Is it worth trying for Gold?

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Ozliz

Junior Member
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Nov 9, 2015
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So my travel ground to a halt last March and after changing jobs during COVID I have no expectations of much more travel for the next 6 months at least - possibly longer depending on COVID. When travel ground to a halt I was one eligible flight short of Velocity gold and a few status credits short of Qantas silver. The Qantas is long lost as the status credits expired and with no future travel plans I’ve accepted I’ll need to work back up when the world changes in the future... and maybe workplace travel picks up again.

For velocity I thought I was going to make gold on a recent leisure weekend getaway but realised that, while my status credits don’t expire for another month, my eligible flights expired a day before that trip so I’m once again one flight short. Most of my status was earned flying Etihad international so that’s all about to be lost (I wish they could at least count to lifetime status).

My question is a ‘what would you do’?

1. accept only having silver for another year with no chance of anything higher with limited travel plans. I would enjoy the 2 complimentary lounge passes when I do finally make another trip away knowing that the status bonus points aren’t worth much if not travelling neither is gold worth much if travel is unlikely. And the lounges are not all open and they aren’t that good at the moment!

2. call and beg for gold noting that their app originally said I had until Feb 2021 to fly that extra flight - which turned out not to be accurate info as that was actually when the status credits expired and didn’t take into account the dates of the previous eligible flights before COVID cancelled all my remaining booked flights. Also I missed the date of expiry of last year’s flights by literally one day so I feel like there might be a case to get the gold credited anyway and it never hurts to politely ask - but I’ve seen getting through on phone lines is hard and is it really worth the effort if it’s not guaranteed?

3. find a reason to take another weekend away before the status credits expire - hey I’ve still got a tiny amount of future flight credit and maybe things will improve so I can make the most of having gold after all. Although flight schedules are very limited and prices very high compared to what I’m used to paying for this option. Might not be worth the expense if I’m not going to be able to use the gold status anyway and silver does have some benefit - possibly enough given the limited lounge offerings and openings at the moment.

I’d love some thoughts from other keen status collectors as my family doesn’t travel and don’t really get the appreciation for lounge entry etc that is the primary benefit from gold status I’ve used in the past.
 
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I wouldn't do the Sector run unless I was going to really enjoy the trip. Pretty sure I could make better use of the $s at airport or elsewhere
I'd try the polite request though as little to lose except some time
 
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I'd hold tight with borders opening and shutting not worth the $$$ at the moment.
Once vaccinations start, three months after will be a good time to assess matters.
 
how does one gift gold membership? i have 600 and something odd status credits just sitting there wasting away im already plat....
 
how does one gift gold membership?
 
how does one gift gold membership? i have 600 and something odd status credits just sitting there wasting away im already plat....
Not knowing your full circumstances but as I read it you are WP and have 600 maybe since you rolled over? To gift gold you need 1300SC in your current status year. I have given VA SG x2 on this site and VA WP this time last year.

The VA rules are confusing at the best of times.
 
On an aside to the original question, why aren't Velocity offering any SC earn on the ground options? Qantas has had BP, red energy, woolworths all providing a way a of collecting 10-30 SCs and keeping accounts ticking over and members engaged - to be best of my knowledge, there isn't even any bonus SCs with Velocity credit card offers at present?
 
On an aside to the original question, why aren't Velocity offering any SC earn on the ground options? Qantas has had BP, red energy, woolworths all providing a way a of collecting 10-30 SCs and keeping accounts ticking over and members engaged - to be best of my knowledge, there isn't even any bonus SCs with Velocity credit card offers at present?
Flybuys does. I think it is only on Coles spend.
 
Agree with most others, wouldn't bother right now.

I'm sure VA2 will be desperate to attract more business when our state premiers stop shutting domestic borders randomly and there is more certaintly.

I predict loads of status related offers from them later.
 
I have some flights booked CBR-ADL in early March with Virgin in Business to qualify for the Gold status match (currently QF Platinum). With the Qantas announcement today of improved food and and free booze, in economy, I am seriously thinking about cancelling the VA flights, foregoing the status match and rebooking with Qantas in economy... My decision will likely depend on if the new Adelaide lounge is open by March and if VA improves its business food offering by then...
 
Another question about Virgin Gold .... I read somewhere that gold flyers with Virgin have lounge access on arrival. Can anyone confirm or contradict this? Thanks!
 
Another question about Virgin Gold .... I read somewhere that gold flyers with Virgin have lounge access on arrival. Can anyone confirm or contradict this? Thanks!
As per Virgin Australia's Lounge T&C's

5.3 Access on arrival

(a) Subject to space availability, Members, Velocity Platinum Members, Velocity Gold Members, their Invited Guests and Business Class Guests may access the Lounge in their arrival port immediately upon arrival with a Virgin Australia itinerary or boarding pass that is eligible for the day of travel. The use of the Lounge in the destination port is available to these Guests for up to 60 minutes immediately after their flight arrival. The Lounge at Wellington International Terminal is excluded from the access on arrival benefit.


Personally, never had issues entering their lounges post-flight. :)
 
As per Virgin Australia's Lounge T&C's

5.3 Access on arrival

(a) Subject to space availability, Members, Velocity Platinum Members, Velocity Gold Members, their Invited Guests and Business Class Guests may access the Lounge in their arrival port immediately upon arrival with a Virgin Australia itinerary or boarding pass that is eligible for the day of travel. The use of the Lounge in the destination port is available to these Guests for up to 60 minutes immediately after their flight arrival. The Lounge at Wellington International Terminal is excluded from the access on arrival benefit.


Personally, never had issues entering their lounges post-flight. :)

Thanks mate!
 
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