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

[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.

 

[MarkD]

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 for everyone. Ive been platinum with them since it was instigated. One would think id have achieved lifetime gold at that rate, But no. Still need 4500 sc for it. I just feel loyalty has been rewarded with a good kick in the teeth so have chosen to spend my money elsewhere. Im still platinum until feb 26 and honestly cant see myself on VA again anytime soon. Seems im one that they dont want to keep

 

[nutwood]

I encountered the Virgin VIP phone line yesterday. I had a LST - MEL flight booked but had a change of plans and had to cancel. This created a problem as I'd waitlisted it and apparently the upgrade had gone through. Instead of hitting me with a 5500 point cancellation fee for the upgrade, I got put through to a nice lady, who told me that as I'm platinum plus, they wouldn't charge the fee. Be interesting to see how this goes in the future. I've found quality of phone service to be a problem with VA.
On another point, at the time I booked LST - MEL, my flex fare was $197. Business was $910 with seven seats available. I find it hard to believe anyone is paying that price for a short flight so what's the point?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I encountered the Virgin VIP phone line yesterday. I had a LST - MEL flight booked but had a change of plans and had to cancel. This created a problem as I'd waitlisted it and apparently the upgrade had gone through. Instead of hitting me with a 5500 point cancellation fee for the upgrade, I got put through to a nice lady, who told me that as I'm platinum plus, they wouldn't charge the fee. Be interesting to see how this goes in the future. I've found quality of phone service to be a problem with VA.
On another point, at the time I booked LST - MEL, my flex fare was $197. Business was $910 with seven seats available. I find it hard to believe anyone is paying that price for a short flight so what's the point?

One possibility is that they’re holding the seats for longer, more profitable trips. Rather than getting $329 LST-MEL, they might know they can sell more seats for $685 to Sydney, via MEL, or even PER via MEL.

That would also fill up the MEL-SYD flights without them having to give away business class for $55 upgrade bids, etc.

 

[anat0l]

I got put through to a nice lady, who told me that as I'm platinum plus, they wouldn't charge the fee. Be interesting to see how this goes in the future. I've found quality of phone service to be a problem with VA.

Was the person helping you from Australia?

Not that it should matter: good service is good service, and it's not unreasonable to expect it all the time, particularly as a Plat Plus...

On another point, at the time I booked LST - MEL, my flex fare was $197. Business was $910 with seven seats available. I find it hard to believe anyone is paying that price for a short flight so what's the point?

How long ago did you book your flight?

If it was very long ago, that price hurts. I could understand (not really, but...) if it were within a week, because it's fodder for those only deciding to fly at the last minute.

I don't know how often QF's E90s ply the same route, but VA is guaranteed to have J equipped aircraft every time. Maybe they're making bank on that for anyone who must fly J.

But what really is the point? Well, $910 ÷ 12 = 76 SCs and a boatload of redeemable points, so there's your point

 

[nutwood]

Was the person helping you from Australia?

Not that it should matter: good service is good service, and it's not unreasonable to expect it all the time, particularly as a Plat Plus...

How long ago did you book your flight?

If it was very long ago, that price hurts. I could understand (not really, but...) if it were within a week, because it's fodder for those only deciding to fly at the last minute.

I don't know how often QF's E90s ply the same route, but VA is guaranteed to have J equipped aircraft every time. Maybe they're making bank on that for anyone who must fly J.

But what really is the point? Well, $910 ÷ 12 = 76 SCs and a boatload of redeemable points, so there's your point

Booked about a week before. There were seven seats available. I booked flex and then applied for a points upgrade which went through the next day. I don't normally bother to upgrade that flight but I was curious as to whether it would work, given the price difference.
Interestingly, I just checked and that flight, which was for tomorrow, is now selling for $594, with one seat available. If someone actually had paid the $910, they could just cancel and purchase the cheaper ticket.
With regard to the VIP service; definitely from Australia.

 

[Flyingwombat]

Flights out of Hobart with VA and now often more than Qantas and almost always more than JQ (even with bundle).

I was Velocity platinum a long time ago and then kept Gold from flying mostly SQ and EY with a few VA domestics thrown in. Now I'm back to red and I find VA to be really tired, and the service is nothing. I am no lover of Qantas but at least I get a drink (sometimes a wine!) and a snack (of varying quality) and the new A220s are nice and fresh.

I have QF LTS and QC for now. There is no reason at all to fly VA unless the fare is much cheaper. I would happily pay $20-40 more (depending on flight length) for Qantas now to get the newer planes and at least I am slowly working towards LTG. With VA, I won't even earn Silver Velocity anymore. Too much VA flying needed - now they don't fly to USA and AUH, there is no way to earn decent amount of status with them.

I think these changes are too much and will hurt them in the long term. Yup, QF are making some changes to QFF that are reducing its attractiveness - but Velocity have really downgraded their status earning in a huge way. For me, there is simply no incentive other than a much cheaper fare to pick VA at all. And the flow on, is that I don't care about Velocity points at all so won't bother trying to earn them on the ground.

 

[anat0l]

Too much VA flying needed - now they don't fly to USA and AUH, there is no way to earn decent amount of status with them.

I think you can fly VA marketed codeshare flights and they are treated the same as if VA was flying. I thought that was the whole point.

So you could fly VA marketed UA operated flights and it counts as if you flew VA anyway. Same with the QR wet lease flights - in fact, these are even closer - the flight is basically VA marketed and operated; it just so happens that the aircraft comes from QR, isn't repainted for VA and is operated with QR crew.

A couple of things I'm not entirely sure of, which are whether it is always (or much more) cheaper to purchase a given fare on a UA operated flight with a VA flight number or the base UA flight number (this tends to be a problem on many codeshare agreements). Also, I haven't tracked how much the international flight earn has changed, because SC earn for international flights (including partners) is different to domestic flights or short haul international operated by VA.