Offered 10,000 points for no vegetarian meal in J (Domestic 737)

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Reselleration

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So I had an interesting experience yesterday morning on my MEL > BNE flight. Just 3 of us in J and roughly 20% empty in Y.

Being vegetarian (not vegan) I was a bit surprised to only have 1 meal choice available which wouldn't work. No vegetarian option was loaded in MEL. The J manager did his best to find something in Y, but pickings were slim.

In the end I had: 1x bread roll, cheese & crackers, and a simple quinoa soup. I was more than happy with this, having just come off the HKG > MEL flight also in J and pretty full still. The reserved dairy-free vegetarian meal from HKG wasn't on board, though the normal vegetarian was still excellent.

The J manager was very apologetic and spoke with me 3 times that he was in contact with the customer support team. Apparently, a new Virgin Australia system is being rolled out in the next 6 to 8 weeks for passenger compensation when issues like this arise. For my 'inconvenience' I have been offered 10,000 Velocity points for the domestic leg, but it needs to go through the new system.

This was just 1 of the 4 complimentary annual flexi upgrades as a WP and had no issues with the light meal. But did I just inadvertently discover a Velocity points bonus? I'll keep an eye on my account over the next few months if this comes through.
 
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We got 10K points for our priority bag coming out absolutely last so it does happen

New system, oh my. Rarely good comes from these "enhancements"
 
I'd have thought catering isn't guaranteed when upgrading. But complain loudly/often enough often, no matter how slight the perceived inconvenience, and some "bonus" points will come your way.

I have a family member who runs a business and he often complains about the expectations placed on him by customers with special dietary needs. If suitable food is not available, his staff get abused, somewhat ironically, because apparently human rights have been trampled!! There's no way knowing how many meals he needs to have so he tends to over-supply, hell hath no fury like a vegetarian without a ricotta and spinach filo, and more often than not most of it ends up as pig food. The cost of providing for those with special dietary needs is disproportionate to those without and he gladly charges a premium. Or "we've just sold out....sorry".
 
^ I'd agree, most vegetarians can be difficult. I'm of the "Just a glass of water and I'm good" minority, anything extra is a bonus. I once traveled 5 countries with a vegan...certainly some challenging times!
:oops:
 
Last Friday was Good Friday as we all know. Regardless of what religious persuasion you are, it's still a Pretty Big Thing in our country. We hosted a corporate table in ANZ Stadium for 10 guests at an NRL game. Now I love my steak. But this was Good Friday. I made no pre-game dietary requests, but as a Catholic - I was really impressed that the caterers provided a delicious and completely meat-free 3 course meal.

However I could not believe the behaviour of our guests, who made an embarrassing and vocal objection to the lack of options.

I learnt two big lessons that day:

1) Never invite them again and 2) Even the carnivores can be impossible to please
 
Last Friday was Good Friday as we all know. Regardless of what religious persuasion you are, it's still a Pretty Big Thing in our country. We hosted a corporate table in ANZ Stadium for 10 guests at an NRL game. Now I love my steak. But this was Good Friday. I made no pre-game dietary requests, but as a Catholic - I was really impressed that the caterers provided a delicious and completely meat-free 3 course meal.

However I could not believe the behaviour of our guests, who made an embarrassing and vocal objection to the lack of options.

I learnt two big lessons that day:

1) Never invite them again and 2) Even the carnivores can be impossible to please
I’m glad I didn’t get an invite :p
As a carnivore I would be mightily upset if a meal arrived without meat.
I refused to go to a family members wedding last year because the reception was an all vegan affair
 
Last Friday was Good Friday as we all know. Regardless of what religious persuasion you are, it's still a Pretty Big Thing in our country. We hosted a corporate table in ANZ Stadium for 10 guests at an NRL game. Now I love my steak. But this was Good Friday. I made no pre-game dietary requests, but as a Catholic - I was really impressed that the caterers provided a delicious and completely meat-free 3 course meal.

However I could not believe the behaviour of our guests, who made an embarrassing and vocal objection to the lack of options.

I learnt two big lessons that day:

1) Never invite them again and 2) Even the carnivores can be impossible to please

While I respect your right to your own faith and beliefs - what has it got to do with everyone else at ANZ Stadium?

How would you feel if the stadium stopped serving alcohol during Ramadan? (As far-fetched as that is)

The MCG is similiar in serving fish only at “set menu” packages on Friday night games (not just Good Friday either) - lots of people don’t like fish and even more are athiests!

The reality is Australian Easter traditions are more about family than religion - the chocolate and long weekend - that’s why your friends were upset, they are so non-religious they didn’t even consider there would be limited options.
 
Whoa there friends! My comment was relating to the attitude of people when they aren't served what they usually like.

For the very nice OP relating their story of how VA responded to a vegetarian meal (or lack thereof) - I believe a paid customer has every right to a compensation outcome.

Now I don't know what our guests thought they were getting for a free meal/beverage/premium seat at the GF game. But I can assure you, it wasn't free. I was illustrating how it can all go pear shaped if the customer (in my case - invited guest) isn't impressed with the dining options available. I may not always like the food I get served at a wedding or dinner. But I have the decorum and good manners to voice my objection in the car on the way home. NOT publicly to the hosts who forked out the $$$ for the function in the first place.

Perhaps I forgot to mention that ANZ Stadium was NOT meat-free on Good Friday. There were unlimited dining opportunities for a meat pie, sausage sanga, lamb kebab etc. Our function was merely one who observed the occasion and I had appreciated it.

Now - let's put the religious ammunition back in its case and everyone (including me) - play nice :)
 
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Whoa there friends! My comment was relating to the attitude of people when they aren't served what they usually like.

For the very nice OP relating their story of how VA responded to a vegetarian meal (or lack thereof) - I believe a paid customer has every right to a compensation outcome.

Now I don't know what our guests thought they were getting for a free meal/beverage/premium seat at the GF game. But I can assure you, it wasn't free. I was illustrating how it can all go pear shaped if the customer (in my case - invited guest) isn't impressed with the dining options available. I may not always like the food I get served at a wedding or dinner. But I have the decorum and good manners to voice my objection in the car on the way home. NOT publicly to the hosts who forked out the $$$ for the function in the first place.

Perhaps I forgot to mention that ANZ Stadium was NOT meat-free on Good Friday. There were unlimited dining opportunities for a meat pie, sausage sanga, lamb kebab etc. Our function was merely one who observed the occasion and I had appreciated it.

Now - let's put the religious ammunition back in its case and everyone (including me) - play nice :)

Sorry, I didn’t mean to come across attacking but I can see that now. I just wanted to have my little rant based on my experience - shouldn’t have involved your post.:p

Your post just reminded me of the many coughpy meals I have paid for at footy functions on Fridays (not cheap btw) because someone at the MCC thinks it’s 1950 and everyone adhears to, and prefers religious traditions.

I would prefer that those beliefs and traditions were catered for - not imposed.

However totally agreeing with on the invited guest front - very rude!:eek:
 
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