Travellers on a Virgin Australia Economy Flex fare now have access to same-day flight changes, regardless of their Velocity status. Previously, the handy ‘Fly Ahead’ perk was limited to Velocity Gold and Platinum/Platinum Plus members on eligible fares.
The changes come ‘amid a backdrop of high inflation’, and Virgin Australia says the changes will ‘help travellers, particularly those flying for business, avoid additional flight change costs’.
It’s worth pointing out that just yesterday, Qantas increased domestic change and cancellation fees from $110 to $121 with minimal notice. Virgin Australia’s fee (including cancelling an Economy Flex fare) is $109.
Qantas does not have a published policy similar to Virgin’s ‘Fly Ahead,’ though the airline occasionally offers ‘flow forwarding’ during periods of peak demand and service disruptions.
How does Fly Ahead work for Flex fares?
Virgin’s implementation of Fly Ahead for all Flex fares works the same way it does now for elite-status members. Even if you don’t have Velocity Gold status or higher, you can now request Fly Ahead in the Virgin Australia app as long as you hold an Economy Flex fare.
When requesting via the app, you’ll be able to select the immediately preceding available flight on the same route. On ‘Golden Triangle’ routes between Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, you can also request any flight within a 2-hour window. Up to three accompanying guests on the same booking will also be included.
You can also request Fly Ahead at the airport or the Virgin Australia Lounge at least 40 minutes ahead of departure, as long as you have not already checked in luggage.
Make sure not to make the change via the standard ‘Manage Booking’ process, as that will still be subject to fees. You specifically need to go via the ‘Fly Ahead’ benefit.
Under the standard change rules, switching flights under a Flex fare still triggers a fare difference (if any). With Fly Ahead, there’s nothing more to pay – as long as seats are available
American Express Velocity Platinum
- Bonus points
- 50,000 bonus Velocity Points¹
- Annual fee
- $440 p.a.
- Earn
- 1.25 Velocity Points earned per $1 on all eligible spend except for government bodies⁵. 2.25 Velocity Points per $1 spent on selected Virgin Australia purchases⁵. 0.5 Velocity Points per $1 on Government spend⁵
American Express Velocity Platinum
- Bonus Points
- 50,000 bonus Velocity Points¹
- Annual Fee
- $440 p.a.
- Earn
- 1.25 Velocity Points earned per $1 on all eligible spend except for government bodies⁵. 2.25 Velocity Points per $1 spent on selected Virgin Australia purchases⁵. 0.5 Velocity Points per $1 on Government spend⁵
Earn 50,000 Velocity Points¹ when you apply online, are approved, and spend $5,000 on eligible purchases on your new American Express Velocity Platinum Card within the first 3 months. New American Express Card Members only.
Summing up
Virgin Australia doesn’t charge much more for Economy Flex than for Economy Choice, compared to Qantas, at least. For business travellers who regularly book Flex fares, this change will be a welcome one – particularly for those without elite status.
I have successfully used this benefit many times, especially when flying out of Perth with Velocity Platinum status. In fact, sometimes the team have gone above and beyond, including granting a change from an indirect flight (e.g. Perth-Adelaide-Melbourne to Perth-Melbourne) when the direct flight was significantly more expensive at the time of booking.
They’ve also allowed a change to an earlier flight with Business Reward availability, so I was able to immediately upgrade to Business Class using my Complimentary Flight Upgrade benefit.
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