Is Velocity almost defunct for long-haul business class rewards?

[andrewpf]

I have previously used Velocity points to book flights to/from Europe and Asia (Etihad and also Singapore Airlines), as well as to the US (on VA metal when it was available, and also more recently on United before availability disappeared).

Today, if I'm wanting to book long-haul business class with Velocity, United basically has nothing, and Singapore Airlines and Air Canada have extremely limited inventory. Etihad is gone, and while there is plenty of Qatar inventory (inc VA flights) with the Middle East conflict heating up again its really a toss up whether its safe (both in a literal sense, and in the sense it could get cancelled at short notice - acknowledging Etihad would have similar issues if it was still in the program). It seems the only airline that is providing long-haul business class redemptions reliably for Velocity is ANA?

I realise I can transfer points to Krisflyer, but the value loss is quite significant. At this point (as a credit card earner, and business flyer that is allowed to choose either Qantas or Virgin) I really wonder if it is still worth earning Velocity points given my preferred use is long-haul business class (aside from flights to Japan), or its time to flee to Qantas after all these years?

 

[Steven of Bali]

I have previously used Velocity points to book flights to/from Europe and Asia (Etihad and also Singapore Airlines), as well as to the US (on VA metal when it was available, and also more recently on United before availability disappeared).

Today, if I'm wanting to book long-haul business class with Velocity, United basically has nothing, and Singapore Airlines and Air Canada have extremely limited inventory. Etihad is gone, and while there is plenty of Qatar inventory (inc VA flights) with the Middle East conflict heating up again its really a toss up whether its safe (both in a literal sense, and in the sense it could get cancelled at short notice - acknowledging Etihad would have similar issues if it was still in the program). It seems the only airline that is providing long-haul business class redemptions reliably for Velocity is ANA?

I realise I can transfer points to Krisflyer, but the value loss is quite significant. At this point (as a credit card earner, and business flyer that is allowed to choose either Qantas or Virgin) I really wonder if it is still worth earning Velocity points given my preferred use is long-haul business class (aside from flights to Japan), or its time to flee to Qantas after all these years?

You don't mention when you plan to travel. I have managed to use my Velocity points on SIA J class without much trouble, with a bit of planning.

 

[levelnine]

The value of VA for long-haul J has definitely reduced due to the issues you've mentioned above.

How much greener the grass is on the other side is, of course, another question. It's a tough time for award redemptions with the challenges of flying through the Middle East, a huge source of capacity for long-haul travel to/from Australia. That's put a strain on awards to alternative ports through Asia.

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

The changes made by UA to prioritise their own elites/CC holders for J reward seats has basically nuked all J availability for partners, not just VA. AC has always been hit and miss in this space, but seems even rarer these days. Unfortunately VA doesn't have the clout or connections to get UA to play any nicer to Velocity members though.
Agree with others that the grass is probably not much greener on the QF side of things though.
I wouldn't mind if VA went back to DL, considering they don't have an Australian partner any more...

 

[markis10]

VA to DPS then $3000 cash J fare to Europe may make more sense for you moving forward.

 

[MELso]

VA to DPS then $3000 cash J fare to Europe may make more sense for you moving forward.

Velocity was pretty good for QR/VA wet least J to Europe, but this was their only real strength. Far better to see what deals from DPS exist (although finding options out of DPS that don't go through the Middle East is a challenge).

 

[bam71]

We can ask as many questions as we like … do Bain Capital care is the issue I think.

 

[andrewpf]

You don't mention when you plan to travel. I have managed to use my Velocity points on SIA J class without much trouble, with a bit of planning.

I try to be flexible and look at the options that are available and what can slot in with work.

 

[Mattg]

If all else fails, you at least have the option to convert your Velocity points into KrisFlyer miles and book on Singapore Airlines or Star Alliance.

 

[downgraded]

I have previously used Velocity points to book flights to/from Europe and Asia (Etihad and also Singapore Airlines), as well as to the US (on VA metal when it was available, and also more recently on United before availability disappeared).

