Will you still earn/retain Velocity status beyond 2025?

[Carmilla5]

Our new writer Stephanie has written an opinion piece about why she won't bother maintaining Velocity status next year, after the program changes. You can read it here:

Opinion: Why I Won’t Maintain My Velocity Status Next Year

Our new writer Stephanie has been a Velocity Gold or Platinum frequent flyer with Virgin Australia since 2017. But she no longer feels it's worth maintaining her status. This is why.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

Fantastic write up and echoes much of my experience.

Yes we needed an overhaul but sadly I think Velocity are going to see such a huge decline in members keeping status it may be a rude awakening.

Their changes were too extreme. Granted yes they need to make a profit but the offering post 2020 is miserable. The lounges aren’t even worth visiting now really except for at least the huge space presented in the Melbourne lounge and the coffee is always good. If I see another biriyani or tagine I may scream! First world problems yes.

Sadly having to pay close to $5000 just to retain Gold is not enough. Not enough lounges Australia wide, status much harder to attain and keep, and all the other reasons mentioned above.

I love Virgin and love the staff, they are truly an asset. I won’t be chasing status anymore sadly. I’ll miss it and hope that they pivot in time towards improving status benefits, and rethinking the changes they’ve made.

 

[moa999]

Probably the best example of the deval yet.

All the multi-segment tricks are devalued.
On the flip others are getting 50+ SCs for late booking SYD-MEL returns (before double SCs).

But I can't imagine it's that a high of a percentage of VA customers that typically fly multi segment

 

[Geomac]

I'm sure most people reading this are already familiar with the recent changes announced to Virgin Australia's Velocity Frequent Flyer program. In particular, from next year:

• You'll earn status credits for Virgin Australia flights based on the amount you spend,
• You'll earn fewer status credits on partner airlines, and
• To earn or retain any status level, you'll need to earn at least half of the required status credits from VA marketed flights you personally fly (i.e. not from family pooling, partner airlines, etc.)

Put simply, this will make Velocity status harder for most people to earn.

I've shared my thoughts about this, and how this has affected my decision on whether to continue renewing my own Velocity status, in this opinion piece:

Opinion: Is Velocity Status Still Worth It After 2025?

Virgin Australia Velocity status will be harder and more expensive to earn from 2025. For some flyers, it might not be worth keeping.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts as well on how these changes will affect you. Feel free to vote in the poll at the top of this thread, and let us know in this thread what you think of the changes to Velocity status.

I think 50% of the gold members currently in 2025 will not be able to retain their Gold Status unless they spend double what they spent in 2024! Worst marketing decision ever, only winner will be Qantas, as people drop Virgin in droves!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I think 50% of the gold members currently in 2025 will not be able to retain their Gold Status unless they spend double what they spent in 2024! Worst marketing decision ever, only winner will be Qantas, as people drop Virgin in droves!

But why were people flying VA in the first place? Because of price.

If price is the driving factor, you don’t need loyalty, or FF schemes.

Sure, people may spend slightly less, a lite fare instead of choice. But i’m not sure it’s going to drive folk to Qantas where the lowest fares are often closer to flex fares on VA.

 

[ozstamps]

That is why Qantas invented Jetstar.

If there is a choice of LCC with no snacks or free booze etc, and folks have no status - no brainer really.

Virgin shot themselves in both feet here. Actively drive a lot of $$$s to your only competitor. Brilliant 'Management'.

As their Q3 market share will show, I feel sure.

Our glorious PM has been extolling us to SUPPORT AUSTRALIAN COMPANIES (Qantas Group) and not American owned ones. (Virgin) They could not have picked a dumber year to mess with once loyal and happy Elites.

We are flying to ADL on Tuesday. Booked months back.

For over 10 years I've never even looked at Jetstar prices, but many now will - total no brainer - Virgin gets creamed as can be seen -

 

[HS-TQE]

But why were people flying VA in the first place? Because of price.

If price is the driving factor, you don’t need loyalty, or FF schemes.

Also a lot of people saw VA 1.0 as an LCC, despite the Borghetti-era advertising stating otherwise.

Time will tell if removing most of the Borghetti-era FF offerings, whilst generous, are arguably costly, are going to cost them.

