New VA Fare Structure

[N860CR]

Except that the OneWorld alliance don't interline luggage/bookings, which is what an alliance is supposed to do. No issues with VA's partners in this department...
I've only ever flown with NZ and DL and I've never had to claim missing points with either of them. NZ are slow to post points but DL are quick.

I had VA refuse to interline bags onto EY a few weeks ago as it was on a separate ticket

 

[serfty]

For the record, cheapest fare losing flyahead kills VA for me. I have ~80 domestic flights a year with them, and without flyahead... to be honest, I'll probably ditch them completely (including the ~ 20 business-class international segments I do on top of that).

Sad day for my relationship with VA.

Your example is probably exactly why they are changing it.

I don't blame you for doing it, it was there. However, I don't blame VA for doing so either. It's a commercial decision.

 

[serfty]

I had VA refuse to interline bags onto EY a few weeks ago as it was on a separate ticket

AFAIK that's always been VA's policy, including VA-/ /-VA.

Anything else has always been a bonus.

 

[drewbles]

I have an aversion to losing shiny wallet candy, but looks like my VA WP days are over (shame i've re-qualified through end of August 2017 already).

Seems to be a case of adopting a mix of NZ's fare structure and USA airlines pay-for-everything-and-call-ourselves-a-full-service-airline methods.

I had a simple plan when I reach LTG in a few weeks (been planning for 18 months or so); Move all domestic to VA (had already done that) and all international to AA and build up points there.

Then, EY awards jumped in points and MASSIVE surcharges were applied (from the VA side). AA did the 'if you can't beat them, join them' and followed the race-to-the-bottom of the USA FF programs and made it revenue based with mostly terrible partner earn (% of fare for EQD's on partner airlines etc).

Whilst QF may have shocking fuel fines, VA have joined QF in the lack of availability stakes for premium cabin redemptions on long haul routes.

So I guess i'll use my four free upgrades when my next year rolls over, and then burn my remaining VA miles (burned 200k or so earlier in the year on EY flights) and have to grumble and go back to QF. At least earning QF points is very simple.

So long, VA. I may have not been the worlds biggest WP spender, but the combined employer and personal spend around the 5 digit mark is going to other airlines, most probably QF.

 

[Boof1]

I noticed this evening when booking a J fare that in the seat selection screen there was a little red seat in the map key that said Space+. Didn't think too much of it until I just found this thread. Looks like the IT team have known for a while... Must have been planing this for years for them to get it right and on time!!

Far from impressed with the fly ahead changes and no status bonus we always fly on BFOD. What a shocking way to peeve your customers.

 

[anat0l]

I wonder what kind of fees apply to Fly Ahead.

Are they implying that if there are no more fares within the same class (or fare family) as the one you hold, you have to pay a fee / difference?

 

[Mattg]

I wonder what kind of fees apply to Fly Ahead.

Are they implying that if there are no more fares within the same class (or fare family) as the one you hold, you have to pay a fee / difference?

That would seem to be the most logical step. I guess it would stop people booking the $99 fare at 10pm and attempting to fly ahead on the $199 flight at 5pm (for example).

 

[deepblerg]

Your example is probably exactly why they are changing it.

I don't blame you for doing it, it was there. However, I don't blame VA for doing so either. It's a commercial decision.

That's true, I agree, Fly Ahead was used heavily and a lot of us on this very forum simply book the last flight of the night and fly when ever we get to the airport, such a great system. But for minodude flying 80 times a year, what's that relationship worth to VA? They aren't valuing lifetime value of the customer at all.

I only fly around once a month. A mate of mine flys several times a week and I think its ridiculous that we're in the same loyalty tier. VFF really needs a WP One equivalent and these customers should get the kitchen sink be it Fly Ahead, seat selection, tier bonus on every fare class, etc, etc because they are truly high value. I'm trying to understand why a higher VFF tier doesn't exist commercially?

 

[serfty]

... I'm trying to understand why a higher VFF tier doesn't exist commercially?

I was thinking this myself - maybe at 2K/1.6K Qual/requal for Velocity "Diamond" - with 1K on VA.

Either that or increase WP to, say, 1.2K/1K levels and give WP much better bennies than currently.

