Platinum free on day change of flight question.
May 25, 2013, 8:30 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: SYD
Programs: QF Emerald EY Plat HH D
Posts: 1,270
Platinum free on day change of flight question.
I read somewhere that platinums are able to change their flight on day of departure.
I went to website but couldn't find that perk anywhere.
is this correct as may need to do just that tomorrow,
I called the call centre it went to NZ and they had no idea.
I went to website but couldn't find that perk anywhere.
is this correct as may need to do just that tomorrow,
I called the call centre it went to NZ and they had no idea.
May 25, 2013, 9:01 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Melbourne, Mostly
Programs: VA Plat, TK E, HH Dia, IHG Gold
Posts: 487
The benefits is called "fly-ahead."
From the velocity T&Cs:
In summary you can ask at any lounge to moved to an earlier flight and in most cases they will accomodate you. Subject to availability though.
I use it often when flying SYD-MEL-SYD return. I book a late flight home and get bumped to an earlier one where possible. It's a great benefit but subject to availability -- a cancelled flight earlier in the day can make it useless if they need to bump people around.
From the velocity T&Cs:
19.15 Fly Ahead
19.15.1 In the event that a Gold or Platinum Member, who has a confirmed seat for a domestic Virgin Australia flight, arrives at the Virgin Australia lounge on the day of travel in time to be carried on an earlier domestic Virgin Australia flight the Member is entitled to make a request that they, and an accompanying guest, be carried on that earlier flight (Fly Ahead).
19.15.2 The request for Fly Ahead must be made to a Virgin Australia staff member at the Virgin Australia Lounge.
19.15.3 Fulfilment of a Member’s request is not guaranteed and is subject to the following conditions:
(a) the accompanying guest must hold a fully paid confirmed seat on the same domestic Virgin Australia flight to the same domestic destination as the Member;
(b) the Fly Ahead flight selection is made at least 30 minutes before departure while the flight is still open for check-in and the Member and guest only carry hand luggage and agree that catering is not guaranteed;
(c) there are available seats in the same fare class or a lower fare class, than the fare class originally purchased by the Member, on the eligible Fly Ahead flight; and
(d) no guests on the earlier domestic Virgin Australia flight are displaced.
19.15.4 If the request is granted and the Member and their accompanying guest (if applicable) are moved to an earlier domestic Virgin Australia flight in a lower class than the fare class originally purchased, no refund will be provided on that ticket.
19.15.1 In the event that a Gold or Platinum Member, who has a confirmed seat for a domestic Virgin Australia flight, arrives at the Virgin Australia lounge on the day of travel in time to be carried on an earlier domestic Virgin Australia flight the Member is entitled to make a request that they, and an accompanying guest, be carried on that earlier flight (Fly Ahead).
19.15.2 The request for Fly Ahead must be made to a Virgin Australia staff member at the Virgin Australia Lounge.
19.15.3 Fulfilment of a Member’s request is not guaranteed and is subject to the following conditions:
(a) the accompanying guest must hold a fully paid confirmed seat on the same domestic Virgin Australia flight to the same domestic destination as the Member;
(b) the Fly Ahead flight selection is made at least 30 minutes before departure while the flight is still open for check-in and the Member and guest only carry hand luggage and agree that catering is not guaranteed;
(c) there are available seats in the same fare class or a lower fare class, than the fare class originally purchased by the Member, on the eligible Fly Ahead flight; and
(d) no guests on the earlier domestic Virgin Australia flight are displaced.
19.15.4 If the request is granted and the Member and their accompanying guest (if applicable) are moved to an earlier domestic Virgin Australia flight in a lower class than the fare class originally purchased, no refund will be provided on that ticket.
I use it often when flying SYD-MEL-SYD return. I book a late flight home and get bumped to an earlier one where possible. It's a great benefit but subject to availability -- a cancelled flight earlier in the day can make it useless if they need to bump people around.
May 25, 2013, 9:15 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: SYD
Programs: QF Emerald EY Plat HH D
Posts: 1,270
so they would not work on people with luggage correct?
or would I have to go to the lounge get the earlier flight then go and checkin?
and it says same class or lower so would that still apply if I am on a very cheapie and there is only full fare economy available.
but thankyou for the t and cs there.
or would I have to go to the lounge get the earlier flight then go and checkin?
and it says same class or lower so would that still apply if I am on a very cheapie and there is only full fare economy available.
but thankyou for the t and cs there.
