Velocity Changes incl SC earn on ASAs, SC by sector and baggage changes

[kevrosmith]

Just saw this article and thought it worth posting as it is the first time I've seen a direct statement from the Velocity CEO. This report states that the SC earn on ASA redemptions is for "a limited time only".
I have e-mailed velocity to check this fact, if true I'll post. Though I dare say that they're a little busy to bother with my e-mail as the IT changeover starts this evening for them.

Earn while you burn: Velocity Frequent Flyer unveils Australian First - COLLOQUY

I read the "limited time only" as the period 13 January 2013 to 30 June 2013, but did wonder if it was a "book by/redeem by" and something less than 30 June 2013, but based on their other Velocity promotions, such as half-points upgrades, I doubt it.

Edit: Ah.. I see you were referring to ASA redemptions specifically.

 

[smit0847]

I really, really hope January 13 doesn't bring with it a huge increase in the points required for redemptions and the SCs required for each level of status.

I think VA will have 1 major points/award promo every six months (last 6 months were half-price points upgrades, next six months is SC on reward seats).

I don't think anyone would disagree with me saying that it is much now easier to maintain status on VA than QF.

 

[Fruitcake]

Just saw this article and thought it worth posting as it is the first time I've seen a direct statement from the Velocity CEO. This report states that the SC earn on ASA redemptions is for "a limited time only".

That article makes no mention at all of any seat awards.

 

[oz_mark]

Just saw this article and thought it worth posting as it is the first time I've seen a direct statement from the Velocity CEO. This report states that the SC earn on ASA redemptions is for "a limited time only".
I have e-mailed velocity to check this fact, if true I'll post. Though I dare say that they're a little busy to bother with my e-mail as the IT changeover starts this evening for them.

Earn while you burn: Velocity Frequent Flyer unveils Australian First - COLLOQUY

The 'article', which is a copy/paste of the Virgin press release, doesn't actually state anything about Any Seat Rewards. It appears to talk only about what could be called 'classic' reward seats.

 

[Fruitcake]

This does differentiate Velocity from QFF as the general public now will now think that Velocity is the only group to allow SC earning on standard reward seats.
Most of AFF know that QF have being doing that for a couple of years ( ASA's at Classic Award redemption rates)

That's a bit of a stretch - just because two similar things are the same price doesn't mean they're the same product. T&C of Classic vs ASA awards on QFF can be quite different, and you wouldn't necessarily be indifferent to the two products even when pricing is identical. Velocity is completely correct in stating that they are the only program offering status credits on reward seats.

The "Velocity is cloning QFF" argument often misses a few things - most notably, AFF seems to forget that Velocity invented any seat awards (in Australia, at least)!

 

[Princess Fiona]

That's a bit of a stretch - just because two similar things are the same price doesn't mean they're the same product. T&C of Classic vs ASA awards on QFF can be quite different, and you wouldn't necessarily be indifferent to the two products even when pricing is identical. Velocity is completely correct in stating that they are the only program offering status credits on reward seats.

The "Velocity is cloning QFF" argument often misses a few things - most notably, AFF seems to forget that Velocity invented any seat awards (in Australia, at least)!

Point taken regarding they can be different but simple trips booked well in advance aren't usually IME
As an example this is a QF Classic Award

This is the same booked as an ASA

Both are fully refundable prior to travel.
The former has a 5000 point penalty, the latter costs ~ $50 extra to book but no penalty to cancel
I didn't mean to imply that Velocity is cloning QFF, I am pointing out that what QFF is offering at present is in many respects similar to Velocity offering SC's on Reward Seats
YMMV

EDITED to explain picture details
1st is a Classic Award SYD-MEL in J 16,000 points plus $30 fees and taxes
2nd is a JASA on the same flight 16,000 points plus $80 fees and taxes

 

[KCMil]

Yes, my typo with ASA, it does say Reward Redemptions. That is what I e-mailed them so don't know why I put ASA on here except having the title in my mind!!!
Their response to me is that it is a limited offer etc... as per outline in the article. Hope no panic was caused by the use of ASA instead of Reward seat, sleepless night induced error I fear.

 

[jazza1971]

Since the definition of a sector is changing, I would expect the upgrades to follow suit, swings and roundabouts.

