Shop to fly faster with Velocity and flybuys

[exceladdict]

Has anyone done a detailed comparison of routes that are better on VA than EY miles? If not I might look at doing so before the bonus ends

 

[kpc]

Has anyone done a detailed comparison of routes that are better on VA than EY miles? If not I might look at doing so before the bonus ends

I would be very interested as I'm still undecided whether I should TF to Velocity or Etihad

 

[Major]

Has anyone done a detailed comparison of routes that are better on VA than EY miles? If not I might look at doing so before the bonus ends

SQ has better routes vis SIN whereas you need to connect via AUH with EY. Therefore I would transfer points to VA.

However I don't know if that's a better use of the points. I guess it depends on your destinations.

 

[andye]

There are several domestic VA Y&J routes where the redemption bands favour using EY miles.
EY miles are usually less valuable than VA (redeeming either on VA or SQ) redeeming internationally in any cabin class

 

[exceladdict]

There are several domestic VA Y&J routes where the redemption bands favour using EY miles.
EY miles are usually less valuable than VA (redeeming either on VA or SQ) redeeming internationally in any cabin class

Thanks. I probably wouldn't have enough for long haul J anyway (on approx 130k FB) so might hold on and look at VA Dom J.

 

[exceladdict]

Spent some time this morning trying to flesh this out, happy to share but I can't guarantee 100% accuracy. It's an expanded version of this pointhacks table.

Only looked at PER as that's what was relevant to me. Threw in a SYD>LAX for fun, though with the annual transfer limit of 138,000 FB points which nets you max 60,030 VA, it's not really possible.

Also threw in a column multiplying the minimum value by .5c/p, showing you the value in fb$ those points could be worth. I've bolded in that column where, from my recent memory, the cost of buying that ticket in cash would be substantially more than the value of those points in fb$, with some consideration for taxes. Whether or not J is available (which it isn't on many regional WA routes) is another matter.

TL;DR, grouped by VA chart:

• 0-600 miles, VA is better during 15% promotion, EY otherwise.
• 601-1200 miles EY is better value and represents possible good value Y redemptions for typically expensive regional routes (EG BME-PER).
• 1201-2400 EY for PER<>ADL/MEL/XCH. The obscure west island/cocos keeling island leg is an exception. Still good value here in Y due to typically expensive regional pricing.
• 1201-2400 VA for PER<>BNE/SYD; but would only be worthwhile in J due to closeness of cash fare to fb$ value of points. Worth converting now to get an extra 15%.
• Long Haul: VA; but only good value for J. Worth converting now to get an extra 15%; but you will have to do over multiple years.

Origin	Destination	EY Y	FB for EY Y	VA Y	FB for VA Y	With 15%	0.5c/p value of best option	EY J	FB for EY J	VA J	FB for VA J	With 15%	0.5c/p value of best option
Esperance	Perth	6900	17250	7800	17931	15584	78	13800	34500	15500	35632	30969	155
Broome	Perth	6900	17250	11800	27126	23576	86	13800	34500	23500	54023	46953	173
Adelaide	Perth	10900	27250	17800	40920	35564	136	21800	54500	35500	81609	70929	273
Perth	Christmas Island	10900	27250	17800	40920	35564	136	21800	54500	35500	81609	70929	273
Perth	West Island (Cocos Keeling Island)	16900	42250	17800	40920	35564	178	33800	84500	35500	81609	70929	355
Melbourne	Perth	10900	27250	17800	40920	35564	136	21800	54500	35500	81609	70929	273
Perth	Sydney	16900	42250	17800	40920	35564	178	33800	84500	35500	81609	70929	355
Brisbane	Perth	16900	42250	17800	40920	35564	178	33800	84500	35500	81609	70929	355
Los Angeles	Sydney	60000	150000	44,800	102989	89510	448	120000	300000	95500	219540	190809	954

 

[gwilli1]

That moment when your FB account goes from 84013 to 13 .....BUT ..... but Velocity account increases by 42021points.

