Double SC promo

[nlagalle]

Perhaps. How many newly status matched did not receive the promo? I haven't gone back to this thread to check but the ones reporting not receiving it are BIS and the ones reporting receiving it are SM'ed as a general rule. Even those BIS ones who did get the offer have it addressed to them as though they are SM'ed. Obviously it's hard to extrapolate from the posts here but that does appear to be the pattern.

Anyone get a SM and not get the offer?

I got the offer and was status matched. Honestly though I wouldnt get upset about it. Unlike the QF double sc offer, this one has a strict booking time frame so it is useless to me. I won't be booking nov travel til november.

 

[MarkD]

What this promo is saying to me, is that just over a month after they started status matching, its not getting the amount of Bums in Seats they wanted. Sure, every man and his dog, cat and even Budgie is either gold or Platinum with Virgin, but it appears they are not FLYING virgin. If they were indeed using the airline, then there would be no reason to keep trying to promote the product in such a way, as the passengers would already be aware of the product, and would not still need convincing.
Its not too soon to know whether they are going to get the pax, because they would have already started using Virgin, if indeed they were going to.
If the current situation at Qantas is not enough to sway pax over to Virgin, then no platinum, gold or extra SC will. Bit of a shame really if thats the case, as Virgin really do have a superior offering IMHO

 

[Leumas]

What this promo is saying to me, is that just over a month after they started status matching, its not getting the amount of Bums in Seats they wanted. Sure, every man and his dog, cat and even Budgie is either gold or Platinum with Virgin, but it appears they are not FLYING virgin. If they were indeed using the airline, then there would be no reason to keep trying to promote the product in such a way, as the passengers would already be aware of the product, and would not still need convincing.
Its not too soon to know whether they are going to get the pax, because they would have already started using Virgin, if indeed they were going to.
If the current situation at Qantas is not enough to sway pax over to Virgin, then no platinum, gold or extra SC will. Bit of a shame really if thats the case, as Virgin really do have a superior offering IMHO

This may be a bit premature... The match promo only finished 2 weeks ago... I haven't even had a chance to book flights yet, let alone choosing airline...

 

[oz_mark]

What this promo is saying to me, is that just over a month after they started status matching, its not getting the amount of Bums in Seats they wanted. Sure, every man and his dog, cat and even Budgie is either gold or Platinum with Virgin, but it appears they are not FLYING virgin. If they were indeed using the airline, then there would be no reason to keep trying to promote the product in such a way, as the passengers would already be aware of the product, and would not still need convincing.
Its not too soon to know whether they are going to get the pax, because they would have already started using Virgin, if indeed they were going to.
If the current situation at Qantas is not enough to sway pax over to Virgin, then no platinum, gold or extra SC will. Bit of a shame really if thats the case, as Virgin really do have a superior offering IMHO

I'd be inclined to think it is part of a planned program, that was planned out before the relaunch ever happened.

 

[MarkD]

Maybe, but seems a bit rushed and hurried. But anyway, who knows, maybe we will get some other offer later for those that aren't being courted.

 

[muppet]

What this promo is saying to me, is that just over a month after they started status matching, its not getting the amount of Bums in Seats they wanted. Sure, every man and his dog, cat and even Budgie is either gold or Platinum with Virgin, but it appears they are not FLYING virgin. If they were indeed using the airline, then there would be no reason to keep trying to promote the product in such a way, as the passengers would already be aware of the product, and would not still need convincing.
Its not too soon to know whether they are going to get the pax, because they would have already started using Virgin, if indeed they were going to.
If the current situation at Qantas is not enough to sway pax over to Virgin, then no platinum, gold or extra SC will. Bit of a shame really if thats the case, as Virgin really do have a superior offering IMHO

I know DJ has less capacity/smaller fleet.... but have you tried booking lately? Last minute business flights I mean. I bookes syd - cbr last week two days in advance, DJ had nothing but premium on most flights, a few were sold out.

Sydney lounge has been chockas on monday and friday evenings.

People are def booking DJ, I think this is a great strategy to capitalise on current QF issues.

 

[markis10]

I feel for VFF, this was a great idea but perhaps releasing it just before everyone from VA went home for the weekend doesn't seem very well thought out.

Who says they went home, the PLAT desk sorted me out this afternoon!

 

[Verde]

What this promo is saying to me, is that just over a month after they started status matching, its not getting the amount of Bums in Seats they wanted. Sure, every man and his dog, cat and even Budgie is either gold or Platinum with Virgin, but it appears they are not FLYING virgin. If they were indeed using the airline, then there would be no reason to keep trying to promote the product in such a way, as the passengers would already be aware of the product, and would not still need convincing.
Its not too soon to know whether they are going to get the pax, because they would have already started using Virgin, if indeed they were going to.
If the current situation at Qantas is not enough to sway pax over to Virgin, then no platinum, gold or extra SC will. Bit of a shame really if thats the case, as Virgin really do have a superior offering IMHO

It could just be a smart strategy to nudge people who status matched to actually fly Virgin.

