hello aviators99 how are you, I have a question..soo how do you know so much about this airline?? do you work for VA or know somebody who does?? just very curious?
thanks!!
hello aviators99 how are you, I have a question..soo how do you know so much about this airline?? do you work for VA or know somebody who does?? just very curious?
thanks!!
I do not work for any airline...all of the stuff I put in the FAQ is from info I've gained from flying them a crazy amount, or from research on this forum.
Because I've flown them so much I *have* gotten to know people who work for them too, but none of the info here was gained from any of them (except 1 or 2 plane names).
__________________
My profile only lists status I've earned (not Centurion amenities)
Once you try Red, you'll never go back to Ted
Added frequent flyer redemption info, name change.
Thanks, articos...
Of course. I was going to suggest you can cut/paste into the FAQ or the mod could just sticky the post. Whatever is easy. I appreciate the shout out, but of course you don't have to credit me. I'm glad the redemption system is finally available.
Elevate is THE WORST!! I have flown 8 one way flights on Virgin America between LAX and IAD. That's 18,352 miles on any other airline, or 50% towards a Southwest Rapid Rewards ticket. But Thats only 4580 points on Virgin America (I average $114 per flight). Right now the cheapest flight between IAD and LAX is $134 each way or 12,464 points for a free round trip ticket. So I am only 37% of the points needed to get a free trip, the same flight that I have traveled 4 round trips. With any other airlines I would be 73% towards a 25,000 mileage award, and 50% towards a southwest ticket (Southwest also has no change fees). And all of those other airlines have much larger choice of destinations for my free ticket. The Elevate program is clearly and definitely the WORST in the industry. Interestingly they had 4900 points as the amount for a free ticket on their website for more than a year. Too bad this is NOT even enough for a free ticket for the $59 each way ticket between LAX and SFO which requires 5488 points. What a scam!
Elevate is THE WORST!! I have flown 8 one way flights on Virgin America between LAX and IAD. That's 18,352 miles on any other airline, or 50% towards a Southwest Rapid Rewards ticket. But Thats only 4580 points on Virgin America (I average $114 per flight). Right now the cheapest flight between IAD and LAX is $134 each way or 12,464 points for a free round trip ticket. So I am only 37% of the points needed to get a free trip, the same flight that I have traveled 4 round trips. With any other airlines I would be 73% towards a 25,000 mileage award, and 50% towards a southwest ticket (Southwest also has no change fees). And all of those other airlines have much larger choice of destinations for my free ticket. The Elevate program is clearly and definitely the WORST in the industry. Interestingly they had 4900 points as the amount for a free ticket on their website for more than a year. Too bad this is NOT even enough for a free ticket for the $59 each way ticket between LAX and SFO which requires 5488 points. What a scam!
The 4900 published was for a one-way free ticket.
__________________
My profile only lists status I've earned (not Centurion amenities)
Once you try Red, you'll never go back to Ted
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Plt, Hertz President's Circle, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold
Posts: 169
I apologize in advance if this question seems simple or unnecessary. I am a Virgin Atlantic Flyer as well as an Executive Platinum on American Airlines. I am considering shifting a large portion of my domestic flying business to Virgin America. Is the airline stable financially? Has it been successful? Likely to last? Many thanks my friends.
I apologize in advance if this question seems simple or unnecessary. I am a Virgin Atlantic Flyer as well as an Executive Platinum on American Airlines. I am considering shifting a large portion of my domestic flying business to Virgin America. Is the airline stable financially? Has it been successful? Likely to last? Many thanks my friends.
Rupesh
No US airline could currently be considered "stable" financially right now. Virgin America is the best funded startup US airline in history. That may mean something, it may mean nothing. I'm not sure why the financial stability of the airline would alter your decision to move a large portion of your business, unless you planned to pre-purchase a large number of seats in advance. I wouldn't recommend doing that with any airline. Virgin America's public statements are that they will be around for a long time, but I can't imagine them saying anything else. They have reported load factors above 80%, which is good.
I would say if you want to base your travel on financial stability, stick with AA. If you want to base it on in-flight experience and comfort, I would switch.
__________________
My profile only lists status I've earned (not Centurion amenities)
Once you try Red, you'll never go back to Ted
Programs: Various bits of plastic with names of noble metals on them
Posts: 1,987
Without public filings to the DOT or SEC that would give you insight into their financials, there's really no way to say for certain what VX's financial state is. Yes, we have statements from VX executives, but one has to take them with a grain of salt.
Given that one of the major concerns was VX's vulnerability to fuel prices with an inability to hedge, and now they are down quite a bit, I would think they are doing as fine as they could be- their equipment is new and not in need of heavy maintenance, their labor costs are low, and so on. I would view the additional capital calls as reactions to the extraordinary costs of fuel over the last 12-18 months more than them leaking cash ridiculously. (I wonder if the newest capital call is one where they ARE using that to hedge some fuel. I know I sure would want some oil locked in at $60 going forward a few years, if I was an airline executive.)
Operationally, they seem like a well-run airline that's getting significant mindshare/return business, and I would think they are well-positioned going forward. I'd say the risk of switching your business over is fairly minimal (and besides, if VX goes under, you can always switch back- I'm sure an Exec Plat would be welcomed back with open arms). If your purchases are on credit cards, worst case is you have to ask for a chargeback if the airline goes south.
Without public filings to the DOT or SEC that would give you insight into their financials, there's really no way to say for certain what VX's financial state is. Yes, we have statements from VX executives, but one has to take them with a grain of salt.
Given that one of the major concerns was VX's vulnerability to fuel prices with an inability to hedge, and now they are down quite a bit, I would think they are doing as fine as they could be- their equipment is new and not in need of heavy maintenance, their labor costs are low, and so on. I would view the additional capital calls as reactions to the extraordinary costs of fuel over the last 12-18 months more than them leaking cash ridiculously. (I wonder if the newest capital call is one where they ARE using that to hedge some fuel. I know I sure would want some oil locked in at $60 going forward a few years, if I was an airline executive.)
By the way, in the recent capital call news article they mentioned that they would be hedging fuel in the near term. Also, maintenance costs should really be close to zero, because the planes are under warranty.
__________________
My profile only lists status I've earned (not Centurion amenities)
Once you try Red, you'll never go back to Ted
I'm glad the redemption system is finally available.
