Should VA have a membership status for FF's above platinum?

[JohnK]

3. Upgrades with points on partner airlines for platinums (although with Virgin not being in an alliance, this may be difficult to do)

Good points and I believe *Alliance have this benefit. From memory it is not that beneficial to upgrade another airline using points from another FF program.

 

[BAM1748]

Interesting how people want Virgin to make it like the QFF scheme.

 

[anat0l]

3. Upgrades with points on partner airlines for platinums (although with Virgin not being in an alliance, this may be difficult to do)

Frankly, with EY and VA getting quite intimate, I don't see why this should be a big deal, even if they copy the *A upgrade model.

The partnership ("alliance") model adopted by VA is supposed to facilitate and make these kinds of systems easier to implement on a more intimate level, not more difficult and shallow. Or so that was the intent.

Good points and I believe *Alliance have this benefit. From memory it is not that beneficial to upgrade another airline using points from another FF program.

Y to J upgrades on the *A upgrade programme are only valid from most flexible (or semi-flexible) Economy classes. J to F upgrades are available on virtually all classes (excluding a few discounted Business ones).

It's probably not likely that *A upgrades are abound because one will benefit more spending their FF currency on upgrades on the host carrier, or using the same currency to burn for miles in the higher class anyway. It probably works best for those who are on expense accounts and want the upgrade on that carrier so booked.

Interesting how people want Virgin to make it like the QFF scheme.

Well, here are other ideas, some based on other FF programmes around the world for either Platinums or those who prove themselves well beyond that level. Note that the list below does not take into the financial sensibility (or rationality) of any of these suggestions!

• Unlimited space-available domestic upgrades (i.e. no instruments used)
• International upgrade instruments
• Points overdrafting
• Booking an award into revenue space by paying a fixed points premium; or the ability to book into revenue space without any premium
• Refreshing of all one-time partner statuses (e.g. Hilton HHonors, IHG, etc.), i.e. can invoke them again even if you've used them before; or persistent partner status as long as a higher status is maintained; or additional exclusive partner statuses, e.g. Starwood, Hyatt, etc.
• Extra baggage allowance on both partners and host-operated flights
• Exclusive pre-order meal selections on international flights (e.g. specially prepared dishes only available via pre-order and only to certain status members)
• 24/7 concierge, similar to that offered by top-line credit card companies - book hotels, hard-to-get restaurant tables, get travel recommendations, arrange to send your spouse a gift on your anniversary, etc.
• Dedicated 24/7 assistance line, with international reverse-charges number available
• Dedicated assistance and direct-help app for iOS, Android and Windows Phone
• Removal of all assistance, change and cancellation fees, including fees charged for telephone assistance or at the airport counter (except credit card fees)
• Chauffeur service on international flights regardless of the class of travel
• Ability to gift partner status and status instruments to friends and family
• Lounge passes, which are persistent throughout one's elite membership and only start expiring when (a) gifted to another member whose status does not normally confer lounge access, or (b) the member drops to such a status
• Christmas gift
• Free meals and beverage (or fixed credit per applicable flight)
• Complimentary annual one hotel night at 4 or 5 star hotel in selected locations
• Complimentary annual travel insurance policy
• Space-available same day flight change with no penalty or fees (even with checked baggage)
• Unconditional 6 month status year freeze (similar to parental leave benefit but with no obligation to use it for maternity / paternity purposes)
• Ability to bank additional years of status
• Reduced costs of awards on partner airlines that do not use the VA points table (e.g. SQ, HA)
• Book of complimentary vouchers for use on airport public transport services (e.g. Brisbane Airtrain, Sydney Airport Train, Melbourne Skybus, London Heathrow Express, etc.)
• Ability to cash out Travel Bank
• Personal assistant to meet and greet for both departure and arrival
• Additional guests to all lounges (host and partner)
• Guaranteed neighbouring seat block (except where number of seats available on a flight is less than a certain number)
• Guaranteed row 5 access on VA long haul international flights
• Credit rebate if subscribed to Virgin Mobile or Virgin Broadband
• ShopAndEarn store credit
• Improved family holiday redemption scheme: only 3 months notice required, Business class redemptions available
• Uber credit, or ability to redeem VA points for Uber credit
• Complimentary subscription to Regus Business World
• Complimentary magazine subscription
• Points "term deposit" - "bank" points that you cannot use until you drop status below a certain level. Whilst you cannot access these points, the balance will periodically increase (similar to a term deposit at a bank)
• Inflight wifi credit for use on partner airlines (EY, DL, SQ...)

