Velocity Status Levels

[Steve Dyer]

Now that VFF is back on board, it might be nice to understand if Velocity will consider a QF P1 type status level for those of us that earn quickly the re-qualify SC, then the rest of the year is pretty much a waste.... What would we all like to see fi this was a "perfect world"

 

[mandmshow]

Accumulation of SCs to lifetime levels like QF ?

 

[drewbles]

Accumulation of SCs to lifetime levels like QF ?

Yes. This. Muchly.

Also, will all previously earned SC's count towards any possibly planned LTS levels (and of course, what the levels will be; I want to know how i'm tracking ).

 

[smit0847]

I dont think there's many benefits they could offer a P1 that WPs dont already get though........

Are there that many pax who make WP, then partner WP and then still earn a whole lot more SCs?

 

[moa999]

Think Virgin needs to consider a Plat lounge before they consider a P1 level.

 

[medhead]

I think they need to consider recognition of platinum and greater differentiation from gold first.

 

[drewbles]

I think they need to consider recognition of platinum and greater differentiation from gold first.

I think Qantas could do the same instead of making WP not more than SG plus(notmuchmore).

 

[Fruitcake]

I think Qantas could do the same instead of making WP not more than SG plus(notmuchmore).

F lounges are a pretty decent carrot for QF WPs. SQ and EY both have F lounges but VA WP doesn't get access (except via class of service, obviously).

 

[notzac]

For a very short period of time, VA Platinums had access to the EY FLounge at AUH - really quite lovely space. Quiet, good food, good booze. I really hope that comes back at some point..

 

[drewbles]

F lounges are a pretty decent carrot for QF WPs. SQ and EY both have F lounges but VA WP doesn't get access (except via class of service, obviously).

Big caveat: *for MEL and SYD based FF'ers

As notzac mentioned, there was a small window for VA Plats to use the EY lounge in AUH and of course there are new lounges on the way in MEL and SYD for EY/VA pax.

 

[Fruitcake]

As notzac mentioned, there was a small window for VA Plats to use the EY lounge in AUH and of course there are new lounges on the way in MEL and SYD for EY/VA pax.

Yes, I'm looking forward to see what they do with these. An EY F lounge is a near-certainty but one would hope VA WP get entry.

 

[Velocity Frequent Flyer]

Now that VFF is back on board, it might be nice to understand if Velocity will consider a QF P1 type status level for those of us that earn quickly the re-qualify SC, then the rest of the year is pretty much a waste.... What would we all like to see fi this was a "perfect world"

Hi Steve, this is probably not an area we would discuss, but happy to digest any ideas you may have.

 

[djchuckles]

I requali'd platinum in less than 6 months and am now in the position where any SC's I earn for the next 6 months are wasted - something definitely needs to be done to encourage me to continue flying with Virgin for the next 6 months vs. a competitor where i can put use/value to the SC's

 

[notzac]

Hi Steve, this is probably not an area we would discuss, but happy to digest any ideas you may have.

Here are a few - one is more a copy of QF, the other two my own:

• Ability to request award inventory be opened up on VA metal (subject to revenue mgmt of course) - I've made use of this once before as a QF Platinum (getting a J award to magically appear on a MEL-HKG flight); it'd be nice for something similar to be available.
• Additional upgrade certificates at certain milestones - maybe every time you collect 800 SCs, you get another 4 upgrade certificates. This would definitely encourage people to keep flying beyond earning Platinum.
• Ability to use upgrade certificates on any flight - rather than 1 certificate = 1 class upgrade per flight, maybe have mileage tiers and allow certificates to be "stacked" .. each certificate is good for a 1 class upgrade for up to 2500 miles. Even if allowing international flights to be upgraded with certificates was restricted to a higher tier of Platinum, this would certainly be of interest to me.

 

[Fruitcake]

Here are a few - one is more a copy of QF, the other two my own:

• Ability to request award inventory be opened up on VA metal (subject to revenue mgmt of course) - I've made use of this once before as a QF Platinum (getting a J award to magically appear on a MEL-HKG flight); it'd be nice for something similar to be available.