Now that VA 2.0 has since gone back to a 'glorified' LCC+ with a 8-seater recliner J Cabin and limited FF/lounge services attached and gradually reduced their international offerings (both their own and international partners either leaving or being removed by VA) to focus primarily as a "domestic carrier" it could be said that Bain are taking VA back to their "Virgin Blue" (New World Carrier) offering of the late Godfrey era, also with limited FF/lounge services but with "everyday low fares".

 

[MEL_Traveller]

That is why Qantas invented Jetstar.

If there is a choice of LCC with no snacks or free booze etc, and folks have no status - no brainer really.

Virgin shot themselves in both feet here. Actively drive a lot of $$$s to your only competitor. Brilliant 'Management'.

As their Q3 market share will show, I feel sure.

Our glorious PM has been extolling us to SUPPORT AUSTRALIAN COMPANIES (Qantas Group) and not American owned ones. (Virgin) They could not have picked a dumber year to mess with once loyal and happy Elites.

We are flying to ADL on Tuesday. Booked months back.

For over 10 years I've never even looked at Jetstar prices, but many now will - total no brainer - Virgin gets creamed as can be seen -

I see where you’re going, but wouod still argue they’re slightly different markets.

I did a similar comparison to yours for my regular MEL-SYD route. I’d need to buy flex on JQ just be sure my cabin bag, at 7.3 kilos isnt going to get pinged for massive costs at the gate. On VA it’s not going to be a problem.

The difference in fare between JQ flex and VA lte is as little as $10 in some cases. But for the $10 i’m getting no hassle with cabin baggage, a glass of water… or maybe even tea of coffee, access to IFE, and importantly, at least 30 inches of seat pitch compares to as little as 28.5 inches on JQ.

Is the $10 enough to swing the market?

 

[Must...Fly!]

Is the $10 enough to swing the market?

Likely not, but the kicker is that previously loyal customers will consider an alternative far more readily.

A personal example.

I cannot remember the last time I bothered searching for a MEL-PER flight. For almost 8 years, I have almost exclusively opened up the VA website/app, and if the price looked right, I booked. Simple as that. Granted I know typical market pricing and when it's too much, but still.

Today? I opened up both, compared the times/prices, opened JQ, had a look, and booked QF.

Maybe VA have decided that people like me aren't profitable enough to give perks to. I guess only time will tell if they are correct, but I maintain they are in for a bit of a shock.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Likely not, but the kicker is that previously loyal customers will consider an alternative far more readily.

A personal example.

I cannot remember the last time I bothered searching for a MEL-PER flight. For almost 8 years, I have almost exclusively opened up the VA website/app, and if the price looked right, I booked. Simple as that. Granted I know typical market pricing and when it's too much, but still.

Today? I opened up both, compared the times/prices, opened JQ, had a look, and booked QF.

Maybe VA have decided that people like me aren't profitable enough to give perks to. I guess only time will tell if they are correct, but I maintain they are in for a bit of a shock.

I think what you’ve highlighted is probably a genuine case of loyalty. You don’t care about the cost, you simply booked VA regardless. You didn’t even search elsewhere.

I’m not sure 99% of the rest of us are ‘loyal’ in that sense,.. most people are confusing ‘loyalty’ with the commercial relationship they have entered into under the frequent flyer program.

But you are probably one of VA’s customers they won’t want to lose, but you’d be few and far between!

 

[MooTime]

I think what you’ve highlighted is probably a genuine case of loyalty. You don’t care about the cost, you simply booked VA regardless. You didn’t even search elsewhere.

I’m not sure 99% of the rest of us are ‘loyal’ in that sense,.. most people are confusing ‘loyalty’ with the commercial relationship they have entered into under the frequent flyer program.

But you are probably one of VA’s customers they won’t want to lose, but you’d be few and far between!

I'm same as @Must...Fly!
Each and every booking went straight to VA website, flew exclusively with Virgin.
Didn't look elsewhere as was very happy with VA price and service.

Have 3 QF flights & 1 VA coming up.
Can safely say I've never had that ratio before.

 

[Must...Fly!]

I'm same as @Must...Fly!
Each and every booking went straight to VA website, flew exclusively with Virgin.
Didn't look elsewhere as was very happy with VA price and service.

Have 3 QF flights & 1 VA coming up.
Can safely say I've never had that ratio before.

Similar ratios. Future bookings for me:

2xJQ
1xQF
1xVA

Very likely to be another 2xJQ by end of week and a fight between QF/VA for another.