As soon as the offer came through I thought about booking a few upcoming flights with them right away (giving them cash they may not have had for another month) and securing custom away from Qantas. It also rather seriously got me thinking about paying for flexi/premium seat fares rather than the cheap ones. If it wasn't for the fact I plan on riding things down to gold (with both Qantas and Virgin), I'd have been set to pay the higher profit margin fares that would help Virgin rake in extra $$$ (if I was planning on getting enough SC to re-qualify for Plat).

Stimulating higher profit sales is good for airline viability. It was the Qantas double status credit offer in January that had me do the Fiji run (which made going for Plat a viable option). Admittedly that probably didn't help Qantas margins, but it is pretty rare that I pay to fly business class, so it was very effective at stimulating spending in that regard.

I'll probably book a few flexi fares for December now and try out the Plat upgrades, I really appreciate the status match and don't mind throwing a bit extra Virgin's way since that saves me feeling like a free loader (and in the long run it might work out well for Virgin - once I hit LTS with Qantas I might well switch the bulk of my flights to Virgin since they've made a pretty good impression so far.. and with the ongoing strikes I have been considering just letting LTS go and focusing on Virgin status instead).

Double SC is never fair - it isn't fair for people who paid well in advance and miss out, it isn't fair for those who don't get the offer, but it is a good way of trying to stimulate sales and possibly premium sales for people who decide to go for the next level up. Plus it diverts some sales from the competitor.

That said, since Virgin doesn't have life time status goals any benefits are short lived, so if people score an extra bunch of SC they'll be gone in twelve months. Between the status match and Qantas having endless strikes, I'm sure I'm not the only person who is seriously thinking of switching the bulk over to Virgin and abandoning Qantas despite aspiring for LTS etc - that makes for a big benefit for Virgin even if they only pick up a few hundred frequent flyers for the long run (and it could well play out to be a lot more than that).

 

[NM]

This SG did not receive the offer, nor have I ever received a SC bonus promotion offer. Then again, I probably would not use it anyway. I am currently sitting on 75K AA EQP, with last week's CX flight still to post and this week's return will take me to 88K EQP. Then for my next trip to HK I can take direct daytime flights on CX which will leave me at 101K EQP and One World Emerald status until end of Feb 2013, or I can take non-direct QF flight northbound and overnight return and credit to QF to give me 160 SCs.

Hmm, tough decision ... not!

But it would be nice to be offered and told I am loved. I guess the lack of love between QFF and me is pretty much mutual.

 

[VMAN]

Gee Virgin......don't I feel loved! Been gold with you for around 4 years,And now Platinum self funded BIS, now taken for granted! We put up with all the growing pains, were loyal through thick and thin and get Zero!

Today, for the first time, I find myself angry with Virgin, not just frustrated! It was bad enough battling to find a seat in the lounge in Sydney last night ....but this little Platinum duck is now questioning why I should be loyal to Virgin when clearly their new playmates are clearly more deserving of their attention!

Not impressed!

I too have not recieved this wondeful offer and of course I am a BIS Platinum.

You hit the nail on the head in saying that you are angry and rightly so. Since the launch of the program I have read on how status match customers on getting opups and now bonus SC's, myself, I have not been offered anything, just the seat I have paid for. I am not complaining about this but do feel a little hurt seeing the rewards being handed out so freely to those who really have not earned them.

As a loyal customer I am becoming increasily disappointed with the lack of love being showed to the most loyal. I guess VA feel like they can take us for granted. Come on VA, don't forget us, who have stuck with you through the tough times (and as any long term VA flyer knows there have been many!)

Also something else VA should keep in mind. If they don't share the love they may end up losing their best customers should QF offer a staus match. VMAN, maybe QMAN with WP status match.

 

[notzac]

Am with 777 and VMAN - got my Platinum card the hard way and no magical offer from Velocity. A touch miffed that others get a leg-up to retain status while I don't get to benefit from it, but appreciate that the marketing gurus will have a reason for it.

Would certainly like to see some gesture for those of us who earnt their status in those hard, hard DJ seats..

 

[markis10]

I'd be inclined to think it is part of a planned program, that was planned out before the relaunch ever happened.

Maybe, but seems a bit rushed and hurried. But anyway, who knows, maybe we will get some other offer later for those that aren't being courted.

I think you will find DJ is seeing good yield growth since the match was done, and I agree with oz_mark's comment.

 

[777]

Since the launch of the program I have read on how status match customers on getting opups and now bonus SC's, myself, I have not been offered anything, just the seat I have paid for. I am not complaining about this but do feel a little hurt seeing the rewards being handed out so freely to those who really have not earned them.

