Idea's for further Virgin and or Velocity benefits

[777]

I don't think this will work. A lot of lateness is nothing to do with VA but say weather conditions: fog, thunderstorms, volcanic ash etc.

At the end if VA is constantly late no business will fly them anyway so that is enough deterrent.

Yes, it'd be extremely tough on the airline if an airport is out action for unrelated reason - fog, storms, ATC strike (or as i experienced at NTL once because the RAAF has a plane stuck on the runway for 4 hours) and then every follow on flight in the network is late as a result. In my experience it's relatively rare for a delay to be entirely the fault of the airline - weather, ATC, etc. are often more likely to be the cause.

 

[dandandan]

My annoyance with Virgin is their insistence on having to call the GCC to redeem a voucher (say for a cancelled flight) & then having to pay the standard GCC fare and not the website fare. Now some of you might say too bad but if I have not other option but to call the GCC because I can't redeem the voucher online then why should I pay extra? Of course attempting to explain this to the GCC staff member made no difference. It does sour the Virgin experience slightly when you feel like you're being gouged a little by their ghosts of LCCs past.

With this type of credit, you should get the website fare. Our family had a $5,000 credit given as compensation and every time we rang to use we got the internet fare rate.

 

[dandandan]

I reckon you are getting through to the wrong person at the other end of the line? is this something new where they won't allow it?

I have paid the difference to go from Saver to Premium (Before the rollout of Business) about 3-4 times in the past few months, only once was I told there was supposed to be a fee, they then put me through to the other department (Not sure which way it was sorry) and they just charged me the difference.. have I just got lucky?

Would be good if Virgin could respond as to why the majority of people that have responded here have been able to upgrade from Saver to Business with no change fee not just once but many times and both times I have done it I have been charged.

 

[Jama]

I don't believe that fare changes to higher fare class fares should incur any fees regardless of status. If changing a saver fare which is booked on the basis that it is a discounted fare with restrictions thats different. I also don't think Flexi fare changes should incur fees even if it is just a flexi to flexi change. You should be getting some benefits for a flexi over just buying the cheapest fare available and it is called FLEXI meaning it is supposed to be flexible.

 

[r.dunn]

I think waiving the change fee to upgrade a booking is a great idea, but as suggested, the issue then becomes people who upgrade just to cancel with a full refund. I take your point that a new fare rule could be added saying Saver fares which are upgraded still incurr a cancellation fee, but implementing this would be difficult as you would need either: (a) a new fare class with unique fare rules; or (b) to rely on call centre operators to read the history of every booking before making a cancellation. I think it's much easier just to ring the Gold/Plat call centre and asking them to waive the fee (and if you don't get a yes, then you can always ask to speak with a supervisor...it works when I call Telstra!).

Now, what would I like to see? I think it would be awesome if you could buy Virgin merchandise in the Rewards Store...eBay doesn't accept Velocity Point as payment!

 

[dfcatch]

I think waiving the change fee to upgrade a booking is a great idea, but as suggested, the issue then becomes people who upgrade just to cancel with a full refund. I take your point that a new fare rule could be added saying Saver fares which are upgraded still incurr a cancellation fee, but implementing this would be difficult as you would need either: (a) a new fare class with unique fare rules; or (b) to rely on call centre operators to read the history of every booking before making a cancellation. I think it's much easier just to ring the Gold/Plat call centre and asking them to waive the fee (and if you don't get a yes, then you can always ask to speak with a supervisor...it works when I call Telstra!).

Now, what would I like to see? I think it would be awesome if you could buy Virgin merchandise in the Rewards Store...eBay doesn't accept Velocity Point as payment!

Not difficult at all.

QF do it just fine.

 

[day-heg]

Things I'd like to see in the future...

• Platinum Comp Upgrades to be available from saver fares... lets face it, lots out there (inc me) have earned Plat the hard way on BFOD Saver fares - as per a company policy. Sorta sucks not being able to use the upgrades I have definitely earned - ie no status matches here!!

• Points upgrades on VA long haul - hopefully to come with the new IT system. Also, given the limited options (ie MEL/SYD to LAX & SYD to AUH), how about opening up points upgrades on partner airlines...EY, DL, VX, VS, SQ etc etc

• Some sort of life time status recognition, a la QF. Another way to 'lock' customers into the brand, and don't stop at LTG, offer Platinum as well. Even if the level is really high, it will keep people interested... Maybe make a point of difference from QF by doing it on sectors flown with VA only (and VB, VA PB, PB, etc from yesteryear.) eg. when you've taken a 1000 flights, they'll give you Platinum love for ever!

Anything else anyone...?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

eg. when you've taken a 1000 flights, they'll give you Platinum love for ever!

I like that concept. Give a reward to those who've shown continual loyalty over many years, as well as those who "spend big" in the short term.

