[FARE GONE] VA: LAX-SYD $484 all-in
May 4, 2009, 5:46 pm
#421
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC *P
Posts: 1,812
That is not correct. There is also a BNE-LAX flight (though not daily). So it is technically possible to add a stopover though the VA's response has been that it would result in a re-calculation of the fare.
May 4, 2009, 5:48 pm
#422
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: All over
Programs: AA-LTP, HH-DIA, Marriott-LT+AMB, Hyatt-Globalist, Hertz-PC, UA-GS
Posts: 6,828
Just got back from my flights. Pretty painless, although there are even now some cabin crew who are working their first flights, and have no idea about things like custom forms and such. You wonder what they get trained on? Seems like a lot of them came over from Pacific Blue.
Random notes:
I had a whole row to myself, coming and going, so that was pretty awesome. They were real sticklers on people moving seats until after the seatbelt sign went off, which caused some tensions and made for some mad dashes in the air.
They have "no electronic devices" signs, instead of "no smoking" signs, which was a clever touch.
The check-in area in LAX is pretty swanky. Mood lighting and monitors they can turn to let you pick seats. The gate area is nothing special in comparison, just generic / old. Check-in in Sydney is nothing special either, just using generic stations.
On the flight back, I had a Virgin Blue flight from Brisbane to Sydney and they were able to check the baggage through, which was nice. The transfer bus is pretty convenient too, though you need a little voucher that the Virgin Blue people will give you. It takes you from airside on domestic to the curb at the international terminal. The next best option would probably be the train, but that's $5 and probably only every half hour?
All in all, definitely far better than paying double for a ticket where I would have been crammed in on a nearly full flight.
(I also used the Virgin Blue Airpass inside the country, which worked out fantastic.)
Random notes:
I had a whole row to myself, coming and going, so that was pretty awesome. They were real sticklers on people moving seats until after the seatbelt sign went off, which caused some tensions and made for some mad dashes in the air.
They have "no electronic devices" signs, instead of "no smoking" signs, which was a clever touch.
The check-in area in LAX is pretty swanky. Mood lighting and monitors they can turn to let you pick seats. The gate area is nothing special in comparison, just generic / old. Check-in in Sydney is nothing special either, just using generic stations.
On the flight back, I had a Virgin Blue flight from Brisbane to Sydney and they were able to check the baggage through, which was nice. The transfer bus is pretty convenient too, though you need a little voucher that the Virgin Blue people will give you. It takes you from airside on domestic to the curb at the international terminal. The next best option would probably be the train, but that's $5 and probably only every half hour?
All in all, definitely far better than paying double for a ticket where I would have been crammed in on a nearly full flight.
(I also used the Virgin Blue Airpass inside the country, which worked out fantastic.)
May 4, 2009, 5:52 pm
#423
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Australia
Programs: QF LTS, Marriott LTP, ALL GOLD
Posts: 2,440
As the fare is SYD-LAX I would also presume you can't change the routing, therefore much more economical to pay <$200AUD for a return flight to BNE or MEL form SYD.
May 5, 2009, 2:24 am
#424
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: TK Elite, *A Gold, UA Gold, Priority Pass Select, Hertz PC, Marriott SLV
Posts: 147
Thanks again,
Brian
Last edited by bdkorn; May 5, 2009 at 2:33 am
May 14, 2009, 8:24 pm
#425
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: SAN
Programs: DL SM, Marriot PLT, Tall guy in need of legroom
Posts: 1,478
Cance//Credit help?
Curious if anyone has successfully tried to cancel these flights and get their money back or some sort of credit with Virgin Austrailia. I lost my job recently and while the ticket was cheap, I simply cannot afford 14 days of hotel/spending money for this trip. Do you think if I mentioned this ala the Jetblue policy I'd get some of my money back? Or am I screwed and pay the $300 cancel fee and get my measly 100 usd back....
Thx all.
Thx all.
May 14, 2009, 8:30 pm
#426
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles / Basel
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 26,916
Curious if anyone has successfully tried to cancel these flights and get their money back or some sort of credit with Virgin Austrailia. I lost my job recently and while the ticket was cheap, I simply cannot afford 14 days of hotel/spending money for this trip. Do you think if I mentioned this ala the Jetblue policy I'd get some of my money back? Or am I screwed and pay the $300 cancel fee and get my measly 100 usd back....
Thx all.
Thx all.
Unless a schedule change happens, I doubt you will get a refund.
I would not suggest you call VA and tell them that you want your money back because you lost your job. Rather, I would work on ways of making the trip more economical. Check out hostel and camping options. I think it would be nice to utilize this period between jobs to explore OZ.