What is Z class ?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: UK (currently)
Programs: BA Gold (and many other greater and lesser distinctions)
Posts: 7,207
What is Z class ?
Can anyone explain what Z class is.
Is it equivalent to BA I class or something else ?
All the rock bottom Upper Class fares I have travelled on (generally IT fares including basic accomodation) have been D class. Is Z even cheaper and, if so, how does one book it ?
Is it equivalent to BA I class or something else ?
All the rock bottom Upper Class fares I have travelled on (generally IT fares including basic accomodation) have been D class. Is Z even cheaper and, if so, how does one book it ?
#2
Moderator, Virgin Atlantic
Join Date: Mar 2001
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Quoting from information supplied by RM -
Z – Heavily Discounted Upper Class Fares
FC Miles earned but no Limo transfers
Advance purchase required
Change fees apply
I have no idea how often it is available or how to go about booking it though.
Hope this helps.
Nick
Z – Heavily Discounted Upper Class Fares
FC Miles earned but no Limo transfers
Advance purchase required
Change fees apply
I have no idea how often it is available or how to go about booking it though.
Hope this helps.
Nick
#3
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: UK
Programs: Lots of shiny metallic ones.
Posts: 1,049
Yes, it's the equivalent to BA's I class fare. It can be booked through travelocity, expedia, all the normal onliners and of course Virgin themselves. (By phone, however, - ASK for a Z-class fare, rather than the "cheapest" which is usually issued in D)
I think it's a 42 day advance purchase. The ticket is completely and utterly non-changeable and you're unable to cancel it without losing all of your money.
If, however, your travel plans are fixed, it's a very good deal - Upper Class to San Francisco for less than £2k...
I think it's a 42 day advance purchase. The ticket is completely and utterly non-changeable and you're unable to cancel it without losing all of your money.
If, however, your travel plans are fixed, it's a very good deal - Upper Class to San Francisco for less than £2k...
#4
Original Poster
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Location: UK (currently)
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by preiffer:
Yes, it's the equivalent to BA's I class fare. It can be booked through travelocity, expedia, all the normal onliners and of course Virgin themselves. (By phone, however, - ASK for a Z-class fare, rather than the "cheapest" which is usually issued in D)
I think it's a 42 day advance purchase. The ticket is completely and utterly non-changeable and you're unable to cancel it without losing all of your money.
If, however, your travel plans are fixed, it's a very good deal - Upper Class to San Francisco for less than £2k...</font>
Yes, it's the equivalent to BA's I class fare. It can be booked through travelocity, expedia, all the normal onliners and of course Virgin themselves. (By phone, however, - ASK for a Z-class fare, rather than the "cheapest" which is usually issued in D)
I think it's a 42 day advance purchase. The ticket is completely and utterly non-changeable and you're unable to cancel it without losing all of your money.
If, however, your travel plans are fixed, it's a very good deal - Upper Class to San Francisco for less than £2k...</font>
Based on trips to HK I have always found that an Inclusive Tour D class is the cheapest (even if the accomodation is not used) and the tickets are generally relatively flexible (say £250 cancellation and £100 to change return date after departure).
#5
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: NYC/PSP
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You guys across the pond are much luckier than we are. Ex-US, there are no Z class fares offered (as far as I know). Currently, I can't even find a D fare, only full J at $7700 USD. But hope that I fares will reappear for holiday travel. $1400 for UC JFK-LHR return was a steal last year, but with no miles earned.
#6
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by justforfun:
You guys across the pond are much luckier than we are. Ex-US, there are no Z class fares offered (as far as I know). Currently, I can't even find a D fare, only full J at $7700 USD. But hope that I fares will reappear for holiday travel. $1400 for UC JFK-LHR return was a steal last year, but with no miles earned. </font>
You guys across the pond are much luckier than we are. Ex-US, there are no Z class fares offered (as far as I know). Currently, I can't even find a D fare, only full J at $7700 USD. But hope that I fares will reappear for holiday travel. $1400 for UC JFK-LHR return was a steal last year, but with no miles earned. </font>
#7
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 818
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by justforfun:
You guys across the pond are much luckier than we are. Ex-US, there are no Z class fares offered (as far as I know). Currently, I can't even find a D fare, only full J at $7700 USD. But hope that I fares will reappear for holiday travel. $1400 for UC JFK-LHR return was a steal last year, but with no miles earned. </font>
You guys across the pond are much luckier than we are. Ex-US, there are no Z class fares offered (as far as I know). Currently, I can't even find a D fare, only full J at $7700 USD. But hope that I fares will reappear for holiday travel. $1400 for UC JFK-LHR return was a steal last year, but with no miles earned. </font>
[This message has been edited by AAlton (edited 07-24-2003).]
#8
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: NYC/PSP
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by AAlton:
No miles? Had you flown on a Continental codeshare ticket, it would have been the same price and you would have earned Continental miles. It was only 10,000 miles or so and no Virgin Atlantic Revivals Lounge (Continental ticket holders on Virgin Atlantic flights make use of the Air Canada Arrivals Lounge instead).
