VA - ADL - BRIS - EMER - Separate Itinerary - Tight Connection

[eric2011]

Now whilst this means a 4 hours layover, this solution would have made me happy from the start. It is a shame it took as much energy as it did to get there. Needless to say I have learned my lesson about connections!!

If you are coming off a J flight can you get into Bus lounge or perhaps can you buy a one off admittance. Don't know if this is possible.

 

[mannej]

IMHO I would have rang VA before I did the booking and see if they could do something to put in on the same booking.

QF had a glitch like that awhile ago and I used it but it was a quick ph call and they linked it all together.

It was a tight connection in SYD but well worth the extra SC's

Difference is QF will check you in the whole way on separate tickets like the OP, VA won't

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. Most of them were defeated by information you didnt have which is I am travelling with my wife and 16 month old daughter - for 2 weeks in QLD.

I am sure you can imagine the luggage including oversize we will have!! It also meant I couldnt change the J flight of ADL to BRIS as the only earlier one leaves at 0605 - before junior wakes. I tried two different people in call centre with same result.

Good news though is we have an outcome. I emailed VA complaints at the same time as posting here, and got concerned when it said a response may take 15 days (although it did mention sooner for plat, gold and business). I got a phone call this afternoon from a helpful VA chap who arranged for me to be able to change the BRIS to EMER leg to a later flight a no charge whatsoever.

Now whilst this means a 4 hours layover, this solution would have made me happy from the start. It is a shame it took as much energy as it did to get there. Needless to say I have learned my lesson about connections!!

Does this mean your bags can be through checked ADL/EMD or do you still have to pick the bags up in BNE & checkin again?

If you do, make sure you take note of how long it takes from when you disembark the plane to when you have dropped off your luggage. This will give you a real estimate of how much time you really need.

Also see if they can tag the stroller for the EMD flight then keep it with you so you give it to them at the gate. Ensure you find out the cut off time to drop it at the gate.

VA may have a loan stroller you can use instead if you would rather check yours in at the same time as your other luggage.

 

[notmensa]

It is a system error . I was not "presented" with both options. I researched the options and found that one way I was being charged a lot more money for the same tickets!! I would be silly to do it!

I'm pleased the issue was resolved for you.

It's worth pointing out that this was not a system error. The earlier BNE-EMD flight isn't 'presented' as an option when searching ADL-(BNE)-EMD because the connection time is too short and under what is required/recommended by VA. Using this fare is not really making an 'apples with apples' comparison with the later flights that meet minimum connections.

 

[Fruitcake]

I'm pleased the issue was resolved for you.

It's worth pointing out that this was not a system error. The earlier BNE-EMD flight isn't 'presented' as an option when searching ADL-(BNE)-EMD because the connection time is too short and under what is required/recommended by VA. Using this fare is not really making an 'apples with apples' comparison with the later flights that meet minimum connections.

Not quite - the VA booking engine does actually offer on one itinerary the flights I suspect the OP has booked:
[h=4]Flight Details[/h]

Departs	Arrives	Stops	Flight	Aircraft	Operator
ADL09:20 AM	BNE12:10 PM	0	VA 1391	E90	Virgin Australia
BNE12:45 PM	EMD02:35 PM	0	VA 1261	AT7	Skywest For Virgin Australia

Glad you managed to get the issue resolved successfully, g-unit.

 

[notmensa]

@Fruitcake - Interesting! I did the same search across a few different days and didn't see it offered!

Edited to add: Virgin's new website has no recommendation for minimum connection times. It also doesn't specify when Baggage Drop closes prior to a flight (it only lists the cutoffs for check-in).