Is International Virgin Reward availability now worse that QANTAS?

[Alanslegal]

Agreed Alan, my point is that I used to be able to get single J seats on VA very easily and more seats than that with some forward planning. Right now it's next to impossible to even get a single seat and there's no real transparency on how long that will last. I wish SQ and EY flew a more direct route to the West Coast! I was thinking of changing to AA points as they do seem very good value to me.

Given that Velocity points is currently been given out in the tens of thousands with many credit cards (example, the recent American Express card when many people were getting hundred's of thousands of points, myself included) and now NAB wants to hand out 60,000 bonus points with their card - seems like every Australian has Velocity points to burn, which means seats are definitely going to be harder to get going forward. Not just VA seats though, as SQ available seats (same reasons as above) will likely dwindle in the months to come.

 

[Jaian]

Not just VA seats though, as SQ available seats (same reasons as above) will likely dwindle in the months to come.

That's unfortunate. I joined Velocity FF recently specifically to redeem SQ flights

 

[Ben6]

That's unfortunate. I joined Velocity FF recently specifically to redeem SQ flights

I'm not convinced that these bonus points are going to affect SQ redemptions to be honest. There's a lot of capacity in the SQ network and after the 1.35:1 conversion, even the 100K bonus will only get you 1 decent LH F or J flight on SQ. I have routed a trip home from the USA through SQ thanks to literally no seats on any flight on VA and had no trouble getting F and/or J seats on SQ and it's a 3 leg journey!

There are many others on this forum who redeem SQ flights far more frequently than me and I haven't heard any rumblings about reduced availability. VA on the other hand is currently pathetic and I'm sure the bonus points are only making things worse.

To be fair, domestic J seats still seem OK but I don't use them much.

 

[Jaian]

Ah thanks Ben6, that's much better to hear! All my holidays revolve around Asia (usually Singapore or through Singapore), so SQ flights are my goal.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

I'm not convinced that these bonus points are going to affect SQ redemptions to be honest. There's a lot of capacity in the SQ network and after the 1.35:1 conversion, even the 100K bonus will only get you 1 decent LH F or J flight on SQ. I have routed a trip home from the USA through SQ thanks to literally no seats on any flight on VA and had no trouble getting F and/or J seats on SQ and it's a 3 leg journey!

There are many others on this forum who redeem SQ flights far more frequently than me and I haven't heard any rumblings about reduced availability. VA on the other hand is currently pathetic and I'm sure the bonus points are only making things worse.

To be fair, domestic J seats still seem OK but I don't use them much.

I agree – 100,000 points doesn't get you as far as you think. I can't imagine this alone is causing the reduced availability.

There was this this thread recently on SQ availability if you want some anecdotal data points: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....sflyer/sq-award-space-what-happend-71259.html

 

[aspro2]

I'm really curious about something here: how many of you who have observed poor availability have called Virgin to see if anything more is available off-website so to speak? Most reports here seem to just be talking about what can be seen on the website.

 

[CJEMNMAC]

I'm really curious about something here: how many of you who have observed poor availability have called Virgin to see if anything more is available off-website so to speak? Most reports here seem to just be talking about what can be seen on the website.

One of the affected routes most people have been referring to here is SYD/BNE - LAX specifically in VA metal..I have asked many times regarding J seats and call centre seem as surprised as most and refer you back to the website quoting " the inventory is the same as we see ".

 

[pauly7]

I'm really curious about something here: how many of you who have observed poor availability have called Virgin to see if anything more is available off-website so to speak? Most reports here seem to just be talking about what can be seen on the website.

VA staff know nothing and just report back zero avails - just like your browser does... Good thought though

 

[justcallmeryan]

One of the affected routes most people have been referring to here is SYD/BNE - LAX specifically in VA metal..I have asked many times regarding J seats and call centre seem as surprised as most and refer you back to the website quoting " the inventory is the same as we see ".

I've received this message from them a few times. The platinum hot line seem very surprised at the lack of availability that far out.

 

[VAG newbie]

Further bad news! It appears that VA is blocking EY awards as well! It's worse than LM now. Whatever you can't see online you can't book, even though it's showing on Etihad Guest Seat.

