My list of grievances with QF is longer than this forum permits to post - I’m at the point where I’d just happily go with anyone else just to see if it improves things - provided I am provided with the best tiered service they offer to boot and not make me earn it first.
Fair enough, sir. Best of luck with it. I haven't ever had any status with VA above silver, so I cannot comment on how they treat their top-tier customers. I should, however, warn you that I've had nothing but trouble with them. They seem to operate with a degree of inflexibility compared with QF, which can be very frustrating when, for example, you are asking for a little indulgence from them.
The hard product in J-class is acceptable and on par with the older QF 738s. The soft product in J (and Y really) is extremely average.
One of my many grievances with QF is that there is only cheap bubbly available in the domestic first/business lounge (not talking Club), no real champagne. Do VA have real champagne in their top tier lounge?
Will VA upgrade their top tier members at the gate out of courtesy when there are empty business seats, as EK does regularly?
No, the selection of wines in the VA Lounge is absolutely woeful. As somewhat of a "wine snob", the selection is, in my view, definitely inferior to the QF offerings. The onboard wine in J class is equally poor. I think the quality with QF has slipped in recent years, but it is still lightyears about so-called VA "J class".
You should keep in mind that, unlike QF, which has two tiers of lounge - the Business Lounge and the Qantas Club, VA only has the one lounge. I am excluding, of course, the invitation only lounges which each airline operates. I think you will, therefore, be most disappointed with the quality of the VA lounges. To take my home port (BNE), there is simply no comparison between the VA lounge and the new QF business lounge.
I do not fly with VA very often, but have never seen them offer complimentary upgrades at the gate. That is maybe something others can shed some light on, but as I said earlier, I find them anything but accommodating when it goes to those sort of 'discretionary' decisions.
It is obviously not for me to tell you what to do, but I think you'd be better off biting the bullet with QF. I think you'll find VA to be woeful.
I do not fly with VA very often, but have never seen them offer complimentary upgrades at the gate. That is maybe something others can shed some light on, but as I said earlier, I find them anything but accommodating when it goes to those sort of 'discretionary' decisions
As with most airlines, Qantas and Virgin Australia only do these when a flight is oversold - I've been fortunate enough to be on the receiving end on rare occasions, and have seen those upgrades given to others, also.
One of my many grievances with QF is that there is only cheap bubbly available in the domestic first/business lounge (not talking Club), no real champagne. Do VA have real champagne in their top tier lounge?
Will VA upgrade their top tier members at the gate out of courtesy when there are empty business seats, as EK does regularly?
They never, ever give free upgrades. I understand Qantas doesn't either and I just don't understand it. The airlines in the US despite all their other service problems are great with their upgrades to top tier frequent flyers. It bewilders me why VA or Qantas cannot implement something like this.
Interesting to hear this - a colleague I've been speaking to about this seemed more pleased with VA than QF, what you're telling me sounds like the opposite. In good news though, the +80h rule worked for me for the first time today and I was just able to book row 5. Bizarre. Still it makes me wonder how many P members fly on an average SYD-PER flight?
Interesting to hear this - a colleague I've been speaking to about this seemed more pleased with VA than QF, what you're telling me sounds like the opposite. In good news though, the +80h rule worked for me for the first time today and I was just able to book row 5. Bizarre. Still it makes me wonder how many P members fly on an average SYD-PER flight?
Pleased to hear you have had some success.
I have a friend who is an absolute VA fanboy and I can tell you that trying to have an objective discussion with him about the relative merits of QF and VA is simply impossible. I think there are a few people out that like to make a statement by distinguishing themselves from the crowd by eschewing QF in favour of "always travelling Virgin".
Interesting to hear this - a colleague I've been speaking to about this seemed more pleased with VA than QF, what you're telling me sounds like the opposite. In good news though, the +80h rule worked for me for the first time today and I was just able to book row 5. Bizarre. Still it makes me wonder how many P members fly on an average SYD-PER flight?
Pleased to hear you have had some success.
I have a friend who is an absolute VA fanboy and I can tell you that trying to have an objective discussion with him about the relative merits of QF and VA is simply impossible. I think there are a few people out that like to make a statement by distinguishing themselves from the crowd by eschewing QF in favour of "always travelling Virgin".
Sounds like those who pop up to QF Bash, even though they haven't stepped foot onto a QF plane in 20-30 years...
Interesting to hear this - a colleague I've been speaking to about this seemed more pleased with VA than QF, what you're telling me sounds like the opposite. In good news though, the +80h rule worked for me for the first time today and I was just able to book row 5. Bizarre. Still it makes me wonder how many P members fly on an average SYD-PER flight?
Pleased to hear you have had some success.
