Virgin Australia introduces new fare structure, adds seat selection fees, removes some status bonus
Virgin Australia announced (09-Aug-2016) a new fare structure, 'Fares For You', to take effect from 07-Sep-2016. The new structure will offer nine fare brands across the domestic and international network. Key changes include the introduction of seat selection fees on Getaway fares, applicable to Gold and Platinum members of the Velocity FFP, and the removal of status tier bonuses on the same fares when flying domestically. Virgin Australia also removed its domestic 'Fly Ahead' benefit for the Getaway fare class, and added a carry-on only fare for trans-Tasman and short-haul international. The following fare types apply to domestic services:
- Getaway (Economy): Base discount economy fare with no changes, no status tier bonuses, no free seat selection;
- Elevate (Economy): Base economy fare with free seat selection, changes allowed with charge;
- Freedom (Economy): Flexible economy fare with free seat selection, changes permitted;
- Business Saver (Business): Discount business class fare with changes allowed with a charge;
- Business (Business): Flexible business class fare, changes permitted.
The following fare types apply to short-haul international and trans-Tasman services:
- Go (Economy): Base discount economy fare with no checked baggage, no changes, no free seat selection, beverage only;
- Go Plus (Economy): Discount economy fare with changes permitted with fee, no free seat selection, beverage only;
- Getaway (Economy): Discount economy fare with no changes, no free seat selection, includes snack and beverage;;
- Freedom (Economy): Flexible economy fare with free seat selection, changes permitted, includes snack and beverage;
- Business Saver (Business): Discount business class fare with changes allowed with a charge;
- Business (Business): Flexible business class fare, changes permitted.
The following fare types apply to long-haul international services:
- Getaway (Economy): Base discount economy fare with no changes, no free seat selection, no points upgrades available;
- Elevate (Economy): Base economy fare with free seat selection, changes allowed with charge, no points upgrades available;
- Freedom (Economy): Flexible economy fare with free seat selection, changes permitted;
- Premium Saver (Premium Economy): Discount premium economy class fare with changes allowed with a charge;
- Premium (Premium Economy): Flexible premium economy class fare, changes permitted;
- Business Saver (Business): Discount business class fare with changes allowed with a charge;
- Business (Business): Flexible business class fare, changes permitted. [more - original PR]