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

[serfty]

My VA renewal date has always been March and I thought that was fixed?

My WP renewal date was always June until the COVID events caused this to be shifted to 28th February (along with many others).

The June date was because I attained WP during June over a decade ago.

 

[nutwood]

Assessment for requalification is based on 12 month periods from initial status level attainment date.

Assessment for Qualifying (to a higher level) is based on the previous 365 days of travel.

Here's an example. Between September 15th and September 28th last year someone earned 500 SC's and had 4 eligible segments to qualify SG. That someone had earned no SC's during the previous 365 days.

At this point they are SG until their review period commences on September 28th this year. They have until then to earn another 400 SC's and fly 4 eligible segments to requalify.

If they have no other travel until August, but from August 1st to August 14th they earn another 500 SC's and fly 4 eligible segments, they will Qualify WP with a review date of August 14th next year. This is because during the 365 days up to August 14th they had earned 1000 SC and had 8 eligible segments.

Ah-ha. Thank you. Understand. I have indeed been confusing myself!
When I started with VA they gave me a three month trial of Gold. In that three months I clocked up sufficient SC's to qualify WP so when the trial finished, I went straight to WP and have remained there ever since, hence I've never experienced the moving review date.
Thank you for taking the time to explain!!

 

[Harrison_133]

Does this mean that come October 1st, my renewal date will re-set from March to October? I've been considering the situation based on my Qantas experience where there's a renewal date set in stone. My VA renewal date has always been March and I thought that was fixed?

No, your review date will remain relatively the same. Come March next year, your membership will be assessed in relation to the rules that come into effect on October 1st.

 

[nutwood]

No, your review date will remain relatively the same. Come March next year, your membership will be assessed in relation to the rules that come into effect on October 1st.

Even though on October 1st, I'll attain Platinum Plus?

 

[serfty]

Even though on October 1st, I'll attain Platinum Plus?

All the indications are that you would become* WPP on October 1st and your WPP review date will be October 2026.

*this assumes 1500/2000 SC have been earned in the 365 days from 1st October 2024.

 

[nutwood]

All the indications are that you would become* WPP on October 1st and your WPP review date will be October 2026.

*this assumes 1500/2000 SC have been earned in the 365 days from 1st October 2024.

Current SC count is 3564 for the last twelve months and I'm several flights from home at the moment. I think I'll make it

 

[moa999]

My VA renewal date has always been March and I thought that was fixed?

It's fixed until you go up a level, at which point a new 12mth period starts, which arguably means you aren't wasting credits in that instance.

Those who are Plat obviously need to drop then go back up.
Companion Gold/Plat work within the Plat membership year

 

[nutwood]

Companion Gold/Plat work within the Plat membership year

That's what has fooled me. It's the only SC count I've considered previously as around about October my daughter starts mentioning her WP status.

 

[anat0l]

WPP

Is that an official abbreviation now?

 

[IainF]

Is that an official abbreviation now?

I love how something that was started in the Brisbane QP some 20+ years ago as a joke has pretty much made it into the daily vernacular. There's a few of us still floating around here...@QFWP et al.

 

[QF WP]

I’ll bet you and MrsIainF are tracking well to VA WP this year and probably WP+ (I like this abbreviation better).

I should have added VA WP to my name as well though from the start, who would have guessed that I would become a dyed in the wool VA WP (but probably only until March 2026).

 

[kpc]

I love how something that was started in the Brisbane QP some 20+ years ago as a joke has pretty much made it into the daily vernacular. There's a few of us still floating around here...@QFWP et al.

Did someone call?

PS my drop with Velocity is complete...Platinum > Gold > Silver > Red

 

[serfty]

Did someone call?

PS my drop with Velocity is complete...Platinum > Gold > Silver > Red

Wot? NR - Nuthin' Rouge

 

[ozstamps]

Do Velocity offer a soft landing from Red?

 

[bails81]

Confused Around Velocity Platinum Requalification – Review Date vs Membership Year

Hi all,

I’m hoping to get some community insight or shared experiences here.

