V-Flyer

Just checked to book some upcoming flights and was asked to participate in a survey about the VS Web site - anyone else had this. I let rip about it inadequacies [:I].

Just noticed it myself when I was checking to see if some MMF had been applied to my account yet. They seem to have them fairly regular now, I remember filling one in not so long ago, I made a big hoo-ha about not being able to select a specific code but nothing seems to have changed so I can't be bothered with this one.

Being the miles whore that I am..are they offering say 500 miles for 10 mins of my time ?

Originally posted by Scrooge
Being the miles whore that I am..are they offering say 500 miles for 10 mins of my time ?

Erm.....No, they are offering didly squat for your time!

Originally posted by Neil

Originally posted by Scrooge
Being the miles whore that I am..are they offering say 500 miles for 10 mins of my time ?

Erm.....No, they are offering didly squat for your time!

Actually, there is a hundred quid draw you enter at the end. Baaa hoo!

Originally posted by slinky09
I let rip about it inadequacies [:I].

Just out of interest, other than the inability to choose a specific fare bucket, what do you consider the inadequacies to be?

Nick

In the past BMI have offered me a few thousand DC miles (5K I think) for filling surveys in. I think this was a Diamond Club AU targeted survey though.

BMI are also partnered with e-rewards and I get roughly 500 DC miles every 2 months or so out of that by just filling in 3 or 4 surveys a month.

Regards

Originally posted by Nottingham Nick
Just out of interest, other than the inability to choose a specific fare bucket, what do you consider the inadequacies to be?

Nick

Mine would be not being able to book on-line from outside the UK

Originally posted by Nottingham Nick
Just out of interest, other than the inability to choose a specific fare bucket, what do you consider the inadequacies to be?
Nick

Good one, I'd like to see:

- unified statement summary on the home page, with TPs and miles
- summary of forthcoming flights on home page
- actually home page that is much more personalised and present more information relevant to me in an interactive way, i.e. much better navigation and interaction
- massive reduction in the number of clicks to get information, e.g. getting the seat map for your flight takes much longer than other airlines
- fare code options yes, in an easy view lilke Continental or United do
- seat maps before confirming booking
- less of the VS holidays and VS credit cards
- ability to book onward travel to more destinations including V America and V Blue for example
- ability to buy miles in the US, currently if you're in the US when you access it it assumes you're resident so won't allow UK credit cards, an example of the lack of personalization features
- ability to buy fares in India - for similar reasons

Could I go on
[:D]

Originally posted by slinky09
Could I go on
[:D]

To me that is a very practical list to help a person who flies the amount of times you do (or put another way.... to help a person who generates the amount of revenue for VS that you do [:D] )

I am no IT expert, but most of that list looks doable, so any VS lurkers would do well to take note. [}:)]

Nick

I'm all in favour for having the seat map option before you confirm and also the multicity facility to continue your flight onwards using Virgin America for example.

Originally posted by Nottingham Nick
To me that is a very practical list to help a person who flies the amount of times you do (or put another way.... to help a person who generates the amount of revenue for VS that you do [:D] )

I am no IT expert, but most of that list looks doable, so any VS lurkers would do well to take note. [}:)]

Nick

Thanks Nick - another thing that I think lots of people would like is the ability to prepare an itinerary and compare the fare costs, special offers, miles plus money, or miles only in one view ... that would be cool.

Unfortunately, what I know of VS's Web systems says that these things won't be easy - the company will need to invest some in making significant changes.

I also agree with many of your points slinky, you have obviously given it a lot of thought because I had not come up with any of them. The one that most appeals in the seat map before booking, like VA do, when tere are numerous flights options on the same day having your fav seat could be an important factor.

I hope you completed the survey and like says, hope someone at VS gives your ideas some serious consideration.

Neil

Originally posted by DarkAuror
I'm all in favour for having the seat map option before you confirm and also the multicity facility to continue your flight onwards using Virgin America for example.

Whilst nice, this facility might break the agreement Virgin America had with authorities to keep the compnies 'very seperate'

**Not sure where I read that keeping the companies 'very seperate'was part of the agreement in getting the go ahead for Virgin America but it seems to have stuck in my mind**

Originally posted by nevadakaz

Originally posted by DarkAuror
I'm all in favour for having the seat map option before you confirm and also the multicity facility to continue your flight onwards using Virgin America for example.

Whilst nice, this facility might break the agreement Virgin America had with authorities to keep the compnies 'very seperate'

**Not sure where I read that keeping the companies 'very seperate'was part of the agreement in getting the go ahead for Virgin America but it seems to have stuck in my mind**

VA did publicly announce that they were trying to link the mileage programmes, haven't seen that happen yet so I hope it's not stuck in some legal limbo!

How about actually allowing on-line check in. All very well giving 250 bonus miles but on my last 4 flights it has not let me check in on-line!

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by DarkAuror

I'm all in favour for having the seat map option before you confirm and also the multicity facility to continue your flight onwards using Virgin America for example.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Whilst nice, this facility might break the agreement Virgin America had with authorities to keep the compnies 'very seperate'

**Not sure where I read that keeping the companies 'very seperate'was part of the agreement in getting the go ahead for Virgin America but it seems to have stuck in my mind**

Ah! So, it's that old chestnut where because VA is owned by 'Americans' (wink,wink) to get around the US ownership rules.

It was just a thought as United have a Multi city facility for UA and Ted. For some reason I thought you could also get the Star Alliance partners as part of the flight Selection in the UA website (could be wrong). If Star Alliance could do it, why couldn't VS do it with the VA flights and make them a partner?[?]

Just checked to book some upcoming flights and was asked to participate in a survey about the VS Web site - anyone else had this.

BA and BMI are doing exactly the same thing(about their own websites, not VA`s).

Originally posted by slinky09

- massive reduction in the number of clicks to get information, e.g. getting the seat map for your flight takes much longer than other airlines
- fare code options yes, in an easy view like Continental or United do
- seat maps before confirming booking

I liked your entire list, but these items are my most wished-for. I hate clicking through pages seemingly without end. I'd like to be able to book a J without making a call - it always irritates me that the site assumes I want the cheapest seat! I want to be comfortable.

But the seat map would end a lot of aggravation! I can't use an A seat. I can't climb to the upper deck. I need a note in my PNR stating both of these things if my flight is changed for tech or other day-of-flight reasons. It takes a call to Special Assistance every time. I wish there was a way to make this stick to my info so it would automatically add to any booking I make for myself.

I literally search Alaska's flights for a 2-day range to make sure I get a right-hand first-class aisle seat. I'd love to do this with VS. Every time I book I wonder if I booked a full flight with no K seats on the main deck. ExpertFlyer doesn't help, here; there may be availability, but WHERE?

Another annoying thing: often, when a US customer tries to fill in the survey, it hangs...