V-Flyer

On the Virgin web-site, I have always gone for restricted Upper Class which is a Z ticket (no limo). I am guessing that if you click on unrestricted Upper Class, you get a J ticket (with limo).

How does one go about getting a D ticket, which I understand to be cheaper than a J ticket but with limo ?

It's an APEX, so advanced purchase is required. I would ring up VS and ask for availability and prices of UC fares and restrictions. They would bring up the D if it is available I would expect, but if the didn't you can always ask them. The website is not great (well nearly useless actually) for booking specific fare codes

Be aware that there are various different types of D fare depending on how far in advance you purchase -- normally the cut off points are 42 days, 28 days and 7 days, with the price increasing commensurately.

BC

ISTBC, but I think the online system works as follows:
Booking "Upper Class (lowest)" will give you the cheapest fare available at the time (whether that's Z, D or J) and booking "Upper Class (flexible)" will always give you a J fare.

The problem with the online system is that, unless you go almost to the end of a purchase, you can't find out what the ticket class is (it's only displayed on the final confirmation screen before you actually buy the ticket). So, until VS make the online booking engine the way we'd all like to see it (with an option to select a specific fare class), the only way to truly make sure you get a D fare is to ring VS and ask directly for one.

Given that there's no incentive for booking online at the moment, you're not disadvantaged by this

Alternatively, you could try Expedia & Travelocity - IIRC they display fare classes once you've selected your flights...

Cheers

Michael

KenJohn,
I also like to use the Expert Flyer tool to check what fare buckets are showing available (doesn't necessarily mean that they are available, mind you) and then to click on the fares to see what the OW and Return fares are showing, plus the fare basis code listing. There you have the advantage of comparing everything that might be offered. When you ring VS you can then inquire as to the availablity of not only the "D" bucket, but of a specific fare basis code.

Chuck-