I'm off on a long haul with Virgin tomorrow on an impossibly cheap deal in business. QF wanted to take me to the cleaners for the same itinerary (3 times the price), despite my Platinum One status. I have no special loyalty to the roo mob, their service is usually borderline, hardly ever do I get the special treatment considering I drop on order $100k on them every year.
Question: Virgin might gain a new customer if they impress me. Would it help to let them know I'm QF PO and if they play their cards right I might switch? If so, whom would I tell?
VA service and J to LAX and back would exceed most people’s expectations. Ofcourse QF dreamliners are more quieter than the 777. VA fares recently have been around under $5500 for return to LAX. And QF have brought down their prices to be closer to this number but not cheaper. When are you flying business class, i personally do not think your loyalty gets any special benefits except may be a “thank you or welcome back” sentence. (Not including extra baggage allowance which most J pax do not use). So, go with an open mind. Both aussie airlines have some serious competition including AirNZ and now SQ to LAX which is good for us.
If I were you I would do the opposite. I'd want to see how they would treat me on a regular flight, not how they would treat me if they were trying to 'win me over'
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I would call Virgin (call their admin offices and ask to be put through to the corporate sales team, don't call the reservations line), mention that you personally spend over $100k per annum on QF alone and that you are interested in switching. At the very least, I'd be surprised if they didn't offer you a Pilot Gold card for your troubles, and with that itinerary that should be ample to then get Full gold for a further 12 months.
Then at least for future flights, if you choose or are forced to fly VA, you get the benefits of lounge, priority check-in, boarding etc.
I would agree with apacau's comment. Contact them and mention to them that you're P1 with Qantas and are considering switching over to Virgin. At the very least I'm sure they'd offer you a pilot or fast track to Gold/Platinum offer. Doesn't hurt to have status with them, and gives you the option to travel domestically with them on gold or platinum status in the near future.
You'll like VAs The Business. Just call Velocity and see what they'll offer you re status, there is no harm in having gold or platinum with VA. In fact having gold or higher status with both VA and QF is ideal.
If you are a medical doctor there is potential for a status match with virgin via the business for doctors Facebook group. This is a closed group and you need to be able to prove your credentials to qualify. I did it and am P with Virgin and have yet to fly with them
Well that was an interesting experience: The domestic side of VA appears to cater to a different segment of the population than QF - I know, I should have seen that coming after the checkin hall in Sydney looked like (what I imagine) a refugee camp looks like. And that's not even an exaggeration. It was mayhem. Smelly mayhem. The lounge... meh, but so is the QF domestic business lounge. Nothing to write home about.
Domestic inflight service in business was very nice, and the meal was of a good standard. There's no lounge in MEL apparently, and I was sent on a wild goose chase from one lounge to the next each claiming the other was the VA partner lounge. Exasperated and under lots of bladder pressure I went to the QF lounge, but they sent me away (despite showing them my P1 card, they didn't even let me in for a pee... pun intended, agent didn't get the humour) they sent me to ANZ claiming they were the VA partner. Wrong again, but they at least were so kind as to enable relief. They told me some for pay lounge partners with VA - it was time to leave so I didn't go figure that out in the end.
The international business class in the VA 777 was very nice, with seat quality, convenience of storage locations, and IFE are of a superior standard to QF. Taking SQ/EK as the gold standard, VA was a long way off, but so are the flying roo mob. They both underperform for different reasons though. VA appears to have an "on the cheap" motto, where details like galley appearance and cleanliness, as well as the inflight bar, are lacklustre. Menu wise, the food was comparable to QF. The bar was lacking some staples, such as Campari, all they offered was Gin and Whisky. The wine selection isn't too impressive either.
But ultimately they got me there in one piece, rested, entertained, fed, and almost on time. At the price this was offered I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I guess that's the definition of "good value"!
Well that was an interesting experience: The domestic side of VA appears to cater to a different segment of the population than QF - I know, I should have seen that coming after the checkin hall in Sydney looked like (what I imagine) a refugee camp looks like. And that's not even an exaggeration. It was mayhem. Smelly mayhem. The lounge... meh, but so is the QF domestic business lounge. Nothing to write home about.
