Page 1 of 1

I Fare Tier Point Earning

PostPosted: 18 Jul 2018, 22:19
by matt.hibb
Can anyone confirm or not whether an I class fare still earns 200 TP each way?

The reason I ask is I was just checking earning rates after recent changes and on the TP earning page, it now just lists Non-flexible (100) and Flexible (200) instead of earning rates for actual fare classes. Then on the mileage earning page it shows Upper class standard as I and Z, separate from Upper class flexible as J, C and D. Might that be hinting that I fares are considered non-flexible now and only earn 100 each way?

Thanks

Re: I Fare Tier Point Earning

PostPosted: 18 Jul 2018, 23:07
by ColOrd
I was on an I coming back from LAX in Jan and it was only 100TP.

Re: I Fare Tier Point Earning

PostPosted: 19 Jul 2018, 05:24
by SlimpyJones
You may want to confirm with VS if that's correct Col, I asked a chat rep about this a few months ago and she said I class should earn 200.

It's also supposed to be in line with Delta - I class on DL earns 200:

https://www.virginatlantic.com/gb/en/fl ... lines.html

Re: I Fare Tier Point Earning

PostPosted: 19 Jul 2018, 08:25
by mitchja
I was also under the impression that VS I fares always earned 200 TP's. I'll know for sure in a few weeks as I've a return MAN>JFK on an I fare.

Re: I Fare Tier Point Earning

PostPosted: 19 Jul 2018, 11:03
by DoomWolf
I got 200 TP each way to/from Seattle in May/June on flights that were booked in January just before they dropped the CDC from I class fares. I had noticed the VS site now listing I class as non-flexible alongside Z and assumed they'd reduced the TP earnings, but I can't find any mention of them doing so which suggests it's either a mistake or an unannounced change.

Re: I Fare Tier Point Earning

PostPosted: 19 Jul 2018, 11:14
by SlimpyJones
I class is a weird one as they earn the same miles as Z class but instead earn 200 TPs alongside J, C and D. It's quite confusing.

Re: I Fare Tier Point Earning

PostPosted: 19 Jul 2018, 11:27
by matt.hibb
What a strange coincidence, the tier point page now includes the fare classes. Last night it DEFINITELY just showed flexible and non-flexible without specifying any fare classes. The page now seems to confirm it's only 100 TPs earned each way.
https://www.virginatlantic.com/gb/en/fl ... oints.html

That's quite the disappointment. It doesn't seem right to me. A Mon-Fri I fare to my usual destinations is circa £5k, how can that only earn the same as a £2.5k Z fare! Not to mention it now appears that if you're chasing TPs, you'd be better off choosing DL metal instead of VS on an I fare to get double the TPs!!

Re: I Fare Tier Point Earning

PostPosted: 19 Jul 2018, 11:58
by gumshoe
VS have clearly noticed a pattern of leisure travellers choosing I fares - often for not much more than Z fares - to get the extra TPs and, until recently, the CDCs.

Benefits they clearly believe should be limited to business travellers willing and able to pay through the nose for flexible fares. Probably another attempt to reduce the number of ‘Tesco Golds’ as they’re known on a certain other forum!

Re: I Fare Tier Point Earning

PostPosted: 19 Jul 2018, 12:11
by matt.hibb
Yeah I see that logic, still feels like a bit of a kick in the teeth. Removing the CDC was probably a fair decision. But there is still an element of flexibility in an I fare because I've changed them for a flat fee of about £300 before. And actually my example could be made worse by comparing a £5k I fare to a £1.5k S fare in premium. With BA for example, I don't think you can earn the same TPs on any premium fare compared to any business fare. But then BA give you same TPs for a J as they do for a Z I guess which doesn't seem right either.

I called Flying Club quick just now, because I'd like to know before making a booking and the agent was confused as well. The agents manual that they use as a lookup states 200 TPs each way. I pointed out the website, which the agent checked and said they would send it to the relevant department for clarification. Doesn't help me for today though.

Re: I Fare Tier Point Earning

PostPosted: 19 Jul 2018, 15:26
by matt.hibb
Well would you look at that, VS have updated the tier points page already! And good news, looks like it's confirmed that I fares do still earn 200 TPs each way. Has anyone ever known VS to fix something on their website so fast!?

Re: I Fare Tier Point Earning

PostPosted: 19 Jul 2018, 15:31
by SlimpyJones
Hahaha, that's quite funny. Something is telling me someone on the VS web team is having a read of our forum... *polite wave*