Just how many Velocity Points?

[ANstar]

EIK.

SYD-HKG in J return flying Virgin Atlantic

80k with Virgin Atlantic Flying Club or 180k with Velocity....hmmmmmm

I thought they would be closer to the QF rate of 120k return.... quite pricey.

so velocity is ok for Y redemptions, but seems to be way over priced for J with Virgin Atlantic.

On the flip side, Emirates redemptions are pretty comparable to the QF program.

Being in the virgin Family, I would have thought Virgin Atlantic would have been a bit better priced.. I mean more than 100k more for J to London than Emirates...

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I think that many of us have points that could be transferred, but that we are looking at who can deliver the best bang for ones point (buck).

The QF grab for CC points with a deadline at the end of this month is also probably causing this to be appraised a lot more than normal.

At present neither QF nor Virgin (even with their 25% bonus rate) offer the best deal for many (though this depends on what credit/s one uses).

The QF path is probably attractive to some though where they have significant QF earn from others sources, but not enough CC earn to earn long haul international redemptions ata reasonable rate.

Of course this is also affected by where one may wis to fly.

But for myself at present leaving the points at Amex, Citibank and Westpac Altitude would seem best (Altitude is howeveran account in limbo though as I no loinger spend on my free cards and so I might decide to clear it out).

Due the transfer rate on the Citibank not be as attractive as on the Amex the decison there is not as clear cut.


However in all cases for me moving the points to Virgin is simply not attractive due the generally poor long haul international rate combined with less choice of destinations.

 

[StevePER]

At least they have reward seats (rather than anyseat) in premium classes, which I was starting to doubt. And knowing is better than not knowing, regardless of how expensive it is.

 

[RickyRiccardo]

Hi,

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you.

We've updated our pages to assist you understand our premium Reward Seat proposition. What you will find is that we have updated both Emirates http://www.velocityrewards.com.au/content/Redeem/Airlines/Emirates/index.htm and Virgin Atlantic http://www.velocityrewards.com.au/content/Redeem/Airlines/VirginAtlantic/index.htm <http://www.velocityrewards.com.au/content/Redeem/Airlines/VirginAtlantic/index.htm> with Reward Seats in classes other than economy.


Please note that Virgin Atlantic Reward Seats in these classes will NOT be available until later in the year.

Unfortunately we don't have access to Reward seats in classes other than economy with Malaysia and Hawaiian Airlines - but we are hoping that we can renegotiate on these soon (watch this space).

We will also be launching North American carriers that you will be able to earn/burn with later this year too.

And yes, we are working on the business case for getting all of this online ASAP so that it's easier for you.



Kind regards,
Ricky

 

[ANstar]

We will also be launching North American carriers that you will be able to earn/burn with later this year too.

United anyone?

United.com already shows Virgin Blue in the drop down list... premature perhaps?

 

[RickyRiccardo]

"choice of destinations".[/quote]

There are approx 120 unique (one-stop / non-stop) destinations with our current partners - so our reach throughout Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East and America is pretty good.

And on the pricing front .... don't worry we're on to it

Cheers

 

[jakeseven7]

Please note that Virgin Atlantic Reward Seats in these classes will NOT be available until later in the year.

Unfortunately we don't have access to Reward seats in classes other than economy with Malaysia and Hawaiian Airlines - but we are hoping that we can renegotiate on these soon (watch this space).

We will also be launching North American carriers that you will be able to earn/burn with later this year too

no offence ricky and i do thank you for the information but virgin/velocity would have done themselves a massive favour by being organised and having this ready in time for people just about to switch their cards over to qff before the deadline

the fact you are still working on carriers and working on accessing premium cabins with your existing partners makes it really difficult to justify any points transfers...

i think you have missed the boat unfortunately big time, i'm a gold flyer and velocity won't be getting any of my points - sorry

 

[RickyRiccardo]

no offence ricky and i do thank you for the information but virgin/velocity would have done themselves a massive favour by being organised and having this ready in time for people just about to switch their cards over to qff before the deadline

the fact you are still working on carriers and working on accessing premium cabins with your existing partners makes it really difficult to justify any points transfers...

i think you have missed the boat unfortunately big time, i'm a gold flyer and velocity won't be getting any of my points - sorry

Absolutely no offence taken. I totally respect the fact that you have to make the decision that is right for you. All I can tell you is that we haven't been resting on our laurels and that we have been pursuing improved availability, pricing and technology. Unfortunately these things just take longer than any of us are really happy with but I feel confident that things will be changing soon.

Kind regards,

Ricky

 

[WA flyer]

I feel confident that things will be changing soon.

Kind regards,

Ricky

Before 1st April soon?