Actually i have never received an op-up either - not since an op-up was "all inclusive" (as opposed to being seated in row 2 back in the old days when they were fully convertible). I don't think it's deliberate, i think it's just random to do with flight loads and the luck of the draw at the time etc but from the various reports here it does seem that several of the recently SM'ed have been luckier than me. If it was formal policy to favour the SM'ed for op-ups that would *really* test the friendship.

 

[mickeyc747]

Actually i have never received an op-up either - not since an op-up was "all inclusive" (as opposed to being seated in row 2 back in the old days when they were fully convertible). I don't think it's deliberate, i think it's just random to do with flight loads and the luck of the draw at the time etc but from the various reports here it does seem that several of the recently SM'ed have been luckier than me. If it was formal policy to favour the SM'ed for op-ups that would *really* test the friendship.

I think they scaled the op-ups back, I was on a MEL to OOL on Thursday full flight only one spare seat and that was 1C next to me and CS advised 6 Platinums in Econ and one in PE when I asked. Same on the Wednesday flight OOL to MEL 3 PAX in PE and no op-ups, 4 Platinums in Econ and 2 in PE.

 

[777]

I think they scaled the op-ups back, I was on a MEL to OOL on Thursday full flight only one spare seat and that was 1C next to me and CS advised 6 Platinums in Econ and one in PE when I asked. Same on the Wednesday flight OOL to MEL 3 PAX in PE and no op-ups, 4 Platinums in Econ and 2 in PE.

Fair enough. I've never expected there would be upgrades unless economy is over-full.

 

[The Rok]

Earned my platinum the hard way and looks like I will have to requalify the hard way. I think it sucks and will make me rethink my flying preferences in the future.

 

[maninblack]

Am with 777 and VMAN - got my Platinum card the hard way and no magical offer from Velocity. A touch miffed that others get a leg-up to retain status while I don't get to benefit from it, but appreciate that the marketing gurus will have a reason for it.

Would certainly like to see some gesture for those of us who earnt their status in those hard, hard DJ seats..

This is just not so. I was matched to Platinum but have not received the offer either. Anyway you can take your business elswhere as I weill be doing this month. I want the OW SC's at the moment though if Velocity had offered me double SC's it might have swayed me.

I am learning that they sure run things in a strange manner over at Virgin, from the consumer perspectice it is one of the most random organisations I have ever encountered.

 

[Daggs01]

Overall it would be nice for ALL to have the double SC offer, but as per previous sentiments, it is probably part of the status match promotion to give the new WP & SG flyers a strong reason to fly with them.

I've moved to DJ from QF because I now have accelerate and SG, whereas I only have pub membership with QF.

I only book flexi fares due to the nature of my work, and would have been extra keen to pay to upgrade to J to earn 40 sc's more @ $2.50 approx each.


- Darren Allatt

Sent from my iPhone using AustFreqFly app

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Perhaps I shouldn't throw this out there, but here goes anyway.....

So far, we have all been assuming it's DJs business plan to increase the number of flyers (draw some of those tied to QF by the platinum handcuffs).
Observation No.1 - How many, like me, have been noticing chocker planes (even before the status match)?? Where are all these "extra' flyers going to sit??

Observation No.2 - Now how many can recall a year or so ago, seeing mostly vacant PE seats?? This tends to suggest that a fair number of existing DJ flyers, fly DJ because they were LCC but offering perks (lounge, SCs, miles).

Now combine observations 1 and 2 and the contents of this thread and a little niggle starts. Who's to say DJ wants their so called "loyal" fan base to stay with them?? Perhaps the new DJ model is far from rolled out, but perhaps it's closer to a cross between Qantas and the now defunct business only airline Ozjet. I've been wondering how they intended to increase the bottom line with already full planes and the answer is clear really.......the fares have to increase. To increase fares a lot, you need the better product. I did assume DJ would want to position their fares somewhere between JQ and QF but perhaps the bigger picture is over and above QF.

I must also say I don't think this is the case and they would have to make a lot of changes like, lounge upgrades, new lounges, int. patnerships and codeshares, business class, status matches, new platinum tier, double SCs for "new" status kids etc. oops, does this sound familiar??

Those of us who fly cheap but lots (well of late, the lots for me hasn't been happening) are really just "stealing" prime real estate aboard!


Now, where did that JQ number go.............I might need it soon!

 

[777]

Perhaps I shouldn't throw this out there, but here goes anyway.....

I don't think it's any secret that DJ are trying to increase their yield - i.e. the average price that people pay per bum on each seat. That shouldn't necessarily mean that everyone pays more for every seat or that there are no cheap seats available but it should mean that they convince more of their customer base to pay more. It has certainly worked somewhat on me in that i find myself paying for Flexi fares more often than i did under the previous system.

Full planes - whether it's because of VA's own marketing or QF's own goals will inevitably mean that they can charge more for available seats particularly when booking at the last minute.