Q re if review date changes, when Velocity Status Changes.

[ozstamps]

In my personal view the current system is dumber than dirt when 2 partners are trying to keep review dates almost in line, to plan forward travel. If status levels alter then they are out of Kilter.

The American system of ANNUAL CALENDAR YEAR flights and SC counting during 2018 and only during 2018, is so much simpler, but of course Virgin were not smart enough to note what had worked perfectly elsewhere for 50 years in Flyer Plans.

Make 500 or 1000 SC by December 31 and you are good til Feb 2020 as Gold or Plat. Nothing could be simpler. Reach it in Feb, June or December 30 it does not matter. You are Gold or Plat. Eveyone cards have annual currency and all expire at same time.

Back into the Loopy Velocity world, my Question is my partner now Gold with review date June 2019 will reach Plat in October. If I recall the last time her status changed the new review date started ticking for a year a year after October?

OR am I imagining that? Does it stay at June or re-set for October?

 

[Saab34]

I’d imagine it would be fairly dangerous from a strategic point, your major competitor knowing that your entire 9 million customer base has status potentially expiring/changing on such and such month, all at once. They would be putting their entire base at risk, as QF would no doubt do all sorts of things to lure them via one promo etc..

 

[ozstamps]

I’d imagine it would be fairly dangerous from a strategic point, your major competitor knowing that your entire 9 million customer base has status potentially expiring/changing on such and such month, all at once. They would be putting their entire base at risk, as QF would no doubt do all sorts of things to lure them via one promo etc..

Well clearly it has not bothered United, American, Delta, Alaska and Southwest etc for 50 years, with their 200 million members, but of course you may be 100% correct.

Any comment on my actual QUESTION?

 

[Denali]

If she achieves WP in Oct, her new Velocity renewal date will be Oct.

Happened to my husband (he went from Gold May 28th renewal to Platinum May 20th) and it was annoying. Phoned the help desk but no change/extension allowed.

 

[ozstamps]

If she achieves WP in Oct, her new Velocity renewal date will be Oct.

Happened to my husband (he went from Gold May 28th renewal to Platinum May 20th) and it was annoying. Phoned the help desk but no change/extension allowed.

Many thanks for confirming what I sadly already thought would occur. For single travellers no biggie, but for partners a real nightmare unless you keep the same status indefinitely. Her date will move 7 months out of synch with me now.

Actually is a negative for Velocity as we can't be bothered re-jigging travel to suit this loopy system.

We were both United 1Ks for a decade and MANY were the flights we took in latter December as a quick glance showed a few segments short for the year, and bingo extra bucks for the airline. A smart and simple to understand system for all, and no wonder the USA stuck with it.

 

[serfty]

If she achieves WP in Oct, her new Velocity renewal date will be Oct.

... and it wont be simple "October". It will be one year from where the status review occurs, so if the Status upgrade occurs Oct 18th 2018 then the review date with be Oct 18th 2019.

 

[andye]

With family pooling and soft landings, it is possible to use the VFF system to one's advantage.

 

[Duffa]

So if get enough SC for gold in September (via Etihad) and then fly the required sectors in December, do I stay gold until next December or next September ??

 

[andye]

So if get enough SC for gold in September (via Etihad) and then fly the required sectors in December, do I stay gold until next December or next September ??

It will be December.
After flying EY in September, you ought to make a decision. If you won't make Platinum over next 12 months, you should pool SCs to someone else or they will be 'wasted'.

 

[JohnK]

Currently on 310 SCs with review date early October. Only scheduled to travel 2 more weekends between now and then and won't make the required SCs for Gold. Do not have any SCs expiring until January 2019.

Does that mean that I have until say the end of the year to get the remaining SCs? I will more than likely get there some time October/November and review date will change again which is a good thing.

 

[serfty]

If you fail to qualify you will drop to Silver, unless comped.

Once that happens, if on any day you have had 4 qualifying segments and earned 500 SC's in the previous 365 days to that day then you will be back to Gold.

Velocity Gold Membership

400 SC is no longer the target.

 

[n7of9]

Currently on 310 SCs with review date early October. Only scheduled to travel 2 more weekends between now and then and won't make the required SCs for Gold. Do not have any SCs expiring until January 2019.

Does that mean that I have until say the end of the year to get the remaining SCs? I will more than likely get there some time October/November and review date will change again which is a good thing.

