Will you still earn/retain Velocity status beyond 2025?

[simmomelb]

Yes you can however there are a few issues to be aware of including:
- Huge mark up in price compared to the partner's price
- Difficulty in booking open-jaw tickets using the VA website
- possible issues with seat selection

This can be true, however, booking Qatar Airways via the Qatar website or the VA website are the same or within a few cents. I've even seen those ones ever so slightly cheaper on the VA website at times (likely to do their their relationship/25% ownership of VA).
But yes, on Singapore it can be very different (more $), or the same/similar, depending on the flight.

 

[jeppetto367]

This can be true, however, booking Qatar Airways via the Qatar website or the VA website are the same or within a few cents. I've even seen those ones ever so slightly cheaper on the VA website at times (likely to do their their relationship/25% ownership of VA).
But yes, on Singapore it can be very different (more $), or the same/similar, depending on the flight.

UA is also usually a lot more expensive as a VA ticket. I find it wild that they not only halved the amount of credits you get on UA/SQ/etc on non-VA tickets, but also brought in the 50% of credits required to be on VA. Surely the reduction in the non VA credits earned would be enough.

 

[SYD]

I find it wild that they not only halved the amount of credits you get on UA/SQ/etc on non-VA tickets,

QF did similar with “Simpler & Fairer” - although there are still sweets spots that earn ok - flights between Oz and the ME that are not on a QF code are not in the sweet spot...

but also brought in the 50% of credits required to be on VA.

That’s the real nasty bit requiring it for ALL status levels.

QF only have that sort of requirement for P1.

Surely the reduction in the non VA credits earned would be enough.

You would have thought so….

 

[simmomelb]

UA is also usually a lot more expensive as a VA ticket. I find it wild that they not only halved the amount of credits you get on UA/SQ/etc on non-VA tickets, but also brought in the 50% of credits required to be on VA. Surely the reduction in the non VA credits earned would be enough.

I've not looked at United, but yeah, that's not great. I agree.
It would be nice to see them remove that 50% requirement, as it really doesn't put them in a good place for those who fly a lot internationally and book via a partner website.
Or at least sharpen the international pricing so it's on par with partner pricing if booking with VA directly.

 

[Stealthflyer]

This can be true, however, booking Qatar Airways via the Qatar website or the VA website are the same or within a few cents. I've even seen those ones ever so slightly cheaper on the VA website at times (likely to do their their relationship/25% ownership of VA).
But yes, on Singapore it can be very different (more $), or the same/similar, depending on the flight.

I was comparing a route last night. Minimum cost was $3700 return with VA. Same flights with QR, the cheapest fare is $2500.

 

[simmomelb]

I was comparing a route last night. Minimum cost was $3700 return with VA. Same flights with QR, the cheapest fare is $2500.

Oh, what route was that? I haven't noticed any significant difference previously for the exact flights QR/VA, that's just silly and disappointing given their relationship :/

 

[Stealthflyer]

Oh, what route was that? I haven't noticed any significant difference previously for the exact flights QR/VA, that's just silly and disappointing given their relationship :/

HBA- VCE. The biggest thing is that on the way over, only flex is available with VA. I was hoping to book with VA to try to get an upgrade on the MEL-DOH legs, but given the price difference I’ll book QR. I believe QR also put you up in a hotel for free if it’s a long transit in Doha, so that’s another reason to go with QR.

I can’t see myself getting the required half status credits with VA to retain WP next year at this rate.

 

[simmomelb]

HBA- VCE. The biggest thing is that on the way over, only flex is available with VA. I was hoping to book with VA to try to get an upgrade on the MEL-DOH legs, but given the price difference I’ll book QR. I believe QR also put you up in a hotel for free if it’s a long transit in Doha, so that’s another reason to go with QR.

I can’t see myself getting the required half status credits with VA to retain WP next year at this rate.

I've just had a look at it certainly varies; sometimes booking on the VA site is much cheaper also.
For example, looking right now at MEL to VCE, one way, in business, 22 Sep 2026.

Booking on VA site: $6,475.35 Dep 22:45 Arr 14:20 (23:35 travel time)
Booking on QR site: $8,051.00 Dep 22:45 Arr 14:20 (23:35 travel time)

Same flight in Economy on VA site is $1,189.35 (Choice), and on the QR site $1361.00

 

[clifford]

I've just had a look at it certainly varies; sometimes booking on the VA site is much cheaper also.
For example, looking right now at MEL to VCE, one way, in business, 22 Sep 2026.

Booking on VA site: $6,475.35 Dep 22:45 Arr 14:20 (23:35 travel time)
Booking on QR site: $8,051.00 Dep 22:45 Arr 14:20 (23:35 travel time)

Same flight in Economy on VA site is $1,189.35 (Choice), and on the QR site $1361.00

With those prices, I'd be looking at booking a completely different (quality) airline.

 

[RobStrong]

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 don't think this take is valid if you regularly fly internationally in the west direction. I fly with Qatar airways regularly and after doing all the modelling and calcs it's still best to stick with velocity for access to Qatar's global lounge network whenever I am flying with them (and still want frequent flyer benefits when flying in Aus on domestic bookings).

