The Virgin Australia Newbie Questions Thread

[serfty]

The inflated numbers would be those with a VA flight number.

Maybe, but those 600K points options are not your normal awards (as in booking into Z (or I on SQ)). They are effectively revenue fares part paid with points (at ~6¢ per point).

 

[AL10]

I have star alliance gold through AC, and am thinking of booking a VA flight to DPS. I've never flown VA internationally. What benefits, if any, do I get? Also, do you recommend booking economy X? Thanks.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I have star alliance gold through AC, and am thinking of booking a VA flight to DPS. I've never flown VA internationally. What benefits, if any, do I get? Also, do you recommend booking economy X? Thanks.

The only benefit of Aeroplan is that you can access VA lounges prior to departure.

As there are no international VA lounges, the benefit is non existent.

Details here: Aeroplan partners

If you chose singapore airlines via sin you’d get business class check-in, priority boarding, lounge access, extra baggage allowance etc etc.

Economy X can be very expensive. But the regular seat pitch is pretty tight on VA… it feels far tighter than QF. So it *might* be of value.

You might find a better overall package by saving the money from economy X and buying qantas… which then comes with an open bar, meals, and good inflight entertainment, and free wifi while over australia (which is most of the flight!)

 

[AL10]

The only benefit of Aeroplan is that you can access VA lounges prior to departure.

As there are no international VA lounges, the benefit is non existent.

Details here: Aeroplan partners

If you chose singapore airlines via sin you’d get business class check-in, priority boarding, lounge access, extra baggage allowance etc etc.

Economy X can be very expensive. But the regular seat pitch is pretty tight on VA… it feels far tighter than QF. So it *might* be of value.

You might find a better overall package by saving the money from economy X and buying qantas… which then comes with an open bar, meals, and good inflight entertainment, and free wifi while over australia (which is most of the flight!)

Thank you so much for the info and insights.

 

[MooTime]

The only benefit of Aeroplan is that you can access VA lounges prior to departure.

As there are no international VA lounges, the benefit is non existent.

Details here: Aeroplan partners

If you chose singapore airlines via sin you’d get business class check-in, priority boarding, lounge access, extra baggage allowance etc etc.

Economy X can be very expensive. But the regular seat pitch is pretty tight on VA… it feels far tighter than QF. So it *might* be of value.

You might find a better overall package by saving the money from economy X and buying qantas… which then comes with an open bar, meals, and good inflight entertainment, and free wifi while over australia (which is most of the flight!)

It feels tighter the seat pitch is is or isn't tighter?
Did quick search and it's ~30% more $$ on QF than VA...for couple beers and what some call a meal. Wifi free for part of trip at so so speed.
Lounge access in AUS at certain ports vs QF zero lounge access with Aeroplan.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

It feels tighter the seat pitch is is or isn't tighter?
Did quick search and it's ~30% more $$ on QF than VA...for couple beers and what some call a meal. Wifi free for part of trip at so so speed.
Lounge access in AUS at certain ports vs QF zero lounge access with Aeroplan.

VA seat pitch 29.8 inches. Qantas 30. So ‘is’ tighter. But actually after having sat in the ‘new’ VA seats… seems a lot worse than it appears on paper

The OP was asking about travel to Bali… so no lounge access.

I picked a random date where VA had their cheapest fare MEL-DPS, lite fare was $392 plus $95 for economy X total $497. QF is $469 all up including bags, bar, meals. and wifi. Also no lounge access.

 

[MooTime]

VA seat pitch 29.8 inches. Qantas 31. So ‘is’ tighter. And feels like it!

The OP was asking about travel to Bali… so no lounge access.

I picked a random date where VA had their cheapest fare MEL-DPS, lite fare was $392 plus $95 for economy X total $497. QF is $469 all up including bags, bar, meals. and wifi. Also no lounge access.

Ok.
I'd only say if flying to dps from ool or mel, you could still access the VA lounge as same terminal building. Via the Aeroplan privilege.