In case you weren't aware notzac they do partly offer what you want:

Terms & Conditions | Velocity Frequent Flyer
16.3 Platinum Guaranteed Reward Seats for an Annual Family Trip
16.3.1 VRPL guarantees that Platinum Members can make one booking for up to four guests on:
(a) Virgin Australia domestic Economy Reward Class return flights; or
(b) Economy Reward Class return flights departing from Australia (or from New Zealand if the Platinum Member is a New Zealand based Member) to any international destination to which the Virgin Australia or an Airline Partner flies;
in each Total Benefit Period (Platinum Guaranteed Reward Seats for an Annual Family Trip).
16.3.2 The Platinum Member must be included and travelling in the booking for the Platinum Guaranteed Reward Seats for an Annual Family Trip.
16.3.3 The request for the Platinum Guaranteed Reward Seats for an Annual Family Trip on domestic flights must:
(a) be made at least six months prior to the desired date of departure; and
(b) allow for a three day booking window for each flight (one day either side of the desired departure and return dates).

So it's not J and it does have a big advance booking requirement but I think the offer of a guaranteed economy award seat to any international is pretty decent.

Golds have a similar benefit but it's domestic only.

 

[Nitro]

• Ability to use upgrade certificates on any flight - rather than 1 certificate = 1 class upgrade per flight, maybe have mileage tiers and allow certificates to be "stacked" .. each certificate is good for a 1 class upgrade for up to 2500 miles. Even if allowing international flights to be upgraded with certificates was restricted to a higher tier of Platinum, this would certainly be of interest to me.

This!

I retained platinum in just on 3 months so the remaining year is kinda getting my wife onto Gold/Platinum just for the sake of it really, she doesn't really fly that often other than the yearly family holiday though. I refuse to fly QF anymore so they'll never see another $ from me or my family so I am pretty dedicated to VA anyway...

Just my 2 cents but I love your idea above, wife and I are flying SYD-LAX-LAS return in November, would be great to stack some vouchers so we could go in J!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

wife and I are flying SYD-LAX-LAS return in November, would be great to stack some vouchers so we could go in J!

I shouldn't be lazy and look for myself, but are the plat free upgrades for int, or just dom?

 

[notzac]

So it's not J..

..and therein lies the problem. Also, I'm thinking more in terms of using upgrade certificates rather than points.

I shouldn't be lazy and look for myself, but are the plat free upgrades for int, or just dom?

Just domestic flights.

 

[BrentH]

I dont think there's many benefits they could offer a P1 that WPs dont already get though........

Are there that many pax who make WP, then partner WP and then still earn a whole lot more SCs?

Yes, me this year.

(Plus djchuckles and Nitro above.)

I counted my SC earnings between Christmas and June, and I'm on track to hit around 2700 Status Credits inside 6 months.

By the end of the year, we should easily go from NR to WP + requalifying for WP to 2015 + Partner WP + requalifying partner to 2015... All self-funded (running my own business, none of this Friday night consulting commuter or hi-vis vest FIFO junk).

(I think it's 3,000 Status Credits to do this if you get them all within the original WP period?)

I've stopped booking VA flights, and have moved over to OneWorld / QF to boost status there, take advantage of lifetime Status Credits, probably hit WP this year with a view to being P1 in 2015.

Because I'm self-funded, value for money is important for me.

VA provides very good value for money on fares, and cheaper/easier ways to earn status. But IMHO QF has better high-tier offerings. So when it comes time to requalify for QF+VA WP, if I'm flying less, it's going to be a tough decision - but if I'm only doing enough flying to keep WP with one airline, it will probably end up being QF.

 

[drewbles]

Hi Steve, this is probably not an area we would discuss, but happy to digest any ideas you may have.

Now that you're back with us (welcome back, by the way!), and understanding the commercial sensitivities in loyalty programs, are you able to give us any information or perhaps time frames as to actual enhancements in the Velocity program? I mean real added value not QF-esque enhancements (say things like lifetime status or maybe loyalty type bonuses/upgrade credits, etc etc; not saying you're copying QF, just mentioning some things that we would consider real bonuses)?

Understand Sabre is taking up most of your time too but hey, it never hurts to ask