Virgin Australia Platinum Plus Status Discussion

[aus_flyer]

That's not a bad gift actually, but yes, the rest is useless/insignificant really, and zero different to regular platinum. The extra luggage allowance, I mean how many people would really use that, I'm guessing close to zero.
No access to the Beyond Lounges.
Nothing extra for the onboard experience.
Not even lounge access for VA short haul.
All that for a cool 24k PA, sure....

Very disappointing that they didn't add Beyond access. On the few occasions I've been into the Beyond Lounge it's been almost empty. Seems a complete waste. I suspect in 12 months there will be significantly fewer P+ members than there are now.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

That's not a bad gift actually, but yes, the rest is useless/insignificant really, and zero different to regular platinum. The extra luggage allowance, I mean how many people would really use that, I'm guessing close to zero.
No access to the Beyond Lounges.
Nothing extra for the onboard experience, like an included meal and drink.
Not even lounge access for VA short haul.
All that for a cool 24k PA, sure....

That’s the thing… if you are spending that money anyway, then there’s not real loss, or gain in terms of benefits.

One guesses that it’s a question of best fare (on VA) compared to QF. You’re getting 50% more flights by putting that spend on VA compared to QF, so isnt that the biggest benefit of all?

 

[simmomelb]

That’s the thing… if you are spending that money anyway, then there’s not real loss, or gain in terms of benefits.

One guesses that it’s a question of best fare (on VA) compared to QF. You’re getting 50% more flights by putting that spend on VA compared to QF, so isnt that the biggest benefit of all?

You're also arguably getting 50% fewer benefits due to VA having a smaller domestic network, smaller number of lounges, no lounges at all in many cases, international short haul and also with some of their international partner airlines, as their direct agreements with each airline are such a mess.
And then they want you booking at least 50% of your flights on a VA marketed flight. Not with a partners website even.
I was just looking at my Plat status, my review date isn't until August next year, I have enough status points to maintain it, but because most of them weren't booked directly on the VA website, I have a long way to go still.
At the end of the day I guess VA is fine if you mostly fly domestically, but if flying internationally, it may be worth looking at other options.
Eg, there is no point me booking any further flights with VA partners now, because I'm already way over the 50% for non VA marketed flights, so I'm better booking future international flights with competitors, as it will likely get me a good level of status elsewhere and won't make any difference with my VA status.

 

[aus_flyer]

And then they want you booking at least 50% of your flights on a VA marketed flight.

75%

 

[simmomelb]

75%

Ah yes, for Plat +, sorry I was just referring to Plat..but exactly, even worse/more difficult.
Who is spending 24k PA, with at least 75% on a VA marketed or operated flight? The numbers must be very small.
I could spend 50k with VA & partners and still not qualify for Plat+ because of this.
Not that is bothers me that much, as the benefits we've all been talking about on Plat + are so insignificant.
It's just disappointing they haven't delivered a better product for this status/spend requirement directly on VA marketed.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

You're also arguably getting 50% fewer benefits due to VA having a smaller domestic network, smaller number of lounges, no lounges at all in many cases, international short haul and also with some of their international partner airlines, as their direct agreements with each airline are such a mess.
And then they want you booking at least 50% of your flights on a VA marketed flight. Not with a partners website even.
I was just looking at my Plat status, my review date isn't until August next year, I have enough status points to maintain it, but because most of them weren't booked directly on the VA website, I have a long way to go still.
At the end of the day I guess VA is fine if you mostly fly domestically, but if flying internationally, it may be worth looking at other options.
Eg, there is no point me booking any further flights with VA partners now, because I'm already way over the 50% for non VA marketed flights, so I'm better booking future international flights with competitors, as it will likely get me a good level of status elsewhere and won't make any difference with my VA status.

I meant that people flying VA are almost certainly doing so because of the fare. $349 MEL-SYD or vv compared to QF’s $549 in business class.

It’s not an equal price where you can compare like with like.The biggest benefit of VA is not the FF program or status, but the money saved in the bank.

If VA and QF charged the same, perhaps then the question is ‘what are you getting for you per $24k?’ in terms of the benefits and incentives.

 

[MooTime]

I meant that people flying VA are almost certainly doing so because of the fare. $349 MEL-SYD or vv compared to QF’s $549 in business class.

It’s not an equal price where you can compare like with like.The biggest benefit of VA is not the FF program or status, but the money saved in the bank.

If VA and QF charged the same, perhaps the. the question is ‘what are you getting for you per $24k?’ in terms of the benefits and incentives.

Money in the bank is money in the bank.
Hard to beat that.

 

[simmomelb]

I meant that people flying VA are almost certainly doing so because of the fare. $349 MEL-SYD or vv compared to QF’s $549 in business class.

It’s not an equal price where you can compare like with like.The biggest benefit of VA is not the FF program or status, but the money saved in the bank.

If VA and QF charged the same, perhaps the. the question is ‘what are you getting for you per $24k?’ in terms of the benefits and incentives.

Whilst I agree with a lot of what you have said, in some cases, you can earn status with Qantas for less.
Eg, flying international a lot? It's likely you'll achieve top tier status on Qantas internationally and via partners for less. I consistently see flights to Europe for far less with QF and their plethora of partners.
Not to mention, no need to worry at 75% on QF operated or marketed requirements.
I only mention this as it is the Plat + thread, so we're referring to status
If it was all purely about money in the bank and not status, just fly JQ

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Whilst I agree with a lot of what you have said, in some cases, you can earn status with Qantas for less.
Eg, flying international a lot? It's likely you'll achieve top tier status on Qantas internationally and via partners for less. I consistently see flights to Europe for far less with QF and their plethora of partners.
Not to mention, no need to worry at 75% on QF operated or marketed requirements.
I only mention this as it is the Plat + thread, so we're referring to status
If it was all purely about money in the bank and not status, just fly JQ

Sure, but if you can earn status credits with qantas for less, and those are the benefits you want, why not fly Qantas?

If someone is actually spending $24k because they need to do that flying each year, the price saving vs Qf for the same travel is likely to be significant…. in the many thousands of dollars!

 

[simmomelb]

Sure, but if you can earn status credits with qantas for less, and those are the benefits you want, why not fly Qantas?

Some like supporting the underdog, competition is a good thing!
The main gripe I have is that they could have executed the Plat + product a lot better, given their far smaller network & ability to earn status that actually counts towards Plat +

Also, as pointed out, international long-haul is generally cheaper with Qantas and its partners (+ extensive int network) than booking a VA long-haul flight directly on the VA website (which is insanely expensive, other than Qatar Airways, which is ~ the same as booking on the Qatar website).
Very different for domestic, obviously.