Does FlyBE + Virgin = Alternative to BA
Jul 10, 2019, 5:17 am
#16
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Jersey
Programs: BA GOLD, HILTON DIAMOND, BONVOY L/T GOLD,
Posts: 306
They just status matched me to Gold but you do need to send them your last few months flying history and also have an upcoming booking in PE or Upper Class.
Obviously if your history involves no VIrgin routes they might be less willing
Obviously if your history involves no VIrgin routes they might be less willing
Jul 10, 2019, 5:33 am
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Home: East Mids UK - Work (Base): Accra, Ghana.
Programs: BAEC: Silver - Marriott: Titanium
Posts: 12,086
A "viable" alternative... In the near future, absolutely not. Long term, maybe, if they make the equipment changes and infrastructure changes to improve journey and transit times. But, the Dash8 will be a big problem versus connections on a larger jet with alternatives.
I have only flown FlyMayBe once from BHX to CDG and it was awful, subbed from a jet to a Dash, hassled crew because of the last minute change, massively late, big issues with hand baggage, cramped window seat and then a mess in CDG because of the late arrival and problems with bussing to the terminal.
So, for me, no, it would not offer an alternative, but I am sure if they try, Virgin will put some fur coat on the no knickers and try and fluff it up as the next sliced bread invention.
I have only flown FlyMayBe once from BHX to CDG and it was awful, subbed from a jet to a Dash, hassled crew because of the last minute change, massively late, big issues with hand baggage, cramped window seat and then a mess in CDG because of the late arrival and problems with bussing to the terminal.
So, for me, no, it would not offer an alternative, but I am sure if they try, Virgin will put some fur coat on the no knickers and try and fluff it up as the next sliced bread invention.
Jul 10, 2019, 5:40 am
#18
Join Date: Feb 2019
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 50
Yes, I guess the other 'win' could be BA see the challenge and step up to it......anyway seems my FC login still works, ping them to see if they're playing the status match game.....I have some long haul business trips coming up and with Gold on BA for next cycle pretty much covered I could do something on VA if they coem up with one of these 'challenge' things.
Jul 10, 2019, 6:42 am
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: BA Gold, VS Gold, IHG Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hertz Presidents Circle.
Posts: 1,446
VS doesn't do direct status matches but does offer a pro rata reduction in the TPs and time period needed to get status.
Having existing bookings with VS will help them make their decision easier but they aren't going to give you Gold (with CH access etc) before you've even flown with them
Having existing bookings with VS will help them make their decision easier but they aren't going to give you Gold (with CH access etc) before you've even flown with them
Thank you for taking the time to contact us. I am pleased to confirm that we do offer a status match option. For Instant Gold, You will just need to provide proof of top tier of a competitor loyalty programme: * You will need to provide a valid, current annual statement that will show you have sufficient travel on the Virgin Atlantic (or Joint Venture) network to maintain the status. * You will need to have a future Revenue flight booked with VirginAtlantic in either Premium or Upper Class.
Jul 10, 2019, 6:49 am
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,176
well that's a change to their long standing policy.
but note the requirement that your flights on your current airline must cover VS routes
So if your routes are say LHR-ORD on BA they won't match but lots of LHR-JFK then they will.
but note the requirement that your flights on your current airline must cover VS routes
So if your routes are say LHR-ORD on BA they won't match but lots of LHR-JFK then they will.
Jul 10, 2019, 6:52 am
#21
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Wolverhampton
Programs: BA Silver, Hilton Diamond, Marriot Gold, Radisson Gold, Amex Platinum
Posts: 1,606
I think the props are unavoidable, they were tended to be used on domestic and shorthaul. I found Hannover flight wonderful in the jets, but they just moved the prop over every flight, and all of a sudden I was in danger of missing last train on both sides, even with a 1.5 hour leeway and hand luggage only.
Jul 10, 2019, 7:38 am
#22
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: NQY
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 500
LF
Jul 10, 2019, 7:45 am
#23
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: London. Edinburgh, Cornwall
Programs: BA GGL, British Midland Lifetime* Loser
Posts: 7,941
Especially because some connecting tickets eg Emirates are sold with an inclusive long-haul allowance. I've seen some pax being fined £50 for a carry-on 1cm too big only to see other people dragging on bags the size of a chest freezer.
Jul 10, 2019, 7:50 am
#24
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 113
I feel like other than for a frequent flyer who exclusively flies between the UK/US this still isn't a great game-changer. It may be helpful to have additional domestic flights, but the Q400 product is dreadful and would keep me from switching compared with the domestic travel I personally do between London/Scotland.
For anyone who has frequent long-haul travel outside the US, it still won't make great sense to switch to Virgin, as their partnerships with other airlines are still lacking imo.
Good to see that they are at least starting to do status matches.
For anyone who has frequent long-haul travel outside the US, it still won't make great sense to switch to Virgin, as their partnerships with other airlines are still lacking imo.
Good to see that they are at least starting to do status matches.
Jul 10, 2019, 8:32 am
#25
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,200
Give it a go and see what you think.
The wife and I used to fly between GLA and EZE with AF through ticketed using Flybe via BHX and CDG. First trips went well then we had three in a row where we missed the connection at CDG because of Flybe running late. AF looked after us however it meant we had to wait 24 hours in Paris for the next EZE flight. As we were on holiday we didn't get upset about it but after the third time we decided enough was enough and started using BA/IB instead.
The wife and I used to fly between GLA and EZE with AF through ticketed using Flybe via BHX and CDG. First trips went well then we had three in a row where we missed the connection at CDG because of Flybe running late. AF looked after us however it meant we had to wait 24 hours in Paris for the next EZE flight. As we were on holiday we didn't get upset about it but after the third time we decided enough was enough and started using BA/IB instead.
Jul 11, 2019, 4:17 pm
#28
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: London. Edinburgh, Cornwall
Programs: BA GGL, British Midland Lifetime* Loser
Posts: 7,941
And no mention of LON-NQY where they put the existing operator out of business by offering ridiculously low fares then jacked them up the moment it ceased operations. This alone means I have no sympathy for anything that happens to Flybe or its staff.
Jul 11, 2019, 4:29 pm
#29
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,271
To be honest I think VS's flying club is only useful (for status) if you're a heavy premium economy or economy delight user - I'm talking about 10 round trips per year to get gold (which is useful, whereas silver gives you basically nothing).
Jul 11, 2019, 4:47 pm
#30
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 8
Flybe Reg
I flew flybe regularly fro LGW to NQY previously and now LHR. Have also flown Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham on numerous occasions over the last 2 years. Although 50% of my flights are delayed, the staff have always been excellent, I’ve even had a flight back to the crew homeland in Belfast re routed to NQY in order to ‘drop us off’ on the way home due to v delayed flight. Never been stitched up by them, lost money on their shares; but will continue to choose them over the train.