May 25, 2013, 9:20 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Melbourne, Mostly
Programs: VA Plat, TK E, HH Dia, IHG Gold
Posts: 487
I have heard that it *can* work with luggage but never tried it. Certainly don't expect it.
I have never found the booking class to be an in issue in practice. If there's a seat on an earlier flight they will generally put you on it but YMMV.
I have never found the booking class to be an in issue in practice. If there's a seat on an earlier flight they will generally put you on it but YMMV.
May 27, 2013, 11:13 pm
#6
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 2
direct flight fly ahead
Anyone know what the chances are of getting placed onto a direct flight if available?
And do you think being a points ticket would make a difference (we are platinum velocity). We are flying Mel-BNE-CNS, same on return but want the direct fights :-s
And do you think being a points ticket would make a difference (we are platinum velocity). We are flying Mel-BNE-CNS, same on return but want the direct fights :-s
Last edited by Shragi Aron; May 27, 2013 at 11:18 pm
May 28, 2013, 1:47 am
#7
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,099
I`ve had no issues on getting this done before even with checked luggage.
May 28, 2013, 6:01 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: QF Gold LTG (ow Saph), HHon Silver, Marriot Gold
Posts: 2,927
Note, while I have generally had a good experience with "fly ahead", the exact T&Cs do state that there must be availability in fare class or lower...
Which generally means if you book a saver, and as usual only expensive flexis available last minute, you could be out of luck.
Which generally means if you book a saver, and as usual only expensive flexis available last minute, you could be out of luck.
May 28, 2013, 6:35 pm
#9
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,099
Note, while I have generally had a good experience with "fly ahead", the exact T&Cs do state that there must be availability in fare class or lower...
Which generally means if you book a saver, and as usual only expensive flexis available last minute, you could be out of luck.
Which generally means if you book a saver, and as usual only expensive flexis available last minute, you could be out of luck.
May 29, 2013, 9:47 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: SYD
Programs: QF Emerald EY Plat HH D
Posts: 1,270
Note, while I have generally had a good experience with "fly ahead", the exact T&Cs do state that there must be availability in fare class or lower...
Which generally means if you book a saver, and as usual only expensive flexis available last minute, you could be out of luck.
Which generally means if you book a saver, and as usual only expensive flexis available last minute, you could be out of luck.
you cant get lower than the cheapest.
I was on a $50 OOL SYD and actually got double points so they must have put me in a higher class.
Nov 7, 2013, 10:02 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: Plat Delta, Plat AA, Plat SPG
Posts: 13
via partner gold?
Just got turned away for this benefit (although I've gotten at least 6 times before) because I was a Delta "partner" gold.
They used "no" and "delta" in the same sentence more times than Delta would probably appreciate.
Anyone know if there is an official word on this?
They used "no" and "delta" in the same sentence more times than Delta would probably appreciate.
Anyone know if there is an official word on this?
Nov 7, 2013, 10:21 pm
#12
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: PER
Programs: BA Gold, QF Gold, VA Gold, IC Diamond Amb., HH Diamond
Posts: 777
I guess any other time you got it they were just feeling...generous?
I was travelling with a mate from CNS-BNE who was only a red member and on a separate PNR and they still changed it for me since I asked nicely I guess?
Nov 7, 2013, 11:22 pm
#13
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: MEL
Programs: QF, VA, VN, BA, SQ, KC - all reds and blues.
Posts: 3,205
so they would not work on people with luggage correct?
or would I have to go to the lounge get the earlier flight then go and checkin?
and it says same class or lower so would that still apply if I am on a very cheapie and there is only full fare economy available.
but thankyou for the t and cs there.
or would I have to go to the lounge get the earlier flight then go and checkin?
and it says same class or lower so would that still apply if I am on a very cheapie and there is only full fare economy available.
but thankyou for the t and cs there.
I suppose if you are a masochist in SYD, you could go into the kerbside lounge entrance with luggage, ask for a fly ahead, then go out onto the pavement and through the main terminal check in. If you try that, let us know what happens.
Nov 7, 2013, 11:23 pm
#14
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: MEL
Programs: QF, VA, VN, BA, SQ, KC - all reds and blues.
Posts: 3,205
