Introducing Virgin Blue's new A330 Service

[lovestotravel]

Step by step seems to be their approach, "carrot & ".....Still, they are getting there, while QF seems to be cutting back on a lot of things "enhancements"....

Yes maybe I have been too harsh... In fact yes I have been too harsh...

Qantas loves to "enhance" their product...

Virgin Australia wants to "improve" their product!

 

[Jurahn]

Ohh, good point, I didn’t read between the lines.

In that case, who knows. Though considering how they treat people with PE tickets on rogue aircraft, I’d be thinking downgrade and fare difference.

That's what I'm wondering - we're already booked (and paid!) to fly PE later in the year PER-SYD-PER (flying PE SYD-LAX-SYD with V Australia, so booked in PE on the domestic legs as well) so wonder what will happen if our PER-SYD-PER flights end up being A330s? All flight schedules for that time still show 737s, as I guess they'll wait and see which flight times end up being the best to run the new A330s before they change the schedules for later in the year. I guess that's one of the things DJ have to sort out with this roll-out, so will be interested to see the reply back from Virgin Blue once the answer's known on this one!

It's a huge help having someone like Virgin Blue on this forum, especially when it comes to things like this

 

[straitman]

Nope, Mods who are DJ Gold go first

:mrgreen:I resemble that remark :!:

 

[apophis21]

I've have booked to go on the first flight from Perth to Sydney on the 26th and am really looking forward to it was almost tempted to buy business class, but have gone with Blue Zone whY. It seems the price for blue zone has dropped as well was only $35.00 I think it used to be $50.00 on this flight so that's a bargain, plus got a happy hour fare for $139.00. I'm not a frequent traveller as it's only for leisure but am quite loyal to DJ and am looking forward to seeing the new aircraft.

 

[serfty]

OT: The difference between a "thread" and a "forum"

I hope so, lets try to get as many interested as possible. I've created a forum http://www.australianfrequentflyer....11/sat-28th-may-syd-mel-29342.html#post422970

Move all conversations regarding the matter to there?

ummm.... yes.... *wonders how to do that?*

Oh, you can't. A moderator needs to do that...

But all future conversations about the flight can go in it's new forum.

of course! just as i expected

Actually, its called a "Thread".

A forum is composed of one or more threads and perhaps, one or more sub-forums.

... and on this site, only Admin can create "Forums/Sub-forums".

 

[ChrisCunard]

We are looking forward to proving to you that we are able to execute that same outstanding service within the confines of the business class cabin.

Thanks for the reply. I'd love to try the J cabin (as well as Y) aboard DJ's A330's, however with Velocity refusing my request for status match and QP access on all my QF flights it will be at least 2014 before I do, sadly.

For me the free access to exit seats from booking due to QFF membership (in Y - 200cm tall) and QP access are just too good to pass up.

 

[samh004]

Thanks for the reply. I'd love to try the J cabin (as well as Y) aboard DJ's A330's, however with Velocity refusing my request for status match and QP access on all my QF flights it will be at least 2014 before I do, sadly.

For me the free access to exit seats from booking due to QFF membership (in Y - 200cm tall) and QP access are just too good to pass up.

You can try J and get access to their lounges included in your ticket, you don’t need a status match to try it.

Sorry, but what a load of BS. Not everything is free in life, and nor does it need to be.

 

[ChrisCunard]

Sorry, but what a load of BS. Not everything is free in life, and nor does it need to be.

Wow, okay... You don't need to lecture me on the merits of paying your way in life. Here a few pointers to get you off your high horse:

• Firstly, QF have always been exceptionally good to me, so there's very little incentive to change.
• Second, why lose valuable points and status credits to DJ Red when they could go to my QFF account. If DJ had status matched, it would have made more sense to move flights there (rather than starting from scratch).
• Third, the company all fly QF so to try DJ, the incentive would need to be good.
• Fourth, I have no hard feelings that the status match request was denied and will likely try DJ when my QP membership ends or I fall below Gold / Platinum (if they come) at QF, as mentioned the pros of QF out weigh the benefits of changing.
• And finally, not everyone can fly J when ever they want to (despite loving the idea of trying it), so Y + Exits + QP are a good combination - plus the build up of QFF points make JASA possible.

