Fares on Virgin America
Jul 21, 2007, 11:16 am
#151
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: Delta PM/CRC, AA GLD/AC, SPG Gold
Posts: 405
I may be missing something, but the VX website indicates that if they are unable to accomodate your travel needs on the day ticketed (I guess meaning if they still aren't actually flying yet on the day for which you bought a ticket) they will reticket you on another airline at up to 200% of your ticket price. Not exactly a refundable ticket, but it should put at ease any fear that you won't be able to travel on the expected day (I sure hope so...I just booked my first F ticket with VX SFO-JFK).
Jul 21, 2007, 11:46 am
#152
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CT/NY
Programs: UA 1K/1MM, AA EXP, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 6,020
Only if they still have not received the authority from DOT. Once they started flying, the 200% rule does not apply.
Jul 21, 2007, 11:49 am
#153
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Los Angeles, CA USA
Programs: SPG PLT, AA EXP
Posts: 3,732
Jul 21, 2007, 1:08 pm
#154
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Based in Michigan, but I could be anywhere!
Programs: Hilton, American, Club Carlson, United, Marriott, Starwood
Posts: 409
Jul 22, 2007, 11:05 pm
#155
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,854
I just booked VA for an October SFO-JFK round trip for me and a companion. Why?
1. No upgrades available on UA on ANY nonstop flight on the days I wanted.
2. UA wanted $2000 for round trip in C.
I booked Y on VA on the outbound (paying $25 extra for the long leg room seats) and F returning. I'll experience both classes.
Beginning of the end for UA long haul transcons? Very possibly unless they improve ps upgrade availability or compete on fares. We'll see!
1. No upgrades available on UA on ANY nonstop flight on the days I wanted.
2. UA wanted $2000 for round trip in C.
I booked Y on VA on the outbound (paying $25 extra for the long leg room seats) and F returning. I'll experience both classes.
Beginning of the end for UA long haul transcons? Very possibly unless they improve ps upgrade availability or compete on fares. We'll see!
Jul 23, 2007, 3:35 am
#156
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Sydney & London
Programs: UA Lifetime Exec Plat (2MM)
Posts: 744
I just booked VX SFO-LAX for October.
Have you checked UA's fares on this route recently
(other than at 5 am or 11 pm)?
Have you checked UA's fares on this route recently
(other than at 5 am or 11 pm)?
Jul 23, 2007, 5:04 pm
#157
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Newport Beach, California, USA
Posts: 36,062
Jul 23, 2007, 5:14 pm
#158
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,134
Jul 23, 2007, 7:14 pm
#159
Join Date: Oct 2006
Programs: 1K
Posts: 304
Does anyone know if VX will status match?
Jul 25, 2007, 8:50 pm
#162
Join Date: Apr 2004
Programs: Marriott LT Titanium, AA 1MM, UA 1MM
Posts: 369
Effect on 1-stop pricing
Perhaps this is a coincidence, but I managed to get some fairly attractive pricing from UA on a 1-stop from JFK to SFO in 1st class. (It's even a 1-way ticket, which usually drives the prices up.) Perhaps this is Virgin-related?
Jul 25, 2007, 9:40 pm
#163
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K (until it expires then never again), *wood Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 9,239
The higher prices on SFO/LAX-JFK and vv are due to PS, 1 stop flights are not PS and thus will always have far lower F fares, as they are 2 class F vs 3 class F
Jul 25, 2007, 10:35 pm
#164
Join Date: Apr 2004
Programs: Marriott LT Titanium, AA 1MM, UA 1MM
Posts: 369
That's fair enough, but these were significantly lower even than seems normal for 1-stops. (It was only for a few days and a few flights.)
Jul 29, 2007, 10:33 pm
#165
Join Date: May 2003
Location: LAX
Programs: DL-Plat, UA-Plat 2MM, AA-PlatPro, B6-Mosaic 3, AY-Plat, HY-Globalist, MR-LT Plat, HH-Gold
Posts: 1,235
I just booked VA for an October SFO-JFK round trip for me and a companion. Why?
1. No upgrades available on UA on ANY nonstop flight on the days I wanted.
2. UA wanted $2000 for round trip in C.
I booked Y on VA on the outbound (paying $25 extra for the long leg room seats) and F returning. I'll experience both classes.
Beginning of the end for UA long haul transcons? Very possibly unless they improve ps upgrade availability or compete on fares. We'll see!
1. No upgrades available on UA on ANY nonstop flight on the days I wanted.
2. UA wanted $2000 for round trip in C.
I booked Y on VA on the outbound (paying $25 extra for the long leg room seats) and F returning. I'll experience both classes.
Beginning of the end for UA long haul transcons? Very possibly unless they improve ps upgrade availability or compete on fares. We'll see!
In reality, I don't think UA is going to have to make any changes in regards to the premium cabin. VX for now only has one daytime flight and one redeye - that's 8 premium seats across all daytime flights. As much as I wish UA would add more upgrade inventory or lower premium fares, it's going to take a lot more than 8 seats to make them feel a pinch.
OTOH, they do risk losing pax long term on the transcons by not responding - I could easily see using UA for my weekly SFO-BUR flights and all non-transcons to keep 1k status and switching to VX for premium transcons to avoid the dreaded ps upgrade waitlist.