david wrote:
Problem is, it doesn't appear to be on all flights ??
Correct. Not even all regions either probably. YQ was implemented in the current way specifically to allow airlines to bump up prices for certain routes or regions separately to the main fare's. That means that they can just plug in a new YQ number for cabins on a particular route, without needing to re-calculate potentially hundreds of fares and it also means their corporate contracts that offer discounts on fares are un-affected and therefore do not require renegotiation. It's sneaky, but effective.
bnkarp wrote:I had a cursory look at the fare for a reward ticket from LAX to LHR in Upper on VS metal. The total payable (beyond miles) was $450 (confirmed), and the breakdown appeared to show that nearly all the $450 payable was for YQ, not taxes. If I understand correctly, YQ is set entirely at the airline's discretion.
Absolutely correct, yes. The difference from Premium to Upper was about $400, whereas if they undid the Premium upgrade (which they should) the difference would increase to about $550 from Economy Delight. That's a jump of around 10x vs prior to the Jan changes.
bnkarp wrote:If that's accurate, then this would appear to be a swingeing devaluation in FC benefits that hasn't been caused by tax changes (in theory beyond VS's control), but rather by VS policy.
While I've given VS my business for over a decade, and have finally reached FC Lifetime Gold, if ex-US upgrades to Upper become this expensive, I'll seriously have to look at taking my custom elsewhere. Simply put, non-extortionate upgrades to Upper from Economy ex-US are (were? 
) one of the best values in VS's product.
Is there some way we V-Flyers can express our disapproval to VS's management en masse, so that they understand the business they stand to lose with this sort of policy decision?
I emailed customer relations. I simply laid out the facts, and made the exact same point that you have. I continued to say that if it becomes this uneconomical to use miles on upgrades and redemptions, I may as well just fly the cheapest carrier (which almost certainly won't be VS), and not bother with loyalty at all. The raise in YQ is essentially just penalising loyal customers by outright stopping them upgrading. It's less of a problem with a revenue fare because the price is all inclusive, and it's either within your budget or it isnt. Very black & white. But upgrades are a different kettle of fish.
The email reply I got was very sympathetic, and certainly not a boilerplate reply. From the tone, I suspect others have emailed in with the same complaints. I was assured the feedback will be passed on to the loyalty team (maybe, who knows), and that feedback from Gold's was a pretty important source for them. The reply even went as far to say that they "
do believe the comments you've made regarding YQ taxes are more than valid."
I'd encourage as many people to complain as possible. These things can be undone. VS have done it before, as have BA. Enough people shout and there may be a change.
Fly's a little too much.