[This message has been edited by AAlton (edited 07-24-2003).]</font>
No miles? Had you flown on a Continental codeshare ticket, it would have been the same price and you would have earned Continental miles. It was only 10,000 miles or so and no Virgin Atlantic Revivals Lounge (Continental ticket holders on Virgin Atlantic flights make use of the Air Canada Arrivals Lounge instead).
[This message has been edited by AAlton (edited 07-24-2003).]</font>
#9
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by AAlton:
No miles? Had you flown on a Continental codeshare ticket, it would have been the same price and you would have earned Continental miles. It was only 10,000 miles or so and no Virgin Atlantic Revivals Lounge (Continental ticket holders on Virgin Atlantic flights make use of the Air Canada Arrivals Lounge instead).
[This message has been edited by AAlton (edited 07-24-2003).]</font>
No miles? Had you flown on a Continental codeshare ticket, it would have been the same price and you would have earned Continental miles. It was only 10,000 miles or so and no Virgin Atlantic Revivals Lounge (Continental ticket holders on Virgin Atlantic flights make use of the Air Canada Arrivals Lounge instead).
[This message has been edited by AAlton (edited 07-24-2003).]</font>
I think the deal has changed, as the VS-CO codeshare agreement is radically changed, according to the CO forum. No more hard shared seats.
#10
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 818
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by slawecki:
Last Dec-Jan, I flew CO Z class IAD-LHR-IAD on VS. Got lounges on both ends, UC J class tickets, no limo, & CO miles for $12-1500.(forgot which, as we took 3 such trips in Dec-Feb). I could not get those prices on the CO site, but could from ITN.net.
I think the deal has changed, as the VS-CO codeshare agreement is radically changed, according to the CO forum. No more hard shared seats.
</font>
Last Dec-Jan, I flew CO Z class IAD-LHR-IAD on VS. Got lounges on both ends, UC J class tickets, no limo, & CO miles for $12-1500.(forgot which, as we took 3 such trips in Dec-Feb). I could not get those prices on the CO site, but could from ITN.net.
I think the deal has changed, as the VS-CO codeshare agreement is radically changed, according to the CO forum. No more hard shared seats.
</font>
From what I understand, the new codeshare arrangement opens up seats but also means that only Standard rewards are redeemable on Virgin-Atlantic with Continental OnePass miles.
#11
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: NYC
Posts: 478
Just spoke to a VS rep and he said Z Class seats were mainly for LHR to US segments. He did however see Z Class from JFK to LHR but said he could not price it and I would have to use a Travel Agency.
Travelocity & Expedia tools do not have Z Class prices so how does one know what the price is like and anyone recommend any travel agency that can offer that ?
Regards
S
Travelocity & Expedia tools do not have Z Class prices so how does one know what the price is like and anyone recommend any travel agency that can offer that ?
Regards
S
#13
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,140
Another way to find Z fares is to look at sites like www.travelselect.com and http://www.airnet.co.uk/ (second site is for flights of UK origin only).
These tend to be where I buy Z fares from (normally available for about £2100 - or $3500 a person). But I orginate from the UK, so that may make a difference.
The other place to look is adverts in the travel sections of your big newspapers - they tend to list flight consolidators who have access to good Z fares...
Boo
These tend to be where I buy Z fares from (normally available for about £2100 - or $3500 a person). But I orginate from the UK, so that may make a difference.
The other place to look is adverts in the travel sections of your big newspapers - they tend to list flight consolidators who have access to good Z fares...
Boo
#14
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: Various
Posts: 2,155
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by swaghmar:
Travelocity & Expedia tools do not have Z Class prices so how does one know what the price is like and anyone recommend any travel agency that can offer that ?
Regards
S</font>
Travelocity & Expedia tools do not have Z Class prices so how does one know what the price is like and anyone recommend any travel agency that can offer that ?
Regards
S</font>
The fare class is hidden, you have to click on Select Flights and then choose Rules and Restrictions, you will see the fare class there. However this will not show if you are selecting an 'Expedia Special Fare'.
Aleternatively phone Virgin direct and ask for the Z Class price.
Thanks,
Richard
#15
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: Various
Posts: 2,155
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by swaghmar:
Just spoke to a VS rep and he said Z Class seats were mainly for LHR to US segments. He did however see Z Class from JFK to LHR but said he could not price it and I would have to use a Travel Agency.
Travelocity & Expedia tools do not have Z Class prices so how does one know what the price is like and anyone recommend any travel agency that can offer that ?
Regards
S</font>
Just spoke to a VS rep and he said Z Class seats were mainly for LHR to US segments. He did however see Z Class from JFK to LHR but said he could not price it and I would have to use a Travel Agency.
Travelocity & Expedia tools do not have Z Class prices so how does one know what the price is like and anyone recommend any travel agency that can offer that ?
Regards
S</font>
The website is appalling to for some routes like Delhi, you choose Upper Class and it won't let you choose fully flexible or non-flexible like the US routes. So what does it display, a D class fare that entitles you to the Limos but is not very flexible at all. Great - keep up the work with the website there. Must speak to them soon about this annoying 'feature' and its still not showing the fare basis online like they promised me it would. Oh well, one of the main reasons why I have never booked a flight on-line directly at Virgin, even with their offer of £10 off. I'd rather be safe knowing I'm going to be earning miles or getting my limos.
Thanks,
Richard