So not BS, just my opinion. You might not agree but that doesn't excuse you being rude.

 

[Moopere]

Not everything is free in life, and nor does it need to be.

To quote Ryan Bingham....

"Theres nothing cheap about loyalty"

To even have status to be matched you'd have to have paid your way, therefore, nothing being spoken of here is 'free'.

 

[ChrisCunard]

Thank you!

 

[Reggie]

Wow, okay... You don't need to lecture me on the merits of paying your way in life. Here a few pointers to get you off your high horse:

• Firstly, QF have always been exceptionally good to me, so there's very little incentive to change.
• Second, why lose valuable points and status credits to DJ Red when they could go to my QFF account. If DJ had status matched, it would have made more sense to move flights there (rather than starting from scratch).
• Third, the company all fly QF so to try DJ, the incentive would need to be good.
• Fourth, I have no hard feelings that the status match request was denied and will likely try DJ when my QP membership ends or I fall below Gold / Platinum (if they come) at QF, as mentioned the pros of QF out weigh the benefits of changing.
• And finally, not everyone can fly J when ever they want to (despite loving the idea of trying it), so Y + Exits + QP are a good combination - plus the build up of QFF points make JASA possible.

So not BS, just my opinion. You might not agree but that doesn't excuse you being rude.

Samh004 comments aside, with the 5 points you make above, why did you want the status match? From my reading above, you wouldn't have flown enough with them to requalify if given the status match.

Also Qantas has treated you well, why leave them. Qantas haven't treated me well (or as well as they use to / should do / I expect them to), so I went off to try the competition. I have found the competition to be more than satisfactory, and as such give them some of my business, (not all, they don't service everywhere, or at the same times as QF). My PE flights give lounge access, and I will qualify gold with DJ well within my membership year.

 

[DJ332]

So not BS, just my opinion. You might not agree but that doesn't excuse you being rude.

Perhaps the notion that you won't be sampling DJ's offering at all until 2014 sparked that reaction. Surely you could at least try their new product at some point, even if it meant not diverting all your travel to them? You may feel that QF have an unbeatable offering (I certainly don't, but I won't hold that against you), but why write DJ off entirely? DJ appear to have entered a new era where they want to cater to the business traveller and be the airline of choice, particularly in the domestic market - why not give them a go?

 

[ChrisCunard]

That's a fair point Reggie.

A few reasons made me consider trying DJ again (used to fly them when they first started ops and like most of the Virgin / Richard Branson companies so was a keen supporter in those early years).

As for today; Curiosity. Been following their rebrand with interest (as we all have) so am curious. Also I must admit to being a bit nervous about the future of QF. While I have always had positive experiences (and the few times I've been put out by QF they have compensated very professionally) I see a lot of question marks regarding their future - more so since starting to read this forum re: 'enhancements'.

So I figured it might be worth finding out if DJ would status match and thus I could justify giving their new product a try (given my current QFF status goals and QP membership etc). The rest of my story on this has been documented above so I won't dwell on it any longer.

 

[ChrisCunard]

DJ332 when I asked for the status match I had some forthcoming business travel to book. The 'no' reply resulted in it not being worth (IMO) booking DJ.

A 'yes' would most certainly have resulted in me 'giving them ago'. My QP membership expires in 2014 so that's where that date comes from.

Anyway, that aside, I'm not saying anyone else shouldn't try DJ and I may give it a try before then if circumstances change (I'm not holding anything against DJ), I'm just saying for me, at the moment, it makes no sense to abandon QF given status, ability to achieve Gold (mainly flying Y), paid QP while in Silver and positive experiences in the past.

This compared to DJ blue, a rather care free / stock standard reply to my query about status matching and no lounge / free exit access in Y, just doesn't stack up for me, at this present time. No one else needs to agree.

Cheers.
Chris.

 

[samh004]

So not BS, just my opinion. You might not agree but that doesn't excuse you being rude.

I think your attitude in this thread at times has been rude too, so pot calling the kettle black there I’m afraid.

To quote Ryan Bingham....

