Staff Travel
Hey jam123,
Here's how it goes:
1. You can use concessions for your family and friends. It is split into 4 categories and different restrictions apply to each. For instance, your spouse may travel with or without you on Virgin and other airlines. Your nominated companion (other than your spouse) can travel without you on Virgin and very few other airlines (from handy ones BMI and Aer Lingus). Your family can travel with or without you on Virgin but NOT other airlines. And then you have 4 companions who can be anyone, they must travel with you and can only travel on Virgin. In addition to those you can take up to 4 people with you who are not on the list when you travel Virgin. As to surname - they don't have to have the same surname but you may be asked to prove they are your family if they don't.
2. It's split into zones but I suppose roughly it does come to about 10% of the FULL fare. Say, to travel within Europe with taxes you'd probably pay about 50-60 £ for a return trip.
3. Yes they will get stranded. If it is about your spouse, since they are permitted to travel on other airlines, they can have back-up tickets. But your family would have to plead with other carriers like BA to take them on, which they occasionally do, but most likely they would have to wait for the next Virgin flight hoping there is space on it for them. I've just had a friend stranded in LA for 3 days because of that, so be ready. Flight loads can change very suddenly due to cancellations and all sorts.
4. Mates and Mates Plus are confirmed tickets. Mates+ you can get for anyone who is on your staff travel form, mates you can get for anyone you like. They tend to be about 10-20% off the normal price. Mates+ about 25-30% off.
Hope this helps!