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

[BriarFlyer]

I'm looking at award fights from Athens back to MEL/SYD or BNE next October. I can currently see J seats from Athens to Doha but then nothing back to Australia.

I've also been watching Europe-Australia in October and, from what I've observed, there's been nothing on VA-numbered flights released (unless I'm really, really slow at release time!) And the QR flights are long-gone to Avios, this being school holidays. Best I could do was to DPS but I decided to hold out as this wasn't the best date for my needs and I'm hoping there will be a "delayed" release on VA flights.

 

[dvt]

I've also been watching Europe-Australia in October and, from what I've observed, there's been nothing on VA-numbered flights released (unless I'm really, really slow at release time!) And the QR flights are long-gone to Avios, this being school holidays. Best I could do was to DPS but I decided to hold out as this wasn't the best date for my needs and I'm hoping there will be a "delayed" release on VA flights.

I hadn't thought about DPS, will keep this in mind given I ultimately need to get to CNS

 

[rurounimaikeru]

I booked 2 x J for MEL-DOH-IST on VA7 for May 2027 at around T-330.
Then when I went to book 2 x J for ATH-DOH-MEL on VA8 for June 2027, I couldn't get my preferred dates, but was able to shift my whole trip earlier by 1 week and managed to still get both outbound and inbound flights.

Generally, I found that the DOH-MEL legs had pretty limited availability. Sometimes via Perth or DPS had better options. VA7/VA8 were always more available than the QR code flights and tended to release 1 day later.

I'm not sure whether more likely to become available, but wouldn't count on it. Might need to book Y and look out for J later on if have flexibility.

Also, I often found the website wouldn't price correctly and/or wouldn't show a full ATH-DOH-MEL connection even if separate flights were available. If you can see them, you can call Virgin and they'll ticket together. Just make sure it prices correctly as it should be fewer points than just 2 individual segments.

If you are booking over phone though you have to call during business hours not when they get released at 12 midnight.

Good luck!