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!
I'm about to try VX for the first time next week, and I am actually excited about the elevate program. Unlike you, I tend to take shorter flights at an average price much higher than $114/flight.
I think that an airline using their frequent-flyer program to reward dollars spent (vs. miles traveled) is a smart business move.
Programs: AA EXP, MR & SPG Plat, Hyatt Diamond, Hh Gold, PC Gold, GP+ Gold, Avis 1st
Posts: 13,782
Is there a fare difference refund process
in short, I paid $150 for a trip this weekend; its now $119; do I submit any claim for the difference or is it all subject to that $75 change fee.. all numbers a/i of tax as well
i'm kind of shocked that the price went down the day before the trip
also on bumps, how do they distinguish who gets bumped if there isn't any status or as I'm guessing not a lot of pax have status yet?
in short, I paid $150 for a trip this weekend; its now $119; do I submit any claim for the difference or is it all subject to that $75 change fee.. all numbers a/i of tax as well
i'm kind of shocked that the price went down the day before the trip
also on bumps, how do they distinguish who gets bumped if there isn't any status or as I'm guessing not a lot of pax have status yet?
First Class and Full Fare Coach tickets are fully refundable, so you can get the fare difference by canceling and rebooking if you have one of those two types of tickets.
Nobody gets "bumped".
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Once you try Red, you'll never go back to Ted
Programs: AA EXP, MR & SPG Plat, Hyatt Diamond, Hh Gold, PC Gold, GP+ Gold, Avis 1st
Posts: 13,782
Quote:
Originally Posted by nermaljcat
Right, last time I checked VX do not overbook.
It makes sense to me that they would try to fill seats at a lower price, rather than have empty seats.
wouldn't that just cause people to wait especially if there is a pattern of this? I don't know if there is but its something that I will monitor on routes I'm interested in
wouldn't that just cause people to wait especially if there is a pattern of this? I don't know if there is but its something that I will monitor on routes I'm interested in
You have that option, but cannot make any firm travel/business plans in case the flight is already full. You also have to take whatever seat(s) is left.
