Major changes to Velocity Frequent Flyer announced 17/10/24

[simmomelb]

Hmmmm totally agree this is how it has been, but given the goal post changes, this will be very interesting to see how this actually transpires come Oct 1st.

 

[Mattg]

Hmmmm this will be very interesting to see how this actually transpires come Oct 1st.

I thought the information on the Velocity website is pretty clear that if your review date is on/after 1 October, the new requirements apply?

 

[simmomelb]

I thought the information on the Velocity website is pretty clear that if your review date is on/after 1 October, the new requirements apply?

Sorry, reviewing this further now.
It really doesn't sound right that if you've met the requirements before the changes come in effect that this would be acceptable...

 

[aamslfc]

Sorry, reviewing this further now.
It really doesn't sound right that if you've met the requirements before the changes come in effect that this would be acceptable...

Yes, this is the exact scenario that befell me, and has irritated me to the point of giving up the program.

Long story, but I forward-planned most of my pre-May travel in August and September last year - well before they dumped the announcement on us in October. Lots of international due to circumstance, with a smattering of domestic. Not ideal, but nothing at the time indicated clearly that the requalification requirements would change.

I found out the hard way that the earn rates changed in April when I booked a couple of trips, but I figured it would still be ok because surely the old requal requirements would still apply?

Between work and leisure, I'd easily requalify by October, let alone my review date. After all, that's what the app and the website showed.

Nope.

This week I login to see the Forever Gold bit they added, and notice they've also changed it to show a different requalification requirement to that which had been shown for months prior, and which was in place when I made most of my plans.

I thought I was already on the brink of requalifying. But no, the goalposts have moved.

They may have sneakily added it to the fine print of the T&Cs since last year's announcement, but it's utterly ridiculous that I'm being disdvantaged retrospectively despite forward-planning my travel and requalification, and despite ensuring that I spent that money on VA and its partners.

 

[anat0l]

Why would I pay more for less?

Because you hate the competition.

Whether rationally VA is better than QF on overall value or not, there are a lot of customers who will simply not touch QF or JQ, even in an emergency. This has swelled VA's ranks and they will be steady customers, unless somehow VA also do a PR masterstroke.

VA seems to suit better for SMEs, though they're not necessarily thinking of long term value as it'll take them ages to get to FG, but happy with the present value it gives them.

 

[Happy Dude]

@Mattg so according to the VA FAQs, anyone who has a review date after 1 Oct, will have their status determined under the new rules regardless of when or how the SCs were earned?

That really doesn't seem fair. It will capture many who think they've maintained their status because that's what the app says (unless that's changed soon). I hit 800 SCs a week before my review date and it changed to "maintained" straight away.

 

[bernardblack]

I always understood the way the rules were written to mean that the new rules would apply from your first renewal anniversary after the 01/10/25 start date. And that was why it was announced a full year in advance, so nobody could have actually purchased a ticket that was treated differently than they expected for status renewal purposes.

That said, I think if you actually receive a "maintained" message in the app or website now, but your renewal is after that cutover date, then you should take a screenshot now and lodge a request if your renewal is disallowed under the new rules. With evidence that the system told you you had requalified I feel like you have a strong case.

I have requalified for a review in early July, so I am not affected by this scenario.

 

[oz_mark]

I always understood the way the rules were written to mean that the new rules would apply from your first renewal anniversary after the 01/10/25 start date. And that was why it was announced a full year in advance, so nobody could have actually purchased a ticket that was treated differently than they expected for status renewal purposes.

That said, I think if you actually receive a "maintained" message in the app or website now, but your renewal is after that cutover date, then you should take a screenshot now and lodge a request if your renewal is disallowed under the new rules. With evidence that the system told you you had requalified I feel like you have a strong case.

I have requalified for a review in early July, so I am not affected by this scenario.

Have to agree, they've given plenty of notice.

Like many, I have a February review date, and I have been progressing on the basis that I will be assessed based on the new rules at my review data.

 

[serfty]

I have requalified under the current regime:



I will note that more than 400 SC have come from VA*VA flights.