Virgin Flyer 2-For-1 - Significant negative changes from Dec 1

[DC3]

I think you are correct. We have had the Flyer card since March this year and have taken advantage to the 241 offers. We have also accumulated over 30K in FF points with our normal everyday spend. (that does not count the sign on bonus of 30K as well).

I don't want to get flamed but I think most of those who are upset at the changes are those who booked flexis and upgraded. As a family, we only ever fly the cheap seats.

If there was an equivalent card that gave me 4 discounted flights a year and earned us over 36K FF points per annum for less than $170, then show me where and I'll sign up.

Yes, good for some. No good for me unfortunately although it was a great card for me while it lasted. Alas, no more. I've since gone back to Qantas for all bookings now, wheara previously I was doing maybe 60:40 QF:VA.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Whilst I recognise some are still happy with this card, I thought I might just add another data point.

Tonight is the first time since early this year that I've bothered with the 241's. With the double SC offer, I've looked at some dates for BNE-CNS which coincidentally happen to be the cheapest I've been able to price a SC against ($91.96 per sector with rate code for 30SCs = $3.07/SC). Rang the GCC and priced the 241's (we really need to change that name) and the best price per person per sector based on saver lite fare was quoted as $83.77.......or a saving of $8.19.....or a discount of about 9% (somewhat short of 241). Gee, thanks, that'll really pay the cost of the card.............not!

I could say that makes the cost per SC a respectable $2.79, but that would be misleading as it doesn't include the cost of the card.

 

[ksthommo]

Got a nice surprise when I rang up yesterday for TWO41 prices on Cairns/Melbourne & Sydney/Cairns flights for December/January.
Price on the VA website for CNS/MEL was $249 per pax not counting credit card fees, TWO41 Price $293. SYD/CNS was $299, TWO41 Price $342.

Saved $461, glad they waived the credit card fee when I rang up to cancel.

 

[ronnie66]

What you mean?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

What you mean?

I'd suggest ksthommo is pleased VM waived the annual fee for having the CC.

 

[Jama]

Had a colleague that I suggested the Virgin card to early last year. Just got a note from him that he went to book a couple of return tickets from Bris to Syd. The total cost was $387 with the 2for1. Booking the same flights online without the 2for1 was $356. He ended up booking with Qantas and cancelled the card. Glad I'm not a share holder when instead of making more they are sending people to the competition.

 

[ksthommo]

What you mean?

Beer Coupons saved keeping the card, would have cancelled if the annual fee wasn't waived.

 

[Sojourner]

I made a 2 for 1 booking on a flex fare before the changes came into effect last year in December. Now my plans have changed and I need to change the date for my bookings. I had a look online and the ticket prices look the same. Has anyone had any experience with changing their flexi flights booked pre 1 Dec 2013, after the changes? I basically just want to move the dates ahead by about a month, same departure arrival points.

 

[tinkybelle]

Just call and ask!

 

[DeKa]

Just call and ask!

Exactly, and don't mention 2-for-1 at all. Maybe casually mention you know they were Flexi...

 

[carwashhair]

Hard to tell from the latest offer how the 2-4-1 changes are affecting Virgin money, but the following latest deal could be value for some...

 

[Fifa]

Hard to tell from the latest offer how the 2-4-1 changes are affecting Virgin money, but the following latest deal could be value for some...

Yes, I got that email this afternoon.
I'm going to cancel my card so I may get my +1 to apply for one now

 

[DC3]

I finally got around to cancelling this card last week.

It was good while the original T&C were in place, but as I only ever booked flexi or business, it's no longer of any use to me.

They offered fee-free (for this year?) to retain, but the card is not for me.

 

[smit0847]

After using up all my and my partners 2-4-1's before the changes came in on Dec 1 I hadn't checked the 2-4-1 balance for some months.

We both got a nice surprise today when we did.

Anyone else found this?

 

[Fruitcake]

I just looked and I also received a nice surprise. Which is especially interesting because I cancelled the card before my "new year" began. Of course, even if I felt like being dishonest, I no longer have a Virgin Money Visa card, so it would be hard to book anything.

 

[bcworld]

After using up all my and my partners 2-4-1's before the changes came in on Dec 1 I hadn't checked the 2-4-1 balance for some months.

We both got a nice surprise today when we did.

Anyone else found this?

After last year you surely weren't THAT surprised!?

I just booked one last night, unfortunately all appears as it should.

 

[smit0847]

After last year you surely weren't THAT surprised!?

I just booked one last night, unfortunately all appears as it should.

One day I'll tell you how many 2-4-1s I booked last year (once I add them all up).

I knew I had 2 left so booked them yesterday too - checked the balance today (and my partners) and we both got a nice surprise.

 

[smit0847]

My 'year' resets in 4 weeks - I was always planning to cancel it - I've only kept it post Dec 1 because the points earn works well with my NAB Amex (earn on NAB Visa is poor). I'll keep it if they waive the annual fee (dont care about getting 4 more 2-4-1s). Has anyone had the annual fee waived when threatening to cancel? Seems like a no-brainer to keep if there's no fee.

 

[bcworld]

My 'year' resets in 4 weeks - I was always planning to cancel it - I've only kept it post Dec 1 because the points earn works well with my NAB Amex (earn on NAB Visa is poor). I'll keep it if they waive the annual fee (dont care about getting 4 more 2-4-1s). Has anyone had the annual fee waived when threatening to cancel? Seems like a no-brainer to keep if there's no fee.

I think quite a few have now. Plus they are (or recently were) offering the card to new customers with no annual fee in the first year so I think they will.

I still value the 2-4-1, I know that's an unpopular opinion around here! Saved $220 on MEL-OOL-MEL flights last night.

 

[smit0847]

I think quite a few have now. Plus they are (or recently were) offering the card to new customers with no annual fee in the first year so I think they will.

I still value the 2-4-1, I know that's an unpopular opinion around here! Saved $220 on MEL-OOL-MEL flights last night.

It's good value for longer flights that are not on sale where there's a big 'chunk' of base fare to save. I did some calculations prior to Dec 1 and worked out that for short flights that are often on sale the 'reduced flight offer' would be about the same price as just buying sale saver-lites which are, of course, unlimited.

I kept 2 up my sleeve for a rainy day and have had to book a MEL-SYD-MEL to join up to a USDM trip. Looking at the normal (full-price) fares it was $145 pp each way for a Saver fare with about $30 of that being the taxes. So in theory, using the 2-4-1s on this would have been $145 + $30 + $145 + $30 + $7.70 + $7.70, so about $365 for 2 ppl return.

A sale on this route on my dates popped up this week, with Saver lite fares for $89. Assuming payment with Poli, price would be $89 x 4 = $356, so slightly cheaper than using the 2-4-1s (so illustrating my point about their worth).

I rang up just so see if the sale would have any effect on the 2-4-1s available (knowing you're not supposed to be able to book them on sale fares), and I was quoted $290 for 2 people return incl everything, so cheaper than buying sale fares outright. I was happy with that price.