Not only SC by the way, but the reduction in points earn for Platinum has also left a very bad taste.

 

[ozstamps]

Is the $10 enough to swing the market?

The example I used for my flights tomorrow is not $10 it is more like $100 person, or $200 a couple, or $400 a small family, one way. This is comparing LITE fares (which gain these days minimal SC or miles or luggage) with the entry price Jetstar.

As I posted - total no-brainer for most folks paying for their own tickets.

 

[Yakka]

Having been a gold/platinum for the past few years (and just got another 12 months) I have enjoyed the perks, but sadly as a retiree (with wife) it is simply no longer possible for me to qualify to Platinum mainly because of the new requirement for 50% to be personal VA flights. The recent changes were a double whammy with the increased points requirements for booking rewards and the much more difficult (and expensive) way to earn status...

I also note that VA are vigorously chasing the business dollar and offer them more perks than individuals...

So sadly, QF will get more business in future, but I've enjoyed the ride...

 

[jase05]

My flying patters won’t change
- JQ are banned
- Work flights on QF on their dimes
- All leisure flights come down to routes operated and BFOD. With BFOD VA usually wins about 90% of the time.

But as to the title of this thread then maybe I won’t retain VA status going forward as I will give consideration as to whether the benefits are still there or perhaps look into if crediting VA flights to another ecosystem would be more beneficial

 

[Paralax]

Wholeheartedly agree. The benefits are just not there.

Also, redeeming flights is ridiculous. Case in point. Looking to fly MEL/HKT/MEL OUT ON 13 December and returning 27 December 2025. Velocity wanted more than 400,000 points return in Y, and flying on SQ. I transferred my Velocity point to KrisFlyer and got a seat for 110,000 Kris points. Even at the 1:1.55 conversion it was WAY WAY WAY less points......and on the same flights!

I loved VA as an airline but Velocity just makes the whole experience woeful.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The example I used for my flights tomorrow is not $10 it is more like $100 person, or $200 a couple, or $400 a small family, one way. This is comparing LITE fares (which gain these days minimal SC or miles or luggage) with the entry price Jetstar.

As I posted - total no-brainer for most folks paying for their own tickets.

Your analysis is not comparing like for like.

Once you compare similar products the difference is only $40, less any ancillaries such an excess cabin baggage, IFE and a cup of tea.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Your analysis is not comparing like for like.

Once you compare similar products the difference is only $40, less any ancillaries such an excess cabin baggage, IFE and a cup of tea.

What is the practical difference for a person booking JQ starter vs VA lite? They seem rather comparable.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

What is the practical difference for a person booking JQ starter vs VA lite? They seem rather comparable.

JQ starter I get pinged at the gate if my carry on is 7.3kg. Not gonna happen on VA.

Overall, the hard and soft product is incrementally different between JQ and VA/QF, as outlined above. Enough to say that JQ starter is a different product to VA lite.

 

[Must...Fly!]

JQ starter I get pinged at the gate if my carry on is 7.3kg. Not gonna happen on VA.

Overall, the hard and soft product is incrementally different between JQ and VA/QF, as outlined above. Enough to say that JQ starter is a different product to VA lite.

Interesting opinion, not to say you are wrong! It's just been eons since I flew Jetstar. But I am next Monday, so I will be sure to think about my experience in this context.

 

[Wild about travel]

@Mattg Perhaps the poll needs an additional option as none of the current ones really relate to me; something like:

"Will requalify for a year or two beyond 2025 on current Status Earn Criteria, then soft land" or

"Will requalify for a just a year or two beyond 2025 with current Status Earn Criteria"

I have bookings to requalify WP based on current SC earning through to February 2027, after which I'll likely hit the soft land slide to SG and then PS.

As far as Life Time SG goes, I estimate I have maybe 6k VA SC and 5k "Other" SC (Haven't checked with VA yet). The additional 3K VA to go is way too far ...

I am the same. Set up to renew platinum in Feb 2026 ( I have already qualified). Can’t see keeping it beyond Feb 2027 unless they do a double or triple status deal. Lifetime gold is 3-4 year away. The loss of Etihad is a blow. I tend to credit two return Asia Europe bus class tickets a year. I usually credit QR to QF FF which is my mainstay (lifetime G and platinum for 12 years