Guaranteed Economy Reward Seats for up to 4 guests

[Edge]

Hi, I'm a long-time VA platinum and looking to use this benefit for 4 pax from MEL-MCY-MEL.

I called their call centre and had a 45 minute chat with someone who kept changing the rules. At first they said if there is any reward availability within two months then it can't be used. I told him that sounds ridiculous. He went back and said there has to be no reward availability within three days for it to be used. I've scoured the Velocity website and cannot find anywhere where it says anything about reward seats being available within any amount of days that the benefit can't be used, let alone 3 days. I asked them to point me in the direction of where it says that in the terms and conditions on the web and they couldn't.

While I was on the phone I did a search of dates and there was no reward availability for 4 pax within three days either side of my requested date, so even if the three-day rule is there, why couldn't they proceed with booking?

Absolute waste of time. I will try again when I have more and escalate. Would appreciate if anyone can shed any light. Thanks.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi, I'm a long-time VA platinum and looking to use this benefit for 4 pax from MEL-MCY-MEL.

I called their call centre and had a 45 minute chat with someone who kept changing the rules. At first they said if there is any reward availability within two months then it can't be used. I told him that sounds ridiculous. He went back and said there has to be no reward availability within three days for it to be used. I've scoured the Velocity website and cannot find anywhere where it says anything about reward seats being available within any amount of days that the benefit can't be used, let alone 3 days. I asked them to point me in the direction of where it says that in the terms and conditions on the web and they couldn't.

While I was on the phone I did a search of dates and there was no reward availability for 4 pax within three days either side of my requested date, so even if the three-day rule is there, why couldn't they proceed with booking?

Absolute waste of time. I will try again when I have more and escalate. Would appreciate if anyone can shed any light. Thanks.

Thems the rules!

8. BENEFITS FOR STATUS MEMBERS

8.1 Guaranteed Economy Reward Seats for up to 4 guests – Platinum Plus and Platinum members

Platinum Plus and Platinum members can make one Reward Seat booking in each Benefit Period, for up to 4 guests, to fly on an Economy class return flight, either on an Australian domestic or short haul international flight marketed and operated by Virgin Australia with a VA flight number, subject to these rules:

• Platinum Plus and Platinum members must be travelling on the booked flight and the Points must be redeemed from their Velocity account.
• Platinum Plus and Platinum members must contact the Membership Contact Centre to request a booking and advise desired departure and return dates, destination and number of guests. The booking must be made at least 6 months prior to the desired departure date and allow one day for Virgin Australia domestic flights (3 days for international flights) either side of the desired departure and return dates. We can choose the flight date, time and route at our discretion but will consider your desired travel plans.

Terms and Conditions

This explains the definition, applicable terms, related changes and terms related to membership, velocity pin, velocity estrore, family pooling, redeeming points, status credit, member benefit,tax, fees, charges and other related things

www.velocityfrequentflyer.com

The ‘no availability within three days either sadie’ is how it works in default. Because if there is availability within those three days, they’ll make you book that rather than invoking the guarantee.

 

[Happy Dude]

I guess if you want to travel on high demand flights, say a Sunday or Friday night, then they're happy to give you Saturday or Monday which are likely to be in less demand, and you probably could booked anyway

Pointless "benefit" really, pretending to be otherwise. It should be more like the QF WP call up to get rewards seats released when there are none available to book online. That's a benefit.

 

[Edge]

Thems the rules!

8. BENEFITS FOR STATUS MEMBERS

8.1 Guaranteed Economy Reward Seats for up to 4 guests – Platinum Plus and Platinum members

Platinum Plus and Platinum members can make one Reward Seat booking in each Benefit Period, for up to 4 guests, to fly on an Economy class return flight, either on an Australian domestic or short haul international flight marketed and operated by Virgin Australia with a VA flight number, subject to these rules:

• Platinum Plus and Platinum members must be travelling on the booked flight and the Points must be redeemed from their Velocity account.
• Platinum Plus and Platinum members must contact the Membership Contact Centre to request a booking and advise desired departure and return dates, destination and number of guests. The booking must be made at least 6 months prior to the desired departure date and allow one day for Virgin Australia domestic flights (3 days for international flights) either side of the desired departure and return dates. We can choose the flight date, time and route at our discretion but will consider your desired travel plans.

Terms and Conditions

This explains the definition, applicable terms, related changes and terms related to membership, velocity pin, velocity estrore, family pooling, redeeming points, status credit, member benefit,tax, fees, charges and other related things

www.velocityfrequentflyer.com

The ‘no availability within three days either sadie’ is how it works in default. Because if there is availability within those three days, they’ll make you book that rather than invoking the guarantee.

Yeah, those are the rules I was looking at. No mention of any days or availabilities.

The dates I'm looking at don't have any reward availability either side for 3 days, so can't understand what the problem is with getting them booked.

 

[im.daniel]

This is the worst 'perk' from VA, they might as well scrap it. Completely useless, too much red tape, staff haven't a clue.

I asked for a ADL-MEL once >6mo in advance during an uber peak period. Best they could come up with was ADL-SYD-MEL 1 day before (because there was reward seat availability).

Suffice it to say I called up QF to request a WP seat release for the day I wanted - done in 10min.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yeah, those are the rules I was looking at. No mention of any days or availabilities.

The dates I'm looking at don't have any reward availability either side for 3 days, so can't understand what the problem is with getting them booked.

For domestic it’s one day either side.

Should be bookable under the terms and conditions.

But they of course will pick the day and time