Now I'm Velocity Gold, what do I do with it?

[GCC]

My company recently made some new arrangements that resulted in 2X comp Gold Velocity memberships. One went to me as boss and most frequent flyer. I suspect it might be accounts trying to gently nudge me towards what they see as cheaper travel.

I currently fly VB about twice a year, due to lack of a QF service or timetable issues with QF. I fly just enough on QF, mostly domestic, to retain WP. I have about 5000 lifetime SC's with QF.

As far as I can see I need to spend about $7500 to retain the Velocity Gold, but it doesn't seem like Velocity is actually such a great program. I'm Sydney based and have to say I really don't like T2 compared to T3. I do like the Embraer planes on the plus side.

If anyone can think of a compelling reason to make a shift here - probably at the cost of QF WP - please let me know. I cant, but maybe I'm missing something. Particularly keen to hear from any Velocity Gold's who like how the program looks after them?

 

[markis10]

I find the schedule of DJ to sometimes be better, and the lounges a lot less crowded, having said that I did not renew my lounge membership this year. However, the changes to be seen shortly with the change of management might make it a different story as will the alliance with NZ.

 

[notzac]

Some general thoughts -

I've found the lounges to have a better ambience (read: less crowded) but with more limited F&B -- and apparently that's something that's being addressed in the near future. No international lounges is definitely a pain point.

Both ground and on-board service on the whole seems to be more genuine than QF. I don't eat the "food" on QF whY services because it's revolting, so I don't compare on board F&B offerings. whY seating on DJ appears to have slightly better seat pitch.

The relative strength of the QFF program (especially for international and premium cabin redemptions) is definitely something to consider.

Those are the things that stand out the most for me, but if you're doing a lot of AU/NZ travel ... you may well find that DJ is better. International travel QF are still better at, but if VA keep expanding their destinations and partners .. that might not continue to be the case.

 

[haydensydney]

When you have Gold on DJ, you get a better earn rate (7:$1) which is a great feature and the "points" system on DJ is IMO much fairer than QF's mileage based system.

The lounge food is hideous and i'm never excited about the beverage items, but it does have a fresher ambiance than a stale QC.

Being able to order what you like on DJ rather than "having" to scoff down some QF slop is awesome. I can also watch TV if i'm bored. QF can't compete, even in J.

 

[GCC]

Thanks

Free food sounds OK - and free AV? Does that apply to traveling companion also.

What I really want to know is if Gold is really elite status or just lounge access. For eg:
- are you seated at the front, in an aisle if that's your preference?
- are seats next to you blocked?
- are there ever upgrades to Y+ for Gold elites?
- can you use points to upgrade to Y+ at gate / lounge?

I do really value all these things on QF. I only fly overseas once or twice a year, in Y+ and usually upgrade to J on points. I could perhaps be persuaded to move to VA or V Aust if Gold Velocity means check in / lounge access is there and I can get points upgrades to J.

 

[markis10]

DJ are doing a lot of work to make their frequent guests feel more at home, a lot of what you see at QF will come across to being standard benefits with Velocity, up until recently DJ could not place frequent guests in preferred seats on the plane.

 

[notzac]

What I really want to know is if Gold is really elite status or just lounge access. For eg:
- are you seated at the front, in an aisle if that's your preference?
- are seats next to you blocked?
- are there ever upgrades to Y+ for Gold elites?
- can you use points to upgrade to Y+ at gate / lounge?

Up until very recently, no. With the change to a new rez system, there have been a few reports of significantly improved seating options. No seat blocks that I'm aware of, but it seems that they've kept the B and D seats empty where possible in the first few rows recently -- I don't know if it's intentional, but it's great all the same! No upgrades of any kind for me, but the domestic whY+ product isn't worth it anyway.

Points upgrades is certainly something I'm hanging out for as well -- I'm secretly hoping that Velocity gets a few of these additional features and soon!

 

[dk4]

What I really want to know is if Gold is really elite status or just lounge access.

