I'll open with my question: have I just lost another benefit as a Velocity WP?
One benefit for Velocity Frequent Flyer is a status bonus on points earned through hotel bookings via Agoda. Provided the booking is made through the special Velocity - Agoda link a WP member like myself will earn 3 points/dollar spent with a 100% status bonus; so 6 points/dollar. It isn't bad, and is a better rate than, say, Qantas hotels.
However it seems that anyone at all, regardless of status, can book via Agoda Points Max and earn significantly more points per dollar spent. The room price on Points Max seem basically the same as those on the Velocity link which, in turn, are usually the same or a little higher than on the plain Agoda site.
Example: For September 27, QT hotel, Sydney. The cheapest room showing is $350 on both Velocity/Agoda and Points Max. The Agdoa booking will net me 2100 points. Points Max will net 490 points (unless a bonus is applied to that - I don't think it is). But on Points Max there is a room available for $385 that earns 2400 velocity points. That room and price is not available on the Velocity/Agoda site. It is also better than $x6 and is available to anyone, regardless of status. The most expensive Points Max room that night will earn at 6.3 points/dollar spent, also available to anyone at all who can afford it.
Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the higher earning potential, but it seems to totally negate the advertised benefit. Have I missed something?
One benefit for Velocity Frequent Flyer is a status bonus on points earned through hotel bookings via Agoda. Provided the booking is made through the special Velocity - Agoda link a WP member like myself will earn 3 points/dollar spent with a 100% status bonus; so 6 points/dollar. It isn't bad, and is a better rate than, say, Qantas hotels.
However it seems that anyone at all, regardless of status, can book via Agoda Points Max and earn significantly more points per dollar spent. The room price on Points Max seem basically the same as those on the Velocity link which, in turn, are usually the same or a little higher than on the plain Agoda site.
Example: For September 27, QT hotel, Sydney. The cheapest room showing is $350 on both Velocity/Agoda and Points Max. The Agdoa booking will net me 2100 points. Points Max will net 490 points (unless a bonus is applied to that - I don't think it is). But on Points Max there is a room available for $385 that earns 2400 velocity points. That room and price is not available on the Velocity/Agoda site. It is also better than $x6 and is available to anyone, regardless of status. The most expensive Points Max room that night will earn at 6.3 points/dollar spent, also available to anyone at all who can afford it.
Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the higher earning potential, but it seems to totally negate the advertised benefit. Have I missed something?