V-Flyer

Looking on the VH website, they say that you have to be 'invited' to become a Frequent Virgin Club member. By my reckoning I meet the required criteria as laid down by VH, but as yet no such invite.

To all you VH guru's out there, is it just a case of sitting back waiting and hoping or is it worth a call to VH?

Many thanks in advance,


NOC [:D]

Isn't it based on how much you spend over a certain period now?

Just checked and you now have to spend more than 6K in a 4 year period.

TBH though, there's not a lot to gain by being an FVC member these days. I've had very little benefit from FVC now for a couple of years. You have to spend at least 1.5K on a package for the FVC benefits to kick in anyway and hotel only or fly drive bookings don't even count at all.

Regards

Have to agree with Mitchja, the benefits aren't that special at all really. You're not missing out on much

The benefits are derisory these days - having been a FVC member for years I find it almost worthless these days and better deals are there to be had when the VH website does a special promotional weekend.They will contact you when you pass the qualifying threshold.
DL

quote:Originally posted by DragonLady
The benefits are derisory these days - having been a FVC member for years I find it almost worthless these days and better deals are there to be had when the VH website does a special promotional weekend.They will contact you when you pass the qualifying threshold.
DL


Mmmm seems like a sign of the times . Thanks to all for the responses,

Regards,


NOC [:D]

I found that The Destination Lounge put together a better priced package for me than I could get with VH even as an FVC member.

Paul

That's a very good plug for a fellow v-flyer!!

quote:Originally posted by eejp1007
That's a very good plug for a fellow v-flyer!!


I do what I can [:I].

Just in case anyone is interested, although I have also not used FVC for booking etc for many years, they do currently have an offer of 15% off all 2010 Florida and Caribbean holidays booked by today. You have to forgo all other (if you have any) FVC benefits but you can still have the free car upgrade. Interestingly I have not found this advertised anywhere and also did not get an email - just stumbled across it on the FVC members only website.

As we managed to book a Flordia fly drive (usual with us in UC and children in Y) for Xmas 2010 this worked out a great deal for us - not only on price but also meant that we do not have to pay for the tickets until just before departure as we would have done FO with VS.

I too have taken up the 15% off offer for 2010 (took it back in April). However I have taken the car off the booking. Whilst I got a 'free' upgrade for FVC and the offer of a free upgrade to an SUV, the cost of the platinum insurance was over GBP 600! Surely some mistake? VH customer services said no. I pointed out I could independently hire an SUV, with Plat insurance for GBP 470 from the VH car hire website so they took off the car hire from the VH booking. I am beginning to wonder whether I should have booked so early. [:(]

Yes, had realised that may be an issue before booking but fortunately in our case the platinum insurance (2 weeks for a 7 seater) was only 392 and I also checked the car hire costs and couldn't do it any cheaper. We actually already have SLI and CDW etc insurance with Plat AmEx but decided it was still worth taking the Virgin platinum partly for the extra driver FOC and also for peace of mind as had heard that the car hire companies tend to require hefty deposits etc if you don't take their insurances.

quote:Originally posted by shelly67
Just in case anyone is interested, although I have also not used FVC for booking etc for many years, they do currently have an offer of 15% off all 2010 Florida and Caribbean holidays booked by today. You have to forgo all other (if you have any) FVC benefits but you can still have the free car upgrade. Interestingly I have not found this advertised anywhere and also did not get an email - just stumbled across it on the FVC members only website.


I've had this offer sent to me at least twice with the usual FVC rubbish they post out via snail mail.

quote:Originally posted by shelly67
Yes, had realised that may be an issue before booking but fortunately in our case the platinum insurance (2 weeks for a 7 seater) was only 392 and I also checked the car hire costs and couldn't do it any cheaper. We actually already have SLI and CDW etc insurance with Plat AmEx but decided it was still worth taking the Virgin platinum partly for the extra driver FOC and also for peace of mind as had heard that the car hire companies tend to require hefty deposits etc if you don't take their insurances.


Your Plat insurances sounds right. There was definitely something wrong with my booking. Foolishly I tried sorting it out with the call centre [n]

Oddly enough when I booked with FVC I got someone in the UK so it was nice and easy despite the fact that I had to make 3 bookings for one holiday because of different fare classes etc but also recently booked to Antigua and did this through a TO and have made some major changes to this booking and the TO had to deal with the Indian call centre and I know they had her tearing her hair out - whilst I sympathised there have to be advantages to booking through a TO rather than just going direct and I guess not having to deal with the call centre is one of the biggest! [:D]

I had a letter from the FVC today which details my 'benefits' [:D]

Either 10% off any direct booking (which anyone can already get on the web site)[n] or

5% discount, with free access for up to 4 pax into the V-ROOM @ LGW

and one of the following

Airport parking max 16 days
Airport hotel for 1 night(LGW,LHR or MAN)
CDC transfer to the airport.

Plus a 'free' hire car upgrade (only certain cars and destinations) in mainland USA, Barbados, St Lucia & Australia.

There's also a massive 5% discount on Virgin Cruises [:0] and a 10% discount if you book a hip hotel.

So not much really that you can't get already by not being a member of the FVC. Anyone can get the 10% which would cover the costs of the other 'freebies'

Most travel agents will give you 10% as well, mine gives a bit more. [:D]

Also got this letter today as well. As you say, nothing worth getting excited about.

Hmmmmmm I tried the FVC discount on a Virgin Hip hotel a few months ago and was told that I couldn't use it?

The 'free' car hire upgrade offer has always made me laugh as you have to pay the increased insurance cost so don't actually get much free.

Any FVC members also noticed that the FVC members only website is way out-of-date too! Love the message that's still on the home page 'New! Virgin Atlantic Flights to Chicago' [:w]

Regards