Questions re VA Fly Ahead

[tuapekastar]

Never used this before and may wish to this weekend. I note in the T&Cs it says this:

(c) there are available seats in the same fare class or a lower fare class, than the fare class originally purchased by the Member, on the eligible Fly Ahead flight;

Does fare class refer to a) fare bucket (S, M, Y etc.) or
b) cabin (J vs. Y), or
c) fare 'family' (eg. Saver Lite, Flexi etc.)

If it is a) or c) I would appear to be SOOL as my fare basis is SZDA, Saver lite, cheapest of the cheap (which is of course why the flight is quite late in the day), and there is no availability showing in any saver Lite fare bucket on earlier flights. I've also heard that checking in (online, for example) can make it difficult for VA to 'offload' you from one flight to put you onto another.

 

[williamsf1]

Never used this before and may wish to this weekend. I note in the T&Cs it says this:

(c) there are available seats in the same fare class or a lower fare class, than the fare class originally purchased by the Member, on the eligible Fly Ahead flight;

Does fare class refer to a) fare bucket (S, M, Y etc.) or
b) cabin (J vs. Y), or
c) fare 'family' (eg. Saver Lite, Flexi etc.)

If it is a) or c) I would appear to be SOOL as my fare basis is SZDA, Saver lite, cheapest of the cheap (which is of course why the flight is quite late in the day), and there is no availability showing in any saver Lite fare bucket on earlier flights. I've also heard that checking in (online, for example) can make it difficult for VA to 'offload' you from one flight to put you onto another.

The "rule" is A ...... but in practice B is used , that results in C fare family change and higher SC earn

 

[JohnK]

Open to interpretation but I havent been refused when I have asked and flights are fairly full.

Sometimes checkin offers fly ahead but I dont need it.

 

[tuapekastar]

Cheers guys, will give it a whirl.

 

[bass_ke]

Both serfty and I used it in the SYD lounge last Sunday.

Being the 2nd sector of my itinerary I'd already checked in, they didn't seem to kick up a fuss and had me sorted in a minute or two

 

[samas]

I'm going to try this on Christmas Eve PER-ADL. Booked the later flight with the Plat Edge not knowing if I was working yet. Going to try rock up earlier on the day for the first of two flights.

I've never used it before so quized priority check in when I was at the airport this week and they had not much idea. The lounge said generally If there's seats available they should be able to but also suggested I call up velocity after 0500 on the morning and they can get a better indication.

 

[drewbles]

The 'rule' is actually that the same fare bucket must be available I believe (not or lower) but it is not currently enforced.

I'm really hoping they don't change this any time soon. Whilst I do not abuse the privilege, it's infinitely useful when arriving from an international connection where you've booked a 3-4 hour padded connection to be safe, and you can grab an earlier flight cause you made it earlier (something QF won't do even for a WP).

 

[Must...Fly!]

Never used this before and may wish to this weekend. I note in the T&Cs it says this:

(c) there are available seats in the same fare class or a lower fare class, than the fare class originally purchased by the Member, on the eligible Fly Ahead flight;

Does fare class refer to a) fare bucket (S, M, Y etc.) or
b) cabin (J vs. Y), or
c) fare 'family' (eg. Saver Lite, Flexi etc.)

If it is a) or c) I would appear to be SOOL as my fare basis is SZDA, Saver lite, cheapest of the cheap (which is of course why the flight is quite late in the day), and there is no availability showing in any saver Lite fare bucket on earlier flights. I've also heard that checking in (online, for example) can make it difficult for VA to 'offload' you from one flight to put you onto another.

The rule is A, in practice though it seems B applies. Not sure about how saver lite effects things though.

I'm going to try this on Christmas Eve PER-ADL. Booked the later flight with the Plat Edge not knowing if I was working yet. Going to try rock up earlier on the day for the first of two flights.

I've never used it before so quized priority check in when I was at the airport this week and they had not much idea. The lounge said generally If there's seats available they should be able to but also suggested I call up velocity after 0500 on the morning and they can get a better indication.

