Virgin Blue Premium economy - is it worth it?

[ozbeachbabe]

Had to book the BF SYD/DRW on Sat 21 Mar. He works O/S 2 weeks on/2 weeks off in a FIFO job and arrives at SYD Intl 1520 hours.

After realising not a lot of choice with flights on a Saturday evening I booked him Virgin Blue (via BNE) and was astounded the difference between their Blue Saver fare of $235.00 ow versus Premium Economy fare of $859.00 ow.

All up cost on the Blue Saver fare after adding the 8 bucks in order to have 23kg of checked baggage was $243.00. Despite being 6foot3 being the frugal creature he is he elected not to pay the extra $45.00 for exit row seating even though his employer reimburses him for the travel.

Unless I'm missing something here, as far as I'm aware all you get for the extra $624.00 is a guaranteed spare seat blocked out next to you in the first few rows on the aircraft and priority boarding.

Would be interested if anyone else out there buys these PE fares on DJ.

Cheers OBB

 

[Nigelinoz]

I've only flown in DJ PE from SYD to BNE and at the time I didn't really think it was worth the extra fare but that's just my opinion,others may disagree.
The one thing I can say is that whilst $859.00 sounds a lot for PE it's a bit less than Qantas business class which would set you back $1539.00 !
(Although of course real business class is significantly different to PE)

 

[Platy]

Despite being 6foot3 being the frugal creature he is he elected not to pay the extra $45.00 for exit row seating even though his employer reimburses him for the travel.

Value is a mattter for personal perception! I guess if BF isn't going to allow his employer to fork out an extra $45 for the Blue Zone seating, he is unlikely to be interested in massive extra cost for Premium Economy!?

Some think PE is worth the money and others don't.

Personally, I would pay the $45 for the Blue Zone plus budget some cash for a beer (or two!) and a meal over the cheapest fare and enjoy many of the benefits of PE for a much cheaper outlay!!!

 

[oz_mark]

Unless I'm missing something here, as far as I'm aware all you get for the extra $624.00 is a guaranteed spare seat blocked out next to you in the first few rows on the aircraft and priority boarding.

...and a fully flexible ticket, which accounts for much of the price difference. Just look at how much a flexible ticket costs on Qantas versus the inflexible tickets and you will see on that basis the DJ proposition is not so bad.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Oz_Mark

...and a fully flexible ticket, which accounts for much of the price difference. Just look at how much a flexible ticket costs on Qantas versus the inflexible tickets and you will see on that basis the DJ proposition is not so bad.

Understood, however even if you did your dough and forfeited a $235.00 fare because you couldn't give 24 hours notice to change ie cancelling on the day it's still cheaper to buy another fare of $235.00 so all up you've spent $470.00 not $859.00.

I think all domestic airlines give you the flexibility of changing 24 hours prior so unlike fares in the past that were non-changeable (use it or lose it) there is now less reason to book those higher fares for the reason of flexibility.

Oz

 

[JohnK]

My father and I were given row 2 premium economy seats at check-in for a SYD-BNE flight. In my opinion it is definitely not worth it to pay for premium economy, at close to 4 times discount economy airfare, in order to have a spare seat next to you. Much better off paying for 2 discount economy seats and there will be more room than a premium economy seat. If leg room is an issue then pay extra for exit row seating.

 

[DJ737]

Hi there

Following a slow uptake, PE on domestic is now mainly occupied by Business & PE pax on V Australia connecting flights.

Although the other day PE was all that was available on SYD-MEL in the afternoon, and there were only a few flights that had it available.

Cheers
DJ737

 

[ishkaban]

So the full benefits are -

• Complimentary food and beverages from our V-licious onboard menu+
• Complimentary Live2air in-flight entertainment with 24 FOXTEL/AUSTAR channels and movies on selected flights

• Extra space and comfort in the first three rows
• Priority Check-in at major Australian domestic, Brisbane, Honiara and Port Moresby international terminals
• Complimentary access to The Lounge (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra domestic terminals)
• Complimentary checked-baggage allowance up to 32kg (If possible, when you bring between 23kg and 32kg of checked-baggage please split the weight over several bags to prevent injury to our Ground Staff)
• Fully-flexible and fully-refundable fare*
• Freedom to cancel your flight within 24 hours after the scheduled flight departure
• Velocity Points and Status Credits for every dollar you spend on your fare.

 

[NM]

Following a slow uptake, PE on domestic is now mainly occupied by Business & PE pax on V Australia connecting flights.

That may be the case on the very few flights that make reasonable connections to a limited number of VA departures and arrivals. But what about all the other DJ flights that operate each day? Is there a reliable source for your statement? Or is this an assumption based on your own experience and observations?

