Joining VA Accelerate ABN issues and no VA staff to help

[babysun]

Hi Everyone,

I'm trying to join the Accelerate Program and I typed in my husband's ABN and it told me it wasn't active (ASIC says it is).

They don't answer the phone so I'm asking you for your experiences.

The ABN I'm using is his sole trader one. He has another PTY LTD one where he is in business with other people which I'd rather not use.

I thought I might as well join him up for potential discounted fares and the Pilot Gold (he's just dropped back to silver).

And naturally I want to do it before I book his flights to go overseas in a few weeks so that the spend is included in the $2000 required to get the pilot gold.

Is this an indication of things to come?

What kind of value do they place on their corporate clients if they don't even answer the phone?

 

[babysun]

Thinking about what I just posted I tried the PTY LTD ABN and it worked.

Anyway. Is it worth the bother? I've read a thread that said the portal is pretty bad. Apart from Pilot Gold is there any other benefit to a small company that you've experienced?

The spend would be low enough to not be excited about any travel credits. Discounts can be found on these forums possibly.

 

[Vic]

It took me about 2 weeks and 5 emails to get my pty ltd abn registered. I was queried because "it looked like I was using a residential address", and "it looks like you're using a private email address please send a corporate email". They seem to have trouble if you're not BHP or RIO TINTO. I reckon this is why they won't even look at a sole trader registration.

Not sure if it is worth it yet. Once I spend $2k and the pilot golds are locked in, I'll know.

 

[babysun]

It took me about 2 weeks and 5 emails to get my pty ltd abn registered. I was queried because "it looked like I was using a residential address", and "it looks like you're using a private email address please send a corporate email". They seem to have trouble if you're not BHP or RIO TINTO. I reckon this is why they won't even look at a sole trader registration.

Not sure if it is worth it yet. Once I spend $2k and the pilot golds are locked in, I'll know.

Two weeks! That's ridiculous. I've read the the terms and conditions and there is no exclusion for sole traders mentioned that I saw. The online application was accepted for the PTY LTD ABN but I'd rather use the sole trader. I rang them today & left the message they requested but they didn't call me back like they said they would. I can't say I'm shocked. If I get them to respond I'll let you know how we go. We should reach the $2 pretty quickly as he has a couple of overseas trips to book. BUT they have to be booked through the Accelerate portal for them to be eligible.

 

[Zerosignal]

We use the portal at work, it is fine not as easy to use as the public site but easy enough if you are posting here you will be able to use it.

I believe there is currently a good discount on Singapore Airlines flights through the portal as well

 

[babysun]

We use the portal at work, it is fine not as easy to use as the public site but easy enough if you are posting here you will be able to use it.

I believe there is currently a good discount on Singapore Airlines flights through the portal as well

That's good to hear. Thanks for letting me know about the discount.

 

[babysun]

I've called them again and they answered!

They do accept sole traders but the website won't. She is emailing me a manual form and said it is taking 10-15 days to process applications whether they're manual or done via the website. She said "at the moment" for the processing time as if it wasn't normal.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

For ABN matters, check the Aust Tax Office ABN register, not ASIC.
If you have not been doing business for a while, the ABN Registrar can cancel ABNs.
Mine got cancelled, as they deemed I wasn't in real business, but I had to get an ABN in the first place, as my employer made me a subbie.
Now back to employee status, so my ABN got cancelled.
So, check the ABN register, www.abr.gov.au.

 

[babysun]

For ABN matters, check the Aust Tax Office ABN register, not ASIC.
If you have not been doing business for a while, the ABN Registrar can cancel ABNs.
Mine got cancelled, as they deemed I wasn't in real business, but I had to get an ABN in the first place, as my employer made me a subbie.
Now back to employee status, so my ABN got cancelled.
So, check the ABN register, www.abr.gov.au.

My mistake, I got ASIC and ABR mixed up. His ABN is active. He is entirely self employed as a business owner and then as a sole trader as well.

I don't know why the Accelerate website is fussy about ABN numbers. The woman I spoke to there today said they had the same error with another ABN and they were Pty Ltd.

 

[QF WP]

Anyway. Is it worth the bother? I've read a thread that said the portal is pretty bad

I've been underwhelmed and confused by their process to book and don't even start me on the seating issues...or changing flights (both of which have necessitated calls to CS).

Discounts can be found on these forums possibly.

Indeed, the discounts in the thread on this Forum are sometimes better than what Accelerate offer. YMMV.