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#257896 by Pete
29 Jan 2009, 14:30
Gentle reader,

We are talking to the coding boffins at Virgin Atlantic about exposing fare class codes in a flight booking front-end that would sit on V-Flyer. Basically, that would mean rather than saying I want 'Economy - Lowest' or 'Economy - Flexible', you can specify the exact fare code you want to see, like Y, B, L, X, etc. As a tag-on, we are also looking at showing the availability of reward codes too, so you can search for an upgradeable Economy fare such as 'L', then search for a PE upgrade reward in 'U'.

The question is, would you use this? Because this will involve some new coding both at Virgin Atlantic and at V-Flyer, we need to put together a business case for doing the work. So, in our highly scientific research (ie, the poll below), please give us an indication as to whether you are likely to book using such a tool if it was available.
#706361 by inkiboo
29 Jan 2009, 14:52
'"please give us an indication as to whether you are likely to book using such a tool if it was available'

Would use it 100% provided the 4 miles per 1 with a Virgin Credit Card still applied. Sounds like a great idea."
#706365 by Pete
29 Jan 2009, 14:58
This would be a front end that would deliver you to Virgin to complete the booking, so yes - all the normal benefits and bonus miles would apply.
#706366 by inkiboo
29 Jan 2009, 15:01
quote:Originally posted by Pete
This would be a front end that would deliver you to Virgin to complete the booking, so yes - all the normal benefits and bonus miles would apply.


Sounds perfect then; rock on!
#706369 by mcmbenjamin
29 Jan 2009, 15:11
Would be really helpful if users could select lowest available booking class that is upgradable. Also would be nifty if different booking classes could be selected per leg of a booking.
#706373 by DMetters-Bone
29 Jan 2009, 15:25
Deffo, would really help a lot people I would say....'Book it Danno'


Dominic
#706374 by Pete
29 Jan 2009, 15:30
[quote]Originally posted by mcmbenjamin
Would be really helpful if users could select lowest available booking class that is upgradable. Also would be nifty if different booking classes could be selected per leg of a booking.


Different classes per leg would be included (hopefully); your request for lowest available booking class that is upgradable would be possible by automatically doing multiple look-ups in the background (but for the sake of simplicity probably won't be in v1 - you'd have to just start at the lowest upgradeable booking class and work up until you find one; but given there are only 3 in Economy and 2 in PE, it's not many to check)

Pete
#706376 by Neil
29 Jan 2009, 15:39
A 100% yes from me. On every feedback form I fill in about the VS site, the main thing I ask for is to be able to look up and book by certain fare code. I have never been able to book a VS flight on line because of the lack of this option and whilst it would benefit me it should also mean less people having to call VS about these kind of bookings.

Neil
#706382 by Kraken
29 Jan 2009, 16:20
A definite yes from me too.
#706383 by northernhenry
29 Jan 2009, 16:37
quote:Originally posted by Pete
This would be a front end that would deliver you to Virgin to complete the booking, so yes - all the normal benefits and bonus miles would apply.


yes, when includes the normal benefits of booking direct, and access to sale fares which assume would be in the fare code listings

[y]
#706390 by RichardMannion
29 Jan 2009, 17:24
Looks like a healthy interest. Another aspect of consideration that I need to gauge itnerest in is a compare mode.

So say you search for LHR-JFK, it would potentially show in a result dashboard:

- Lowest Revenue flight
- MpM fares for that flight
- Lowest eligible revenue that can be used to upgrade, and the applicable check for reward avail
- Pure reward
- Lowest eligible revenue that can be used for a companion, and the applicable check for companion avail
- Check availability to make use of the VS AmEx upgrade rewards

Depending on code extensibility at VH, potentially:
- Flydrive price (plus cabin upgrade costs)

Goal would be so you could quickly at a glance see the various options.
#706396 by Pete
29 Jan 2009, 17:50
quote:Originally posted by RichardMannion
Looks like a healthy interest. Another aspect of consideration that I need to gauge itnerest in is a compare mode.

So say you search for LHR-JFK, it would potentially show in a result dashboard:

- Lowest Revenue flight
- MpM fares for that flight
- Lowest eligible revenue that can be used to upgrade, and the applicable check for reward avail
- Pure reward
- Lowest eligible revenue that can be used for a companion, and the applicable check for companion avail
- Check availability to make use of the VS AmEx upgrade rewards

Depending on code extensibility at VH, potentially:
- Flydrive price (plus cabin upgrade costs)

Goal would be so you could quickly at a glance see the various options.


Richard - stop inventing work for me. [;)] Let's try and keep it simple.
#706397 by Bill S
29 Jan 2009, 17:56
quote:Originally posted by Pete

Richard - stop inventing work for me. [;)] Let's try and keep it simple.

And can we have a +-7day spread as well? [:w]
#706398 by David
29 Jan 2009, 17:57
quote:Originally posted by RichardMannion
Looks like a healthy interest. Another aspect of consideration that I need to gauge itnerest in is a compare mode.

So say you search for LHR-JFK, it would potentially show in a result dashboard:

- Lowest Revenue flight
- MpM fares for that flight
- Lowest eligible revenue that can be used to upgrade, and the applicable check for reward avail
- Pure reward
- Lowest eligible revenue that can be used for a companion, and the applicable check for companion avail
- Check availability to make use of the VS AmEx upgrade rewards

Depending on code extensibility at VH, potentially:
- Flydrive price (plus cabin upgrade costs)

Goal would be so you could quickly at a glance see the various options.


[^] Now that would be VERY good [y]
#706434 by AlecK
29 Jan 2009, 20:49
Yes - definately
#706435 by JAT74L
29 Jan 2009, 20:56
Superb!
#706494 by VAFFPAX
30 Jan 2009, 00:07
YES please!

This is a brilliant idea!

S.
#706512 by MarkedMan
30 Jan 2009, 04:28
Absolutely YES. Sounds like a fun project. What are you thinking of using technology-wise?

Of course the dream outcome for those of us who do not live in the UK is a VS engine that will let you book tickets with other airlines for connections. But that's a whole other project, for sure. Just being able to book VS econ/PE plus upgrade reward will mean I'll never go back to the VS site again. Will they share their code for the 7-day table? As Bill S says, that would be a great addition. I'm sure you could recreate it fairly easily, just wondering if they will actually cooperate that far with you.

Good luck, and looking forward to it coming.
#706640 by tontybear
30 Jan 2009, 23:11
OH yes !

Would be good especially as would let you choose a ticket to let you then upgrade using FC Miles - well give you the option too.
#706754 by mcuth
31 Jan 2009, 21:30
Yes, yes, yes, YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! [y][y][y]

Cheers
Michael
#706755 by mitchja
31 Jan 2009, 21:52
I think the current poll result says it all really.

Regards
#709002 by chumba
01 Mar 2009, 10:40
definantly, it would save hours on the phone to FC and trying to check all the different options to make the best savings etc.
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