Gold!

[Guile99]

Hi guys

Sorry for a few more questions..

I just turned Gold (hurrah) and will be platinum by the end of the year so a few questions:

1.) if i take up the HH offer, i take it it will be valid for 12 months from when i apply?

2.) If i hit platinum, does that mean it will take me at least 3 years before i head back down to Red? (just out of curiosity)

3.) If i take up the HH offer as a Gold, and then turn platinum, how does that change my HH level? Shall i wait till i hit platinum to go diamond (Im an SPG boy anyways so unlikely ill manage to keep HH gold/platinum for too long)

4.) When overseas and accessing partner lounges, if i show them my old Vel Red card, are they gonna be able to access the system and see I'm actually Gold or they just go by the card? I take it they can access it and double check (could be using an expired gold card). I prefer the colour red thats all... i know.. weird like that..

5.) if i want to get an upgraded seat from flexi to prem econ, i gather the general consensus is to call the hotline before booking anything and check that upgrade seats are available first then do it all over the phone?

Thanks!

 

[mella2007]

A few of the answers for you

Hi guys

Sorry for a few more questions..

I just turned Gold (hurrah) and will be platinum by the end of the year so a few questions:

1.) if i take up the HH offer, i take it it will be valid for 12 months from when i apply?

From memory they give you around 15 months the first time around (when I took up the offer in Aug of last year, it expires March 2013)


2.) If i hit platinum, does that mean it will take me at least 3 years before i head back down to Red? (just out of curiosity)

Yes i think so

3.) If i take up the HH offer as a Gold, and then turn platinum, how does that change my HH level? Shall i wait till i hit platinum to go diamond (Im an SPG boy anyways so unlikely ill manage to keep HH gold/platinum for too long)

Gold benefits are good, but Platinums are guaranteed...I am not sure how this works

4.) When overseas and accessing partner lounges, if i show them my old Vel Red card, are they gonna be able to access the system and see I'm actually Gold or they just go by the card? I take it they can access it and double check (could be using an expired gold card). I prefer the colour red thats all... i know.. weird like that..

If the card has expired they often (especially with Etihad codeshare) won't process it

5.) if i want to get an upgraded seat from flexi to prem econ, i gather the general consensus is to call the hotline before booking anything and check that upgrade seats are available first then do it all over the phone?

If you have points to upgrade from Flexi to to Business you can do via the phone. Don't waste points or money on any flights showing Premium Economy as it's not worth it. Once you hit Platinum you'll get 4 comps per year for domestic which must be redeemed via the call centre. You cannot use these for international sectors.

Thanks!

 

[tuapekastar]

Hi guys

Sorry for a few more questions..

I just turned Gold (hurrah) and will be platinum by the end of the year so a few questions:

1.) if i take up the HH offer, i take it it will be valid for 12 months from when i apply?

2.) If i hit platinum, does that mean it will take me at least 3 years before i head back down to Red? (just out of curiosity)

3.) If i take up the HH offer as a Gold, and then turn platinum, how does that change my HH level? Shall i wait till i hit platinum to go diamond (Im an SPG boy anyways so unlikely ill manage to keep HH gold/platinum for too long)

4.) When overseas and accessing partner lounges, if i show them my old Vel Red card, are they gonna be able to access the system and see I'm actually Gold or they just go by the card? I take it they can access it and double check (could be using an expired gold card). I prefer the colour red thats all... i know.. weird like that..

5.) if i want to get an upgraded seat from flexi to prem econ, i gather the general consensus is to call the hotline before booking anything and check that upgrade seats are available first then do it all over the phone?

Thanks!

Congrats...well done!

1) Yes and no. I accepted my offer in Dec 2011 (had stay in Jan 2012 I wanted covered), which gave me HH Diamond till Mar 2013. Some who took the offer in Jan 2012 got the status till Mar 2014. So waiting until early in the new year may be beneficial. In either case, the terms stated that you must have 4 stays in the first 6 months of HH membership in order to keep the match. I don't know if this was tested by anybody.

2) yes, according to the T&C's you will drop one level each time you don't meet the requirements to maintain your existing level.

3) I think once you've matched, the two programs operate independently of each other.

4) I don't know. I think it would be sensible to carry the current card.

5) Whatever upgrade method you use, if it is dependent on available inventory, then I would a) make my flexi booking online right up till the 'pulling the trigger', b) call the service line and check whether the correct inventory for the upgrade is available c) if so, ask them to hold while you complete the booking online, then d) give them the reference number and have them complete the upgrade there and then, all on the one call.

 

[Guile99]

Thanks guys, that was really helpful.

Will wait till Plat and get Diamond when it happens. seems more sensible that way.

Another question:

It seems that i can get flight upgrades with Virgin australia (and samoa) only and not with partner airlines..

but can get reward flights with both Virgin Australia And partner flights?

Is it more cost effective to upgrade with flexi fare or just get a reward outright? or does that just depend on route etc?

Thanks!