 

[drron]

I wish my Flybuys account would go from 70023 to 23 but it is not happening.
Got an email yesterday for 15% bonus transferring to Velocity for the next 48 hours.So changed my linked account from mrsdrron to my Velocity account.
But last night and now it will not let me transfer.Hit the transfer now button and it goes back to the request page and my points balance is unchanged.

 

[PDog]

I wish my Flybuys account would go from 70023 to 23 but it is not happening.
Got an email yesterday for 15% bonus transferring to Velocity for the next 48 hours.So changed my linked account from mrsdrron to my Velocity account.
But last night and now it will not let me transfer.Hit the transfer now button and it goes back to the request page and my points balance is unchanged.

I had a problem originally because the names on my accounts were slightly different. Corrected that on my flybuys account and all is good now.

 

[drron]

I had a problem originally because the names on my accounts were slightly different. Corrected that on my flybuys account and all is good now.

My flybuys account did have my middle initial and velocity didn't.So I removed it but still the same problem.

 

[flybuys]

My flybuys account did have my middle initial .and velocity didn't.So I removed it but still the same problem.

Sorry you're having trouble. Please let us know your member numbers in a private message and we'll look into this for you.

 

[doctau]

I was having a similar problem with transfers, and I received a reply via PM which I thought would be useful to others.

Currently they prevent FlyBuys->Velocity transfers from a non-Australian IP addresses, but it does not give you any indication it is blocked. So you either need to wait until you are home, or use a VPN.

 

[dudekramer]

I have been a Velocity member for many years, reaching Platinum status, but then falling back to Gold, and now Silver due to some body replacements curtailing my activities for a couple of years - I have now almost returned to Gold, and because I have not been travelling to the US (as previously) I have been using partner airlines (Singapore, Etihad, etc). As I do not fly domestically much anymore, I have rarely been using VA in Australia, and consequently, although I have flown more than sufficient number of sectors, because they were not on VA flight, I cannot regain Gold status until I fly 4 VA sectors, even though I have sufficient Status credits, and 300K+ velocity points. I do understand the definition of a Loyalty scheme, but when Virgin does not provide sufficient options flying to Asia and Europe, I found it a bit hard to take as I consider the Status perks are the most important part of the scheme. Does anyone have any thoughts about moving to one of the partner airline programmes and whether they have a different vew on Status, or should I just book a couple of cheap return flights in Australia to reach the sector requirements. Normally on long-haul flights we travel Business anyway, so most benefits are available but occasionally when travelling shorter flights (Japan, Singapore, etc) we will travel Economy, and still want to access priority benefits. Any suggestions welcomed.

 

[andye]

Options:
Book some upcoming EY/SQ flights via VA to get the codeshare
Do a sector run. Depends where you are based but many can be done in a day (or have a domestic weekend break)
Change to a different scheme. However VA status is one of the easiest to achieve and if you are just Gold it may be harder (I think there is a current fast-track for SQ via Amex Plat Charge and Shangri-La)
Just go for the most convenient airline and maybe consider a Priority Pass for lounges

Id probably do a domestic weekend break in your position

 

[Captain Halliday]

Flybuys/VA email just landed offering double SC via Flybuys for a range of Coles group stores in April. As with previous offer it's for a max. 20SC for the month.

Unclear if targeted, or open to all.

 

[serfty]

Looks open; now if only it were a month later and crediting into my new VA status "year".

 

[PDog]

Looks open; now if only it were a month later and crediting into my new VA status "year".

They won't post till early May, does that help??

 

[serfty]

They won't post till early May, does that help??

Thanks, but no ... need posting after late May.

May earn posts in June - that would have worked.

 

[andye]

I'm overseas most of April. Sure I could have collected 60 SCs if I wasn't

 

[kamchatsky]

I got it also. However I have already got my 80SCs to meet my Explorer Gold requirement ....