I have a friend who is an absolute VA fanboy and I can tell you that trying to have an objective discussion with him about the relative merits of QF and VA is simply impossible. I think there are a few people out that like to make a statement by distinguishing themselves from the crowd by eschewing QF in favour of "always travelling Virgin".
Sounds like those who pop up to QF Bash, even though they haven't stepped foot onto a QF plane in 20-30 years...
I am VA Platinum and have generally been very happy with the service. I have been upgraded from time-to-time, including on SIA. Go figure. I've also found them much easier to deal with when there is an issue.
Yes, the VA lounge is not as great as Qantas Business, but its probably slightly better than some of the Qantas Clubs (Sydney being an exception). If you always fly business and value the lounge, stay with Qantas. If you get your status internationally and fly economy locally its a different story.
If VA offers you Gold I would take it and earn your way up.
Doktor
Doktor
Member since 24 Jan 2018
Total posts 19
Has anyone ever managed to persuade VA to offer top tier entry status to a QF Platinum passenger switching over to their services?
Covvers
Covvers
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 19 Jan 2018
Total posts 64
I haven’t tried, but it gets the question why you’d want to. Have you had a bad experience with QF?
Doktor
Doktor
Member since 24 Jan 2018
Total posts 19
My list of grievances with QF is longer than this forum permits to post - I’m at the point where I’d just happily go with anyone else just to see if it improves things - provided I am provided with the best tiered service they offer to boot and not make me earn it first.
Covvers
Covvers
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 19 Jan 2018
Total posts 64
Fair enough, sir. Best of luck with it. I haven't ever had any status with VA above silver, so I cannot comment on how they treat their top-tier customers. I should, however, warn you that I've had nothing but trouble with them. They seem to operate with a degree of inflexibility compared with QF, which can be very frustrating when, for example, you are asking for a little indulgence from them.
Doktor
Doktor
Member since 24 Jan 2018
Total posts 19
One of my many grievances with QF is that there is only cheap bubbly available in the domestic first/business lounge (not talking Club), no real champagne. Do VA have real champagne in their top tier lounge?
Will VA upgrade their top tier members at the gate out of courtesy when there are empty business seats, as EK does regularly?
mannej
mannej
QF
Member since 21 May 2014
Total posts 176
You are setting yourself up for disappointment if that is one of the grievances you have.
Covvers
Covvers
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 19 Jan 2018
Total posts 64
No, the selection of wines in the VA Lounge is absolutely woeful. As somewhat of a "wine snob", the selection is, in my view, definitely inferior to the QF offerings. The onboard wine in J class is equally poor. I think the quality with QF has slipped in recent years, but it is still lightyears about so-called VA "J class".
Chris C.
Chris C.
Member since 24 Apr 2012
Total posts 1,116
As with most airlines, Qantas and Virgin Australia only do these when a flight is oversold - I've been fortunate enough to be on the receiving end on rare occasions, and have seen those upgrades given to others, also.
JohnGB
JohnGB
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 11 Jul 2017
Total posts 22
Will VA upgrade their top tier members at the gate out of courtesy when there are empty business seats, as EK does regularly?
They never, ever give free upgrades. I understand Qantas doesn't either and I just don't understand it. The airlines in the US despite all their other service problems are great with their upgrades to top tier frequent flyers. It bewilders me why VA or Qantas cannot implement something like this.
Jorge_fly
Jorge_fly
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 08 Feb 2016
Total posts 83
I am VA Platinun and I’ve been lucky enough to score a couple of free international upgrade due to the cabin being oversold.
Doktor
Doktor
Member since 24 Jan 2018
Total posts 19
Interesting to hear this - a colleague I've been speaking to about this seemed more pleased with VA than QF, what you're telling me sounds like the opposite. In good news though, the +80h rule worked for me for the first time today and I was just able to book row 5. Bizarre. Still it makes me wonder how many P members fly on an average SYD-PER flight?
Covvers
Covvers
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 19 Jan 2018
Total posts 64
Pleased to hear you have had some success.
mannej
mannej
QF
Member since 21 May 2014
Total posts 176
Pleased to hear you have had some success.
Sounds like those who pop up to QF Bash, even though they haven't stepped foot onto a QF plane in 20-30 years...
Covvers
Covvers
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 19 Jan 2018
Total posts 64
Pleased to hear you have had some success.
Sounds like those who pop up to QF Bash, even though they haven't stepped foot onto a QF plane in 20-30 years...
Quite so.
xtfer
xtfer
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 14 Mar 2017
Total posts 159
I am VA Platinum and have generally been very happy with the service. I have been upgraded from time-to-time, including on SIA. Go figure. I've also found them much easier to deal with when there is an issue.
Yes, the VA lounge is not as great as Qantas Business, but its probably slightly better than some of the Qantas Clubs (Sydney being an exception). If you always fly business and value the lounge, stay with Qantas. If you get your status internationally and fly economy locally its a different story.