V-Flyer

I flew on VS19 yesterday and paid for an exit row seat. I was travelling with a colleague (who is also Au) and we were sent up to the DTCI desks as there were a few people at the downstairs desks. We got good economy seats - exit row 75A & B upstairs in the bubble.

Shortly after take off, and just before the main drinks service one of the crew came to us and gave us a glass of champagne each in the new boob style glasses. We were very pleasantly surprise and grateful, but there was no real explanation. the chap next to us in 75C was a bit bemused (and miffed?).

I wondered if it was because we were chatting to this crew member whilst she was on the jump seat during take off.

A little later I was in the rear galley and I asked her why she gave them to us and she said it was because we were both Flying Club Golds.

Much later on in the flight the FSM was talking to the three of us in row 75. There had been problems with our IFE and she was apologetic and sorting things out. We talked about the champagne and she said that in the last couple of weeks a new directive has gone out instructing crew to do this for all Au card holders. I'm not sure how practical it will be, as there can be up to 30 Au on one flight, but expect to see some champage and some bemused fellow travellers.

I did make the point that crew giving these out should tell the recipients what it is for, as that will explain why. It will help those sitting around them understand why they are not given the same treatment.

I know the views on this board are mixed on this topic, but I welcome this move. Good job Virgin for treating your loyal customers in this way.

Cheers

Martin

Martin

Thanks for reporting this welcome "enhancement" y) y)

One can only hope that the infamous VS "Inconsistency" gremlin does not thwart a measure that will retain the loyalty of many

buns

It will be interesting to see if I get this at the weekend in PE. My travel companion is Au and I am UNIQ - it has never happened yet in 3 years !

buns wrote:One can only hope that the infamous VS "Inconsistency" gremlin does not thwart a measure that will retain the loyalty of many
buns

I agree Buns, this is an excellent directive aimed at rewarding dedicated PAX but the whole idea would be ruined if the application is erratic

Petmadness wrote:

buns wrote:One can only hope that the infamous VS "Inconsistency" gremlin does not thwart a measure that will retain the loyalty of many
buns

I agree Buns, this is an excellent directive aimed at rewarding dedicated PAX but the whole idea would be ruined if the application is erratic

You mean as it is now???

I have made my views on Au rewarding on-board clear before.
If you spend lots, you deserve something for it.
I have never heard anyone complain on here that UNIQ pax get extra rewards / benefits and I for one would never complain they do, they spend good money for them, more than me so deserve more than me.
It costs nothing to say "Welcome back Mr / Mrs x".
I can't remember what the renew scales for Au have been in past years but I see they have been put up this year to 40 for Au, this will thin the Au membership down, does that mean the perks will get better or more controllable? Would be interesting to see some numbers and see if little things like this do become more standard.

That's brilliant good for you, nice to see some recognition for all those pennies spent with the company.

Oh how I wish I could achieve this too, wouldn't care how bemused those around me were, sadly that's never to be so I will just look longingly at all you Gold Champagne guzzlers and dream

thelaceys

When I flew Virgin recently, I also noticed that some other passangers were getting given champagne in the new glasses, but I didn't get any, and I have been a gold card member for 4 years now. None on the return flight either. It is one thing being inconsistent only doing this gesture on certain flights, but giving it to certain gold card members in full view of other gold card members who are being ignored is a little bit foolish!

Good for VS. Long overdue and I hope everyone who is Au and not in UC benefits from this.

Have to say, today's VS39 to ORD was just fantastic, OK we were late leaving, but a wonderful flight. VS does get many things right and then it throws a curve ball to make one ponder when things go wrong!

JCBR wrote:It will be interesting to see if I get this at the weekend in PE. My travel companion is Au and I am UNIQ - it has never happened yet in 3 years !

What will happen is that your companion will be given the champers, and when you say "what about me" you will be told that they are a very frequent flyer

I'm sure like most things VS, it probably depends on the route and the crew. Like most here, I think a little hello and welcome back also goes a long way.

Although it probably will be best to keep things like special seats and upgrades random but when done.

at240 wrote:

JCBR wrote:It will be interesting to see if I get this at the weekend in PE. My travel companion is Au and I am UNIQ - it has never happened yet in 3 years !

What will happen is that your companion will be given the champers, and when you say "what about me" you will be told that they are a very frequent flyer

Ha ha ha, probably.

Nice to see VS are trying to be uniform in their treatment of AUs on board, but tbh I would be happy enough with a consistent welcome on board and thanks for a being a frequent flyer etc. Or an invite to the bar mid flight

I think LovingGold makes a good point, with the raising of the earning thresholds as of end of August will there be a drive to welcome back people that get over that hurdle ?| I guess time will tell on that one. y)

The problem is - thresholds can be raised but VS still *give* gold cards away to certain credit card holders.