Domestic inflight service in business was very nice, and the meal was of a good standard. There's no lounge in MEL apparently, and I was sent on a wild goose chase from one lounge to the next each claiming the other was the VA partner lounge. Exasperated and under lots of bladder pressure I went to the QF lounge, but they sent me away (despite showing them my P1 card, they didn't even let me in for a pee... pun intended, agent didn't get the humour) they sent me to ANZ claiming they were the VA partner. Wrong again, but they at least were so kind as to enable relief. They told me some for pay lounge partners with VA - it was time to leave so I didn't go figure that out in the end.
The international business class in the VA 777 was very nice, with seat quality, convenience of storage locations, and IFE are of a superior standard to QF. Taking SQ/EK as the gold standard, VA was a long way off, but so are the flying roo mob. They both underperform for different reasons though. VA appears to have an "on the cheap" motto, where details like galley appearance and cleanliness, as well as the inflight bar, are lacklustre. Menu wise, the food was comparable to QF. The bar was lacking some staples, such as Campari, all they offered was Gin and Whisky. The wine selection isn't too impressive either.
But ultimately they got me there in one piece, rested, entertained, fed, and almost on time. At the price this was offered I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I guess that's the definition of "good value"!
Not sure what you mean by "The domestic side of VA appears to cater to a different segment of the population than QF", SYD is a busy airport sometimes regardless of who you're flying.
VA use the EY First & Business lounge in MEL, this may not have been advised to you at check-in as you didn't check in at international, but it's an easy Google search away to find out.
I do find it a little hard to believe that the bar only had gin and whisky, considering it's always fully stocked ex-AU.
Members are reminded to keep their comments to the topic at hand and refrain from posting personal attacks and remarks, in line with AusBT's long-standing Comment Policy.
Google unfortunately had similarly confusing indications as to who might be the lounge partner in Melbourne. You say it's EY - if so, it's not consistent across airports. At LAX it was EK, which is very good. But the check-in at LAX is a disaster, again.
What I mean by "different segment of the population": A notion appears prevalent in the virgin clientele that sports shirts constitute a valid fashion choice one can be seen wearing in public. I believe fashion should be worn proudly not for a brand or a tribal purpose, but for an expression of ones imagination. Sporting a sports team indicates a lack thereof. But: To each their own.
Having returned from LAX-SYD on this virgin trip now, I can conclusively say that while the cabin comfort is of equal or better standard than QF, the lack of a first class as well as (far) inferior ground services will probably see me not use VOZ again until an equally good offer comes along as I had this time ($4500 J class SYD-LAX return).
Doktor
Doktor
Member since 24 Jan 2018
Total posts 19
I'm off on a long haul with Virgin tomorrow on an impossibly cheap deal in business. QF wanted to take me to the cleaners for the same itinerary (3 times the price), despite my Platinum One status. I have no special loyalty to the roo mob, their service is usually borderline, hardly ever do I get the special treatment considering I drop on order $100k on them every year.
xtfer
xtfer
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 14 Mar 2017
Total posts 159
I suggest you just see if you like it.
mspcooper
mspcooper
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 09 May 2013
Total posts 456
VA service and J to LAX and back would exceed most people’s expectations. Ofcourse QF dreamliners are more quieter than the 777. VA fares recently have been around under $5500 for return to LAX. And QF have brought down their prices to be closer to this number but not cheaper. When are you flying business class, i personally do not think your loyalty gets any special benefits except may be a “thank you or welcome back” sentence. (Not including extra baggage allowance which most J pax do not use). So, go with an open mind. Both aussie airlines have some serious competition including AirNZ and now SQ to LAX which is good for us.
JBL
JBL
Member since 01 Jun 2016
Total posts 27
If I were you I would do the opposite. I'd want to see how they would treat me on a regular flight, not how they would treat me if they were trying to 'win me over'
Chris C.
Chris C.
Member since 24 Apr 2012
Total posts 1,116
Doktor
Doktor
Member since 24 Jan 2018
Total posts 19
Thanks for your comments and recommendations. I'll be interested to see how well this is going. SQ to LAX would be nice - when is that starting?
apacau
apacau
Member since 02 Jun 2013
Total posts 39
New Mint
New Mint
Member since 24 Feb 2012
Total posts 66
I would agree with apacau's comment. Contact them and mention to them that you're P1 with Qantas and are considering switching over to Virgin. At the very least I'm sure they'd offer you a pilot or fast track to Gold/Platinum offer. Doesn't hurt to have status with them, and gives you the option to travel domestically with them on gold or platinum status in the near future.
