Is the "Fly Ahead" benefit removal actually being enforced?

[ozstamps]

Not sure when the Benefit was allegedly to be dropped. 'Latter 2016' as I recall.

If the stated implementation date has passed by, as I assume it has, any member reports on whether in practice it is enforced?

Or is it like many published "Rules" - followed in a fairly ad-hoc manner, based on Phases of the Moon, and mood of the agent?

Bringing forward a flight for a Plat same day needed the airport agent to be empowered to do it, and the old system clearly allowed it.

Maybe they coded it not to approve any more or maybe it was not amended.

Appreciate any recent member input. :mrgreen:

 

[Pleb Status]

The old fly ahead rules are still in force until 30 November 2016. New rules from 01 December 2016.

Source - Clause 23.5 of the T&C

https://www.velocityfrequentflyer.com/content/ProgramBenefits/TermsConditions/#memberbenefits

 

[Falcs]

Looks like it's removed from Getaway fares but no change otherwise?

 

[deva22]

Looks like it's removed from Getaway fares but no change otherwise?

This is my understanding also.

 

[Milefest]

Used fly ahead 4 times last week on a getaway fares. Although the rules aren't in force yet, I haven't had any warnings which I was surprised about. It's actually a huge benefit to lose for most people (considering that getaways cost just as much as the standard savers used to be).

 

[SuzieQ68]

My last flight with VA was early November and I requested a fly ahead on a getaway fare. As SG, was allowed to fly ahead, but was politely advised that as at 1 December that flying ahead on a getaway fare (regardless of status) would be enforced. Guess that means tomorrow.....

 

[ozstamps]

I feel pretty sure that fares bought BEFORE December 1 will be OK, with a smile and a "what new rule" - but going forward who knows. :?:

 

[OzEire]

I will try tomorrow heading back to CBR. Booked a Flexi at about 5pm but did most of my work today so can go early. I will let you know if it flies!

 

[OzEire]

Well no good news to report, but not all bad either.

My booking was BNE to CBR via SYD so the offer to fly ahead was made for BNE-SYD. A first for me, the lounge staff then said that I would need to check again in SYD to see if I could get an earlier flight !?

Not keen to get stuck in SYD for many hours I opted to change my flight 'formally' but missed the next two options because they were under local control and couldn't be accessed. So a slight move forward, but hours wasted.

Not particularly happy with how inflexible these Flexi fares are.

 

[sausagefingers]

My workmate showed up to BNE a handy 11 hours early forr his flight to SYD today as a VA GOLD flying on a getaway fare and rightly so was told to get comfortable in the lounge for the next 11 hours or purchase a new ticket.

 

[PLANT]

Pftt..... He should have pushed and mentioned to change of shift...... I'm sure seats were available during the day..... No luggage would have helped

 

[sausagefingers]

Pftt..... He should have pushed and mentioned to change of shift...... I'm sure seats were available during the day..... No luggage would have helped

Only had carry on, he just purchased another ticket.

 

[pauly7]

Only had carry on, he just purchased another ticket.

Well I guess they are the new rules! They've been heavily publicised (and hated on) and here to stay...

 

[sausagefingers]

Well I guess they are the new rules! They've been heavily publicised (and hated on) and here to stay...

I shared the changes to all of my FF workmates, but some people don't listen lol.

 

[grubbidok]

My workmate showed up to BNE a handy 11 hours early forr his flight to SYD today as a VA GOLD flying on a getaway fare and rightly so was told to get comfortable in the lounge for the next 11 hours or purchase a new ticket.

I've just turned up 5 hours early to BNE and have been told the same. I have a report to finish writing so it makes little difference to me whether it's finished at home here or in the lounge, as I was going to the office in SYD.

I get rules are rules, but it seems the changes are not even discretionary. They don't appear to even be able to change it in the system (pretty poor form IMHO, even QF does it on a discretionary basis once in a while on lowest fares).

If Elevate fares weren't so obscenely overpriced, purchasing them may be an option for many. But I can't see anyone working for a company with a BFOD policy allowing them, so my guess is the lounges are probably going to be full of people in similar circumstances (i.e. later tickets booked in case meetings go over) waiting out their time.

I've always been prepared to stay until the ticketed time anyway, so TBH it won't change my habits - but you can't pretend it's not an *enormous* devaluation, probably a game-changing (or airline changing) one for many.

 

[UpInTheAir:)]

Yes.. I don't understand why they would want us sitting around the lounge for hours at a time.. I would think it would be in their best interest to get us out and on our way asap The airlines seem to go through phases of yes you can, no you can't, and back again.. I really don't think it encourages people to buy flexible fares.. especially if you have lounge access (which SG and WP have). Do QF allow WP to fly on earlier flights?

 

[Milefest]

It looks like they've made the calculation that pax opting to pay for an earlier flight or instead purchasing an elevate fare outweighs the cost of customers consuming food/beverages and using the facilities while waiting for their flight. If VA is wrong about this calculation I can imagine that they will enact a restriction on how early you can arrive at the lounge instead of reenacting their previous flyahead policy for all fare types.

 

[CPMaverick]

Yes.. I don't understand why they would want us sitting around the lounge for hours at a time.. I would think it would be in their best interest to get us out and on our way asap The airlines seem to go through phases of yes you can, no you can't, and back again.. I really don't think it encourages people to buy flexible fares.. especially if you have lounge access (which SG and WP have). Do QF allow WP to fly on earlier flights?

Beyond the lounge cost, it is always in the best interest of the airline to fill every plane full, as early as possible. In case of cancellations or delays, or even opening up space to sell more tickets (however improbable that is the day of travel).

it's a no brainer to offer this to your best customers as a 'perk' when it benefits you both. People don't buy flexi fares to fly 2 hours earlier, they buy them to change the dates completely.

 

[OzEire]

The calculation is a bit more, um, calculated. VA is not comparing pax buying one of several VA fares in isolation. Pax can choose to fly with a competitior so VA need only be as generous with their perks as the competitor. In other words if QF had fly ahead then VA would keep it.

Interestingly, from my experience as a QF WP (and VA plat) the unpublished benefit of being able to change my QF flights (any fare) practically at will (staff discretion but rarely refused) means that VA's removal of this published benefit changes the equation in favour of QF.

 

[CPMaverick]

The calculation is a bit more, um, calculated. VA is not comparing pax buying one of several VA fares in isolation. Pax can choose to fly with a competitior so VA need only be as generous with their perks as the competitor. In other words if QF had fly ahead then VA would keep it.

Typically, yes. But when the 'benefit' actually is better for operations (getting people out of the airport early), it adds more complexity to the calculation.