"Thanks for your loyalty" isn't really appropriate to someone who's never stepped foot on their planes before....

preiffer wrote:The problem is - thresholds can be raised but VS still *give* gold cards away to certain credit card holders.

"Thanks for your loyalty" isn't really appropriate to someone who's never stepped foot on their planes before....

This is easily avoided by saying "this is in recognition of your status as a Gold car holder" rather than mention of loyalty.

The issue which is more frequently commented on here is that there are Golds who are in Upper. Therefore a drink of champagne won't be any different to the usual service. Having said that, what do Golds on BA First get that's a differentiator?

preiffer wrote:The problem is - thresholds can be raised but VS still *give* gold cards away to certain credit card holders.

Am I correct in saying that these are only given to centurian amex card holders? If so, given what it costs to get a centurian amex would these people not already be travelling at the front of the plane? - apologies if I am pigeon holeing people :#

I have only been approached by the FSM once on board before, she thanked me for continuing to fly with virgin and if I needed anything during the flight to please ask for her. Was a nice touch and will look forward to it happening more often if it is a new directive - especially if champers is also on hand y)

not had the champers but a couple of times been approached by FSM after take off and asked if I wanted to move to an extra legroom seat, when there were several empty rows

I've been AU for 6 years and not once has this been recognised in-flight. That was until my VS401 flight on Monday in PE. After a mid flight nap I took a stroll to the galley to request a coffee. After returning to my seat the FSM came along to offer a welcome back and to check if everything was OK. Also said, I heard you ask for coffee, could I bring you a nice Cappuccino instead, which speedily arrived in UC china. She also mentioned she'd popped along earlier to say hello but I was sleeping. Nice touch. There was no mention on my return VS400 trip.

I for one welcome this recognition of loyalty and feel it doesn't take much. I'm recognised (in terms of loyalty of course) on 99% of EK flights and even asked for my food choice when travelling Y well before the trolleys commences it's trip down the aisle, just so they don't run out of my preferred option.

It is worrying that already there are reports of inconsistency...

Very pleased they are doing this.

As a VS gold flying in Air NZ in economy last year I was very impressed when the Air NZ gold card holder sat next to me was brough some bottles of water and wine from busines class by the FSM.

clarkeysntfc wrote:Having said that, what do Golds on BA First get that's a differentiator?

It's a tough comparison to make. BA is part of an alliance, and its gold card holders accrue benefits as a result of that which VS can never hope to match while it stands alone. Access to the Quantas F lounge in SYD or MEL regardless of class of svc traveled in is one that comes to mind - many (most) BA golds don't necessarily fly F all the time, those that do are more likely to be GGL, but can still enjoy many of the benefits. The OW reciprocal lounge arrangements are significant for someone who flies a pattern more scattered than UK-to-US. As a relatively recent OW emerald, I am very appreciative of their lounge arrangements.

There are other bits and pieces, not worth going into, bottom line the real force of the statuses comes into play when you have a large alliance to provide benefits within, it's just so much more challenging for VS. This makes the gesture for Y pax all the more relevant IMO, "non-rev" card holders notwithstanding of course.

As one of those Amex people rest assured I don't always travel at the pointy end so un-pigeon hole me . Recognition is fun - didn't get any in UC on Sunday but then the entire service was spotty. BA Au also get to use the First Lounge with free pour champagne.

Decker wrote:As one of those Amex people rest assured I don't always travel at the pointy end so un-pigeon hole me

Moved out of pigeon hole.. although there is always the exception that proves the rule.

preiffer wrote:The problem is - thresholds can be raised but VS still *give* gold cards away to certain credit card holders.

"Thanks for your loyalty" isn't really appropriate to someone who's never stepped foot on their planes before....

It's not just credit card holders, my ex (we're still friends) has a VS Au card simply because of the company she works for, who's CEO is friends with SRB - she's never so much as stepped foot on an VS aircraft.

My company as corporate account which allows employees to get Au with just 30 tier points, though I'm pleased to say that I qualify with about 50 each year.

VS200 on Saturday in PE and had a welcome back from FSM plus glass of bubbly (or anything else I fancied).

JCBR wrote:VS200 on Saturday in PE and had a welcome back from FSM plus glass of bubbly (or anything else I fancied).

"A lie-flat bed?" :w

That is exactly what I thought - but I didn't want to push my luck !! The welcome and bubbly is a giant leap forward !