"Theres nothing cheap about loyalty"

To even have status to be matched you'd have to have paid your way, therefore, nothing being spoken of here is 'free'.

True, loyalty is expensive, but a status match is cheap, free even, as the loyalty you gained was not to the airline you’re matching to. And in this case, the OP hasn’t even flown them recently, I think that’s probably the rock bottom of zero loyalty.

Further, it was expected in order to try it out. I’m not sure here, but I have a feeling if you go round to most airlines in the world and say you’re planning on booking a lot (or some - let’s say enough to re-qualify the top level) of business travel with them, "give me top-tier status"… they’ll laugh or just not respond. So why do we assume Virgin Blue is stupider than any of them?

And if you on the other hand think that other airlines would comply, the world is your oyster, prove me wrong, after all, you’ll be getting a good deal out of it, not me.

Post directed at anyone FYI.

Anyway… aren’t we meant to be discussing the new A330 here?

 

[oz_mark]

Further, it was expected in order to try it out. I’m not sure here, but I have a feeling if you go round to most airlines in the world and say you’re planning on booking a lot (or some - let’s say enough to re-qualify the top level) of business travel with them, "give me top-tier status"… they’ll laugh or just not respond. So why do we assume Virgin Blue is stupider than any of them?

While I agree that most won't just give it away, I do think that the idea of fast-track challenges as a way of assisting people from other programmes to move up quickly is good. (Bringing this back to the A330). DJ are doing this in a way with the gold promotion with the new DJ business class on the A330 where you are, if you will, fast tracked to gold. Not only do you need to say you will fly them, you have to demonstrate at least some willingness to put your money where your mouth is.

 

[Moopere]

True, loyalty is expensive, but a status match is cheap, free even, as the loyalty you gained was not to the airline you’re matching to. And in this case, the OP hasn’t even flown them recently, I think that’s probably the rock bottom of zero loyalty.

Yep, thats true. I guess though in a case like this where the contender is trying to steal market share from the incumbent (_if_ indeed thats what they are trying to do) then you really need to entice good customers away from that incumbent.

The best customers to have are the ones who have status, because they obviously pay and keep paying. You don't only want unhappy customers moving across, nor do you only want the mobs of swinging voters who will go with the daily cheapest fares.

Its a big ask of a customer to ignore their long and hard built up status to try another vendor in the market where they will simply disappear back into the masses again - I'd suggest its too high a bar to expect those who are potentially going to become your _best_ customers to cross.

Status is almost always held year to year, if we ignore for a moment lifetime status (a related but probably different business case). Aiming at premium customers then, and throwing them a bone which at least puts them on an even standing to their current vendor will make the transition easier for those inclined to try and removes what I'd suggest is a _major_ impediment to these high value customers moving loyalty to you.

Worst case is that they don't like your product and move back to where they are comfortable. Its cost you almost nothing because if they don't like you then they won't be using much of the 'free' status services you have matched for them. If they do like your product then they need to get their bum on your seat otherwise their status with you will slip in the following year.

There is potential for annoyance with your existing customer base who have worked hard to get their status with you, and this shouldn't be ignored - but an acceptable middle ground that allows you to expand into premium product with premium passengers has got to be found else your strategy will only pick up 'churning' customers and will probably, overall, fail.

 

[notzac]

There is potential for annoyance with your existing customer base who have worked hard to get their status with you, and this shouldn't be ignored - but an acceptable middle ground that allows you to expand into premium product with premium passengers has got to be found else your strategy will only pick up 'churning' customers and will probably, overall, fail.

I think DJ has found their acceptable middle ground in form of a status fast track -- IIRC the current offer is 2 x SYD-PER returns in J = Velocity Gold. Certainly much cheaper than it might otherwise be if you look at the cost to get to Velocity Gold through domestic DJ flying; it's also neatly targeted at the no-doubt-highly-valuable premium transcon traffic that QF currently has a stranglehold on.

I would expect to see other offers for status matching and status fast track over the course of the next two years.

 

[DJ737]

Hi there

The A330's will also be out and about on MEL-SYD-MEL services on saturday evenings from 28th May, both A330's will be operating as they are scheduled to pass each other between MEL & SYD, plenty of $79 "GO" fares available on these flights.