As a WP you shouldn't have too much of a problem getting the fly ahead if there are seats available and you are served in good time before the flight. But being Christmas eve, that may be a wish that cannot be granted. It will be very busy. I notice loads indicate JCDI at 2 and Y7 B4 H1...

Good luck!

 

[serfty]

Yeah, I have a fight on NYE morning for MEL-SYD where the fare buckets are all 0 and other flights around the time are mainly showing 0's with a smattering of 1's & 2's ...

... Fly ahead would be tough that day.

 

[samas]

As a WP you shouldn't have too much of a problem getting the fly ahead if there are seats available and you are served in good time before the flight. But being Christmas eve, that may be a wish that cannot be granted. It will be very busy. I notice loads indicate JCDI at 2 and Y7 B4 H1...

Good luck!

The earlier PER-ADL flight leaves at 0810 and my partner is heading away for work on the same day at 0500 so I'm going to try check-in then. Worst case it wasn't a special trip to the airport to be turned away and I only live 15 minutes away.

edit: thanks for the load info.

 

[AIRwin]

The rule is A, in practice though it seems B applies. Not sure about how saver lite effects things though.

I was on a Saver Lite fare (on an any seat award) travelling from SYD to MEL after the Telstra AGM on 15 October but couldn't fly ahead, despite trying at the airport sales desk, check in counter and the boarding gates for at least 2 of the earlier flights... After all the running around, I decided to guest myself into the lounge and wait for my original flight.

 

[tuapekastar]

I was on a Saver Lite fare (on an any seat award) travelling from SYD to MEL after the Telstra AGM on 15 October but couldn't fly ahead, despite trying at the airport sales desk, check in counter and the boarding gates for at least 2 of the earlier flights... After all the running around, I decided to guest myself into the lounge and wait for my original flight.

Cheers AIrwin, looks like I'll be in the air or sinking a couple of reds in the lounge. Probably cheaper for them to let me fly ahead.

 

[Must...Fly!]

I was on a Saver Lite fare (on an any seat award) travelling from SYD to MEL after the Telstra AGM on 15 October but couldn't fly ahead, despite trying at the airport sales desk, check in counter and the boarding gates for at least 2 of the earlier flights... After all the running around, I decided to guest myself into the lounge and wait for my original flight.

I'm guessing you are indeed Gold or Platinum.

I think I know why it isn't possible on saver lite but not 100% sure, I will try and find out.

Though this may quash my theory I may as well ask, has anyone flown ahead on a saver lite when there was no saver lite availability?

 

[DGW]

For what it's worth I take advantage of fly ahead regularly on saver and saver light fares and I've never been knocked back provided there is an economy seat available (in any fare bucket). I check for availability using FlightStats before I bother making my way to the airport early.

 

[tuapekastar]

For the record, VA moved me from my 1700 flight to a 1500 flight with no questions at all. Simple, and I got a better seat on the new flight.

They certainly do some things very well.

 

[Boris spatsky]

If i book an award seat for 5am dep on a Saturday and show up late Friday arvo, are they likely to give me a seat on the last Friday night flight? Does this meet the Fly Ahead Ts and Cs?

 

[777]

If i book an award seat for 5am dep on a Saturday and show up late Friday arvo, are they likely to give me a seat on the last Friday night flight? Does this meet the Fly Ahead Ts and Cs?

Pretty sure it's same day only. No dice.

 

[tuapekastar]

Pretty sure it's same day only. No dice.

Certainly is! From the T&Cs:

20.15.1 In the event that a Gold or Platinum Member, who has a confirmed seat for a domestic Virgin Australia flight, arrives at the Virgin Australia lounge on the day of travel in time to be carried on an earlier domestic Virgin Australia flight the Member is entitled to make a request that they, and an accompanying guest, be carried on that earlier flight (Fly Ahead).

 

[samas]

Just checked in for the earlier PER-ADL flight, checkin agent was wonderful. Got seat 5A too. Checked in at T-4 hours.

ExpertFlyer now says: J2 C2 D2 I2 Y5

(Interestingly I also put an alert on the seat I was occupying on the later flight and ExpertFlyer notified me within 10 minutes of changing flights that my old seat was free! Just signed up yesterday to EF.)