 

[R36snowbound]

Interesting how people want Virgin to make it like the QFF scheme.

Hi Bam,

VA want to go after QF.

VA's goal is to be taken seriously by the corporate world, they want to move away from the low cost carrier model and compete as a full service airline.

IMO, a full service airline has to have a good FF program and reward their most loyal customers to the same extent as the competition.

IMO, VA is not looking after their most loyal and frequent customers as well as QF looks after theirs.

 

[medhead]

Hi Bam,

VA want to go after QF.

VA's goal is to be taken seriously by the corporate world, they want to move away from the low cost carrier model and compete as a full service airline.

IMO, a full service airline has to have a good FF program and reward their most loyal customers to the same extent as the competition.

IMO, VA is not looking after their most loyal and frequent customers as well as QF looks after theirs.

They also need a point of difference.

As already mentioned VA need to fix the anomalies that already exist in their ff program before adding things. We agree that va is not looking after their most loyal and frequent flyers, that is the point of all the comments about the difference in benefits for gold and platinum. They are best served by making platinum more beneficial first, rather than introducing another level that is largely ego stroking.

 

[BAM1748]

Hi Bam,

VA want to go after QF.

I agree, they only want to go after them, Virgin don't seem to have the ability to leapfrog QF and be better. It's always just do enough, nothing more.

Matt

 

[kelpie]

I don't ask for much. Just fix the <*** deleted> VA and Velocity websites!!!

 

[notzac]

They also need a point of difference.

I rather thought they had a few of those:

• Partner status upgrades for hotel and car programs
• Family pooling of points
• Family pooling of status credits
• Domestic upgrade certificates
• Fly Ahead (documented vs. unwritten benefit)

As much as some of those could be improved or are of questionable value for some people, they are nonetheless fairly substantial points of difference.

They are best served by making platinum more beneficial first, rather than introducing another level that is largely ego stroking.

Agreed wholeheartedly.

Also agreed with just about everyone that a lifetime status feature is needed!

 

[Clivem]

I agree, they only want to go after them, Virgin don't seem to have the ability to leapfrog QF and be better. It's always just do enough, nothing more.

Matt

So basically your asking....."may I have some more - please ? "

 

[drewbles]

So basically your asking....."may I have some more - please ? "View attachment 23457

1234567890

 

[medhead]

I rather thought they had a few of those:

• Partner status upgrades for hotel and car programs
• Family pooling of points
• Family pooling of status credits
• Domestic upgrade certificates
• Fly Ahead (documented vs. unwritten benefit)

As much as some of those could be improved or are of questionable value for some people, they are nonetheless fairly substantial points of difference.

My comment was solely in reply to the post that I quoted, and specifically the idea that va needs to copy platinum 1. It was not to say they don't have points of difference rather than they don't need to copy qantas to take on qantas or move away from the lcc model.

 

[notzac]

View attachment 23485
1234567890

AHHAHAHAHAAH .. spectacular

 

[maninblack]

Virgin already has gifting of partner status to any other Velocity member, both Gold and Platinum at requal plus 500 SC's and 1000 SC's respectively. I think that their program is quite good FWIW. They have a few good features QF lack but things like the hotel and car rental program status benefits have to be ongoing each year in parallel with the status or else they are BS. They have an Arab 'partner' like QF and NZ, VS and SQ are good partners for SC earns. Unlike QF, VA is not really an international airline and that is a big point of difference in what they should offer.

Lifetime status? Not sure, being LTG isn't holding me to QF.

I have learnt to never take loyalty programs to seriously.

