Let's talk about Economy X

[Markmimage]

Hi there,

Long time reader, first time poster! I apologise if this has been brought up in another thread but I can't seem to find anyone talking about it...

So once upon a time about February last year Virgin introduced something called Economy X, which gives row 3-5 extra legroom AND priority boarding for a small introductory fee of $15 per seat.

Before this was implemented, rows 3-5 were offered to platinum and gold members. The legroom was the same as the rest of the cabin, but it made sense that upper tier members of Velocity would be offered row 3-5 by default.

Enter Economy X, which gives ANYONE the option to take rows 3-5, including priority boarding, for a fee. That fee for SYD-MEL has now increased to $35.

What is the point of status anymore if you have most of the benefits of platinum/gold status if you purchase a yearly lounge pass and pay for Economy X on every flight?

Even on the Virgin Australia Seat Promise it says

• We reserve our best seats for our most loyal and valuable guests.

???? Don't you mean you reserve your best seats who are willing to pay more?


Anyway, rant over, keep an eye out for my rant about how Virgin have changed their classes to make it more confusing for customers and at the same time slashing SC's by half (or doubling the price of airfares - depends which way you look at it) making it way more difficult than it used to be to earn SC's.

Thanks for reading!

Mark

 

[oz_mark]

Even on the Virgin Australia Seat Promise it says

• We reserve our best seats for our most loyal and valuable guests.

???? Don't you mean you reserve your best seats who are willing to pay more?

For the purposed of EconomyX, their most loyal and valuable customers are Platinum.

Platinum members don't get that much more than Gold. This is one of the few things that do get extra.

 

[Pleb Status]

The introduction of free YX seating for VA WP is probably the best innovation* in Australian domestic Y travel this century....

*Innovation is being a little generous as YX is a direct copy of the various US carriers seating arrangements.

 

[texanaust]

Personally the system works for me. I can nab the best Economy seats with no status and then upgrade bid to business If successful I'll get the Econ X fees automatically refunded. Either way I have a good seat for my flight. Much better than using Qantas-although maybe that was VA's plan as I'm quickly approaching status...

 

[clipped_wings]

Platinum and Gold status really scores when you fly internationally. The opportunity to upgrade with points = huge benefit. Plus the 2 comp upgrades each year aren't too shabby....

 

[Saltywings]

Platinum and Gold status really scores when you fly internationally. The opportunity to upgrade with points = huge benefit. Plus the 2 comp upgrades each year aren't too shabby....

I have a follow-up Q about this. As a WP, what are the chances of your upgrade request getting granted on long haul routes like LAX (or even HKG...which VA counts as 'long haul') when not buying a Freedom (flex) fare? The 4x upgrade certificates seem nice until one realises they're paying 50-100% more to get confirmed peace of mind. I've personally never used them yet, and question the value of it.

 

[serfty]

Prior to Economy X, generally only WP in economy could generally pre-select forward of row 6.

At check in other PAX could move forward. It seems no more without paying.

From my experience YX seems more vacant and this has improved things for WP.

 

[serfty]

The 4x upgrade certificates seem nice until one realises they're paying 50-100% more to get confirmed peace of mind.

More than just being able to use these to upgrade, the SC's earn is enhanced; 25 for MEL-SYD as an example. As for cost, it depends on the route but there are some sweeter spots out there.

Also not that the max velocity points saving using a WP Upgrade domestically is 9900.

 

[Saltywings]

More than just being able to use these to upgrade, the SC's earn is enhanced; 25 for MEL-SYD as an example. As for cost, it depends on the route but there are some sweeter spots out there.

Also not that the max velocity points saving using a WP Upgrade domestically is 9900.

Hmm, this isn't much value to me. The projected travel of our family (thanks pooling!) sees me comfortably earning 1500+SCs a year, so enhanced earn is a bit of a non-starter incentive.

What I truly would have wanted is being at the front of the upgrade waitlist (so to speak) when applying for an upgrade even when booked on a Getaway fare to a long haul destination.

Oh well, can't complain too much, I maintain VA WP without actually trying, so I guess you get what you get...though vs QF (no F lounge / top of the upgrade pecking order) it doesn't seem like much.

 

[clipped_wings]

As a WP, what are the chances of your upgrade request getting granted on long haul routes like LAX (or even HKG...which VA counts as 'long haul') when not buying a Freedom (flex) fare?

I'd say 2/3 of 5/8 of 3/4 of zip.

But I always live in hope.....

 

[dec540]

Prior to Economy X, generally only WP in economy could generally pre-select forward of row 6.

At check in other PAX could move forward. It seems no more without paying.

From my experience YX seems more vacant and this has improved things for WP.

