Virgin now allows Fly Ahead on all Flex fares

[Mattg]

From today, anyone travelling on an Economy Flex fare on Virgin Australia can change to an earlier flight on the day of travel, free of charge. The Fly Ahead option is also now available in the Virgin Australia app (also for Gold, Platinum & Plat Plus members).

Good news for people on Flex fares, but kinda devalues the Fly Ahead benefit for Velocity Gold members, since they have to book Flex (or Business/reward) to use the Fly Ahead benefit that they've earned through their status, no?

 

[henrus]

I’m struggling to think of any perks of gold/platinum now that one can’t get by paying.

Fly ahead was one of the last remaining things you had to have gold/platinum for.

 

[andrewpf]

I would go further than saying it 'devalues' the benefit for gold. The benefit disappears, because it isn't a benefit any more, its the same as every customer at the same cost- buy flex, get access to fly ahead. Don't have a flex ticket, you don't get fly ahead as a gold member.

 

[henrus]

I would go further than saying it 'devalues' the benefit for gold. The benefit disappears, because it isn't a benefit any more, its the same as every customer at the same cost- buy flex, get access to fly ahead. Don't have a flex ticket, you don't get fly ahead as a gold member.

Gold still gets it on business class fares and economy reward seats so still some minor benefits exist.

 

[transpactraveller]

Being able to change to another flight is surely the base definition of a Flex fare though?

 

[antycbr]

Being able to change to another flight is surely the base definition of a Flex fare though?

The main change being no fare difference applicable. Before a flex might require a fare difference to be applied.

 

[im.daniel]

I wonder if this will have any impact on whether QF makes any changes to their Flex fares (in both pricing and flying ahead benefits) ....

 

[antycbr]

The main routes where this is beneficial is on the triangle where I’d wager a significant number of days (particularly in summer) are already on flow forward to minimise later weather related disruptions. This simply allows passengers to get on their way earlier, filling all available seats and indirectly also reducing lounge wait times and F&B costs - while also driving incremental upsells to Flex.

 

[serfty]

The main change being no fare difference applicable. Before a flex might require a fare difference to be applied.

Yes, in theory. In my experience, fare difference was never applied.

(I think it was simply easier just to move me.)

 

[antycbr]

Yes, in theory. In my experience, fare difference was never applied.

(I this it was simp,y easier just to move me.)

Once you’re at the airport the staff usually want to get you on your way, they’re not worried about yield management.

The game change here though is removing staffed check-ins - the kiosks enforce rules based on the business logic. See how much an automated bag drop will allow you to go over 23kgs as an example.

 

[muppet]

I wonder if this will have any impact on whether QF makes any changes to their Flex fares (in both pricing and flying ahead benefits) ....

Hasn’t the ability to fly earlier on flex fares been a feature of the QF app (and kiosks before that) for ages?

 

[henrus]

Hasn’t the ability to fly earlier on flex fares been a feature of the QF app (and kiosks before that) for ages?

Negative. Flown on QF Flex fares for work as a WP and told to pound it before.

 

[im.daniel]

Hasn’t the ability to fly earlier on flex fares been a feature of the QF app (and kiosks before that) for ages?

Not to my knowledge? I know the fly earlier feature on QF app is available during irregular ops (eg bad weather, flight cancellation, delay etc) ... happy to be corrected though!

 

[fletty]

Yes with QF the app specifically offers flow-forwarding, not fly-ahead.

YMMV asking to fly-ahead at the lounge when HLO.

 

[bam71]

Issue I have is I always fly J, and they fill the cabin with upgrades by the night prior, so I can never go earlier or later. I just cancel and book a new ticket in Y Qf, JQ or another ticket on VA. It’s a PITA

 

[prelude]

In my experience, VA have always been exceptionally accomodating for same-day fly-ahead requests regardless of status/fare when requested at the lounge.

I personally see the general improvements as always positive and not a ‘devaluation’ of status, but I do agree the value proposition of retaining status has been diminishing.

 

[TeaKozy]

Yes with QF the app specifically offers flow-forwarding, not fly-ahead.

YMMV asking to fly-ahead at the lounge when HLO.

P1’s can change to any flight on the day without paying a fare difference, but requires calling up. Otherwise (as others said) you just try your luck at the lounge.

I only used it once (and happened to call just after midnight given it was pre-Christmas…)

 

[henrus]

P1’s can change to any flight on the day without paying a fare difference, but requires calling up.

Only if booked on a flex fare, something VA now offers for anyone booked on a flex fare.

 

[Saab34]

Jetstar started improving its Flex offer a while ago including the free same day change so it’s good to see they are finally doing something.

I’d like to see VA overhaul its fare buckets. I think two flex buckets, one that perhaps doesn’t include checked baggage and instead offers a higher cabin allowance.

 

[antycbr]

Jetstar started improving its Flex offer a while ago including the free same day change so it’s good to see they are finally doing something.

I’d like to see VA overhaul its fare buckets. I think two flex buckets, one that perhaps doesn’t include checked baggage and instead offers a higher cabin allowance.

They can’t fit the cabin bags now - particularly on the 737-800 non Boeing Sky Interior aircraft.