 

[BAM1748]

So basically your asking....."may I have some more - please ? "View attachment 23457

No, I'm not asking for anything as I'm rarely a Virgin customer.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

QF bought out platinum 1 to look after their most frequent flyers. QF offer free upgrades to Platinum 1 members....

HAHAHAHAHAHA

I've been a P1 since day 1 back in 2011 (now in 4th calendar year as P1) and have never had a free upgrade on QF in what like 150-200 flights since then. As such, QF has almost entirely dropped off my radar. Upgrades is what makes me smile...what make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside..... not a first host or a complimentary bottle of wine or a ticket to an event.

Tell me if I'm wrong; but you're bringing up this thread because you don't feel the love any more. VA isn't communicating on a level that satisfies the reasons why you're flying and you're a bit bored of the same routine. VA simply needs to use the analytics it has on you (they are paying a ****load in license fees for BI) to determine what really motivates you, what you love about the experience, what you hate and so on. No amount of BS focus groups, feedback marketing or surveys will ever be able to figure this out. Perhaps it's as simple as remembering your name when scanning your BP at the gate, or pro-actively reserving the seat next to you because you love a shadow and quietly letting you know that was done for you.

Unfortunately, consumers don't know what they want. You can't trust them to tell you because it's more often than not totally wrong.

Tell VA you're not feeling loved and see what happens... they won't know what to do.

In the meantime I would go fly QF for a while... it's like a girl on the side. Fun for a while and you may end up leaving your wife - but hopefully she figures out that all you ever wanted was a compliment every morning before work. Simple... but most corporations are too short sighted to understand long term implications of not investing into the right tools and I'm not sure a new level of status is the best long term solution.

 

[dfcatch]

HAHAHAHAHAHA

I've been a P1 since day 1 back in 2011 (now in 4th calendar year as P1) and have never had a free upgrade on QF in what like 150-200 flights since then. As such, QF has almost entirely dropped off my radar. Upgrades is what makes me smile...what make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside..... not a first host or a complimentary bottle of wine or a ticket to an event.

Tell me if I'm wrong; but you're bringing up this thread because you don't feel the love any more. VA isn't communicating on a level that satisfies the reasons why you're flying and you're a bit bored of the same routine. VA simply needs to use the analytics it has on you (they are paying a ****load in license fees for BI) to determine what really motivates you, what you love about the experience, what you hate and so on. No amount of BS focus groups, feedback marketing or surveys will ever be able to figure this out. Perhaps it's as simple as remembering your name when scanning your BP at the gate, or pro-actively reserving the seat next to you because you love a shadow and quietly letting you know that was done for you.

Unfortunately, consumers don't know what they want. You can't trust them to tell you because it's more often than not totally wrong.

Tell VA you're not feeling loved and see what happens... they won't know what to do.

In the meantime I would go fly QF for a while... it's like a girl on the side. Fun for a while and you may end up leaving your wife - but hopefully she figures out that all you ever wanted was a compliment every morning before work. Simple... but most corporations are too short sighted to understand long term implications of not investing into the right tools and I'm not sure a new level of status is the best long term solution.

I'm quite happy to be bribed across though....

 

[JohnK]

I'm quite happy to be bribed across though....

Tart! OK, that wasn't called for.

 

[Lowgoz]

Just re qualified with ~6 months to spare. I honestly see no benefit in giving my ~$12k worth of flights to VA over the next 6 months when i wont have anything to show for it.
Platinum lounge was discussed with the Melb lounge manager who openly said that VA want to focus on opening lounges around Australia before they bother with any J / plat lounge - so its at least a couple of years off.

 

[boylero]

3600 SC and of that 2700 QF earned SC to get WP1, for that you should be upgraded on any flight there is spot IMO. I recently reached SQ Gold PPS and haven't even been recognized by them yet.

 

[IainF]

I am currently at 2400 SCs with 4 months (and a J return to LAX to come) into my year. MrsF ticked over 5500 SCs last year. She did receive a nice recognition from Mr Borghetti at the end of the year, but at her level of business, a membership of The Club would be nice.