I have a friend who HUACA 3 times, all got the same response!

With no availability to LAX, limited space on Etihad, I think it's time to say sayonara to Velocity. (After transferring all my remaining points to KF) Next year we should vote it as the worst FFP in Australasia (wait! There is NZ's airpoint! We just have all the world's worst program in the region!)

 

[mlob]

Wow. That really is bad news regarding etihad. :-(
If that is true and one can't rely on etihad guest for availability then how is one to book a first class seat if they wish for example. As they are not shown on the velocity site.

 

[incumbent]

Further bad news! It appears that VA is blocking EY awards as well!

There have been temporary communication problems in the past that have prevented (say) booking EY awards using AA points. So short of further evidence, I reckon it's too soon to conclude that VA is actively and deliberately blocking awards.

 

[razors_girl23]

I just emailed feedback to Virgin about this very issue. I'm platinum, but not a typical FF (I'm just a swimming instructor who has status due to lots of domestic travel and a couple of big trips in the last two years coupled with family pooling). I can't just fork out money to pay for a J fare myself. It would be about 2/3 of my yearly income! My husband and I are planning a cruise out of Seattle next year and I don't think it's too much to ask to be able to find a couple of J (or even Y+) reward seats to LAX with flexible dates in Sep-Oct next year. I'm rarely disappointed in VA, but this has really upset me. I have a phobia of flying, so being in Y just doesn't cut it for me. I would never make it 14 hours in those seats without losing my marbles.

 

[grilled_cheeze]

Following on from this thread, and looking to book a couple of J reward seats to/from LAX next year myself, I thought I'd have a look through for myself at how the availability is looking for next year.

While there are a few flights scattered throughout the year (particularly from BNE) to LAX, it's a little different flying back to Australia. I could only find one date for the entire 2016 calendar for a J reward seat for LAX-BNE nothing at all for LAX-SYD. To me that seems pretty terrible.

Surely, more seats will be released......?

 

[razors_girl23]

I posted on the Velocity FB page about this issue and someone replied with the following -

"I just spoke to the team at Velocity and got a very informative person who explained it. They said that the VA revenue team have not yet released seats for SYD or BNE to LAX for 2016. They have no idea when, they are not told when, and it's simply a matter of when they appear you can book. I appreciated the honesty of the answer."

 

[Fiches Mouser]

I posted on the Velocity FB page about this issue and someone replied with the following -

"I just spoke to the team at Velocity and got a very informative person who explained it. They said that the VA revenue team have not yet released seats for SYD or BNE to LAX for 2016. They have no idea when, they are not told when, and it's simply a matter of when they appear you can book. I appreciated the honesty of the answer."

Interesting. Seems a bit late to be loading availability – it's only a few months away.

But I guess the J/PE refit will change cabin capacities.

Would be great to get the VFF rep to give us an update.

 

[rtyuiop]

I posted on the Velocity FB page about this issue and someone replied with the following -

"I just spoke to the team at Velocity and got a very informative person who explained it. They said that the VA revenue team have not yet released seats for SYD or BNE to LAX for 2016. They have no idea when, they are not told when, and it's simply a matter of when they appear you can book. I appreciated the honesty of the answer."

Well, I guess that answers the question in the post subject... Yes, yes it is...

 

[serfty]

I posted on the Velocity FB page about this issue and someone replied with the following -

"I just spoke to the team at Velocity and got a very informative person who explained it. They said that the VA revenue team have not yet released seats for SYD or BNE to LAX for 2016. They have no idea when, they are not told when, and it's simply a matter of when they appear you can book. I appreciated the honesty of the answer."

Hmm ... I can see at least one seat BNE/SYD-LAX on AUG 3, 9, 10, 11 &17, JUL 13, 19, 20, 26, 27 & 28 & JUN 8.

Other way, JUN 22, JUL 26, AUG 2, 9 11, 15, 16 & 22.

As posted upthread, start looking at Tue, Thu & (some) Wed departures, 10 months out.

 

[grilled_cheeze]

Cheers serfty!

Definitely weren't there yesterday!

Much appreciated

 

[coolkid101]

an update on award availability courtesy of pointhacks

Velocity new Business Class award availability to Los Angeles