Also with ecoX you have 34" of pitch, fair amount more than QF. For $30 extra in your above eg.

But being Lite fare no bags so not good.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Ok.
I'd only say if flying to dps from ool or mel, you could still access the VA lounge as same terminal building. Via the Aeroplan privilege.

Also with ecoX you have 34" of pitch, fair amount more than QF. For $30 extra in your above eg.

But being Lite fare no bags so not good.

I edited my post while you were writing because i wanted to confirm the QF seat pitch… it’s actually only 30 inches, not 31.

However, while using up the last of my VA points I took an economy flight a few weeks ago on one of the newly configured planes with the extra row of seats… it was really tight Maybe it’s just the QF seats being fabric are more worn-in and pliable

 

[yld200]

How did it go?

The agent I spoke with wasn't able to book the multi-city. They flight wasn't visible on their end as a multi, but visible as a single booking. The agent came up with an excuse about it not being a multi city booking but a transit flight because arrival and departure was on the same day.

Will try again this week.

 

[yld200]

Have tried again to complete a multi city booking via the call centre with no luck. I was also advised that if I make my booking via two QR PNRs that I will have to collect luggage in DOH on arrival and bags will not be checked through.

Anyone have any recent experience to confirm otherwise regarding tagging bags through when on 2 PNRs / bookings both on QR?

 

[Azro]

How come the same flight has different price for a reward seat? I thought it's distance based and should be the same.

 

[AIRwin]

How come the same flight has different price for a reward seat? I thought it's distance based and should be the same.
View attachment 461559

This was introduced in 2023:

Thread 'New Velocity Points Table for Virgin Australia Domestic flights'

Jun 5, 2023

Point Hacks has more details up. Revamped Velocity's first move: a new points table - Point Hacks

Key details are that the points needed for domestic economy awards are being split into three tiers (one higher and one lower than current amounts - e.g. MEL-SYD awards will be 6200, 7800 and 9900 points rather than just 7800 points). Business awards are unchanged. New tables here.

There’s also a ‘1 point reward’ promo available.

• MELso
• Replies: 37
• Forum: Virgin Australia | Velocity

• 

 

[Azro]

Thanks, that explains it.

 

[straitman]

I have been messaging with VA re what/who I can get Extra Leg room seats for on an upcoming flight. I have asked them if I can get extra leg room or at least preferred seating for an extra person (91yo) at no cost. Since I originally booked they agree that the rules have changed (without notice) to all people must be on the same booking as the Platinum however won't bend. That being the case I am interested to see what applies inside the 48 hour preflight window.

The VA rules now state “ Guests travelling on Economy Choice or Flex fares can purchase a Preferred seat selection at any time via Manage Your Booking. 48 hours prior to the flight's scheduled departure, any remaining Preferred Seating becomes available for complimentary selection during check-in.”

What they don’t state is what happens between 48 hours and check-in. Are those seats released for selection to everyone else just like Qantas does at T-80?

This is important because as it stands, we have the situation of a 91yo who cannot sit with family anywhere on the aircraft without paying.

Personally, this seems heartless, inappropriate, and not the aim of these type of rules/regulations.

Thoughts please?

 

[Harrison_133]

What they don’t state is what happens between 48 hours and check-in. Are those seats released for selection to everyone else just like Qantas does at T-80?

Preferred seating becomes available to everyone at 48 hours before. Economy X is still charged for.

 

[straitman]

Preferred seating becomes available to everyone at 48 hours before. Economy X is still charged for.

Thank you. It would be lovely if the VA web site actually explained that.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thank you. It would be lovely if the VA web site actually explained that.

For commercial reasons, I suppose it’s not in their interest to do so!

 

[straitman]

For commercial reasons, I suppose it’s not in their interest to do so!

Or maybe when they changed the rules they could advise people. Is that too much to ask?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Or maybe when they changed the rules they could advise people. Is that too much to ask?

No, but this is virgin. Can’t organise their way out of a paper bag.