask nicely and there's matching capacity. I've been booked on the last flight out form SYD on Sunday nights for a few weeks now and instead turn up at 2pm and leave on the 3 or 4pm. Internally I think they call it "show and go".

 

[SimonF]

Lazy agent. Anecdotally speaking they'll get you on the next flight (or put you on the direct if you're originally connecting) if you ask nicely and there's matching capacity. I've been booked on the last flight out form SYD on Sunday nights for a few weeks now and instead turn up at 2pm and leave on the 3 or 4pm. Internally I think they call it "show and go".

Interesting. I tried everything. I don't get the inconsistency but I guess according to the rules changing the route isn't allowed.

 

[andye]

Very pleased with VA on Friday.
Were flying SYD-ADL to watch Junior Beach Volleyball champs. Schedule change meant that we would have missed two of son's matches if we had caught the planned second flight of the day.
Arrived at SYD early and allowed to fly ahead, even though SG+4NB with 2 checked bags. Also allowed into lounge though over quota.
Made it for the start of the first game (did lose row 3 seats though )

 

[andye]

It was also a split booking: me+2 on a saver, 2 children on Amex complimentaries

 

[Edge]

Flew ahead yesterday from TSV - MEL.

Original booking was TSV-SYD-MEL, changed without a problem to TSV-BNE-MEL on a saver fare with no additional cost.

Love fly ahead. Helped me avoid Sydney (don't think there would've been a delay in hindsight) and got me home 2 hours earlier to see my daughter.