 

[RickyRiccardo]

Before 1st April soon?

Wouldn't that be lovely.

 

[StevePER]

Every time I look at Velocity for overseas travel I find myself wishing that they allowed one-way trips with EK or MH for example. Maybe a future enhancement?

 

[RickyRiccardo]

Every time I look at Velocity for overseas travel I find myself wishing that they allowed one-way trips with EK or MH for example. Maybe a future enhancement?

You bet. We are definitely pursuing this in negotiations. I used to be a QFF Gold and regularly used single sectors on QFF points so I am keen to see us deliver this - hopefully this calendar year.

 

[Jeffrey O'Neill]

Ricky

can you give a rough estimate of how many partner awards Velocity members have been able to redeem over the last 12 months??

The more I read the more it seems you either need more points than the average person will collect in a 10 year period to get an anyseat award, as i've not yet read anywhere that someone has been able to get a standard - Qantas Classic terminology - award seat with an Velocity Partner airline other than Virgin Blue - still waiting to hear how people go with booking award seats with VAustralia.

If this is reasonably true, then it seems the Velocity Rewards program is even worse for it's members than QFF. At least for myself when travelling in non peak periods I've never really had much of a problem booking QF classic reward seats.

 

[ANstar]

still waiting to hear how people go with booking award seats with VAustralia.

Hi Jeffrey,

V Australia flights can be booked online through velocity - if you try a dummy booking there seems to be loads of availability.

 

[Jeffrey O'Neill]

ANstar

not too bad if you want to go to the US, but VAustralia is rather limited in terms of getting u overseas :mrgreen:

hopefully someone from Velocity might give us an idea as to what our chances are for getting an award flight for less than a Wall Street CEO's bonus

I'm in the 20 million lotto draw tomorrow. Somehow I think it's 50 50 as to which has the better odds for me getting what i want

 

[kamchatsky]

You bet. We are definitely pursuing this in negotiations. I used to be a QFF Gold and regularly used single sectors on QFF points so I am keen to see us deliver this - hopefully this calendar year.

Hi Ricky,

Thank you for the updates in regard to the points required for reward seats.

From what I see the redemption rates are pretty similar to Qantas. However Velocity still lacks enough international partners such as OneWorld or StarAlliance to make it a real difference, not to mention Qantas have online international booking system which is a plus for most frequent travellers who are web savvy.

Also Qantas has quite comprehensive list of fees for any ticket reissue/cancellations, as well as rewards required for international partner tickets. Whereas I found VB's ticket reissue/cancellation is very strict (not allowed). That in a way turned me off from redeeming and ticket using Velocity points.

I guess VB's intention at the start is to "Keep the Air Fair" and your business model is not structured towards premium/frequent flyers like AFF members. However if VB is going to target premium customers they really need to have a very good network of airline partners as well as comprehensive and clear reward point table and fee structure to get anywhere near Qantas. However, this could be beyond your responsibility but hopefully someone on the top hears this. Also the current GFC does not help VB cause at the moment.

One thing though, if VB decides to join StarAlliance or SkyTeam then there will be a lot more interest in AFF. I know the chance are slim but hey, doesn't hurt to suggest this a millionth time.

Thanks,

Edison (Velocity member with 55K points)

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Ricky
The more I read the more it seems you either need more points than the average person will collect in a 10 year period to get an anyseat award, as i've not yet read anywhere that someone has been able to get a standard - Qantas Classic terminology - award seat with an Velocity Partner airline other than Virgin Blue

Haven't people been able to get Y awards? The problem seems to be J/F awards.

- still waiting to hear how people go with booking award seats with VAustralia.

You can do this online. Seems to be plenty of availability.

 

[Jeffrey O'Neill]

AC

it does seem like bookings on VA are possible at the moment.

I'm yet to see anyone admit to getting a reward seat on MH, EK etc.

Some postings on AFF also seems to indicate that the partner airlines have not even been willing to offer Any Seat awards.

I suppose I'm just hoping for some official clarification as to how much chance you really have to get a reward seat. I've got a nice stash of reward points with CB and with the 25% bonus for Velocity transfers and tempted to do it, but if all I am likely to be able to do with them is DJ / VA / Pacific Blue flights, then it's not so tempting.

 

[StevePER]

You bet. We are definitely pursuing this in negotiations. I used to be a QFF Gold and regularly used single sectors on QFF points so I am keen to see us deliver this - hopefully this calendar year.

Is there any update on the availability of one-way partner awards? Or MH business class?

 

[MrGreg]

I noticed that Virgin Atlantic's premium and upper class have been pushed back to being availible in early 2010 rather than late 09.