Future Flight credits: not much use
Feb 25, 2021, 8:25 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 476
Future Flight credits: not much use
Is anyone else struggling to use their Future Flight credits: aka money I paid Virgin in good faith just before they went under?
I'm probably a year late in spotting this, but I can't help but feel Virgin pulled a bit of a fast one when they said they would 'honour' all past payments. However, I've struggled to find flights I can use them on now the borders are open again.
It was only after doing a large number of dummy bookings, I found that actually, this isn't a credit for a future flight at all.
There are the same number of seats on each flight available for Future Flight credits as are available for velocity frequent flyer redemptions: IE: typically, 4 economy seats. And on the few flights that are flying, they've often gone!
It won't impact many people, but as I'm sitting on thousands from a cancelled LAX business class flight, it's far from ideal.
I phoned up Virgin, and got the rather odd reply that 'a lot of people are commenting about that right now. Please, do write in with your feedback'.
I'm probably a year late in spotting this, but I can't help but feel Virgin pulled a bit of a fast one when they said they would 'honour' all past payments. However, I've struggled to find flights I can use them on now the borders are open again.
It was only after doing a large number of dummy bookings, I found that actually, this isn't a credit for a future flight at all.
There are the same number of seats on each flight available for Future Flight credits as are available for velocity frequent flyer redemptions: IE: typically, 4 economy seats. And on the few flights that are flying, they've often gone!
It won't impact many people, but as I'm sitting on thousands from a cancelled LAX business class flight, it's far from ideal.
I phoned up Virgin, and got the rather odd reply that 'a lot of people are commenting about that right now. Please, do write in with your feedback'.
Feb 25, 2021, 8:46 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 6,338
Strange. Maybe its because I got in as soon as it was possible, but when I looked to use the credit I had (for identical flights a year later) I could choose any of the flights on the days I wanted as if I was paying cash (I checked that).
Mar 30, 2021, 1:40 am
#4
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: NZ Koru
Posts: 6,415
Mar 30, 2021, 1:59 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,024
https://travel.virginaustralia.com/a...te/travel-bank
https://travelbank.virginaustralia.c...4B1ACB56423187
<snip>
You can redeem your Travel Bank credits either:- Online at www.virginaustralia.com
- Via the Virgin Australia Business Portal if you are a corporate customer, by choosing Travel Bank as your form of payment
- Over the phone via the Guest Contact Centre.
Your travel credits are valid for eligible bookings for 12 months from the date of issue, unless a shorter expiry is notified to you. Travel does not need to be completed by the applicable travel credit expiry date.
Travel credits cannot be exchanged for cash and are non-transferrable to another person. However, you may use your travel credits to purchase an eligible flight for another person.
<snip>
You can redeem your Travel Bank credits either:- Online at www.virginaustralia.com
- Via the Virgin Australia Business Portal if you are a corporate customer, by choosing Travel Bank as your form of payment
- Over the phone via the Guest Contact Centre.
Your travel credits are valid for eligible bookings for 12 months from the date of issue, unless a shorter expiry is notified to you. Travel does not need to be completed by the applicable travel credit expiry date.
Travel credits cannot be exchanged for cash and are non-transferrable to another person. However, you may use your travel credits to purchase an eligible flight for another person.
<snip>
But check the details for your VA credit.
Last edited by Mwenenzi; Mar 30, 2021 at 5:06 am
Apr 2, 2021, 4:35 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Sunny SYDNEY!
Programs: UA Million Miler. (1.9M) Virgin Platinum. HH Diamond + SPG Gold
Posts: 32,330
Travel Bank I've used a lot and seems basically like using cash for whatever you want.
Travel CREDITS do seem capacity capped from what I have read?
Travel CREDITS do seem capacity capped from what I have read?
Apr 5, 2021, 2:47 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,994
It seems there is an underlying fare bucket for which a certain amount of seats can be booked for a flight using FFC's. The number made available can vary by flight. Some flights might not Have any made available.
A booking using FFC's is made as normal against other existing fare buckets but reduces the avalailbility in this specal fare bucket.
Best bet is to book early.
So far I have made bookings on 7 flights using FFC's, even upgraded a couple.
A booking using FFC's is made as normal against other existing fare buckets but reduces the avalailbility in this specal fare bucket.
Best bet is to book early.
So far I have made bookings on 7 flights using FFC's, even upgraded a couple.
Jun 6, 2021, 10:58 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: New York City
Programs: DL DM & 2MM; Marriott Titanium
Posts: 664
Is there any likelihood of VA extending the credit expiry dates?
Currently, I have approx. $4000 in credits from 2 JFK-LAX-BNE trips that were canceled. These credits expire in Jan 2022.
As an US citizen, I cannot enter Australia looks like for the foreseeable future..
Currently, I have approx. $4000 in credits from 2 JFK-LAX-BNE trips that were canceled. These credits expire in Jan 2022.
As an US citizen, I cannot enter Australia looks like for the foreseeable future..
Jun 7, 2021, 11:24 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,994
Is there any likelihood of VA extending the credit expiry dates?
Currently, I have approx. $4000 in credits from 2 JFK-LAX-BNE trips that were canceled. These credits expire in Jan 2022.
As an US citizen, I cannot enter Australia looks like for the foreseeable future..
Currently, I have approx. $4000 in credits from 2 JFK-LAX-BNE trips that were canceled. These credits expire in Jan 2022.
As an US citizen, I cannot enter Australia looks like for the foreseeable future..
For example, I have "Future Flight Credits" and mine must be used to book before August 1st 2022 for travel through June 30th 2023.
That is, book BEFORE 1/8/2022 for travel up to 30/6/2023.
There is a good article here:
How to Use Virgin Australia “Future Flight” Credits | Australian Frequent Flyer
Also, VA's FFC Info:
https://travel.virginaustralia.com/a...flight-credits
Last edited by serfty; Jun 8, 2021 at 1:27 am