Will you still earn/retain Velocity status beyond 2025?

[jase05]

I tend to just go to the max type bundle of JQ..and then compare prices with VA and QF.

Jetstar on my permanent banned list
QF for work when they are pying
BFOD in J between VA and QF and for our leisure flying and I’d estimate VA wins out about 95% of the time

 

[RooFlyer]

Considering the earlier 'over-the-top' predictions of Virgin losing "hundreds of millions" or "billions of dollars" from the Velocity changes from the amount of members leaving the program over the changes, it's safe to say that Bain and/or Qatar Ariways will likely dismiss the earlier complaints as a "Vocal Minority" and will continue to adjust Velocity FF if they feel the need to do so.

Yes.

I'm not surprised at the figures - even the most vocal (and repetitive) critic here, forecasting a Virgin apocalypse ... continued to fly them!!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yes.

I'm not surprised at the figures - even the most vocal (and repetitive) critic here, forecasting a Virgin apocalypse ... continued to fly them!!

And i think it supports the point that VAFF is not primarily about loyalty.

People chose VA because of the price, and will continue to do so. They’re not paying a premium for a lesser service or product, which would suggest loyalty.

 

[Dee#]

Well I always fly business for leisure Perth-Darwin and shop at Coles for status credits. But this year I don't think I'm going to maintain gold given the cut back of sc's. Darwin doesn't even have a lounge. But flying biz you get the lounge wherever. Seems as though fly in fly outers and expensive Long haul flights are the only ones going to maintain status with Virgin. Also I was 2/3 towards lifetime gold (points only counted since 2012 and I have flown them since commencement). I'm 70. No chance now.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Well I always fly business for leisure Perth-Darwin and shop at Coles for status credits. But this year I don't think I'm going to maintain gold given the cut back of sc's. Darwin doesn't even have a lounge. But flying biz you get the lounge wherever. Seems as though fly in fly outers and expensive Long haul flights are the only ones going to maintain status with Virgin. Also I was 2/3 towards lifetime gold (points only counted since 2012 and I have flown them since commencement). I'm 70. No chance now.

On the bright side… don’t think you’re missing much!

no lounge in Darwin, and very few reciprocal arrangements with airline partners if travelling overseas, for either lounge access or other benefits.

If you were close to oneworld lifetime gold that would be a different matter!

 

[Dee#]

Jetstar on my permanent banned list
QF for work when they are pying
BFOD in J between VA and QF and for our leisure flying and I’d estimate VA wins out about 95% of the time

Yes Jetstar a total avoid - shocking. Return Perth Bali in April. No legroom (I'm average build and 1.7m) and I caught novo virus (dr tested)on plane return. Reckon in the toilet even though I wore a mask and lots of hand disinfecting . I was fine all hol and til 6 hrs after arrival home(don't hang around in tourist areas) and sick for 10 days, longer than the holiday. Not going to Bali again til they have decent airline direct. Currently only Jetstar, Batik, Air Asia, and Nusantara out of perth. No Virgin . Darwin worse only Jetstar out .

 

[blackcat20]

I'll drop to Red this week Last flew in January and have no further plans to fly VA at this point. Cancelled the VA Amex too. So only a few points trickling in from 7/11 spend, and SC from Coles.

 

[stu961]

Well, BA would also claim that's the case with their fairly recent and similarly radical overhaul of their FFP (BAEC to BAC). I imagine they were advised by the same or similar American consultancy.

In Virgin's case, they sell a similar product to Qantas at a much lower cost to the consumer, so that's why they do well (after all, who wants to fly Jetstar?). In fact, in many cases they sell a superior product (737 vs Q400), so one can't be surprised they make money when seemingly everyone wants to travel.

Maybe a few less elites, I imagine, but I'm not noticing that with the crowds in the lounges at the moment. As for me, I just buy the cheapest fares on VA and will still have lounge access with my lifetime UA Platinum status. So what's not to love?

or in my case use my QR status to access either the QF or VA lounge depending who I'm flying with a particular day... now just a price/convenance decision

 

[RooFlyer]

But flying biz you get the lounge wherever.

Not HBA ...

 

[SCM]

I'm purposely holding off flying until my renewal date since it's pointless as I'm planning to drop to gold, I will be nowhere near renewing it anyway.

I'm wondering if this takes a bunch of demand away this year from VA, since the announcement.

 

[kevrosmith]

Not HBA ...

Nor CNS …

They gave’th and then they tooketh away.