Must 'Any Class' Complimentary Upgrades be Flown by the End of May?

[lobo76]

Out of an abundance of caution I cancelled my trip to Sydney last weekend.
The outbound would have been my 3rd flight, I was going to try again before May 30th but am I right in thinking that the upgrades also have to be used by May 30th?

 

[dk4]

... but am I right in thinking that the upgrades also have to be used by May 30th?

Yes they do!

I found out the hard way. The "my benefits" page on the velocity website says "13th August"...


...which I read as meaning book by 30th May, for travel before 13th August, but apparently not. I was told on the phone (when I went to do an upgrade for a sector after 30th May) that travel must also be on or before the 30th!

 

[serfty]

...which I read as meaning book by 30th May, for travel before 13th August, but apparently not. I was told on the phone (when I went to do an upgrade for a sector after 30th May) that travel must also be on or before the 30th!

Not 5 weeks ago I used UC's with a late May 2021 expiry for a trip in October 2021.

That does not comply with the Velocity Terms and Conditions: (my Bold/underlining)

Any restrictions?

• Upgrades are subject to availability which is controlled by Virgin Australia. Some flights may have no upgrades available.
• Upgrades will expire if not redeemed before the Platinum member’s next Review Date. Travel dates for Upgrades aren’t required to be within the current Benefit Period. Platinum members on Membership Pause can still redeem Upgrades prior to their expiry.
• Platinum members will earn Status Credits and Points for Upgrades based on the original fare class they booked in the lower cabin.
• Waitlisting isn’t available if a Platinum member isn’t able to secure an Upgrade.

 

[lobo76]

Yes they do!

I found out the hard way. The "my benefits" page on the velocity website says "13th August"...

View attachment 247754
...which I read as meaning book by 30th May, for travel before 13th August, but apparently not. I was told on the phone (when I went to do an upgrade for a sector after 30th May) that travel must also be on or before the 30th!

Booo that's what I originally thought too!
Oh well, less revenue for V2 - thanks for sharing your confirmation!

 

[serfty]

Booo that's what I originally thought too!
Oh well, less revenue for V2 - thanks for sharing your confirmation!

Actually, as indicated, that contradicts section 9.2 T&C of Velocity

From my Log in to your Velocity Frequent Flyer account page:

While these may be different from the normal Flex upgrade, section 9.2 of the T&C's does not discern between them. If it not relevant why refer to them?

 

[dk4]

Not 5 weeks ago I used UC's with a late May 2021 expiry for a trip in October 2021.

I thought I had read somewhere on here that was the case. Which is why I just booked the non-flexible fare before calling. Maybe I should have HUACA! But the rep answered as "Velocity Platinum", and seemed to know what they were talking about, so I just accepted it.

Booo that's what I originally thought too!
Oh well, less revenue for V2 - thanks for sharing your confirmation!

As serfty says, try calling yourself, it doesn't seem cut and dry!!!

 

[Carrots]

I imagine the August date is when your annual membership review date? Hence that is when the upgrades expire.

Although perhaps not easy info to find now, when they advertised the offer of being able to use them on any fare (after jumping the appropriate hurdles) it was reasonably clear that you had to use prior to end of May.

(I'd had some flights booked which were cancelled (to Melb in Feb when they shutdown again) that I'd hoped would've ticked the boxes to let me use the upgrades this month - but alas no cigar.)

 

[dk4]

I imagine the August date is when your annual membership review date? Hence that is when the upgrades expire.

Oddly no. I doesn't correspond to what my review date was, nor does it correspond to what my review date has become - it seems completely random and disconnected, hence why I assumed (incorrectly) that it was the "fly by" date for the upgrades.

 

[Carrots]

Oddly no. I doesn't correspond to what my review date was, nor does it correspond to what my review date has become - it seems completely random and disconnected, hence why I assumed (incorrectly) that it was the "fly by" date for the upgrades.

Another random VA IT work of wonder

 

[serfty]

Actually the terms of the offer may contradict 9.2 but it really depends on the meaning of "USE":

VELOCITY MEMBERSHIP STATUS Enjoy benefits that are tailored to your Velocity membership level.

As a Platinum, Gold or Silver Velocity member, Velocity member, you will receive all the benefits you expect from a world-class global frequent flyer program, plus a unique range of benefits tailored with our Platinum and Gold Velocity members in mind

experience.velocityfrequentflyer.com

 

[oz_mark]

Actually the terms of the offer may contradict 9.2 but it really depends on the meaning of "USE":

VELOCITY MEMBERSHIP STATUS Enjoy benefits that are tailored to your Velocity membership level.

As a Platinum, Gold or Silver Velocity member, Velocity member, you will receive all the benefits you expect from a world-class global frequent flyer program, plus a unique range of benefits tailored with our Platinum and Gold Velocity members in mind

experience.velocityfrequentflyer.com

Secition 9.2 is specifically about Freedom Fare Upgrades. Even the heading of the section says so..

Velocity's bending of the rules to allow Getaway and Elevate is supposed to be for travel until 30 May

Platinum members: Can use their current Complimentary Business Class Upgrade benefits (4 issued per membership year) on any eligible Virgin Australia Economy class ticket (normally Complimentary upgrades are only applicable on Economy Freedom fare tickets). This benefit will be available for Platinum members for travel until 30 May 2021 and is subject to clause 9.2 of the Velocity Membership Terms and Conditions.