I was just on the phone to velocity, and asked a similar question regarding the introduction of sabre and points required for upgrades and would it be leg based now. The answer I got is that it will remain the same as currently is and that its not my fault if I have to travel via somewhere to get to my final destination...if that remains true that's good news!

 

[bullerdude]

I was just on the phone to velocity, and asked a similar question regarding the introduction of sabre and points required for upgrades and would it be leg based now. The answer I got is that it will remain the same as currently is and that its not my fault if I have to travel via somewhere to get to my final destination...if that remains true that's good news!

That is indeed a good piece of news and will ensure points upgrades remain reasonable.

 

[sumthinfornuthin]

I'm not 100 % clear on this.

Are the SC's and points for ALL reward seats or only their ASA's ?????????????????

 

[anat0l]

Are the SC's and points for ALL reward seats or only their ASA's ?????????????????

The proposed change that will be permanent is that Any Seat award seats will earn SCs and points from the day of Sabre integration.

As a special promotion for six months, Reward seats will earn SCs. (There are two kinds of awards with Velocity: Reward seats (tends to be cheaper) and Any Seat award seats (can be more expensive)).

 

[sumthinfornuthin]

The proposed change that will be permanent is that Any Seat award seats will earn SCs and points from the day of Sabre integration.

As a special promotion for six months, Reward seats will earn SCs. (There are two kinds of awards with Velocity: Reward seats (tends to be cheaper) and Any Seat award seats (can be more expensive)).

that has to be a pretty good deal ?????????????????????? SC's on ordinary reward seats !!!. Can you book for flights outside the 6 month period. Has there been anything on Velocity's website about this ? i get their emails but I have not had any.

 

[Fruitcake]

Has there been anything on Velocity's website about this ? .

Earn While You Burn: Velocity Frequent Flyer Unveils Australian First | Virgin Australia

 

[sumthinfornuthin]

Earn While You Burn: Velocity Frequent Flyer Unveils Australian First | Virgin Australia

Thanks..I will have to check but I did not get it from them, might have to resubscribe.......................

 

[JohnK]

So I assume the baggage issue will affect little here, since either (a) members are Platinums or Platinums-to-be, and/or (b) we don't check baggage?

Why would baggage allowance be important to anyone on AFF?

P.S Could not care any less about changes to Any seat awards.

 

[Major]

Thought I would check my Velocity A/c to make an award booking and receive SC's, but of course it's offline until the 13th

 

[smit0847]

Thought I would check my Velocity A/c to make an award booking and receive SC's, but of course it's offline until the 13th

only bookings made after 13 Jan receive SCs.

 

[Fruitcake]

Thanks..I will have to check but I did not get it from them, might have to resubscribe.......................

I haven't seen any e-mail from Velocity about it. They've probably got bigger fish to fry at the moment rather than worrying about pushing new promotions out to the mailing list.

If they do announce something via e-mail I'd expect to see it next week, once the promotion has started. At that point they'll probably announce all the new features available now that they are on Sabre, and offering SCs on reward flights will be a good way to get noticed.

 

[oz_mark]

Thanks..I will have to check but I did not get it from them, might have to resubscribe.......................

There's been no email - just the press release. I'm sure an email will come in due course...

 

[serfty]

I'm reading that as SC's earnt for Reward Seats for a limited time, I think ( hope??) that SC's and points will be ongoing for ASA's.
This does differentiate Velocity from QFF as the general public now will now think that Velocity is the only group to allow SC earning on standard reward seats.
Most of AFF know that QF have being doing that for a couple of years ( ASA's at Classic Award redemption rates)

Despite the esoteric example given in post 26, Velocity any seat awards generally have not been good value IMHO when compared to the basic rewards.

This is basically because, even with the cheaper ones, the straight up $$$ fares have been low enough to make me consider burning points on an ASA for the same flight/class would not be an effective use of points.

It remains to be seen if Velocity will allow Any Seat Redemption in the "Standard Award" fare buckets at costs comparable with QFF's. If they don't then they will be of little use to me, SC earning or not.

Don't think so. That's a QFF thing. Any Seat awards on DJ are only the massive points price, they don't apply the reward seat price to ASAs.

At least I've never seen low points cost in the ASA section on Velocity.

Great that asa's earn SCs but not great that I booked a "classic" yesterday!

The Asa's seem nowhere near as good value compared to QF's asa's (speaking generally, I'm sure there's specific "cheap" examples somewhere)