 

[Cryptarcadian]

No more Fly Ahead, no seat selection at all let alone row 3, and no tier bonus? All in one hit, what are VA even thinking?! Well there's certainly no point requalifying for WP again after the current go-around! :evil:

Looking at posts above, seems like VA are going to have a hard time keeping loyal FFers... good luck, so long, it's been nice! Now if only QF would make the most of it by offering a round of status matches, eh? At least not bothering to suggest to friends that they should fly VA as well will mean I don't have to explain the new overly-complex, ludicrously named fare structure!

 

[Mr Pumblechook]

I find it incredible that there's no good news here for status pax at all - just benefits removed and an overly complex fare structure after we only just simplified the whole thing not long ago (with the overall change being HLO is available MEL-NAN but not MEL-SYD. How does this make any sense?)

I've maintained WP for a few years by doing all the irrational loyal things: I've flown so much I can recite the safety briefing! The bonus points, fly ahead and lounge access kept me going but losing two of those combined with a new seat selection fee makes me think that as I fly on saver for leisure on my own coin, I'm really just flying JQ/TT and paying a premium for lounge access and the occasional 'welcome back' on board greeting.

I guess I should thank VA for showing me how I was getting poor value from my investment :-S

 

[Aussie_flyer]

AFAIK that's always been VA's policy, including VA-/ /-VA.

Anything else has always been a bonus.

Thats correct. va do not through check even va to va on separate tickets. Recently made to recheck in perth with a mel-per and per-bme on separate tickets.

 

[Marty_]

So... I am Platinum and flying more than ever... And this my thank you gift:

- Pay for seat selection (row 3??)
- No fly-ahead without paying
- No points bonus

They are literally THE things I valued. What's the point?? I am so ticked off right now.

I used to spruik VA to anyone who would listen. Then the morale dropped and some little things changed, and I stopped talking about them. Now they've done this and I expect I will likely leave. Hello QF.

 

[Hivetyrant]

I used to spruik VA to anyone who would listen. Then the morale dropped and some little things changed, and I stopped talking about them. Now they've done this and I expect I will likely leave. Hello QF.

I was exactly the same. Plat for 4 years and signed on everyone I knew that flew, but as I just renewed platinum I am in a good position to focus on another airline now, can't imagine I'll be losing much if I jump to QF or something else.

 

[Lemon_Party]

So... I am Platinum and flying more than ever... And this my thank you gift:

- Pay for seat selection (row 3??)
- No fly-ahead without paying
- No points bonus

They are literally THE things I valued. What's the point?? I am so ticked off right now.

I used to spruik VA to anyone who would listen. Then the morale dropped and some little things changed, and I stopped talking about them. Now they've done this and I expect I will likely leave. Hello QF.

Same here. Plenty of commenters on the ausbt article with similar sentiments. If you don't reward status pax with a few meaningful perks they are going elsewhere, me included.

It takes effort and additional expense for most people to attain decent status, I've chosen more expensive fares and inconvenient routes or timings for points/SCs. Not worth the effort and time to try QF & oneworld.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Good for some, but not for me, as I like to choose my own seat.
Well, VA have lost a lot of my flight business in this case.
Back to QF I go.

 

[Major]

This is getting better and better. Soon there will be plenty of room in the lounges and it will be easier for me to select row 3 on the morning of my flight.

Keep going to QF everyone.

Surely the aim of the passenger is to be able to fly to their destination in a safe and timely manner. The aim of the airline is to facilitate this in a way which also provides a return to shareholders.

All airlines seem to be cutting back on their bennies to bring their costs under control. I see VA as being no different in this regard.

Every time QF enhance their programme we see a flurry of people threatening to move their business to VA. I see this as no different either

 

[MH_fan]

I wonder whether they will block row 3-6 for the seat selection at T-48... That's one way of preserving WP benefits and might actually prevent non-status pax from getting those seats.

 

[serfty]

I wonder whether they will block row 3-6 for the seat selection at T-48... That's one way of preserving WP benefits and might actually prevent non-status pax from getting those seats.

Can't really see it - I suspect they'll sell row three to those that have the $$$, not the Status.

 

[awkwardpaws]

thoughts on the risk of them cutting their 1:1.35 SQ KF transfers? surely thats not under threat right?