SCs for upgraded business...

[SBD]

Good afternoon,

May I please have your thoughts on a Velocity problem?


I’m need of SCs to maintain platinum for a honeymoon in early 2014, among other assorted travel.


For my last few domestic flights, I’ve upgraded with points to business for the SCs.


I did this because (a) in the past, upgraded business flights have earned business SCs, (b) Virgin telephone sales assured me this was so when I booked.

Only flexi SCs appeared.


Now it’s true that 19.1.5 says this:

19.1.5 Members will earn Status Credits and Points based on the original fare class booked for flights where an Upgrade Using Points has been redeemed.
​

However, 20.1.14 says this:

20.1.14 Status Credits will be awarded to Members based on the fare class ticketed and travelled and a higher rate of earn will not be applied for any cabin upgrades where the ticket is not reissued (such as complimentary upgrades).​

My view is that, since the tickets were all reissued (with new ticket numbers), 20.1.14 means I should earn SCs on the fare class ticketed, i.e. business.


As I say, it’s always been this way until now.


And if there’s a contradiction in the terms and conditions, as there plainly is here, a nice airline would resolve the ambiguity in a loyal passenger’s favour.


Velocity disagrees, though I think they’ve undertaken to reexamine the situation (at least I’ve asked politely or this to occur).


Thoughts, comments, observations, advice? I’d be grateful.


Kind regards,


SBD

 

[markis10]

Until recently flown class seemed to matter, now its the class of the original booking made before using points to upgrade.

 

[serfty]

...
As I say, it’s always been this way until now.

...

Therein is the issue - if you have previously received business earnings when upgrading I suggest you count yourself fortunate.

It was never Velocity's intention for such elevated earn to occur - such earning was in conflict with both 19.1.5 and 20.1.14 (not withstanding the reissue contradiction)however their systems had a flaw which caused such earnings to be credited.

It was nice while it lasted ...

 

[DeKa]

I suggest you don't call them about it either - you never know what they may do with your existing SCs.

 

[bullerdude]

Interesting pick-up with the T+C's there... and I would agree that they are in disagreeable.

Its will known that you do not earn status credits at J rates for upgraded tickets although if your tickets were fully reissued then technically they are new tickets (more Sabre related issue then VA policy).

My reading is that this is a fuzzy area given there is a line in the T+C's that state you do not earn status credits when using upgrade credits/points etc.

I don't think this is a winnable case but there is no harm in putting your case forward for review.

 

[straitman]

I don't think this is a winnable case but there is no harm in putting your case forward for review.

I have to agree, however if you do win we ALL want to know about it. :shock:

 

[SBD]

Thanks for the thoughts.

Partly I'm keen on the SCs to maintain Platinum with a honeymoon on the way.

Partly I'm just a touch annoyed because the whole point of the upgrades was to get more SCs. The staff who sold the upgrades to me did so on the basis that the business-ticket SCs would accrue. We talked about it at the time.

Fingers crossed.

For what it's worth I find VA a splendid airline.

I've been crossing the Pacific since the days of Pan Am. Those glorious days are never returning, sadly, but Virgin Australia is the best of the bunch around today.

SBD

 

[serfty]

...

I've been crossing the Pacific since the days of Pan Am. Those glorious days are never returning, sadly, but Virgin Australia is the best of the bunch around today.

SBD

Maybe among the transpacific bunch ... but that's not too difficult these days ...

 

[williamsf1]

Good afternoon,

May I please have your thoughts on a Velocity problem?


I’m need of SCs to maintain platinum for a honeymoon in early 2014, among other assorted travel.


For my last few domestic flights, I’ve upgraded with points to business for the SCs.


I did this because (a) in the past, upgraded business flights have earned business SCs, (b) Virgin telephone sales assured me this was so when I booked.

Only flexi SCs appeared.


Now it’s true that 19.1.5 says this:

19.1.5 Members will earn Status Credits and Points based on the original fare class booked for flights where an Upgrade Using Points has been redeemed.
​

However, 20.1.14 says this:

20.1.14 Status Credits will be awarded to Members based on the fare class ticketed and travelled and a higher rate of earn will not be applied for any cabin upgrades where the ticket is not reissued (such as complimentary upgrades).​

My view is that, since the tickets were all reissued (with new ticket numbers), 20.1.14 means I should earn SCs on the fare class ticketed, i.e. business.


As I say, it’s always been this way until now.


And if there’s a contradiction in the terms and conditions, as there plainly is here, a nice airline would resolve the ambiguity in a loyal passenger’s favour.


Velocity disagrees, though I think they’ve undertaken to reexamine the situation (at least I’ve asked politely or this to occur).


Thoughts, comments, observations, advice? I’d be grateful.


Kind regards,


SBD

A upgrade class is Z class so reading the SC table on here https://www.velocityfrequentflyer.com/content/Info/StatusEarnFareClass/index.htm you will not earn anything however you will earn based on original fare paid ( ie Flexi) status

 

[Ausbt]

All five of my Platinum flexi domestic upgrades have delivered J SCs. My recent SYD-LAX flexi to J points upgrade delivered flexi SCs.

 

[DeKa]

All five of my Platinum flexi domestic upgrades have delivered J SCs. My recent SYD-LAX flexi to J points upgrade delivered flexi SCs.

What dates were these flights?

 

[Ausbt]

What dates were these flights?

All the domestic Flexi to J's were March through July. The SYD-LAX-SYD was October.

 

[day-heg]

All the domestic Flexi to J's were March through July. The SYD-LAX-SYD was October.

I suspect this welcome and extended run of J-level SCs for upgraded flights is at an end. It's been mentioned in other threads too that it seems to have been fixed by the IT guys.

My wife upgraded a flexi with a Plat upgrade on Friday and was credited with flexi SCs.

It is a shame and I'm sure their passing will be lamented by many, but it was always a bonus, should never have been expected, and I hope that many if us benefitted from them...

Eulogy over! ;-)