Interesting that you've found this on your flights. I've definitely noticed the opposite on the sectors I fly, which are primarily SYD-BNE/MCY rtn. I'd say prior to Eco X I'd had a shadow at least 2 thirds of the time, now I'm lucky to get a shadow every 4th sector.

Whilst I prefer the old days, good on VA for successfully generating an additional revenue source at pretty much no expense.

 

[serfty]

I (fortunately I guess) rarely fly peak times these days; maybe a difference in that more WP are travelling.

 

[Pleb Status]

Interesting that you've found this on your flights. I've definitely noticed the opposite on the sectors I fly, which are primarily SYD-BNE/MCY rtn. I'd say prior to Eco X I'd had a shadow at least 2 thirds of the time, now I'm lucky to get a shadow every 4th sector.

Whilst I prefer the old days, good on VA for successfully generating an additional revenue source at pretty much no expense.

Are you a VA WP? Having five rows of extra legroom seating to choose from for absolutely nothing must be better than the 'old days' where there was only one (remember that VA used to charge WP for exit row seating).

As a VA WP, my shadow percentage is now significantly better (2x - 3x at least at peak times) than prior to the introduction of YX. In fact, it is significantly better than when I was a QF P1 where I could call and get a soft block shadow added on request.

The main YX haters here are SG who then ironically complain that there is not enough difference between SG and WP....

 

[jase05]

VA 242 ADL-MEL last night and shadow in every row of YX. As a WP I honestly don’t know if it’s just luck or not but I seem to get a shadow more often than not in YX these days so no complaints from me

 

[Muppet501st]

im seeing more shadows since YX was introduced. However, i pick 5A or 5F over row3 now as a WP.
And the changes to the SC earn, for me, means im about to be able to gift WP to someone for the first time. With no family pooling and all earning flights within Qld.

 

[dec540]

Are you a VA WP? Having five rows of extra legroom seating to choose from for absolutely nothing must be better than the 'old days' where there was only one (remember that VA used to charge WP for exit row seating).

As a VA WP, my shadow percentage is now significantly better (2x - 3x at least at peak times) than prior to the introduction of YX. In fact, it is significantly better than when I was a QF P1 where I could call and get a soft block shadow added on request.

The main YX haters here are SG who then ironically complain that there is not enough difference between SG and WP....

Yep WP. Maybe I've just been unlucky with shadows. I definitely had a better shadow rate when I was SG in rows 5-8 prior to Eco X being introduced.

 

[flying_duck]

I don't have any issue with YX as a SG, it holds no value to me. I get row 7 on almost every flight and am a "regular-small" sized person so there is always plenty of room for me in a regular seat. I actually prefer it, as it does mean a difference between WP and SG and more WP means more space for me in row 7 It also means I don't have to strive for WP as the main differentiation is of no value to me.

I do think it is a little unfair that for a small charge joe public gets a benefit or two from the WP pool, but as I'm not WP it's not much of an issue personally.

The only issue I have is when check-in or lounge think they're doing me a favour, and "upgrade" me to YX exit row, which means I'm LAST off the plane and sat next to generally larger humans who take up more space. That is not an upgrade. Waiting for joe public who has no idea how to get their belongings or orderly exit an aircraft makes my blood boil.

 

[andyhui01]

I'm assuming you're a SG. I don't know of any WP who has complained about YX. I never sat in Row 3 as a WP due to narrower seats and I have a DIY phone holder to watch movies without neck pain. YX was a huge plus to me.

It is even better now in Row 4. I sit in Window now as it is less claustrophobic, really good chance of getting a shadow as I fly off peak and I get just as much leg room as Row 3.

SG still get Row 6-10 at booking and only opens during Check in so you haven't been moved to the back of the plane, just a couple of rows back. FYI, in the older days, not everyone around you in 3-5 was SG/WP. All seats (except Row 3) was open to anyone once check in opened.

This was a great move by VA. Greater difference between SG/WP so borderline SG's may choose to do a couple more VA flights to get into WP. More much needed revenue for VA (It is in the best interest of every flyer in Australia that VA makes a profit and survives) and WPs feel like they are rewarded for being top customers and have a leg up on QF WP flying domestic Y.

 

[SYD]

Count me in as new fan of YX as a VA WP. Having avoided 737s on the SYD-PER for months, I had no choice recently but then realised that Row 3-5 has turned into Euro style business class. Window / Aisle and empty middle seat.

I don’t know if they’re shadows or just common sense. Who’s going to pay $69 to select a middle Seat?

 

[dec540]

Count me in as new fan of YX as a VA WP. Having avoided 737s on the SYD-PER for months, I had no choice recently but then realised that Row 3-5 has turned into Euro style business class. Window / Aisle and empty middle seat.

I don’t know if they’re shadows or just common sense. Who’s going to pay $69 to select a middle Seat?

People travelling in parties of >1