Potential Velocity Subscription Service

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newbuyer1976

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Hi all,

What’s your thoughts on this paid subscription service for ‘above status’ privileges?

One of the biggest negative holding me back against moving to Velocity are the overcrowded lounges and this just reads like they’re gonna pump more bodies in to make a few more bucks.

Combined with all the nickle and diming they’ve done even to business class flyers, why bother swap unless they do something compelling like join Star Alliance?
 
Hi all,

What’s your thoughts on this paid subscription service for ‘above status’ privileges?

One of the biggest negative holding me back against moving to Velocity are the overcrowded lounges and this just reads like they’re gonna pump more bodies in to make a few more bucks.

Combined with all the nickle and diming they’ve done even to business class flyers, why bother swap unless they do something compelling like join Star Alliance?
Do you have a link to details?
 
It was an email questionnaire sent out last week to (some ?) velocity members - if we were to offer you a subscription-based service offering various enhancements would you (for instance) prefer a) fare discounts, b) additional points c) upgrades to economy X seats d) free annual ticket, that sort of choice range. And would you pay x or y for this, and would you prefer to pay that monthly or annually, A fishing trip.. Nothing blew my hair back
 

It's certainly an interesting development. I'm not immediately opposed to it and depending on price might be interested as a VA SG.

I don't travel domestically often during peak times so I have never found the lounges too crowded. I imagine this would be targeted at those who already frequent the VA lounges however.
 
i got this email also...depending on what they are offering and for how much will determine any opinion i have. could have its positives and also may not...
 
Yeah, completed this questionnaire last week and would probably be interested depending on what is offered.
 
I can't form an opinion without specific information on the actual benefits and costs proposed.
Although I do wonder if, with increasing pressure to abandon frequent flyer programmes from consumer and environmental regulators, subscription based programmes may be the future of flyer privileges.
 
Overcrowded lounges? Really? Do you use them a lot and when did you find they were overcrowded, if you don't mind me asking.
I've tagged along with a colleague on about 5 trips as he had Platinum status. Our trips were the business end of the week, so Mondays at around 0700 and one Friday at 1800. It's always been uncomfortably packed, more so than than the Qantas Club (despite it being under reno this year). Is that not your experience? Did I just get a run of bad luck?
 
I've tagged along with a colleague on about 5 trips as he had Platinum status. Our trips were the business end of the week, so Mondays at around 0700 and one Friday at 1800. It's always been uncomfortably packed, more so than than the Qantas Club (despite it being under reno this year). Is that not your experience? Did I just get a run of bad luck?

So peak business travel time then :)

I don't fly for work any more but I'm not too far removed from it, in my experience the only time I've found a lounge so crowded I can't get a seat is at Sydney on a Friday evening. Granted the morning and evening bank of east coast flights do fill up the lounges but at least in Brisbane and Melbourne the lounges are much larger so you don't feel as sardined as in SYD. Similar experiences in the Qantas Club as well based on reports from colleagues.

I'd be interested in the details of the service, based on the questions reported in the ET article I'd be interested in the monthly status credits and the higher points earn, but would depend on the price point.
 
I got the email too and there was a very wide range of potential add-ins. Everything from discounts for F&B on-board, to an annual free domestic flight to a monthly tranche of status credits. My read was VA taking the temp of potential customers and relative appeal of each benefit.
Could be a great way to generate increased member engagement from both frequent and infrequent flyers depending on the bundles offered..oh, and some revenue too! ;)
 
Sydney lounge nearly always overcrowded!

I’ve had maybe 4 flights from syd in the last two months, mostly weekday evening flights leaving 6-7pm. The syd va lounge is busy, sure, but I’ve always been able to find a seat. The upstairs section is often quieter too (although the last few times I’ve found seats on the main floor).
 
My time in Virgin’s domestic lounges is usually due to layovers following international flights. These layovers will often be a couple of hours, sometimes more, and so I see the patterns in numbers. Yes, the lounges are crowded at 7.30am or 5.30pm on a weekday, but if you come an hour or two earlier or later, it drops off significantly. It wouldn’t make financial sense to build a lounge that would be roomy in those very short peak periods.
 
I replied to this and I'm mostly against it. It makes VA status access even more accessible for a fee. I don't want another club jetstar.
 
Received and responded to this also. I'm not against it as a value-add/booster type initiative, but I'd hate for it to become a profit centre that undermines their core loyalty program. Their BAU loyalty program needs to be a core focus.
 
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I don't fly for work any more but I'm not too far removed from it, in my experience the only time I've found a lounge so crowded I can't get a seat is at Sydney on a Friday evening.
lucky to get a seat on a plane at 1800 Friday, let alone in the lounge!


The good news for travellers is that if Monday mornings and Friday nights are crowded, but they still let you in, means that its never crowded any other time.
 
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