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

[HS-TQE]

If Velocity were going downmarket, I'd expect to be seeing things like...

• Adding LCC's as airline partners.
• Removing, or making it harder to redeem flights on, full-service airline partners such as Singapore, United and Qatar.
• Excluding things like checked baggage and entertainment on redemption bookings (except for an extra fee).

To be fair VA does have a one way interline agreement with SQ's LCC Scoot which has VA interline bookings on their website e.g those originating in SE Asia can book VA connections on TR's website.

VFF has made it harder for those that rarely fly VA metal to redeem international bookings and gain a decent amount of points/SCs. Whilst that's somewhat understandable in their aims have customers to spend $$ into VA marketed/operated services in VA/Bain's aim to be "primary domestic carrier" that provides long haul international partner services, that would tick off those FFs that only use VA partners (and rarely fly VA metal) to get points/SCs.

 

[clifford]

that would tick off those FFs that only use VA partners (and rarely fly VA metal) to get points/SCs.

It's certainly ticked me off. I don't fly a lot domestically, but I do fly quite a bit internationally. Qantas understands this, but obviously Bain don't. I guess we'll see within the next couple of years who had the best understanding of the market.

Perhaps both, although if Qantas were smart, they'd make Jetstar more appealing to a cohort of VA flyers, instead of appealing to the lowest of the bottom feeders.

 

[nickyfch]

It's certainly ticked me off. I don't fly a lot domestically, but I do fly quite a bit internationally. Qantas understands this, but obviously Bain don't. I guess we'll see within the next couple of years who had the best understanding of the market.

Perhaps both, although if Qantas were smart, they'd make Jetstar more appealing to a cohort of VA flyers, instead of appealing to the lowest of the bottom feeders.

same here. have kept it for quite a few years despite much less business travel these days, but some international flights on SQ plus making sure I got enough domestically was worth it, I like the economy X and the extra luggage allowance esp when travelling to/from Uk where I could stock up on things from home.
What are people doing instead? I really don't love Qantas. About to change credit card so this decision could factor into it.

 

[nickyfch]

Another question (still trying to work out if I can/if its worth) try to maintain it
are these calculations correct for Syd-lon return trip on 1. singapore vs 2. Qatar? if so, Qatar is the clear winner with an extra 100 credits...

• Outbound:
  • SYD-SIN: 100 Status Credits
  • SIN-LHR: 130 Status Credits
  • Total Outbound: 230 Status Credits
• Inbound:
  • LHR-SIN: 130 Status Credits
  • SIN-SYD: 100 Status Credits
  • Total Inbound: 230 Status Credits

Total for the return trip: 460 Status Credits

—


Outbound:

• SYD-DOH: 160 Status Credits
• DOH-LHR: 120 Status Credits
• Total Outbound: 280 Status Credits

Inbound:

• LHR-DOH: 120 Status Credits
• DOH-SYD: 160 Status Credits
• Total Inbound: 280 Status Credits

Total for the return trip: 560 Status Credits

 

[Vic]

Just looking at a last minute flight booking. Options are direct with choice at $350, and flex at $370, or a connection in flex @$343.
Status earing at 12 per $, I make the difference to be 2 or 3 status credits. Seems like there is no incentive in earning to not fly direct. Have I got this right?

Still in an incentive in terms of departure and arrival time, of course.

Seems like a good change...

 

[MG1]

Just looking at a last minute flight booking. Options are direct with choice at $350, and flex at $370, or a connection in flex @$343.
Status earing at 12 per $, I make the difference to be 2 or 3 status credits. Seems like there is no incentive in earning to not fly direct. Have I got this right?

Still in an incentive in terms of departure and arrival time, of course.

Seems like a good change...

@Vic, that's right. There is no incentive to not go direct now (unless based on price or timing) as SCs are only provided on $.
Personally, I preferred the previous system (as you could get SCs for much lower than 1SC/$12 without too much effort) but the new system will benefit some.