 

[Bolthead]

We are still deciding which way to go. I haven't analyzed 2025 flights as yet however in 2024 we spent approx. $20K on both domestic and international flights. (both my wife and I - leisure only - as well as some reward flights) Still toying with the idea of paying for all international flights with dollars, including J flights with SQ. We will then accrue FFP's with SQ. We were big into family pooling however with the change family pooling for us is basically useless. When it comes to points we will use these for domestic flights instead of using for International flights like we do at the moment. Decisions.....decisions.....

 

[simmomelb]

We are still deciding which way to go. I haven't analyzed 2025 flights as yet however in 2024 we spent approx. $20K on both domestic and international flights. (both my wife and I - leisure only - as well as some reward flights) Still toying with the idea of paying for all international flights with dollars, including J flights with SQ. We will then accrue FFP's with SQ. We were big into family pooling however with the change family pooling for us is basically useless.

Why is pooling useless if it's you and your wife? As long as 50% of your flights are personally flown by you up to Platinum level (75% for Platinum+), which is perfect for couples.
Also, try to book as many international flights direct via the VA website (as long as the price difference isn't too much) and that counts for a VA operated or marketed flight.

 

[Bolthead]

Why is pooling useless if it's you and your wife? As long as 50% of your flights are personally flown by you up to Platinum level (75% for Platinum+), which is perfect for couples.
Also, try to book as many international flights direct via the VA website (as long as the price difference isn't too much) and that counts for a VA operated or marketed flight.

The challenge for us is that my wife and I have both managed to maintain Platinum for many years, and we’ve done it very deliberately. I even run a spreadsheet purely to track our status credits and to work out the best times to switch family pooling. (I know it sounds a bit obsessive, but spreadsheets end up running half my life.)

Based on our current travel patterns, the very best we can realistically hope for is maintaining Gold — and even that’s a big “maybe” for both of us. Our travel has shifted recently due to family circumstances, which should settle in about two years. (hopefully longer although that may not make much sense) There may be the occasional year where we scrape back to Platinum, but that’s far from guaranteed.

As for booking international flights through VA, yes, it’s technically possible. But with the two international trips we’re planning this year, the price difference between booking via VA versus booking directly with SQ is significant. For example, return J fares SYD–HKT are about $3,500 cheaper when booked directly with SQ compared to VA. For us, that’s not a small amount.

And in that context, family pooling doesn’t help us at all when we’re trying to hit the 50% requirement. Family pooling will help if we are short on the non VA component however other than that it certianly not going to help us achieving the 50% VA component.

Maybe it's just time to give up on status......

 

[clifford]

Maybe it's just time to give up on status......

Or move to Qantas.

 

[Bolthead]

Or move to Qantas.

Yes, we will consider that as well.

 

[SYD]

Yes, we will consider that as well.

With that level of spend each, achieving and maintaining QF SG / OWS for both ought to be easy and probably more useful than VA WP and definitely more useful than VA SG flying internationally. QF WP is also in reach.

I haven’t tallied it up, but SYD+1 and I just re-qualified QF WP 5 mths into our member year with that sort of spend - all self funded QF and partner flights (eg CX J), plus some points flights (we earn SCs on award flights as QF Points Club).

 

[simmomelb]

Yes, we will consider that as well.

Although, just keep in mind, family pooling doesn't exist at all for status credits with Qantas.
Just do what works best for you. Ultimately, everyone's flying habits/routes & budgets are different, so it's never going to be a one-size-fits-all

 

[Bolthead]

With that level of spend each, achieving and maintaining QF SG / OWS fo both ought to be easy and probably more useful than VA WP and definitely more useful than VA SG flying internationally. QF WP is also in reach.

I haven’t tallied it up, but SYD+1 and I just re-qualified QF WP 5 mths into our member year with that sort of spend - all self funded plus some points flights (we earn SCs on award flights as QF Points Club), as well as partner flights (eg CX J).

QF earning credit cards are going to be a problem because I am now retired and my wife is transitioning to retirement. She has already been knocked back twice in the last 8 months. (and they won't tell us why) considering she way exceeds the minimum criteria for a card. Perhaps we just keep trying.

 

[simmomelb]

QF earning credit cards are going to be a problem because I am now retired and my wife is transitioning to retirement. She has already been knocked back twice in the last 8 months. (and they won't tell us why) considering she way exceeds the minimum criteria for a card. Perhaps we just keep trying.

That's quite normal for CC applications once you have retired.
I know of several people who have had the same issue, and they have more than a million in their savings account and a good credit file.
Also, if you keep trying, that doesn't look good as it gives you a "busy" credit file/record, which lowers your score.
A catch 22 unfortunately.

 

[Bolthead]

That's quite normal for CC applications once you have retired.
I know of several people who have had the same issue, and they have more than a million in their savings account and a good credit file.
Also, if you keep trying, that doesn't look good as it gives you a "busy" credit file/record, which lowers your score.
A catch 22 unfortunately.

We also have an investment property which still has a mortgage. That also is contributing to the equation. We will probably sell it in the next 12 months so maybe that might help.