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

[MEL_Traveller]

I do kind of understand the removal of IFE screens for short haul aircraft, especially where IFE is streaming. It makes sense on a number of fronts… pax can use their own devices, their own headphones, can get viewing privacy, can angle screens away from the sun if necessary, it reduces weight and gets rid of mountains of e-waste.

VA however has very limited content on its streaming IFE, and it hardly ever changes.

 

[nutwood]

How many pax flying VA don’t look out the window at a Qantas jet taxiing past and think ‘wish I was on that’? (fast and free wifi, snack/meal, huge selection of IFE content, beer and wine… And for business class, flat beds transcontinental)

I think you can put me down as one who has never had that thought. Not sure about international but domestically I've flown both carriers sufficiently to have a clear view. What I do miss about QF is the fresh sour dough with the meal but the last few times I've flown with them it wasn't offered so not sure if it's still a thing? What I don't miss is not getting to my destination or getting to my destination sans luggage.
Flipping the coin, VA offer me a glass of sparkling before departure, occasionally QF shove a bottle of water at me but often nothing.
Entertainment; I had an old fashioned education so got taught to read. I spend too much time looking at screens so relish the chance to peacefully absorb a book.
Lounges, much of a muchness, some are better than others but the important thing is to find a seat. I've had far more trouble that way in QF lounges although perhaps my flying pattern misses VA peak times? Transiting enroute to Tassie, late afternoon in Melbourne, used to be terrible on QF.

 

[stm1sydney]

Going to be a slow burn this year.
View attachment 469994

Granted the fare was cheaper than QF (or a points earning fare) on JQ, but it would have been minimum 800+ pts and 10 SC with the competition.

But, see, that's the thing. You still chose to fly VA. So the Bain strategy is working.

 

[PERLHR]

Nope I think sinking every member with the same date is dumb.
So many reasons that doesn't work well, but I'm not into long winded posts.

Just cos the yanks in Hilton & United do it don't have any relevance to us down in Oz.

I like the rolling anniversary of VA.
I don't mind QF system either.

BA have moved to this one anniversary date.

 

[moa999]

But, see, that's the thing. You still chose to fly VA. So the Bain strategy is working.

For that single flight yes.. but as LTG on the competitor they will get a lot more of my business going forward.

 

[nutwood]

But, see, that's the thing. You still chose to fly VA. So the Bain strategy is working.

There's a lot of truth in this. I'm not happy with the changes but I'm finding that I'm still mainly flying VA. These things are by no means black and white.
My concern would be the long term picture. Up to about a year ago, VA was clawing frequent flyers away from QF. Flying domestically, there's not a lot of difference between the two, however there's a perception (read some comments above) that QF is a superior product. Qantas exploits this by charging higher prices. Virgin is now bumping up prices at the same time as they are reducing incentives to fly with them. My feeling is that this is a risky strategy but how risky it is depends on how astute Qantas is.

 

[PERLHR]

There's a lot of truth in this. I'm not happy with the changes but I'm finding that I'm still mainly flying VA. These things are by no means black and white.
My concern would be the long term picture. Up to about a year ago, VA was clawing frequent flyers away from QF. Flying domestically, there's not a lot of difference between the two, however there's a perception (read some comments above) that QF is a superior product. Qantas exploits this by charging higher prices. Virgin is now bumping up prices at the same time as they are reducing incentives to fly with them. My feeling is that this is a risky strategy but how risky it is depends on how astute Qantas is.

Ultimately though, there is actually only a choice of two. The Y class set up is I think fundamentally different with what the onboard experience is or should be...when we consider seat choice, food and drink, more lounge options etc. The Biz class is in my opinion domestically, is better just about always on VA. What the Australian market has yet to find, or endorse or simply say "not possible" and walk away is a viable 3rd operator . One that can be substantial in market development and have the knowledge how to compete and be successful. I'm sure we all know that easyJet started with two aircraft, they were mocked. They flew between Luton and Glasgow initially, quickly followed by Luton to Edinburgh. They were mocked more. Now look at them. If there is no changes and perhaps also in attitude by the travelling public then we will be having the same conversations for the coming years. Oh and I think Qantas is never "astute".

