V-Flyer

But my tier points expire on the 28th Feb, I need 4 more to renew for the year, if I then fly out on the 1st March (typically poor timing) then Virgin won't be lovely and let me renew will they?

That is a good question, and I have the same situation. T'other half is 1TP short of renewing Ag, we fly outbound on the 20th Feb, but on a G, his renewal deadline is the 1st March, and we fly home on the 6th March on a Z so he won't renew. Him keeping Ag would be handy for the extra miles.

Is there any way Virgin can be discretionary with the renewal deadlines/dates?

Neil

There is ALWAYS room 'for negotiation', in any situation.

Call them, and see. That said - YES, 'ASSUME' it's a no [;)]

There are rumours of some discretionary flexibility being applied in the current clime but I have yet to hear of any first hand experiences other than a colleague who made Au with less points than required recently.

I also have this problem coming up in the months ahead. I emailed the 'Premier Team' and stressed that retaining Au status was high on the decision making options when selecting my flight carrier (I may over-run by 3-4days).

quote:I have double checked and there is nobody who would authorised it . They would not auth even if you were missing 1 Tear point . The flying club program is very strict to keep the terms and conditions for all members. But let me know if still want to book the flights.

So there's your answer, but if anyone else has heard otherwise, please PM me, thanks. Does make you think though doesn't it. In the present climate, are they that flush they can part with long term customers?! [:?]

AC

A colleague of mine made Au last week, and he was a good 5 points short.

The only explaination we could give that was he benefited from a Corporate Fast Track to gold and a FC manual TP transfer as he had 3 A/Cs running, i.e 1 Red and 2 Silver due to FC issues.

The grammar and spelling on that email from FC is terrible!!!

Seconded, 'Tear Point' so called because you will cry if you miss out by one? [:?]

Many thanks for the help.. I shall let you know how I get on. It's a toss up between flying Virgin or Emirates at the moment, I know which one it'll be if there's no TP help. Hello decent food!

I agree that, if that email is direct from VS, then it is appalling.

To the OP - the last time the airline industry was thrown into turmoil, albeit in different circumstances, after the Sept. 11th atrocities, I seem to recall that there was a lot of flexibility and loads of comped renewals flying about.

I suppose a lot will depend on the length and severity of the current economic downturn. As preiffer has suggested above, there is no harm in asking, the worst thing they can do is say no.

Nick

quote:Originally posted by Nottingham Nick
To the OP - the last time the airline industry was thrown into turmoil, albeit in different circumstances, after the Sept. 11th atrocities, I seem to recall that there was a lot of flexibility and loads of comped renewals flying about.


VS dropped the TPs required to qualify Au at the time to 30. I know, because I qualified Au during that period [;)].

I also know that UA exercised a fair amount of discretion on renewing existing status from talking to friends at the time - mostly these were people who would have renewed easily, but had all company flying cut in the last quarter of 2001. They kept status in 2002.

Mike

Yes Mike, it was direct from the VS Premier Team. I only deleted the first sentence (personal info), selected bold on half a line, then withheld the name of the team member.

My situation is probably not that dissimilar than most in the same boat. My qualifying return date will be 3-4days after the deadline. There is abolutely nothing I can do about it. The crazy thing is, if I stay with VS, I continue spending because I will have Au for another year. If I move, I will be spending the same money elsewhere and probably won't be back.

Rules are rules, ok yes. I bet SRB wouldn't be where he is today by following them to the letter though!

AC

I just called VS about another issue (just called the Ag standard FC number) and spoke to a very helpful lady who dealt with my initial query superbly so I thought I would ask about the TP renewal. She spoke to her manager and he said that it was very likely an extension would be granted, they put a note on the account and will call me tomorrow to 100% confirm.

I am not getting my hopes up and at the end of the day it is only Ag renewal and I know how FC come back with a different answer every time you speak to them but from my conversation it seems we might be ok.

I will update when I know 100% that is has been sorted.
Neil

A number of years ago when I was FC Ag I missed my renewal window by a few days. I called FC on the off chance to see if they would renew my Silver instead of bumping me to Red and they were wonderfully accomodating. It might have helped that I had recently booked a few PE flights so they may have looked at my case and thought that keeping me Silver might push me to go for Gold, or I might have just got a nice person on the phone.

So, I have been fortunate enough but as preiffer says, expect them to say no as technically rules are rules, but I'm proof that it doesnt ever hurt to ask [:)]

Thanks,
Sarah