Is Velocity worth it for mostly International travel?

[Robbietenor]

Currently Velocity Platinum and no status with anyone else, however have 100scs with Qantas and will probably do 10 domestic trips through work with them this year.

Im currently living in Germany and am doing 5 return trips to Australia this year (either Y or Y+ depending on the finances) - is sticking with Velocity to keep platinum worth it for this travel routine? I will probably do another 10 domestic trips on my own money which I will inevitably book VA but can rarely afford the flexi fares to use the free upgrades. Ive never been terribly impressed with Etihad's Y product and find the dates for Virgin's own flights to Abu Dhabi hard to make work. I also cant seem to ever book Y+ even when i do find the VA 29 or 30 flights...

Flying FRA - MEL on Qantas Y+ for the first time in March and can easily reach Gold with Qantas this year if I book another International trip with them. Would it better to have two Gold cards or just the Velocity Platinum?

Thanks everybody.

 

[grubbidok]

If you're in Germany you could probably look at BA Avios too instead of QFF. It's not allowed with an Australian address but Germany is fine. A SYD-MEL is only 4500 points with lower taxes than a QF redemption. Car rental (which I assume you'll need on your trips back to Oz) at Avis gets you 500 points each rental minimum, with a 750 bonus after four rentals - way better than most. BA has a pretty good European network too.

Note that there is only a 500 points minimum guarantee for QF flights though (v. 1000 on VA). It's probably not the best for LDN-OZ redemptions though either (though partner redemptions are much cheaper than BA ones), but a few international trips could net you enough to cover all or most of your domestic instead. Also be aware that with the new QF/EK arrangement, unless you're on the QF-metal QF flights (i.e. none of the EK ones) I believe you can't upgrade anyway. No more FRA from mid this year and severely limited LDN flights too.

SQ may be a redemption or partner option for VA if you're not keen on EK. FWIW I do this as they generally offer better status credit earns for less price over even VA or EK.

VA's lack of a European partner is a major weakness though, none of your internal European flights will count. I'm essentially 'wasting' flights LDN-DUS, ZRH-LDN, CDG-KEF-CDG in the next few months, as VA has no partner. A few points and SCs will trickle into my QFF, but I won't get status beyond Silver with them this year (currently Gold). I'm seriously considering BA Avios myself as a secondary redemption account to get rid of QFF, only I need to find an OS 'home'.

 

[Robbietenor]

Thanks for the info...ill check out BA. Not looking forward to the emirates/qf unless it makes y+ more affordable, i cant even seem to book y+ on the velocity website atm.

Im interested in trying CA's y+ product as it seems well priced. I dont traveldomestically enough to justify lufthansa etc...

 

[KCMil]

Also worth considering future changes expected to Velocity. It is said that they are moving to a much easier upgrade system in the near future. I was directly told last week that it is expected that you will be able to upgrade right up to commencement of boarding and from any fare class. They stressed that this means even saver lite to J, obviously more points required. And the intro of more flexibility into upgrades for INTL sectors to increase the burn rate on points.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Thanks for the info...ill check out BA. Not looking forward to the emirates/qf unless it makes y+ more affordable, i cant even seem to book y+ on the velocity website atm.

I'm interested in trying CA's y+ product as it seems well priced. I don't travel domestically enough to justify Lufthansa etc...

Emirates do not have y+

With so many long haul flights would looking at AA and the Plat or Gold challenge. But EK metal will not quality
Challenge (AA) - FlyerGuide Wiki Not an AA web site

If you have star alliance flights credited to US Airways they will probably become AA miles after the takeover

VA's lack of partners and not being part of Star alliance or OW alliance does limit benefits on international travel being VA plat