Gaining and Maintaing Velocity Status

[sydstar]

As a self-funded leisure traveller, I was just interested to hear the perspectives of others on the level of ease/difficulty in firstly earning and then maintaining DJ status.

Considering DJ operate on a 'dollar' accrual mode -v- QFs 'miles' based, I was interested to see how those who have either DJ silver or gold go about actually maintaining it. I know that in the QF system, there are a range of ways to 'fast-track' gaining status (JASA's, JQ *C, AA YUPPs etc come to mind), but with velocity does it actually come down simply to the amount you pay (DJ) and amount of time you sit on the seat (VA, VS, VX, EY)?

Considering the other thread alludes to a significant amount of QF SG/WP being comped DJ Gold, are those who have received this going to struggle to retain this stauts, especially where potenitally existing 'business' contracts align to QF?

I'm just interested to hear other peoples perspectives because 20,000 and 50,000 SCs seem to be a conisderable goal to reach.

 

[antycbr]

I'm going to do SYD-LHR return on EY in economy, which by my calculations is ~22,000 miles, booked in class M, which gives you silver straight away at a 1:1 ratio. Etihad is a good earner!

For the $ based fares, once you have gold, the status multiplier makes it easier - 7 points per dollar vs 5 points per dollar. My year started in December and I've done CBR-MEL-HBA-MEL-PER-MEL-CBR and a single CBR-MEL. I'm up to about 8,800 SC. So if you can get a status match somehow, go for it.

As I have mentioned elsewhere, a side effect is that creative routings on DJ flights are irrelevant, just book a more expensive fare if you are close to status.

 

[JohnK]

I did consider asking for status match but after doing the calculations there was no way I could get anyway near Gold status. Personally I think maintaining Gold status a little too difficult and requires to much $spend.

Starting from scratch one needs to spend $4,000 attain Silver status and then another $5,000 to attain Gold status so a total of $9,000 to attain Gold status.

Maintaining Gold status the year after then costs ~$7,143.

Of course I am only using domestic earn rates as I am not too sure how points are allocated for overseas flights especially if one uses partner airlines. Another drawback is V Australia do not fly to where I want to go.

For the same amount of money and my flying patterns I can easily maintain QF Platinum status.

 

[anat0l]

I'm going to do SYD-LHR return on EY in economy, which by my calculations is ~22,000 miles, booked in class M, which gives you silver straight away at a 1:1 ratio. Etihad is a good earner!

Given a return fare of around $2100 or so (which is at least on par with many other major carriers), most of those fares book into M which does indeed net that said number of points (in DJ that is both redeemable points and status credits).

I don't know if EY's sales book into an earnable class.

It's not entirely clear on the Velocity Rewards website (as it appears in one place but not in the other), but if you could earn a status bonus on top of that, then that is even better. And status bonuses on DJ count to both redeemable points and status credits. For example, if you get an extra 40% in status credits from DJ Gold, that is 30,800 status credits (and redeemable points) from the example given above.

I'd see DJ Gold being a very comparable if not better status than QF Gold, but my jury is still out on it being better than QF Platinum. Whilst the latter is not easy to get in theory, in practice it can be had easily and - at the moment, without knowledge of any particular "tricks" or techniques - much cheaper than almost any scenario that gets DJ Gold (retain or qualify first time).

 

[antycbr]

It's not entirely clear on the Velocity Rewards website (as it appears in one place but not in the other), but if you could earn a status bonus on top of that, then that is even better. And status bonuses on DJ count to both redeemable points and status credits. For example, if you get an extra 40% in status credits from DJ Gold, that is 30,800 status credits (and redeemable points) from the example given above.

I'm confused by this too but here's hoping! The information on the status bonus page for gold seems pretty clear cut, but then the actual airline page for EY makes no mention.

Perhaps it's time for DJ to have the monster that QF have - the Airline Earning Table. One for each tier would be lovely thanks.

 

[samh004]

I'm going to do SYD-LHR return on EY in economy, which by my calculations is ~22,000 miles, booked in class M, which gives you silver straight away at a 1:1 ratio. Etihad is a good earner!

I guess in that sense Velocity is a good program, as you could do 2 returns plus a few domestic for Gold, but you wouldn’t manage to achieve the same on QF, even with full economy fares… although it’d be close.

 

[jsd]

On the note of earning status based on how much $$$ you send DJ's way the qualification/re-qualification amounts are:

Red -> Silver = $4000
Red -> Gold = $9,000

Silver -> Gold = $8333.33 :mrgreen:

Gold Requal = $7142.85


Miles based earning on DJ is a whole different ball game, as all of the partners have different earn rates and some to not accrue SCs at all


***400 Posts***

 

[medhead]

On the note of earning status based on how much $$$ you send DJ's way the qualification/re-qualification amounts are:

Red -> Silver = $4000
Red -> Gold = $10,000

Silver -> Gold = $8333.33 :mrgreen:

Gold Requal = $7142.85

***400 Posts***

Red to gold will be closer to $9000 as you will get to silver along the way.

400 posts

 

[jsd]

Red to gold will be closer to $9000 as you will get to silver along the way.

400 posts

You are right, last post updated

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Re: Gaining and Maintaining Velocity Status

Plus another bonus with VB domestic, is you achieve the points for the dollar spend without being limited to the fare type purchased. So for me, short haul flights are always "best fare" I can find (I pay my own fares unfortunately) and given many of my trips are into regionals that Qantas services codeshare with Jetstar, I'd recieve no points with Jetstar, but I do with VB.

Also, the Jetstar only routes are a real PITA for those wishing to go PE. No such luck, whereas Virgin you can (although I note most don't with nearly all PE seats vacant).

 

[Aus ATC]

I am a recent (Status Matched to Gold) convert to VB and Velocity. My employer has moved to a "best fare of the day" policy, which can see me flying with either QFA or VB, and sometimes both on 1 day. It will be a challenge to maintain WP with Qantas and SG with Velocity - the saving grace being that usually the trip home is booked "flexible" - so full economy SCs with Qantas, or extra $$ with Virgin.

We shall see if I can maintain both!!

 

[antycbr]

I've noticed in most semi-government organisations that saying you are flying on DJ is enough - people just assume its BFOD... from an organisation with 100+ paid Qantas club members, let alone SG/WP/CL, and not a single DJ lounge member.