No value in Virgin Flexi fares?

One member is frustrated at what they perceive as a considerable devaluation of Virgin’s more expensive Flexi fares. They complain that while the benefits have decreased, the prices of Flexi fares have soared. Flexi fares often cost triple the price of a standard Saver ticket.

Can someone enlighten me on the benefit of booking a Flexi fare over a Saver, besides additional FF points and SC’s? Over the last year VA have drastically devalued this fare type!

Our member points out that former Flexi-only benefits, such as a complimentary on-board snack, free checked baggage and the opportunity to upgrade with points are now meaningless, as all customers now receive these benefits regardless of the fare paid.

Many of our members concur that they don’t understand the benefit of Flexi fares either. One member has calculated that even if they had to change or forfeit a large number of bookings, it would still cost them less overall to buy only Saver fares than Flexi tickets!

I did a comparison and for me (where flights do change frequently) over a twelve month period and I still worked out it was cheaper to buy the base level fare and forfeit it when needed.

Other members do see the value. Flexi fares earn a higher number of points and status credits, and can be upgraded for a reduced number of points. On international flights, only Flexi passengers are eligible to upgrade and Platinum frequent flyers requesting a complimentary upgrade also need to have booked a Flexi ticket. Additionally, some business travellers spruik the ability to change or cancel a booking prior to departure for no fee as a worthwhile benefit. However it is noted that status passengers travelling on even the cheapest fares can usually snag an earlier flight for free using Fly Ahead anyway.

These are pretty much the reasons I (still) only buy Flexis. Higher points earn and Status Credit earn. I pre-book a bunch of flights at the fixed Flexi rate (especially at peak-holiday periods), and then I can move them around at will often without any change to the price and no change fee.

Fewer points to upgrade from Flexi is also another major incentive.

Do you see the value, or consider Flexi fares a waste of money? Join the discussion HERE.

Matt Graham

The editor of Australian Frequent Flyer, Matt's passion for travel has taken him to over 70 countries… with the help of frequent flyer points, of course!
Matt's favourite destinations (so far) are Germany, Brazil & Kazakhstan. His interests include economics, aviation & foreign languages, and he has a soft spot for good food and red wine.

You can connect with Matt by posting on the Australian Frequent Flyer community forum and tagging @AFF Editor.