I’m currently a Velocity Platinum member with a review date of 4 October 2025. I’ve already earned 1,685 Status Credits, including more than enough eligible sectors, and assumed I had requalified under the pre-1 Oct 2025 rules (800 SCs + 4 sectors).

However, Virgin has advised me (in writing) that because my review date is after 1 Oct 2025, I’m being assessed under the new rules, which require at least 50% of SCs from VA marketed/operated flights. I only have ~250 from VA flights so far, so they’re now saying I need another 150 VA SCs to retain Platinum.

This feels unfair and inconsistent with the original policy wording, which I interpreted (like many others) to mean the new rule applies to membership years starting from 1 Oct 2025, not ones already underway.

Has anyone had success pushing back? Or is this happening to others as well?

Appreciate any thoughts or if anyone has escalated further.

 

[henrus]

However, Virgin has advised me (in writing) that because my review date is after 1 Oct 2025, I’m being assessed under the new rules, which require at least 50% of SCs from VA marketed/operated flights. I only have ~250 from VA flights so far, so they’re now saying I need another 150 VA SCs to retain Platinum.

Sucks yes but it’s clear enough on the website that from 1 October anyone up for having their status assessed is under the new rules. I don’t think they’re going to be super flexible in this regard either, since they announced the changes I think they’ve been less flexible than usual.

The website does show how many SCs you’ve currently earned on VA flights and I guess the decision now is if the $1800 spend on VA flights is worth it to obtain Platinum.

One very good question is are you going to get close again even to retain gold? If not it actually might be worth it given you’ll get Plat for another 12 months and then drop to gold for 12 months (remembering retaining gold now requires at least $2400 spend on VA for the 200 SCs and the other 200 can come from other partners).

 

[simmomelb]

Confused Around Velocity Platinum Requalification – Review Date vs Membership Year

Hi all,

I’m hoping to get some community insight or shared experiences here.

I’m currently a Velocity Platinum member with a review date of 4 October 2025. I’ve already earned 1,685 Status Credits, including more than enough eligible sectors, and assumed I had requalified under the pre-1 Oct 2025 rules (800 SCs + 4 sectors).

.

It was very clear that if your review date was after the 1st October the new criteria kicks in and they gave plenty of notice on this. As unfortunate as this is for you, I don't think you'd have much luck overriding this. But let us know if you have any luck.

 

[bails81]

Sucks yes but it’s clear enough on the website that from 1 October anyone up for having their status assessed is under the new rules. I don’t think they’re going to be super flexible in this regard either, since they announced the changes I think they’ve been less flexible than usual.

The website does show how many SCs you’ve currently earned on VA flights and I guess the decision now is if the $1800 spend on VA flights is worth it to obtain Platinum.

One very good question is are you going to get close again even to retain gold? If not it actually might be worth it given you’ll get Plat for another 12 months and then drop to gold for 12 months (remembering retaining gold now requires at least $2400 spend on VA for the 200 SCs and the other 200 can come from other partners).

Thanks for the clarification.

Unlikely I’ll be able to retain Gold, I have only managed to reach and maintain platinum due to OS travel with partners like Air Canada, and only a handful of occasional domestic trips. Guess I’m the type of traveller they’re targeting in the changes.

Will see how I go pushing for flexibility noting renewal is just days after the change over and I’m sitting on over double the old sc requirement - not holding my breath though.

 

[iamsuperandrew]

I really hope that these rules change and go back to how it used to be

 

[MooTime]

I really hope that these rules change and go back to how it used to be

Would be a touch embarassing if they reverted.
They saw what other airlines are doing and just copied based on extra revenue for the airline, seemingly excluded other factors.

Thing that gets me is the point that ceo Rolarch what's his name made was to improve the lounge experience for their most loyal members, fair target I agree... Yes less ppl in lounge is a benefit only if and when crowded, but I'm yet to see any improvements in lounge...sub $10 wine, ordinary beers & same old food options.