Animals get more recognition than children

Some might agree.. ):

However, I noted this whilst trawling around the VS site:

FLYING PAWS CLUB
All pets flying with Virgin automatically join the Flying Paws Club, which means they are entitled to gifts. Plus if their human companion is a Flying Club member, they can receive Flying Club miles each and every time their pet travels with us.

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/passengerinformation/travellingwithpets/flyingpawsclub.jsp

You can get FC miles for having your cat in the hold, but not for your "Human" child sitting next to you! v(

Stinks..

[Nottingham Nick]

Further proof is that we have a National Society for the prevention of cruelty to Children, but a Royal Society of prevention of cruelty to Animals.

Seriously though, the Paws club seems like a typical VS gimmick.

I assume the rationale for not awarding points for child's seats (except for gold family accounts) is that they are getting less revenue for the child's seat, which could have been purchased by an adult on full planes.

I don't agree with the policy, in fact I think it is very short sighted. Virgin used to be the masters of the brand loyalty game, but not getting children signed up as soon as they start flying is missing a trick in my book.

Nick

a 1,000 miles is not a lot !

Plus can't kids get their own FC account?

[Darren Wheeler]

You have to be at least 12 years old to get a FC membership, and then you have to have parental consent. So effectively it's open to all adults in the air travel sense.

Under 12, I believe you can get a Red card, but it's linked to your parents account.

[Nottingham Nick]

Under 12, I believe you can get a Red card, but it's linked to your parents account.

Only for Gold card holder's families.

See VS website.

Nick

I assume the rationale for not awarding points for child's seats (except for gold family accounts) is that they are getting less revenue for the child's seat, which could have been purchased by an adult on full planes.

I don't agree with the policy, in fact I think it is very short sighted. Virgin used to be the masters of the brand loyalty game, but not getting children signed up as soon as they start flying is missing a trick in my book.

Nick

Would be so easy to achieve, a fast track tiered system, mainly for a bit of fun for the kids, but without any of the adult benefits..All miles linked into guardian's account. Even if its 50% earning - something to recognize the thousands that get spent on seats. Hell they'd recognize my Hamster (not that I've got one ?| ) so it is possible.

Brand loyalty can be "caught" at a very young age. My son was given the time of his life as Mascot for Brighton & Hove Albion when he was 6 year old and has been a dedicated fan ever since, having already bought his season tickets for the new stadium. I'm not sure they would have got the same support from a cat or dog!

[Nottingham Nick]

I totally agree, Jacki. You only have to look at the masters of brand loyalty with children - McDonald's!

They make their Happy Meals :$ appealing to kids with the belief that the kids will nag adults to take them to McDonald's, and then the added benefit that kids are hooked on the brand and will continue to eat there as they grow up.

The Kid's packs used to have the same affect at Virgin Atlantic with my son Chris, but my understanding is that they have suffered the same as the adult kits, and are no longer a deal breaker when deciding which airline to use for the trip to Mouseland. n( n(


Nick

Some might agree.. ):

However, I noted this whilst trawling around the VS site:

FLYING PAWS CLUB
All pets flying with Virgin automatically join the Flying Paws Club, which means they are entitled to gifts. Plus if their human companion is a Flying Club member, they can receive Flying Club miles each and every time their pet travels with us.

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/passengerinformation/travellingwithpets/flyingpawsclub.jsp

You can get FC miles for having your cat in the hold, but not for your "Human" child sitting next to you! v(

Stinks..

Totally with you NH!

Brand loyalty can be "caught" at a very young age.

One of my lads (8yrs old!) is kinda wondering why I am not going to be flying a Boeing when I head out to Washington later this year ... he'd much prefer I fly a 737 out than an airbus... He'd prefer me to fly another airline rather than a Virgin airbus... (We've got Boeing fridge magnets and I think the Virgin magnets are all Boeings as well...)

So yes, brand loyalty starts young *g*.

I had to check the date to make sure it was n't the start of the next month.....

This does rather add insult to injury for those of us who travel regularly with a wee one. During the all-too-brief year I spent as Au it was a much welcomed bonus for Tizer to earn miles and finally add something to the mdviponds' travel fund. Hell, she's been sponging of us for long enough.

I know it will never happen, but I do feel that the family account should be extended to all FC members. Okay, so you pay less for seat for a child, but for over 2s, you still pay 75% of the adult fare. Surely, dear VS, that should amount to a 75% miles earning...?

