Let's talk about Economy X

[Muppet501st]

Had an interesting experience with Economy X this week. My wife and I flew MEL - MCY return and when the announcement was made to commence boarding for those with priority boarding privileges, it did not refer to Economy X passengers, only the usual business/plat/gold fliers. This is despite the signage on the purple barriers surrounding the priority boarding lane still allowing Economy X passengers to join that lane for priority boarding. So, we joined the short priority lane queue anyway and were allowed to board.

Returning from MCY the announcement again called for business/plat/gold to board first, not YX despite the same signage at the purple barriers stating that we could. We fronted up in the priority lane but got told to wait in the red lane until the others had boarded!

Have Economy X benefits been unofficially watered down recently?

Nope, the gate staff miss reading your BP. You were well within your right to point out to them you were indeed allowed to board in the priority group.

 

[Deleted member 62084]

Nope, the gate staff miss reading your BP.

Nice theory, lol.

We told the gate staff that we were Economy X when we got to the head of the queue in the priority lane and she then told us to stand in the general boarding lane.

It still doesn't explain why Economy X passengers were not called to board with other priority guests in both MEL and MCY.

 

[jase05]

Nice theory, lol.

We told the gate staff that we were Economy X when we got to the head of the queue in the priority lane and she then told us to stand in the general boarding lane.

It still doesn't explain why Economy X passengers were not called to board with other priority guests in both MEL and MCY.

Send off an email to VA.
Priority boarding is an advertised benefit of Economy X and VA need to be made aware staff aren’t enforcing it

 

[Harthagan]

Yeah I'd be making a complaint. Id point out that not only did you not receive an advertised benefit but you had the embarrassment of being sent to the regular line from the priority line.

 

[Muppet501st]

honestly, the last few occasions ive flown, ive not heard them announce YX with the other priority group.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Same in MEL last night, no mention of Economy X.

I think they've done it on purpose as lots of people were hearing the "Economy" bit and just jumping in the priority queue with everyone else.

 

[Rubix]

Have Economy X benefits been unofficially watered down recently?
[/QUOTE]

Lots of things have been. But if it keeps VA floating I am all for it I guess!

 

[jase05]

The Economy X benefits haven’t been watered down officially at all. Staff are just not implementing it which needs to be addressed

 

[Deleted member 62084]

Anyway, I've just fired off an email to VA (thanks for the suggestion jase05 and Harthagan), so we'll see what happens.

My initial thoughts were that this was just another case of VA removing privileges similar to Business guests losing their tablets and putting up with a sandwich instead of a hot meal for lunch, but without any cost savings.

 

[Stealthflyer]

My initial thoughts were that this was just another case of VA removing privileges similar to Business guests losing their tablets and putting up with a sandwich instead of a hot meal for lunch, but without any cost savings.

In the case of the watering down of the business class menu options, being able to request anything from the Y menu wasn’t an advertised benefit. If you bought the economy x on the basis of the advertised priority boarding, then they need to deliver it (unless it’s one of the * occasions, which it sounds like it wasn’t in your case).

Let us know what Velocity says in reply.

 

[Deleted member 62084]

Let us know what Velocity says in reply.

Heh. Still waiting...

 

[clipped_wings]

We flew SYD-BNE-LAX recently. Mr Clipped & I in Business and 6 kids Economy X. I fronted up to the Business Class checkin counter and asked them to please process us all together (even though it was 3 separate itineraries). They were very obliging, both here and in America. Each time we boarded, I confidently strode up when Business Class was called and told them we were a party of 8.

I think it depends on the staff and their understanding of the benefits (not an excuse I know), but also the tenacity of the passenger. I am more than happy to press my point if I feel it needs to be pressed

 

[Deleted member 62084]

I think it depends on the staff and their understanding of the benefits (not an excuse I know),

Problem is, to/from MCY is a common sector for us and we have not experienced this hassle before with YX. If the staff were green, it stands to reason that they have not been taught correctly, hence my previous assumption that 'unofficially', certain privileges are deliberately being hidden.

You know the old saying, and it applies to all transport systems: "Bloody passengers, can't they tell we're trying to run an airline here?"

 

[hydrabyss]

Problem is, to/from MCY is a common sector for us and we have not experienced this hassle before with YX. If the staff were green, it stands to reason that they have not been taught correctly, hence my previous assumption that 'unofficially', certain privileges are deliberately being hidden.

You know the old saying, and it applies to all transport systems: "Bloody passengers, can't they tell we're trying to run an airline here?"

In the beginning priority boarding was hit and miss and now many years later I never see issues. Now they have added priority x maybe it will take them some time to get it right.

 

[Deleted member 62084]

I finally got a reply from VA regarding my complaint!

Their solution?

Send an email to the same place I sent the original one to, so that they can reply directly to it. #facepalm

No thanks.

I'd rather make a scene at boarding if it happens again.