FlyerTalk Forums - New Program: EleVAte from Virgin America

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinniped (Post 8168312)

So thinking about that, will VX F compare favorably to to UA or AA J? Is that how they will eventually be pricing it? VX Y appears inferior to UA E+ and maybe on-par with AA's LRTC. So to me, the value on VX is if I'm buying F tickets. VX has clearly given the nod to UA in terms of the back of the bus - I don't think they have plans for any 35 or 36 inch service in Y.

Hmmm, VX coach is superior to UA and AA in every way except for legroom in E+ and that is offset by the paid access to exit row seats. So for coach VX is a no brainer. As for F, we don't know how VX will compare but UA and AA service is so bad (including the outrageously priced PS) that it is hard to imagine VX will be inferior and certainly will be a better value pricewise for the vast majority who pay to upgrade (unless you are one of the fortunate top level elites who can upgrade these routes for free).

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinniped (Post 8168312)

Yeah...I know all of the big programs are a bit hit and miss on availability. Maybe it's because I usually don't fly at max-peak holiday times, but I usually have good luck with UA and AA. I just recently finished planning and booking an 8-segment int'l F itinerary and was able to get everything I wanted. My only complaint for UA: it would have been very, very difficult to book this without "outside" help. (Namely, using ANA to sift through all of the options first, because UA phone agents aren't that proactive or creative.)

Over the past 20 years of flying I have also had pretty good luck with getting FF seats in Y or C to just about everywhere I wanted to go at the times I wanted to go (including summers or holidays). However, the whole blackout of advance saver inventory for XC on some of UA's most popular international routes has left me with a lot of resentment (and your point about the phone agents, nee ICC, is well taken).