Partner Status Renewal

[Jama]

I gave partner Platinum to my wife last year, to renew this are less SC's required ? The same as renewing independently ? Potentially better to let her fall to Gold and give my daughter some status. I can't quite do both. They only travel with me so the only real benefit is the points bonus. Although, the extra upgrades my wife was entitled to as platinum were good for our trips together.

 

[Boris spatsky]

My wife was Companion Platinum, but when it ended did not get a soft landing to Gold, and went back to Silver (which she had earnt). Don't assume a soft landing...

 

[bullerdude]

My wife was Companion Platinum, but when it ended did not get a soft landing to Gold, and went back to Silver (which she had earnt). Don't assume a soft landing...

As per the terms and conditions:

20.3.6 A Companion Gold Membership or Companion Platinum Membership is valid for a period of 12 months from the date of the upgrade to Companion Gold Membership or Companion Platinum Membership. At the conclusion of the 12 month period, if the companion Member has not been nominated for Companion Gold Membership or Companion Platinum Membership for a further 12 months, their Membership Level will be assessed on their achievement of the required number of Status Credits and Eligible Sectors flown in accordance with these Terms and Conditions. The Member will then be upgraded, maintained or downgraded to the level that they are qualified for or as otherwise determined by VRPL.

 

[totd]

Huh? They don't get a soft landing?!? Do they at least get to maintain plat if they earn 800SCs? If not I'm having a hard time seeing any value in this 'benefit'.

 

[777]

Huh? They don't get a soft landing?!? Do they at least get to maintain plat if they earn 800SCs? If not I'm having a hard time seeing any value in this 'benefit'.

YEs, they do get to maintain at the requal threshold AFAIK (so 800 not 1000 for platinum) which is certainly what my wife's account is she showing as she requals on family pooling.

As for not seeing ANY value in the 'benefit' as a result. There is... you know... that entire year of being a gold or platinum member. Which, AFAIK, a few people around here have occasionally suggested is a bit worth chasing.

 

[totd]

As for not seeing ANY value in the 'benefit' as a result. There is... you know... that entire year of being a gold or platinum member. Which, AFAIK, a few people around here have occasionally suggested is a bit worth chasing.

Heh. I can see the benefit there... What I was meaning was I cannot see the benefit of offering Partner Gold when VA offer family pooling. Given the lack of soft landing, you'd be better off requalifying and then just getting a partner to gold or plat via pooling (you pick up silver on the way, you get the soft landing and you don't really loose anything, except potentially some SCs towards the mythical lifetime status that VA may or may not ever offer.

 

[777]

Heh. I can see the benefit there... What I was meaning was I cannot see the benefit of offering Partner Gold when VA offer family pooling. Given the lack of soft landing, you'd be better off requalifying and then just getting a partner to gold or plat via pooling (you pick up silver on the way, you get the soft landing and you don't really loose anything, except potentially some SCs towards the mythical lifetime status that VA may or may not ever offer.

yes, that's more or less what were doing this year. Getting mrs 777 back to plat by requal through pooling and then seeing if I have enough SCs left over to nominate someone else for companion gold at least. To be fair soft landing and partner status could be easily exploited by nominating someone different to plat every year and letting them gently slide down the scale.

 

[Jama]

I think those pooling with whoever they feel like pooling with is more of an exploit. I would only allow pooling by written application with evidence of eligibility, like drivers license showing address or birth certificate for minors. Then on the fly changes only allowed with verified family members. I am sure there would be complaints. But, take it or leave it. To me this would be preferable to doing away with pooling due to abuse.

 

[777]

I think those pooling with whoever they feel like pooling with is more of an exploit. I would only allow pooling by written application with evidence of eligibility, like drivers license showing address or birth certificate for minors. Then on the fly changes only allowed with verified family members. I am sure there would be complaints. But, take it or leave it. To me this would be preferable to doing away with pooling due to abuse.

Pooling with non-family members and those who don't reside at the same address is clearly a rort. It is, and should be, grounds for termination of status benefits/ revocation of points earned or even disqualification from the program. The question then is how much bureaucracy you want to go through to enforce it. There should be some pretty onvious signs of abuse (sudden address changes/ lack of common names/ chopping and changing of details) that should set off alarm bells and could trigger an audit and i'd expect it to happen at some point.

 

[totd]

There's no shortage of ways to contain the ability to game the system, but with each extra step you put in place, the harder it becomes for people who are playing within the rules. But isn't that always the case? I'd guess that if they're going to impose any restrictions it would be to limit the number of changes to 4 per annum (like the inter-account points transfers). That would have significantly less admin overhead... Plus it's simple enough rule to be implemented algorithmically (read: self-serve), which ticks all the VA boxes.

I guess the other option which, post Sabre, seems more likely is to just require everyone to make their changes via the GCC which will pretty much ensure no one ever changes their family pooling options ever again.

 

[SimonF]

Pooling with non-family members and those who don't reside at the same address is clearly a rort. It is, and should be, grounds for termination of status benefits/ revocation of points earned or even disqualification from the program. The question then is how much bureaucracy you want to go through to enforce it. There should be some pretty onvious signs of abuse (sudden address changes/ lack of common names/ chopping and changing of details) that should set off alarm bells and could trigger an audit and i'd expect it to happen at some point.

I agree. I am surprised we haven`t seen people selling status on ebay. I do agree going forward they should just restrict to family members and whilst your second cousin`s sister could be anyone, at least this should tighten things up. Not sure why they are so loose on this policy at the moment.

Is it so the big flyers of a company can comp status to the MD or something?