 

[albatross710]

So the full benefits are -

• Freedom to cancel your flight within 24 hours after the scheduled flight departure

Wouldn't it make sense that if you didn't board a flight then that would mean you'd want your money back? Why is it a benefit for a client to have to call up when, with all of the technology and systems inplace, they could automatically 'credit' the fare back.

Why do we let airlines, industries, telecommunications companies, banks get away with statements like that?

Don't get me started on 'unlimited' calling plans that have call limits!

 

[JohnK]

Why do we let airlines, industries, telecommunications companies, banks get away with statements like that?

Because don't know any better, continue to use their services even though we are not happy and we are content being screwed....

 

[yangry]

I agree that everyone perceives value different. And it is more so with all different factors involved, for example, employer is paying, FF points, etc.

But if it's for me, unless someone is paying for me, I'll be happy with the cheapest fare.

I can never justify business class or in this case, premium economy. If it means I can fly on the cheapest fare, I wouldn't want to pay double or even triple to be doing the exact same thing.

Of course I know they are not "exactly" the same, with more comfort and lounges and better food and stuff. But to me, I can do it without for 10 hours. However, if someone is paying for me, I'll gladly to be sitting in business.

Alan

 

[oz_mark]

Understood, however even if you did your dough and forfeited a $235.00 fare because you couldn't give 24 hours notice to change ie cancelling on the day it's still cheaper to buy another fare of $235.00 so all up you've spent $470.00 not $859.00.

I think all domestic airlines give you the flexibility of changing 24 hours prior so unlike fares in the past that were non-changeable (use it or lose it) there is now less reason to book those higher fares for the reason of flexibility.

This argument could be applied equally to QF as well, but the art of yield management is to ensure everyone on a plane has paid the maximum they are willing to pay. Corporates are willing to pay for that flexibility (and it is certainly simpler to deal with flexible fares, than the change fees etc that go with the lessflexible fares).

You could argue that Qantas domestic business is overpriced fr what you get - but there is a willingness in some quarters to pay it.

 

[JohnK]

You could argue that Qantas domestic business is overpriced fr what you get - but there is a willingness in some quarters to pay it.

Does anyone seriously consider QF domestic business to be value for money? And yes there are companies out there with warped travel policies that allow employees to travel in business class on the SYD-MEL-BNE triangle....

 

[possumoz]

Does anyone seriously consider QF domestic business to be value for money? And yes there are companies out there with warped travel policies that allow employees to travel in business class on the SYD-MEL-BNE triangle....

If you define value for money as purchasing what you want, how you want it then yes QF J class is worth it. I fly J because I like to, therefore its worth it. Others have different opinions/ needs/ wants but that's the beauty of multi class airlines...everybody buys what they want at a satisfactory (to them) price. It's called a free country.

 

[pauly7]

...and a fully flexible ticket, which accounts for much of the price difference. Just look at how much a flexible ticket costs on Qantas versus the inflexible tickets and you will see on that basis the DJ proposition is not so bad.

It does depend of course (more from a corporate POV) how much you are actuallu paying for the flexible QF tickets after rebates and sweetners

 

[oz_mark]

It does depend of course (more from a corporate POV) how much you are actuallu paying for the flexible QF tickets after rebates and sweetners

Presumably from a corporate POV, DJ has various rebates/sweeteners as well. (Interesting question though where rebates go - they get back to the company, but not back to the projects that the travel was required on!)

 

[pauly7]

Interesting question though where rebates go - they get back to the company, but not back to the projects that the travel was required on!

Ours do, I guess its up to your company policy and accounting standards.

 

[Flashback]

Presumably from a corporate POV, DJ has various rebates/sweeteners as well. (Interesting question though where rebates go - they get back to the company, but not back to the projects that the travel was required on!)

Unfortunately that is how things have been happening in our company too.. :evil:

 

[jakeseven7]

And yes there are companies out there with warped travel policies that allow employees to travel in business class on the SYD-MEL-BNE triangle....

i wouldn't call them warped john...(more like lucky )... but seriously some companies place a different value on different things, in a highly competitive sector of white collars for example that our company employs alot of (that i might add is still short staffed and talent poor even with the supposed 'economic crisis' field) - it is used to attract personnel and retain personnel who travel alot (and by alot i mean even more than some of our high flyers on this forum ) - or are incredibly valueable to the company.

unfortunately (perhaps for some? not for others!) because of the ongoing skills shortage that australia still suffers in many areas, all the compensation and benefits will continue to increase in line with this.