 

[nutwood]

Ultimately though, there is actually only a choice of two. The Y class set up is I think fundamentally different with what the onboard experience is or should be...when we consider seat choice, food and drink, more lounge options etc. The Biz class is in my opinion domestically, is better just about always on VA. What the Australian market has yet to find, or endorse or simply say "not possible" and walk away is a viable 3rd operator . One that can be substantial in market development and have the knowledge how to compete and be successful. I'm sure we all know that easyJet started with two aircraft, they were mocked. They flew between Luton and Glasgow initially, quickly followed by Luton to Edinburgh. They were mocked more. Now look at them. If there is no changes and perhaps also in attitude by the travelling public then we will be having the same conversations for the coming years. Oh and I think Qantas is never "astute".

Which way do you see it with regard to the Y set up? For me, Y in VA is marginally preferable to Y in QF but I come at it from someone who doesn't pay for premium X so I generally get a good seat. QF give a snack and also booze after 5 pm which could tip the scales the other way. I also seem to have retained my P1 shadow, so far anyway, so that's another QF plus.
Go back a few years and it was different. QF was more reliable and the FA's were happier. I had some great trips and greatly preferred the kangaroo. They've only got to get back to where they were ten years ago and VA will be in trouble.

 

[PERLHR]

Which way do you see it with regard to the Y set up? For me, Y in VA is marginally preferable to Y in QF but I come at it from someone who doesn't pay for premium X so I generally get a good seat.

When you are shuttling between PER and anywhere like ADL, MEL SYD, CBR, you get hot breakfasts, lunches and dinners (not snacks). A couple of bottles of wine, etc etc on QF. . Quite useful for many compared to VA where even if you think, "eat in lounge" the offering is just worse than school canteen imho. That makes the difference. The price though does need to be factored in but for me it's usually quite similar. I can understand that flights on the east side of the country have a different market to the west.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Which way do you see it with regard to the Y set up? For me, Y in VA is marginally preferable to Y in QF but I come at it from someone who doesn't pay for premium X so I generally get a good seat. QF give a snack and also booze after 5 pm which could tip the scales the other way. I also seem to have retained my P1 shadow, so far anyway, so that's another QF plus.
Go back a few years and it was different. QF was more reliable and the FA's were happier. I had some great trips and greatly preferred the kangaroo. They've only got to get back to where they were ten years ago and VA will be in trouble.

For economy one of the biggest differences is the fast and free wifi on QF.

On VA it’s not uncommon for it to be in-op, and if it is working, it’s $20 for SYD-MEL.

 

[jakeseven7]

For economy one of the biggest differences is the fast and free wifi on QF.

On VA it’s not uncommon for it to be in-op, and if it is working, it’s $20 for SYD-MEL.

Slightly OT but yes what on earth is going on with VA2s wifi… it’s so buggy and slow! I don’t recall it being this bad a few years ago.

 

[odysseus]

There's a lot of truth in this. I'm not happy with the changes but I'm finding that I'm still mainly flying VA.

I'm still flying VA because I still have status. I wasn't expecting to change travel preferences yet.

It's later in 2026 I'll drop down. And reassess which is the best value flight at that time. I'd expect that would be similar for others as well.

If people were changing now, that means they already didn't have status... which means they probably weren't going to be too fussed about the changes making things worse anyway.

 

[SYD]

I'm still flying VA because I still have status. I wasn't expecting to change travel preferences yet.

It's later in 2026 I'll drop down. And reassess which is the best value flight at that time. I'd expect that would be similar for others as well.

If people were changing now, that means they already didn't have status... which means they probably weren't going to be too fussed about the changes making things worse anyway.

Not necessarily. Could be trying to get status with QF if starting from scratch.

 

[nutwood]

This is very true. The effect on status is going to be a gradual thing, especially as those who could, booked ahead before the end of March. One change I have observed, and it might be coincidental, is that there appear to be more empty seats in Business on the LST - MEL run. It's a short flight and used to be reasonably priced, so it seems logical that tickets would have been purchased to gain 55 SC's, especially if combined with another hop. The price has now gone up considerably and the SC earning rate has come down, so it no longer makes sense to pay extra for a short flight which doesn't even have time for a hot meal and, if it's bumpy, you might not get anything apart from a better seat for an hour.