Change in Zones for Upgrades using points

[koonyaflyer]

Reality has struck andd I am booking my flights for January and February travel.

I have just rung Velocity to upgrade my Flexi fares from HBA to SYD. This has always been a Zone 1 Upgrade, for which I paid 4900 points. Today I was advised that this is now Zone 2, at a cost of 7400 points.

Interestingly this sector still earns at Zone 1. The Virgin Website for Earn now shows Sydney as Zone 1, which is flights up to 750 miles, whereas the Redeem Zone 1 is only up to 600 miles.

Now I dont mind paying the 7400 points if I am earning on paid flights at Zone 2 level, but I am certainly not happpy with this new "enhancement" which I am assuming is linked to the introduction of business class! :evil::evil::evil:

 

[chrisjrn]

Yeah, the zones have been different for a few months now. Quite curious that they have different zones for earning and redeeming, but there you go.

I would imagine that an HBA-SYD flight would give you more opportunity to enjoy a meal than an HBA-MEL flight would though (the extra 30 mins flight time making all the difference there), which is a partial justification, I guess.

 

[markis10]

Now I dont mind paying the 7400 points if I am earning on paid flights at Zone 2 level, but I am certainly not happpy with this new "enhancement" which I am assuming is linked to the introduction of business class! :evil::evil::evil:

If you were paying more than $80 then you are better off just booking a J award seat for 7400 points + $82.87 in cash!

 

[chrisjrn]

If you were paying more than $80 then you are better off just booking a J award seat for 7400 points + $82.87 in cash!

Yes, but booking the J Award seat means you earn 0 SC and 0 points. Why would you do that?

 

[markis10]

Yes, but booking the J Award seat means you earn 0 SC and 0 points. Why would you do that?

Because they are not worth the $140 you are paying for them by comparison!

 

[Velocity Frequent Flyer]

Prior to the Velocity Frequent Flyer relaunch in August 2011, members were able to upgrade their flights using the Premium Economy Taste Test. This was a far more restrictive feature that was targeted and only available 3 hours prior to departure and was priced over 3 zones.
​

Upgrade Using Points was introduced on 25 August 2011 as part of the relaunch. Members can now upgrade to Premium Economy or Business Class at anytime after booking their flights, up to 24 hours prior to departure. It is a different feature to the Premium Economy Taste Test given the flexibility it offers and you are now able to enjoy our new Business Class cabins in addition to Premium Economy. All upgrades are priced according to miles flown.

To find out how many Points you need to upgrade your flight, please refer to the Flight Upgrades table which can be found on this page.

 

[chrisjrn]

No, complaint is that the zones for upgrades to Premium fares are calculated differently to the zones for status credit earning. For premium fares, zone 1 ends at 600mi, but for SC earning, zone 1 ends at 750mi. This doesn't affect the majority of flights, but for things like Hobart-Sydney, it fits somewhere in the middle, so it can catch members out.

For simplicity's sake, it would be nice if the zones were roughly similar.

 

[serfty]

Yes, but booking the J Award seat means you earn 0 SC and 0 points. Why would you do that?

Referring to myself, because one is AirNZ *G anyway so have no real use for velocity status when flying DJ.

 

[antycbr]

No, complaint is that the zones for upgrades to Premium fares are calculated differently to the zones for status credit earning. For premium fares, zone 1 ends at 600mi, but for SC earning, zone 1 ends at 750mi. This doesn't affect the majority of flights, but for things like Hobart-Sydney, it fits somewhere in the middle, so it can catch members out.

For simplicity's sake, it would be nice if the zones were roughly similar.

SYD-ADL is another commonly flown example - 725 miles means it's Zone 1 for earning, but in the second "Zone" for upgrades (7,400 points).

 

[koonyaflyer]

Prior to the Velocity Frequent Flyer relaunch in August 2011, members were able to upgrade their flights using the Premium Economy Taste Test. This was a far more restrictive feature that was targeted and only available 3 hours prior to departure and was priced over 3 zones.
​

Upgrade Using Points was introduced on 25 August 2011.........

To find out how many Points you need to upgrade your flight, please refer to the Flight Upgrades table which can be found on this page.

Thanks for your response VFF, totally agree and accept re the Taster fares, which I did use. My issue is that as recently as November 2011 (after the changes were introduced) I could upgrade HBA-SYD for 4900points using the zone upgrades, and did so on several occassions. There appears to have been a change to the "zoning" when redeeming which has pushed the cost up significantly. Dissapointing, but "thems the breaks" I suppose.

 

[koonyaflyer]

If you were paying more than $80 then you are better off just booking a J award seat for 7400 points + $82.87 in cash!

Absolutely Markis - I have just done that for a leisure trip to Sydney for my son's engagement party - and they are excellent value both in $ and points!

For my business trips I always have liked to buy the fare initially, so I could claim when appropriate with a "clean" invoice .....but may have to change that practice. Status Credits for the balance of the year is not so important as I requalified for Platinum 3 months into my qualification year, but I do miss the points earn on redemption bookings!

 

[markis10]

For my business trips I always have liked to buy the fare initially, so I could claim when appropriate with a "clean" invoice .....but may have to change that practice. Status Credits for the balance of the year is not so important as I requalified for Platinum 3 months into my qualification year, but I do miss the points earn on redemption bookings!

Its funny how you feel cheated by not getting points on a classic award, if your self funded it makes sense to use the points that way but when its tax deductible its not so good.

I do find it inconsistent the redemption zones should be different to earn zones!

 

[Jama]

Prior to the Velocity Frequent Flyer relaunch in August 2011, members were able to upgrade their flights using the Premium Economy Taste Test. This was a far more restrictive feature that was targeted and only available 3 hours prior to departure and was priced over 3 zones.
​

Upgrade Using Points was introduced on 25 August 2011 as part of the relaunch. Members can now upgrade to Premium Economy or Business Class at anytime after booking their flights, up to 24 hours prior to departure. It is a different feature to the Premium Economy Taste Test given the flexibility it offers and you are now able to enjoy our new Business Class cabins in addition to Premium Economy. All upgrades are priced according to miles flown.

To find out how many Points you need to upgrade your flight, please refer to the Flight Upgrades table which can be found on this page.

The Taste Test was superior in that the SC's earned were at the upgraded level whereas the Points Upgrade now available, apart from being more costly when you consider the points required, earns SC's at the original level.

 

[markis10]

I would give up my upgrades for taste tests again anytime, they made sense, even at 2x the price!