Virgin 'the business's booked but plane changed

[Charleston]

Hey guys,

I booked a business flight and at the time made sure that if I was going to spend the points it'd be worth it and the flights were all 'the business'.

Now they've changed the planes to smaller older style business, and I'm a bit annoyed because the quality is no where near as good... If I'd known I would have saved the points and flown economy because it's not much better.

Anyone know if I have any recourse or is it just tough luck?

 

[texanaust]

If you are flexible, ask VA to rebook you on another flight that has ‘the business.’ I had a Mel-CBR reward that was downgraded to a prop and they moved me to the next jet service in J once I called velocity reservations.

 

[Bagpuss]

Hey guys,

I booked a business flight and at the time made sure that if I was going to spend the points it'd be worth it and the flights were all 'the business'.

Now they've changed the planes to smaller older style business, and I'm a bit annoyed because the quality is no where near as good... If I'd known I would have saved the points and flown economy because it's not much better.

Anyone know if I have any recourse or is it just tough luck?

As per @texanaust contact VA and they will try and re-accommodate.

I had noticed VH-XFJ has been in Brisbane since 28th July and I was wondering if it was planned or the aircraft had gone tech. I had been thinking it was planned as no-one has mentioned swap outs recently.

Maybe it is tech, or maybe you have been unfortunately unlucky.

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[Charleston]

I've checked other flights on the day, all are the older planes and I can't fly on another day unfortunately.

Guess it's just unlucky!

 

[Denali]

I would be phoning desk and requesting some points return. Good luck.

 

[waldo61]

I had an aircraft change earlier this year after I had booked The Business using points. I rang and they cancelled the booking and refunded the points.

 

[Bagpuss]

I've checked other flights on the day, all are the older planes.

By older planes you mean a B737 instead of an A330.

There's a number of B737's which are newer than the A330 fleet.

It's a fleet type difference not an aircraft age.

 

[Charleston]

I would be phoning desk and requesting some points return. Good luck.

I will try when I get back I think.

It's a fleet type difference not an aircraft age.

My bad, I just looked up the flight numbers in seat guru to check the configuration.

 

[ojm]

My flight this morning (MEL-SYD) was switched from A330 to B737. Didn't really care for the short flight anyway.

 

[travellerqff]

I remember when virgin Australia rebranded with business class, my friend was flying Perth to Sydney on the ex-emirates a330. The plane was changed on the day to a 737 and he told them he wasn’t getting the product he was paying for, so they rebooked him on a Qantas flight at the same time in business class.

 

[mannej]

I remember when virgin Australia rebranded with business class, my friend was flying Perth to Sydney on the ex-emirates a330. The plane was changed on the day to a 737 and he told them he wasn’t getting the product he was paying for, so they rebooked him on a Qantas flight at the same time in business class.

Which at the time, he could have ended up in a recliner on QF much the same

 

[Pleb Status]

Which at the time, he could have ended up in a recliner on QF much the same

Correct, as all 73H, 767 and domestic 332 were fitted with recliners at that time and they would have been very lucky to get a QFi 332/333 with the Skybed I.

 

[Genji88]

I actually had the same thing happen to me with SQ F, I'd specifically booked the 1:05am MEL-SIN red eye on the A380 wanting to book a Suite
but the Metal got changed to 777-300 ER.

I made the SQ call centre Well Aware I was unhappy about this and was inflexible about travel dates, so they said they could deposit 5k points into my KF account promptly.

While obviously not the best case scenario, an extra 5k points can come in handy.

 

[travellerqff]

Which at the time, he could have ended up in a recliner on QF much the same

Correct, as all 73H, 767 and domestic 332 were fitted with recliners at that time and they would have been very lucky to get a QFi 332/333 with the Skybed I.

Indeed, they got a 767 with the standard recliner chair. I hope they doubled dipped on points!

 

[Saab34]

I think XFJ might be getting WiFi installed? I noticed they were cutting into the roof again in the hanger.