IHG/Velocity Rewards Ripoff

[FJS]

IHG/Velocity FF Reward Ripoff
Hi Everyone,
I decided to take advantage of the May bonus rewards in both of the above programs, only to find I was ripped off in a big way.
Firstly IHG Rewards:
I bought 31,00 points for US$310 and was duly awarded the bonus - no complaints there. I then redeemed 90,000 points to Velocity expecting the points equivalent of 18,000 miles (advertised in the IHG Rewards as 10,000 points = 2,000 miles in the Velocity program)

Velocity Program:
When I checked my account, I found I had only been awarded 18,000 points along with the bonus,.
I contacted Velocity and they told me the transfer was only win points and I had to take the matter up with IHG..

So Far:
I have contacted both program support services by phone and I am getting nowhere. IHG standby they transfer in miles and Velocity only accept points.
So now I have paid the equivalent of US$900 to fly 2,000 miles (say Sydney to Perth O/W)
I hope no one else gets caught.
Any suggestions on how to progress further would be most welcome.
Best Regards
Fred (F

 

[blackcat20]

I'm not sure what the issue is. 90k IHG points transfers as 18k Velocity points, and thats exactly what you got. Miles=points.

 

[Matt_01]

FJS are you confusing points with miles. Were you expecting to be able to fly a total of 18000 miles. If so that is not how it works.

 

[mannej]

You have received what you were entitled to, Points/Miles can be used interchangeable in this situation.

 

[FJS]

FJS are you confusing points with miles. Were you expecting to be able to fly a total of 18000 miles. If so that is not how it works.

Hi Matt,

The IHG® Rewards Club website made clear that 'members can choose to redeem their points for miles'.

For the Velocity Frequent Flyer program the exchange was '10,000 IHG points = 2,000 Velocity Miles'.

Not a case of points for points. I've already got half a million Velocity Points. The website clearly states that the exchange is for miles.

For US $900 I could take a special return to Europe so it would be pointless to purchase 18,000 Velocity Points for that money.

 

[oz_mark]

A Velocity Mile, and more generally, a frequent flyer mile, is not a measure of how far you can go.

Historically, they reflected how far you had flown, not how far you could fly with them.

Points is a better term, but they are used a bit interchangeably.

 

[sjk]

Unfortunately there's no concept of "Velocity Miles" these days. Velocity itself now uses the term "points".

I think it'd be a stretch to get both the transfer and the original purchase reversed.

 

[FJS]

A Velocity Mile, and more generally, a frequent flyer mile, is not a measure of how far you can go.

Historically, they reflected how far you had flown, not how far you could fly with them.

Points is a better term, but they are used a bit interchangeably.

You must agree that there is a definite relationship between points and miles, I wish 1 point equalled one mile
eward Seat Points Table
Once you have calculated the miles for your flight, refer to the tables to see the minimum amount of Points required for a Reward Seat1.

The Points prices displayed below are the minimum Points required on the most direct routes. Where a one-way trip includes multiple flights and a stopover, change in cabin class or multiple airlines, the Points price required will be higher2.

Taxes, fees and surcharges start from $16.953. To confirm the exact amount of Points, taxes, fees and surcharges payable, search for your route or contact our Membership Contact Centre.

Minimum amount of Points required for a Reward Seat
Table 1

• Virgin Australia
• Virgin Atlantic

• Air New Zealand4
  (Trans Tasman services)

• Alitalia
• Delta Air Lines

Zone One-Way Miles Economy Premium Economy5 Business6
1 1-600 7,800 11,700 15,500
2 601-1,200 11,800 17,700 23,500
3 1,201-2,400 17,800 26,700 35,500
4 2,401-3,600 22,300 36,700 49,500
5 3,601-4,800 27,800 44,700 59,500
6 4,801-5,800 34,800 53,700 71,500
7 5,801-7,000 39,800 62,700 83,500
8 7,001-8,500 44,800 71,700 95,500
9 8,501-9,500 54,800 83,700 111,500
10 9,501-15,000 59,800 95,700 127,500

 

[mannej]

Hi Matt,
The IHG® Rewards Club website made clear that 'members can choose to redeem their points for miles'.

But that is exactly what you have done

 

[JFi]

I think I can understand why there was confusion to some extent as the IHG site mentions "miles" for some and "kilometers" for others. Setting aside programs that mentions neither (El Al Israel Airlines – 40 El Al Points or Air New Zealand Airpoints – 25 Airpoints), AIR MILES® reward miles – 250 miles should have set off some alarm bells? Even though it's not a FF program if you believe it's flying miles, this would be quite a difference compared to the majority of 2,000 miles.

Unfortunately this is a misunderstanding. Maybe IHG should just say "points" for all of them to avoid confusion but the term is used interchangeably. Also under the Velocity part, it does say "Please call +612 9935 8362 to redeem your IHG® Rewards Club points for Velocity points today." so that would mean the transfer would be Points to Points. Not sure if there's anything you can do. If you can great, if not unfortunately I would say it's an expensive lesson.