Virgin Australia hands out free upgrades to frequent flyers

Agreed on the perks not being related to Virgin directly, but I am yet to see these benefits with QFF.

Also agree on seat allocation, this was done prior to DJ having a Platinum tier and will be hard to take away. On that note, aren't QF Golds able to used priority boarding as well?

The lounge for me is not an issue as overall I would rate the Virgin lounge higher than the Qantas Club and maybe slightly less than Qantas Business Lounge (but not remarkeblyy so, probably the only difference is that iot is less crowded). Qantas does not offer a business lounge at all their destinations.....

Regarding your example of an empty flight and upgrades, Qantas has the same policy and will not upgrade just like that so I see no difference (whilst it would be nice if both carriers do it, there is no competitive edge). Australia is not the States where they upgrade each and every cardholder if seats available (bear in mind service is much less in the States). Also, DJ does not stock up their catering in biz if they have a (next to) empty flight, which si fair, in this business every penny counts.

Last time I flew QF (January) they weren't allowed priority boarding - previoulsy they were though.

There is nothing wrong with the Lounge and I do agree it is better than the QC. Most of the time I am travelling though is peak hours and they are busy. A separate area for Business and Plats would be welcome.

I wasn't actually suggesting an upgrade in service just seat Platinums in rows 1 and 2 and provide the economy service dependant on fare purchased - after all there is an extra crew member present. To most casual observers it will look like business is popular and may encourage more to buy business tickets.

As for upgrading I am aware they only cater for those booked on the flight (plus a spare or two) but as Business tickets are flexible this may be short sighted. How would you feel buying a business class ticket and changing flights only to be told there is insufficent catering? It would certainly put me off. There is being cost concious and letting this cost coniousness drive away the premium pax you are chasing. In my opinion a low cost model doesn't work for premium pax. They want flexibility and full service at all times.

It's also very annoying when you are upgraded to business class and get a "business/premium" lable on your ticket - you can end up with a completely different level of service compared to a 'true' paying business class passenger sat next to you. Another flaw in the low cost model, perhaps?

I have never had this business / premium label put on me, agreed, shoudl not make a difference whether upgarded or paid for (esp when you upgrade on points or with a voucher).

I suspect it is so that passenger paying full business fare have first choice of meals (which can run out as stated previously).

I have never had this business / premium label put on me, agreed, shoudl not make a difference whether upgarded or paid for (esp when you upgrade on points or with a voucher).

I suspect it is so that passenger paying full business fare have first choice of meals (which can run out as stated previously).

Maybe we should suggest the seprate lounge area for Business / Plats to John B? it woudl be an improvement overall.

I am with you regarding the catering, I guess duue to the size of QF Operations they just completely stock the plane so they do not run out and they use the non-used meals on the return (whereas perhaops DJ planes fly onwards?) It is bad though, having said that, last time i was in business on SYD-MEL (took anearlier flight and indeed, no first meal choise available) the FA did anything possible to make up for not having a first choice meal, including getting cheese and crackers from the buy onboard menu 9and plating them up nicely). It would be dreadful on a coast to coast flight however (but maybe hey do takle more meals onboard on those flights).

The business seat / economy servcie is nice but can only be done once boardin / onboard in case there is a late coming biz flyer who actually has a ticket to sit upfront including servcie. Would be awkward to then have to 'kick out" a plat and not serve biz food to others. I guess the only way to avoid this is to just stock enough meals.

From what i've read (probably mostly on here!) the coast to coast is a cut above the 'regular' business product on other routes.

If you do a points upgrade to business, keep an eye out for "business/premium" on your ticket, rather than "business". It has been noted when we've travelled before that it can impact the service you recieve - which it really shouldn't, I have still paid to be there!

I have even been singled out in the cabin by the steward before as being 'only an upgrade' when a meal choice wasn't available. Pretty embarrassing at the time, and not a good image to paint - imagine if I had been someone considering switching to Virgin and had upgraded to try the business class. I think I'd be straight back to QF after being singled out like that!!

True that in te US upgrades are handed out often but fortunatelyy (or unfortunately, depends on your personal preference) Australia is not the US.

This for instance entails that when you fly premium you are not always stuck in a full cabin, just because ppl get free upgrades and in general because premium cabins generate revenue as supposed to being full wih upgrades, the service is better (also goes for lounges, where in the US you need a membership and often lots of food and beverage is paid for whereas in Australia it is free and the airlines actually invest in making it a nice relxing place). Just my opinion of course ;)