 

[Jama]

I agree. I am surprised we haven`t seen people selling status on ebay. I do agree going forward they should just restrict to family members and whilst your second cousin`s sister could be anyone, at least this should tighten things up. Not sure why they are so loose on this policy at the moment.

Is it so the big flyers of a company can comp status to the MD or something?

The policy already states immediate family in the same household. It just isn't policed and comments on this forum indicate that people can't be trusted to stick to the policy based on their own integrity.

 

[dandandan]

Friend as well.

20.3.2 When a Platinum Member earns 500 Status Credits over and above the required number of Status Credits to maintain their Platinum Membership Level (800 Status Credits) within their Benefit Period (total 1,300 Status Credits), the Member is entitled to nominate a family member or friend who is a Velocity Frequent Flyer Member to a Gold level of Membership (Companion Gold Membership).

It also does say that you cannot change the companion member unless except when the nominated companion's Membership is closed due to extenuating circumstances such as death. Which makes it interesting if you get divorced (divorce might classify as extenuating) or friendship ends with the person you grant companion membership too. The terms don't go on to say you can nominate another companion member.

The policy already states immediate family in the same household. It just isn't policed and comments on this forum indicate that people can't be trusted to stick to the policy based on their own integrity.

 

[totd]

20.3.2 When a Platinum Member earns 500 Status Credits over and above the required number of Status Credits to maintain their Platinum Membership Level (800 Status Credits) within their Benefit Period (total 1,300 Status Credits), the Member is entitled to nominate a family member or friend who is a Velocity Frequent Flyer Member to a Gold level of Membership (Companion Gold Membership).

The thread's getting a little confused (and probably a little off topic) Jama, et al were talking about family pooling; which is supposed to be limited to immediate family only.

It also does say that you cannot change the companion member unless except when the nominated companion's Membership is closed due to extenuating circumstances such as death. Which makes it interesting if you get divorced (divorce might classify as extenuating) or friendship ends with the person you grant companion membership too. The terms don't go on to say you can nominate another companion member.

That is an interesting question. I'm sure they'd tell you to go jump in the case of a friend... But a divorce certainly should be grounds. It's not like you'd have difficulty producing documentation to support your claim.

 

[Jama]

Friend as well.

20.3.2 When a Platinum Member earns 500 Status Credits over and above the required number of Status Credits to maintain their Platinum Membership Level (800 Status Credits) within their Benefit Period (total 1,300 Status Credits), the Member is entitled to nominate a family member or friend who is a Velocity Frequent Flyer Member to a Gold level of Membership (Companion Gold Membership).

It also does say that you cannot change the companion member unless except when the nominated companion's Membership is closed due to extenuating circumstances such as death. Which makes it interesting if you get divorced (divorce might classify as extenuating) or friendship ends with the person you grant companion membership too. The terms don't go on to say you can nominate another companion member.

We are talking about two completely different things. Yes, once you have earnt a companion membership you can give it to whoever you wish. We are talking about pooling and actually earning the SC's, which is for immediate family in the same household only.

 

[dandandan]

Yes technically it is but the original post did broach the topic of companion membership whilst not specifically discussing. This branching out or expanding of the subject does keep one on the ball though. In another thread that went off topic, I just found out that you can't use a comp upgrade or points to upgrade the domestic sector that is part of an international itenerary. Lucky I did not jump in and book based on that was what I was planning to do.

The thread's getting a little confused (and probably a little off topic) Jama, et al were talking about family pooling; which is supposed to be limited to immediate family only.



That is an interesting question. I'm sure they'd tell you to go jump in the case of a friend... But a divorce certainly should be grounds. It's not like you'd have difficulty producing documentation to support your claim.

 

[totd]

In another thread that went off topic, I just found out that you can't use a comp upgrade or points to upgrade the domestic sector that is part of an international itenerary.

OK. This is way off-topic, but I'm trying to limit my excursion. Have a look at http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/virgin-australia-velocity/international-upgrades-with-points-41816.html

Might be worth starting a new thread on that question... Or calling the Plat desk and quoting chapter and verse at them...

Ok. Forget I said anything... I just noticed that that is your thread...

 

[lobo76]

Friend as well.

20.3.2 When a Platinum Member earns 500 Status Credits over and above the required number of Status Credits to maintain their Platinum Membership Level (800 Status Credits) within their Benefit Period (total 1,300 Status Credits), the Member is entitled to nominate a family member or friend who is a Velocity Frequent Flyer Member to a Gold level of Membership (Companion Gold Membership).

It also does say that you cannot change the companion member unless except when the nominated companion's Membership is closed due to extenuating circumstances such as death. Which makes it interesting if you get divorced (divorce might classify as extenuating) or friendship ends with the person you grant companion membership too. The terms don't go on to say you can nominate another companion member.

Hmnnnn I thought that you got partner gold after 1500 SCs in one year :/
I guess reversing family pooling after I get WP will definitely be the better option then...

 

[bullerdude]

Hmnnnn I thought that you got partner gold after 1500 SCs in one year :/
I guess reversing family pooling after I get WP will definitely be the better option then...

In the year you upgrade from Gold to Platinum, there has been evidence that they give you the companion gold after 500 status credits (i.e at 1500 in the one year) which is before the 800 required for renewal.

(I speak from personal experience )

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Friend as well.

20.3.2 When a Platinum Member earns 500 Status Credits over and above the required number of Status Credits to maintain their Platinum Membership Level (800 Status Credits) within their Benefit Period (total 1,300 Status Credits), the Member is entitled to nominate a family member or friend who is a Velocity Frequent Flyer Member to a Gold level of Membership (Companion Gold Membership).

And if one is offered and accepts partner gold then goes on to gain enough for partner plat, can that same partner be upgraded from gold to plat (I'm assuming so).