A bit like HH, multiple ways of gaining (and retaining) status ie, No. of nights, No. of stays or No. of base points! DJ could be No of SCs or No. of flights (on DJ metal of course). I might then have a chance of making plat!

 

[Jama]

Given that Accor's AClub seem to pretty readily make status recognition available to other companies members I wouldn't mind seeing AClub Platinum and AClub Gold available as a benefit to Platinum and Gold members respectively.

 

[smithym]

Given that Accor's AClub seem to pretty readily make status recognition available to other companies members I wouldn't mind seeing AClub Platinum and AClub Gold available as a benefit to Platinum and Gold members respectively.

You can get AClub gold via Velocity, well kind of. Sign up to the europcar privilege program via your velocity gold or plat acc. AClub will then give you Gold from your europcar status.

 

[Jama]

You can get AClub gold via Velocity, well kind of. Sign up to the europcar privilege program via your velocity gold or plat acc. AClub will then give you Gold from your europcar status.

Thanks for the heads up. I am a Gold AClub member already. Would be nice to be eligible for Platinum AClub based on my Platinum Velocity membership. Also there are many who did not choose Europcar as a bonus so AClub would not be benefit for them unless it was a direct benefit.

 

[mannej]

I think waiving the change fee to upgrade a booking is a great idea, but as suggested, the issue then becomes people who upgrade just to cancel with a full refund. I take your point that a new fare rule could be added saying Saver fares which are upgraded still incurr a cancellation fee, but implementing this would be difficult as you would need either: (a) a new fare class with unique fare rules; or (b) to rely on call centre operators to read the history of every booking before making a cancellation. I think it's much easier just to ring the Gold/Plat call centre and asking them to waive the fee (and if you don't get a yes, then you can always ask to speak with a supervisor...it works when I call Telstra!).

Now, what would I like to see? I think it would be awesome if you could buy Virgin merchandise in the Rewards Store...eBay doesn't accept Velocity Point as payment!

I know JQ allows you to upgrade, but with the original fare conditions. So that would rule out refunds etc.

 

[lovestotravel]

I have been thinking about this quite a bit recently!

My thoughts is to copy the Qantas FF program and reward those that fly lots, It's great to hit Platinum but then what ?

Gold/Platinum for your partner, but that's it....

There should be a Lifetime Silver/Gold/Platnium level so that every single flight moves you towards this level of recognition!

Also a bonus of say 5000 FF points for every 250SC's earned would also be nice.

As it stands, I'll hit Platinum soon with VA and I'm Gold on Qantas....

At least with Qantas every single flight I take moves me closer to some bonus FF points and also lifetime Silver/Gold with Qantas


:mrgreen:

 

[VOZZY]

Ok I have and Idea for a great new Velocity Benefit. Velocity Members will LOVE it, QANTAS wont match it (as they are so uptight about this kind of thing) and it wont cost VA a cent.

When you hit 2000 Status Credits

Once a year you can order the captain to perform a Barrel Roll.

When you hit 2500 Status Credits

Once a year you can order the captain to Loop The Loop.

When you hit 3000 Status Credits

Once a year you can order the captain out of the captains seat and YOU get to fly the Loop the Loop.


Are you with me.

Vozzy

 

[medhead]

And when the wings fall off half way around the loop or roll? It becomes a rip off scam


Sent from the Throne (80% chance) using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[VOZZY]

And when the wings fall off half way around the loop or roll? It becomes a rip off scam


Sent from the Throne (80% chance) using Aust Freq Fly app

That kind of damage will just buff out. Else we can sit a couple of Velocity Red members out on the wing with some Cable Ties, Gaffa Tape and a copy of 737 Wing repair for dummies

TC

 

[aurora]

Be able to book Virgin Flyer CC 2-4-1 flights online. Its an absurd waste of time to have to spend 20 minutes on the phone to book them when you can book velocity points redemption flights online.

i'm disappointed that i can't "like" this post more than once! (redundantly clicks the like button multiple times anyway)

 

[mavrick9]

[h=2]Idea's for further Virgin and or Velocity benefits
[/h]
What about a Mini Bus/10 seat van (with Leather seats and those bus curtains that make it just that little bit fancy) that picks up GOLD/WP/BUS CLASS PAX from Collins St, Melbourne, or George St Sydney and drops them at the Virgin terminal every half hour from 6-10 am ... ish.. Monday to Friday? and return.

This would cover quite a few of the bus travellers going from CBD to CBD (SYD-MEL). Just show your Gold Card etc and you're on the van..

just a idea...

 

[notzac]

Actually, one thing I'd like to see is VA implement some form of In-Town Check In, perhaps in conjunction with the train operators at BNE and SYD, and Skybus at MEL.

So long as you buy a ticket for the train or bus, you could use ITCI to get rid of bags in the morning and enjoy the rest of the day before heading to the airport etc..

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I'd like the iPhone boarding pass.

Only tried the SYD-BNE once and it didn't work.