Pre flight courtesy call from Virgin

Is it the norm for VA to make pre flight courtesy calls?
In all the years I've flown with them I have never experienced it until today ?|

Yes - bit not everyone gets them.

Did they try and sell you an upgrade / exit row / extra leg room seat?

Thanks for such a quick response TB.

No selling attempted! I already have maximum they offer on my flight!
So a nice touch y)

I had one before my last 2 flights. No sales, just a reminder.

Katie

I had one two years ago but not last year.

I had one on Saturday for my flight ot JFK on Tuesday. I was in Tesco's so I couldn't really chat and I told the chap this. He said that was fine, but just to let me know that they had upgrades available and to call back on the 0844 209 7390 number if I wanted one.

I have been called a few times in the past. It's a nice reminder (as if anyone is going to forget they are flying to New York or wherever) but I don't think that is the purpose. Some of them are quite chatty and I'm sure there is a sales motive behind the calls.

Fielded a call earlier from the mystery pre flight team reminding me of my flight, confirming pickup arrangements and asking if there was anything more to be done - always a nice touch and def appreciated y)

I have been on the lookout for a 'G' fare for the VS25 for a few days now and always showing as unavailable (flightstats still gives a 9 though ! ) I asked and unfortunately still not available for the VS25, but interestingly there are reward seats available for flights earlier in the day, contradicting what the website says regarding reward bookings, I just checked, it still shows no availability for Friday.. makes me wonder if it is always just better to call them up and ignore the website that appears to constantly display out of date information ii)

Added bonus of this call, the agent said she would keep an eye out and give me a call back if they release any reward fares for the VS25... do we think she will call back?? I would like to think so, then again might be up to my charm at the airport.

Wish me luck people, the planes are packed out with few to no ECO and PE fares available for most of Friday's flights... come on revenue management, you know it makes sense

I was about to post this today untill I saw this thread.

Today was the first time I got this call. I was told it was a 'courtesy call' and was asked to confirm details like where my next destination was for security.

I was then asked if I knew about OLCI etc and about all features they have. I was also asked how I was getting to the airport and whether I would have parking.

The advisor was very friendly and I think the call added to the Virgin experience!

I had another one of these calls today for my flight to Mumbai on Monday. I could tell it was pre-dialled because of the short pause before the guy at the other end spoke. I was all ready for another "Your missold PPI claim ....", when he announced he was from the Virgin pre-flight team.

I had a good chat with him and asked about the purpose of these calls. He told me the automated system simply dials lots of customers who have booked online directly with VS (i.e. no travel agent bookings will get this). They are there to answer any questions about luggage, check in etc.

At the point of connection they don't know who they are going to be speaking to, but they have a screen which shows your flight details, so they ask where you are flying to to check they have the right person. Then you can hear them discovering you are gold or whatever and what class you are travelling in.

I have now saved the number in my phone so I can see in advance when the next call comes through from the "Virgin pre-flight team".

Now I'll be able to answer: "Ah wonderful, you must be calling about my free upgrade to Upper Class next Monday!"

Been called a few times but only to tell me a flight has been delayed plus one time in HKG when I got my dates mixed up and they called me to see if I was still travelling as check in was about to close.

Odd - I've never had such a call, despite dozens of flights.. mostly in Upper.

Been called a few times but only to tell me a flight has been delayed plus one time in HKG when I got my dates mixed up and they called me to see if I was still travelling as check in was about to close.

I had a call for my flight to MCO next month.

The caller tried to sell me seat plus, extra legroom and PE upgrade.

Only trouble was she hadn't checked before she offered these and when I said yes have a look then, she admitted that none of these were available anyway. And indeed I had already purchased extra legroom on the outbound flight but she didn't seem to realise this.