Jazzop
Jazzop
Member since 02 Dec 2016
Total posts 124
obanpointer
obanpointer
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 08 Jun 2014
Total posts 318
Hi doktor
Doktor
Doktor
Member since 24 Jan 2018
Total posts 19
Well that was an interesting experience: The domestic side of VA appears to cater to a different segment of the population than QF - I know, I should have seen that coming after the checkin hall in Sydney looked like (what I imagine) a refugee camp looks like. And that's not even an exaggeration. It was mayhem. Smelly mayhem. The lounge... meh, but so is the QF domestic business lounge. Nothing to write home about.
Domestic inflight service in business was very nice, and the meal was of a good standard. There's no lounge in MEL apparently, and I was sent on a wild goose chase from one lounge to the next each claiming the other was the VA partner lounge. Exasperated and under lots of bladder pressure I went to the QF lounge, but they sent me away (despite showing them my P1 card, they didn't even let me in for a pee... pun intended, agent didn't get the humour) they sent me to ANZ claiming they were the VA partner. Wrong again, but they at least were so kind as to enable relief. They told me some for pay lounge partners with VA - it was time to leave so I didn't go figure that out in the end.
The international business class in the VA 777 was very nice, with seat quality, convenience of storage locations, and IFE are of a superior standard to QF. Taking SQ/EK as the gold standard, VA was a long way off, but so are the flying roo mob. They both underperform for different reasons though. VA appears to have an "on the cheap" motto, where details like galley appearance and cleanliness, as well as the inflight bar, are lacklustre. Menu wise, the food was comparable to QF. The bar was lacking some staples, such as Campari, all they offered was Gin and Whisky. The wine selection isn't too impressive either.
But ultimately they got me there in one piece, rested, entertained, fed, and almost on time. At the price this was offered I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I guess that's the definition of "good value"!
nix584
nix584
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 10 Jan 2012
Total posts 108
Domestic inflight service in business was very nice, and the meal was of a good standard. There's no lounge in MEL apparently, and I was sent on a wild goose chase from one lounge to the next each claiming the other was the VA partner lounge. Exasperated and under lots of bladder pressure I went to the QF lounge, but they sent me away (despite showing them my P1 card, they didn't even let me in for a pee... pun intended, agent didn't get the humour) they sent me to ANZ claiming they were the VA partner. Wrong again, but they at least were so kind as to enable relief. They told me some for pay lounge partners with VA - it was time to leave so I didn't go figure that out in the end.
The international business class in the VA 777 was very nice, with seat quality, convenience of storage locations, and IFE are of a superior standard to QF. Taking SQ/EK as the gold standard, VA was a long way off, but so are the flying roo mob. They both underperform for different reasons though. VA appears to have an "on the cheap" motto, where details like galley appearance and cleanliness, as well as the inflight bar, are lacklustre. Menu wise, the food was comparable to QF. The bar was lacking some staples, such as Campari, all they offered was Gin and Whisky. The wine selection isn't too impressive either.
But ultimately they got me there in one piece, rested, entertained, fed, and almost on time. At the price this was offered I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I guess that's the definition of "good value"!
Not sure what you mean by "The domestic side of VA appears to cater to a different segment of the population than QF", SYD is a busy airport sometimes regardless of who you're flying.
xtfer
xtfer
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 14 Mar 2017
Total posts 159
Your edit was better than my comment anyway.
Doktor
Doktor
Member since 24 Jan 2018
Total posts 19
Google unfortunately had similarly confusing indications as to who might be the lounge partner in Melbourne. You say it's EY - if so, it's not consistent across airports. At LAX it was EK, which is very good. But the check-in at LAX is a disaster, again.
What I mean by "different segment of the population": A notion appears prevalent in the virgin clientele that sports shirts constitute a valid fashion choice one can be seen wearing in public. I believe fashion should be worn proudly not for a brand or a tribal purpose, but for an expression of ones imagination. Sporting a sports team indicates a lack thereof. But: To each their own.
Having returned from LAX-SYD on this virgin trip now, I can conclusively say that while the cabin comfort is of equal or better standard than QF, the lack of a first class as well as (far) inferior ground services will probably see me not use VOZ again until an equally good offer comes along as I had this time ($4500 J class SYD-LAX return).