Virgin Australia will no longer require Velocity Platinum and Gold frequent flyers to pay a seat selection fee when travelling in economy under the airline’s new fare system which takes effect from September 7.

The decision to impose that fee for bookings on the least-expensive economy ‘Getaway’ ticket incurred the wrath of the airline’s top-tier frequent flyers, who made their feelings felt through social media, communications with Virgin Australia.

However, a Virgin Australia spokesperson has today confirmed that Platinum and Gold members of the airline’s Velocity Frequent Flyer scheme will now be exempt from all seat selection fees under the new fare structure, in response to feedback from those top-tier travellers.

In fact, due to the need to make changes to the airline’s booking system “to make Platinum and Gold Velocity members exempt from the fee”, the advance seat selection fee will be temporarily waived for all passengers.

Once that frequent flyer-friendly fix is done, the advance seat selection fee will kick back in for all travellers booked on the lowest fares – except for Velocity Platinum and Gold members, of course.

Source: http://www.ausbt.com.au/