You will drop to silver if you haven't acquired 400 SC at your Oct 2018 review date

If your SC balance then reaches 500 before any SC expire in Jan 2019, you will move to Gold with a new review date

 

[clipped_wings]

Family pooling works for us. We never generally fly alone, so I pool everything to DH (dear husband) and I will always glom in on his benefit when we fly together.

I've always accepted this and so far, haven't had a holiday or travel plan spoiled by review dates or status pending etc. I guess it makes me a little focused on tracking his status and points, but hey - that's half the fun!

 

[SuzieQ68]

From a personal perspective, I like the VA review system as it works well for my partner and myself. We're both currently VA Gold with review dates about 5 months apart. With family pooling and our travel habits, makes it much easier to keep both of us at VA Gold so when we travel separately we both get the benefits. For us would be a PITA if we had the same renewal dates as we couldn't work our travel to obtain the necessary SC's to maintain.

 

[andye]

The other aspect is that VA is one of the easiest airlines in the world to gain/retain status in

 

[Muppet501st]

You will drop to silver if you haven't acquired 400 SC at your Oct 2018 review date

If your SC balance then reaches 500 before any SC expire in Jan 2019, you will move to Gold with a new review date

As long as you have the required (4) sectors

 

[Jack_OC]

In my personal view the current system is dumber than dirt when 2 partners are trying to keep review dates almost in line, to plan forward travel. If status levels alter then they are out of Kilter.

The American system of ANNUAL CALENDAR YEAR flights and SC counting during 2018 and only during 2018, is so much simpler, but of course Virgin were not smart enough to note what had worked perfectly elsewhere for 50 years in Flyer Plans.

Make 500 or 1000 SC by December 31 and you are good til Feb 2020 as Gold or Plat. Nothing could be simpler. Reach it in Feb, June or December 30 it does not matter. You are Gold or Plat. Eveyone cards have annual currency and all expire at same time.

Back into the Loopy Velocity world, my Question is my partner now Gold with review date June 2019 will reach Plat in October. If I recall the last time her status changed the new review date started ticking for a year a year after October?

OR am I imagining that? Does it stay at June or re-set for October?

Can you explain why you think it would be in your interests to have your review date aligned with your partner's? I would say it's quite the opposite, if you're seeking to maximise the benefits of Family Pooling.

The rolling 365 day calculation period used by Virgin is also without doubt in the customer's interests, as it means accruing x number of SCs in any 365 day period will move you up, as opposed to having to get x SCs within a pre-defined 365 day period, which can split SCs from a busy period of travel between two membership years.

BTW, KrisFlyer review dates also get re-set when your status level changes, so this is not unique to Velocity.

 

[Vic]

I'm really struggling to see the issue with the rolling total system. From an airline persepctive it actually means they are NOT giving away upto an extra 12 months of status recognition for free as in the calendar year system. I can't imagine virgin being cut up about not giving away free status.

The rolling system actually works really well in my family (we have 3x gold). Different review dates makes it really easy to target each person in turn via family pooling to make the requalification date. Great when travel is spread out over the year. Also great that if one does drop down temporarily then the other 2 still have enough guest spots. The same review date would be a nightmare to manage, and could also see us with no lounge access. Have thought about getting MM up to platinum but 3 gold works better.
Might be good to understand the system fully before criticising.

 

[ozstamps]

I'm really struggling to see the issue with the rolling total system. From an airline persepctive it actually means they are NOT giving away up to an extra 12 months of status recognition for free as in the calendar year system.

I can't imagine virgin being cut up about not giving away free status.

Might be good to understand the system fully before criticising.

I understand the system perfectly and for us it sucks. As we are never on same renewal months unless you keep the same status forever.

I've been top tier in airline plans for 40 years straight, and trust me the calendar year system (as used by most of the worlds FF schemes) works best, and is simplest to be part of - IMHO.

Those Airlines do not "give way" 12 months of status "free" - I'd suggest you are the one who clearly does not understand how the real FF world majority - outside Virgin, works, and has worked, for decades.

One needs to EARN Status before December 31 each year. Simple. Get to 100,000 flown Miles, or 100 flight segments on United by December 31, and you are 1K for the next year. Easy to understand and plan around.

 

[ozjuice]

The VA system is also simple and easy to adapt in your favour. IMO more flexible.