Silver will no longer have priority check-in on domestic

[Jousams]

Nah, I can't really see any good reason to give Flexi tickets priority check-in. Even tough some argue that it's one of the only perks, I'm sure the only real reasons
people buy Flexi are for points upgrades and because they genuinely need to have a flexible flight in case of changes to the itinerary. I can't imagine many people paying up to 100% more for a flight simply to avoid 15 mins of queuing and to get an airline meal.

Agreed! Usually when I do a trip I buy the first leg as a saver and the return as a flexi as I may be able to get on an earlier flight, however I would buy a flexi for a shiity wrap that wouldn't even be sold at McDonald's.


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[bcworld]

Do "Lounge" members get priority check-in? If so, that could be how they distinguish it, you don't fly enough to get Gold, but do for Silver, so buy discounter 'Lounge' membership and you'll get in the priority line. You'll also get in the lounge

Unlike Qantas Club members, no, they don't get priority check in.

 

[Jousams]

Unlike Qantas Club members, no, they don't get priority check in.

If qantas does it I'm sure VA will in due course.


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[Jama]

Agreed! Usually when I do a trip I buy the first leg as a saver and the return as a flexi as I may be able to get on an earlier flight, however I would buy a flexi for a shiity wrap that wouldn't even be sold at McDonald's.


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I felt the need to contribute some feedback after my last flight where everyone in the row either complained or refused to eat the wrap. Got the message back that they cater for all tastes and I basically didn't have any and was the exception.

 

[annoyedwithvirginsilver]

Heres a reply to my complaint: Note the quip about customer experience! What about Silver members? Is making them wait longer enhancing the experience? I think not. And don't you have to fly pretty regular to get Silver????? Really annoyed with this, that was one benefit I used ALL the time, and I've never lined up enough to wait anyway. This is an absolute joke!! Why not open up more priority lanes if they are so popular? Why not claim the MOST priority check in lanes of ANY airline. Marketing morons if you ask me.

BTW it is clearly a Silver benefit with Qantas!

Reply to complaint below:


Dear Mr xx_xx_xx

Firstly, thank you for your feedback. I do appreciate the time taken to advise us of your recent experience with Virgin Australia.

Mr xx_xx_xx, we have identified that the high demand and long queue wait times were having an impact on the guest experience at our airports and therefore we have changed the eligibility criteria for the Priority Check-In queue accordingly.

Your disappointment towards the change of policy surrounding Virgin Australia’s priority check in process is certainly regretful, and I would like to apologise for any inconvenience this change may cause.

Please rest assured your feedback has been lodged as a formal complaint for internal review by our Management Team, as Virgin Australia policies and procedures are heavily influenced by feedback received from our valuable guests.

Once again, I would like to thank you for taking the time to make us aware of your concerns and trust we will have the opportunity of welcoming you back on board one of our services in the near future.

 

[samh004]

Heres a reply to my complaint: Note the quip about customer experience! What about Silver members? Is making them wait longer enhancing the experience? I think not. And don't you have to fly pretty regular to get Silver????? Really annoyed with this, that was one benefit I used ALL the time, and I've never lined up enough to wait anyway. This is an absolute joke!! Why not open up more priority lanes if they are so popular? Why not claim the MOST priority check in lanes of ANY airline. Marketing morons if you ask me.

BTW it is clearly a Silver benefit with Qantas!

It's only a Silver benefit Internationally with Qantas, same for Virgin now.

Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Silver Benefits

While I'm sure there are many Silver members, probably much like a pyramid, more than Gold, and then Platinum, at some stage something has to give. If they have long queues and can't add, for whatever reason, more priority lanes/checkin counters, they need to evaluate who is worth more to them. And don't forget, they have the numbers in front of them.

Seems logical that Silver would miss out, but you don't get any better at the other end of the terminal.

Welcome to the forums, assume you wont be sticking around with a username like that?

 

[oz_mark]

It's only a Silver benefit Internationally with Qantas, same for Virgin now.

Not according to this page: Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Benefits & Privileges

I believe the domestic priority check-in box is ticked for Silver

 

[BAM1748]

With the change it differentiates it from QF silver, as it is a benefit for QF members (albeit after reinstatement!)

Ah of course, but think it's only for international, but that's a good trick to play on Virgin, drop something, wait for them to do the same then reinstate as soon as they drop it.

 

[samh004]

Not according to this page: Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Benefits & Privileges

I believe the domestic priority check-in box is ticked for Silver

For every other level it says business counters, but nothing for Silver? Which counters then?

That website is such a trap, loop holes and contradictions everywhere.

 

[annoyedwithvirginsilver]

Thats how I read it oz_mark too.

 

[snoophound]

It all started with Virgin status matching qantas last year.
premium flyers queue on virgin is almost as long as normal queue on some flights now,so i guess its a reaction from the plats and golds!.

 

[annoyedwithvirginsilver]

I know it's logical to them samh004, but not to me. I spend, I fly and I just got screwed! In my opinion anyway. Do away with flexi fare benefits, and see if that lightens the load. I fly cheap and I fly business, depends which one I choose on a lot of things but end of day, I spend enough to get silver. And right now I wont be spending loyally with them as they just made that loyalty irrelevant to me. Logical to me, just as their decision is to them.

And good point on the name, didn't give that much thought did I

 

[Ewing]

For every other level it says business counters, but nothing for Silver? Which counters then?

That website is such a trap, loop holes and contradictions everywhere.

Qantas Club counters (for airports where they are separate)

 

[drewbles]

<snip>

*edited as the username is all that's needed*

Folks, remember, it's Virgin's program and they can change it as they see fit. If you don't like it, you can always go to QF and get silver there.

No one is forcing you to stay there (And how many of the whingers on here were comped silvers or were soft fall to silver from comped gold?).

 

[leemin]

I haven't read through pages 2-4, but I'll add my 2c.

I think this is a mistake. If they wanted to lessen the demand, flick Flexi ticket holders out of priority, not frequent flyers.

 

[The Rok]

You will probably find this is a marketing tactic by VA. there will now be a whole heap of targeted Double Status Credit offers to existing Silver's to encourage them to reach Gold. That will show them who is loyal and who is not.

 

[drewbles]

I haven't read through pages 2-4, but I'll add my 2c.

I think this is a mistake. If they wanted to lessen the demand, flick Flexi ticket holders out of priority, not frequent flyers.

I seem to recall they did this? It isn't listed as a benefit of a flexi fare on their website (or am I losing it...)

 

[oz_mark]

I seem to recall they did this? It isn't listed as a benefit of a flexi fare on their website (or am I losing it...)

Depends where on the website you look. This page says no: Domestic Fare Types | Virgin Australia

But if you clcik on the Flexi option while you are booking it says yes.

 

[leemin]

Depends where on the website you look. This page says no: Domestic Fare Types | Virgin Australia

But if you clcik on the Flexi option while you are booking it says yes.

Interesting. I might have to eat my words...!

 

[truesouth]

Does this mean you could use 1 guest pass for the first six months and the second one for the second six months and have have year round access to the lounge. - Just speculating :mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:

Any, it means two one-entry passes to used within 6 months.