Today, if I'm wanting to book long-haul business class with Velocity, United basically has nothing, and Singapore Airlines and Air Canada have extremely limited inventory. Etihad is gone, and while there is plenty of Qatar inventory (inc VA flights) with the Middle East conflict heating up again its really a toss up whether its safe (both in a literal sense, and in the sense it could get cancelled at short notice - acknowledging Etihad would have similar issues if it was still in the program). It seems the only airline that is providing long-haul business class redemptions reliably for Velocity is ANA?

I realise I can transfer points to Krisflyer, but the value loss is quite significant. At this point (as a credit card earner, and business flyer that is allowed to choose either Qantas or Virgin) I really wonder if it is still worth earning Velocity points given my preferred use is long-haul business class (aside from flights to Japan), or its time to flee to Qantas after all these years?

No more defunct than QFF is for most members for the same. Pretty much a dead product when it comes to a reasonable redemption rate for the cost of the earn..

 

[SYD]

No more defunct than QFF is for most members for the same. Pretty much a dead product when it comes to a reasonable redemption rate for the cost of the earn..

I’m trying to run down my residual stash of VA points (~325k points plus potential FB transfer) and it hasn’t looked good. Zero plan to otherwise top those up so I’m keen to get that balance to zero ASAP and walk away.

Much more options with QFF. At least points to CGK (rather than DPS) is lie flat with similarly cheap onward options to Europe.

 

[moa999]

do Bain Capital care is the issue I think.

They certainly should care if the general public ser the perceived value of a VFF point falling.

 

[markis10]

I don’t have any real issues at present, was able to get J with SQ to HKG next week booking this week.

 

[fkcn]

I’ve still been able to get Qatar J flights to Europe if booked very far in advance, but SQ J to Europe seems almost impossible, mostly PE class at best.

 

[TMP]

The game is much, much harder. All of the above plus the changes imminent with credit cards.

I'm working through my points with whatever makes best sense e.g. Y return in SIA to Malaysia, Y in UA New York - London at Christmas.

Have pretty much given up on J to Europe.

The game isn't as fun any more that's for sure.

 

[andrewpf]

If all else fails, you at least have the option to convert your Velocity points into KrisFlyer miles and book on Singapore Airlines or Star Alliance.

True, but going forward, for this kind of redemption am I better to continue to earn Velocity points and covert to Krisflyer (losing value in the conversion along the way); or to switch to Qantas and have access to its One World partners?

 

[fkcn]

Partly depends where you want to fly. If Europe, I can usually find some availability for Qatar via VFF (easier than Qatar itself using Avios) and SQ directly, ideally with cheaper Saver fares, accepting the VFF to KF conversion hit. Qantas to Europe on CR fare seems nigh on impossible these days except on Emirates with huge fees/taxes.

 

[Human]

I realise I can transfer points to Krisflyer, but the value loss is quite significant.

I wonder whether you're looking at this the right way.

You lose about 35% of the number of points when you transfer from Velocity to KrisFlyer, but (and admittedly this is just my guesstimate) Velocity points are at least twice as easy to accumulate in Australia.

When you're looking at whether something is worthwhile in the points game, you need to look at it from the perspective both of how many points you need to redeem awards, and how easy it is to accumulate the points in the first place. From that perspective, transferring (relatively) easily-earned points from Velocity to KrisFlyer is a fantastic use of Velocity points.

Example: if I take up a credit card with a sign-up bonus of 80,000 Velocity points, I'm thinking that it's actually a sign-up bonus of 50,000 (ish) KrisFlyer points. And who wouldn't be happy with a credit card sign-up bonus of 50,000 KrisFlyer points?

To sweeten the deal, Krisflyer doesn't have Velocity's high carrier charges.

And to sweeten the deal even more, I can keep those points in Velocity for as long as I like and circumvent the KrisFlyer 3-year expiry.

 

[Mattg]

True, but going forward, for this kind of redemption am I better to continue to earn Velocity points and covert to Krisflyer (losing value in the conversion along the way); or to switch to Qantas and have access to its One World partners?

Why lock yourself into one of those two options now? Depending on how you're earning your points, could you be using a flexible points program (such as Amex Membership Rewards) and transfer into whichever is the best program, as needed?

 

[Saab34]

The valuation of Velocity relies on the International redemption relationships doesn’t it?