Plus priority check-in and checked bag allowances on all fares. Unwritten benefit, is that you may be seated in the "blue zone" (i.e. exit row) if you use human assisted check-in at the airport (space available).

are you seated at the front, in an aisle if that's your preference?.

Prior to the new system, seats were allocated exclusively based on fare bucket (i.e. the more you paid the more likely you would be seated to the front). At this time, the new system seems to be a "free for all", and seat availability is based on check-in seq - so those who check-in early using the web, are scoring forward allocations, regardless of status.

are seats next to you blocked?

Not specifically, the chances of being seated next to the “great unwashed” are extremely high. Last week I had two flights on DJ, both row 4, and the centre seat on my 1st flight was allocated to a parent with lap infant and on 2nd flight was an OAP, who had tried to steal my seat allocation by getting there before me and sitting in it. (Although I did notice on one flight, people sitting in the P.E. section rows 1-3, with centre seats not "coughtailised" but still vacant. At check-in these seats appeared to me (silver) as P.E. and un-selectable.)

are there ever upgrades to Y+ for Gold elites?

During my time as Gold last year (I am silver now) I was never offered a complimentary upgrade. It is however, possible to buy an upgrade with $ if your ticket was purchased in one of the top booking classes.

can you use points to upgrade to Y+ at gate / lounge?

Not at this time.

I do really value all these things on QF. I only fly overseas once or twice a year, in Y+ and usually upgrade to J on points. I could perhaps be persuaded to move to VA or V Aust if Gold Velocity means check in / lounge access is there and I can get points upgrades to J.

Of course, as with all things, it depends on your travel patterns/requirements. But on the whole the Qantas Loyalty product is VASTLY superior to Virgin Blue's.


Virgin Blue has a history of trumpeting enhancements, and then generally falling short of expectations. For example, Blue Rooms, which were a disaster, then morphed into The Lounge, with an offer than does not have anywhere near the depth (e.g. F&B) or breadth (e.g. locations/partners) which Qantas Club does. Plus their seats are on the cheap side, and let's face it - if you are doing a lot of sitting on aircraft, you want a comfortable spot for the few hours you are onboard. On DJ's 737s they are hard, with little padding (even their much trumpeted next generation seats with wings). The only airline with more plank like seats is Tiger, and not by much (but Tiger's seats seem wider, more spacious for the shoulders if not the legs!)

 

[markis10]

I am a bit surprised that the lounge is taking such a hit with the F&B, I think they leave the QP for dead with the exception of spirits not being served. I find the all day Barista service leaves the 9.30Am close in the QP for dead!

 

[dk4]

I am a bit surprised that the lounge is taking such a hit with the F&B, I think they leave the QP for dead with the exception of spirits not being served. I find the all day Barista service leaves the 9.30Am close in the QP for dead!

Its all about attention to detail - the little things... e.g. @NOON it's the minced meats for a sandwich at QF not just pressed slices and the fancy premixed salads not just slices of tomato, lettuce etc, @AM it's the melons in the fruit salad at QF not just the tins of peaches, pears etc, and the selection of biscuits (inc gluten free) to accompany the coffee station not just choc chip. And obviously in the PM, its about the spirits not just the wine. These are only a few examples of how Virgin Blue is just not Qantas!

 

[markis10]

I have a preference for some hot food and a real coffee mid afternoon rather than salads and bikkies, maybe that explains the preference for the lounge in that context, at least I wish I could get a real coffee in the Dom J lounge.

 

[GCC]

I have a preference for some hot food and a real coffee mid afternoon rather than salads and bikkies,

Agree with that, but otherwise I'm not getting too excited by the Velocity Gold card from these posts. Redemption levels for VA flights aren't too exciting either.

Gold status is valid until March 2012, so I guess I'll take a flight or two to try it out and watch for new developments. If real changes to Velocity don't eventuate I'll keep putting my hard earned to QF, and if they do I'll go hard for Velocity retention.