Points upgrades on V Australia

[lkennedy]

Hi,

apologies if this has been posted before, I had a look and couldn't find anything.

I have mostly flown Qantas in the past and often use points to upgrade to Premium economy. I am flying to the US laster in the year and was looking for how to do this on V Australia, but couldn't find it.

Is this possible ? Is there a chart stating how many points are needed for upgrades ?

Also, are last minute cash upgrades available at the airport ? How much are they generally (for Syd-LAX) ?

Thanks.

 

[markis10]

Welcome to AFF, I dont believe its possible at present and there was a post by a DJ rep on another thread that indicated it was coming as a feature soon.

 

[lkennedy]

Thanks.

did they give any indication of timeframe ?

 

[markis10]

It was back in Aug 2009, so hopefully we can get an update:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....elocity/velocity-points-to-upgrade-19101.html

 

[crazydave98]

This will happen some time this year - sorry I can't be more specific - can't tell redroo all our plans. It will happen as part of some broader changes to Velocity, many of which have been prompted by feedback on this forum.
cheers
CrazyDave98

 

[lkennedy]

Thanks for the info. Hope its before my trip mid year !

 

[markis10]

This will happen some time this year - sorry I can't be more specific - can't tell redroo all our plans. It will happen as part of some broader changes to Velocity, many of which have been prompted by feedback on this forum.
cheers
CrazyDave98

Thanks CrazyDave98 for the prompt reply, as always its much appreciated!

 

[random111]

This will happen some time this year - sorry I can't be more specific - can't tell redroo all our plans. It will happen as part of some broader changes to Velocity, many of which have been prompted by feedback on this forum.
cheers
CrazyDave98

Hi Crazydave

With the changes made today, there is now the ability to upgrade using point on virgin australia, polynesian and pacific blue, is Vaustralia going to the join the party at all?

If so will it be before the end of the year?

Im flying MEL to LAX with Vaustralia in December and am very interested in using my points to upgrade.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[serfty]

Note that while upgrades are available - it's only from the more expensive "Flexi" fares.

 

[random111]

Note that while upgrades are available - it's only from the more expensive "Flexi" fares.

Yeah I noticed that, not entirely impressed with that as well, but its a big step up from having no point upgrades I guess.

I have so many points and so little chance to holiday, I can sit on my points until my next travel window comes, but it would be great to be able to use some of them on this trip.

 

[DJ 1D]

I preferred the taster upgrade. $35 to upgrade was a no-brainer, especially from a saver fare.

With points, I like to pool them for a big family holiday overseas in business.

 

[random111]

I preferred the taster upgrade. $35 to upgrade was a no-brainer, especially from a saver fare.

With points, I like to pool them for a big family holiday overseas in business.

I agree with you, I am not overly impressed with it

I think it is not as good as other frequent flyer programs, more expensive and not as flexible aswell.

Annoying that you can only upgrade to premium economy

With points, my problem was that I couldn't use them for any flights as I am flying around christmas/new years, there was absolutely no availability, so I thought the next best thing would be to use some to upgrade our flights...doesn't look like its happening

 

[DJ 1D]

I agree with you, I am not overly impressed with it

I think it is not as good as other frequent flyer programs, more expensive and not as flexible aswell.

Annoying that you can only upgrade to premium economy

With points, my problem was that I couldn't use them for any flights as I am flying around christmas/new years, there was absolutely no availability, so I thought the next best thing would be to use some to upgrade our flights...doesn't look like its happening

If you're Platinum you can use the "guarantee reward seats" feature at Xmas. That's what I'm planning on doing.

With regards to the new upgrade system, hopefully there will be a few tricks we can use similiar to the ones before!

 

[random111]

If you're Platinum you can use the "guarantee reward seats" feature at Xmas. That's what I'm planning on doing.

With regards to the new upgrade system, hopefully there will be a few tricks we can use similiar to the ones before!

I'm a fair way off platinum, so no good for me...

what tricks are they? care to share?

 

[DJ 1D]

They are all old tricks now, only useful for a few more days.

Basically, if you're Gold you can upgrade from any fare, including a saver. So you could get some damn good SCs/$ out of that.

Also, if you have an early morning flight you can call the Gold Centre the night before (between 7-8pm) and they do the taster then. If you've got a return flight on the same booking they can do both for you.

Unfortunately all comes to an end on Sept 1.


ETA: The guarantee reward seats are available to Golds as well, but only within Australia.

 

[JB007]

Im also a little annoyed at this as BFOD means Saver tickets always. However I was looking at my e-ticket for a Saver fare for a flight today and under key features it has that I have the ability to upgrade using Points.

Checked this with Lounge staff in BNE and they confirmed that I could but would need to contact the Velocity contact centre. Did that and was told that I was wrong and the information on the e-ticket is wrong.

Happy to be wrong but consistency would be nice, especially if its on the e-tickets

 

[random111]

They are all old tricks now, only useful for a few more days.

Basically, if you're Gold you can upgrade from any fare, including a saver. So you could get some damn good SCs/$ out of that.

Also, if you have an early morning flight you can call the Gold Centre the night before (between 7-8pm) and they do the taster then. If you've got a return flight on the same booking they can do both for you.

Unfortunately all comes to an end on Sept 1.


ETA: The guarantee reward seats are available to Golds as well, but only within Australia.

Ah what a shame!!

I hope they get vaustralia on board for points upgrades...

 

[Ric]

A bit OT, but what other FF programs allows points upgrade when an eligible whY fare is purchased/
Cheers,
Ric

 

[serfty]

A bit OT, but what other FF programs allows points upgrade when an eligible whY fare is purchased/
Cheers,
Ric

Off the top of my head - AA, UA, NZ (Gold Elite).

DJ requite W class (a PE) to be available.

 

[random111]

I take it that by the lack of response from velocity, vaustralia will not be a part of the points upgrade...

it's a shame!!

I did read on the terms and conditions though that they allow points upgrades to premium or business with partner airlines...are they referring to pol & pac blue?

or delta, etihad etc...

looks like ill either be getting the flight centre vouchers or sitting on the points in the hope for some future use...