Now, with BGI coming up for us soon, does anyone know where I can lay my hands on a guinea-pig outfit that would fit a 4 year old?

I know it will never happen, but I do feel that the family account should be extended to all FC members. Okay, so you pay less for seat for a child, but for over 2s, you still pay 75% of the adult fare. Surely, dear VS, that should amount to a 75% miles earning...?

Even BA allows all under 18s into a household account for any EC member - I don't know if they earn full miles though.

Plus if their human companion is a Flying Club member, they can receive Flying Club miles each and every time their pet travels with us.

(Bolding is mine)
I've read this the opposite way to you all - in poor English, isn't this just a 'cute' way of saying the pax earns the mile, not the pet? The 'they' here is surely the owner?

Plus if their human companion is a Flying Club member, they can receive Flying Club miles each and every time their pet travels with us.

(Bolding is mine)
I've read this the opposite way to you all - in poor English, isn't this just a 'cute' way of saying the pax earns the mile, not the pet? The 'they' here is surely the owner?

That's what everyone is saying. The pax can get miles from their pets flying with them, no matter the FC status of the pax. However, if the pax is flying with a child that's under 12, the pax can't claim the child's miles unless the pax is Au.

Now, with BGI coming up for us soon, does anyone know where I can lay my hands on a guinea-pig outfit that would fit a 4 year old?

Now thats proper miles whoring.. y) Apparently "the hold is air-conditioned & pressurized same as the cabin", so should be fine..

Just think of the miles!!

Apologies, I didn't read the detail on the site explaining about the 1000 miles so was confused for a minute there!

Apologies, I didn't read the detail on the site explaining about the 1000 miles so was confused for a minute there!

I think more to do with the principle of bought seats gaining no loyalty.

Two of my dogs prefer to keep their miles and TPs to themselves hence they are Au (see pic) ii) ii) ii) The third is only Ag at the moment!!!!
PS As ukcobra above, when I read this I had to check whether it was 1st April already. Strange world.

Warning-if I can't get a cowshed treatment because a guinea pig got there first I will not be pleased!

Warning-if I can't get a cowshed treatment because a guinea pig got there first I will not be pleased!

^) ) ^)

Don't the pets need to be microwaved, vaccinated, de wormed etc

Some might agree.. ):

However, I noted this whilst trawling around the VS site:

FLYING PAWS CLUB
All pets flying with Virgin automatically join the Flying Paws Club, which means they are entitled to gifts. Plus if their human companion is a Flying Club member, they can receive Flying Club miles each and every time their pet travels with us.

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/passengerinformation/travellingwithpets/flyingpawsclub.jsp

You can get FC miles for having your cat in the hold, but not for your "Human" child sitting next to you! v(

Stinks..

Well had an interesting response from VS, having asked the question...(I've highlighted some interesting parts...

I do understand your concern about earning miles for your child's travel. However, Virgin Atlantic Airways spends a lot of time and effort ensuring that the package offered to our younger flyers is as attractive as possible.

This is achieved by offering personal seatback TV screens with up to 21 video channels plus 10 Nintendo games, 5 classic PC games and 9 audio channels. A kid's pack containing sunglasses, a baseball cap, puzzle book and lots more are offered.

As children's fares are generally 75% of the adult fare it was decided to give the children who fly with Virgin Atlantic Airways, the onboard goodies as opposed to earning a percentage of miles flown in a frequent flyer programme.

I hope the information provided clarifies the situation to you and thank you for contacting Flying Club.

Onboard goodies as opposed to FC miles... ?| I know which I'd rather have.. v(

Hey kids..When did you last get a kids pack...

Have VS got Peter Mandlelson responding to their customer queries nowadays?

So, let me see... What they're trying to spin to us here is that a cheap red bag with some even cheaper crap in it is worth - as far as I can work out - somewhere in the region of 8000 miles for a trans-atlantic flight? Bargain...

Have VS got Peter Mandlelson responding to their customer queries nowadays?

So, let me see... What they're trying to spin to us here is that a cheap red bag with some even cheaper crap in it is worth - as far as I can work out - somewhere in the region of 8000 miles for a trans-atlantic flight? Bargain...

You can buy 8000 miles for £135. ii)

So one red bag = £135. i)

We have around 10 of the b*ggers at home. :0

Therefore I have £1350 worth of bags. ^)

Right! off to ebay then! y)