Suggestion for extra perk for Platinums - ongoing half point upgrades

[amagz]

Hi all, read a few posts over time about extra perks for VA plats. Was thinking that half point flight upgrades for plats (even gold) could work for all involved. Last year I made the most of the half point promo and would have used it more if it were ongoing.

I fly regularly MEL-PER return (love the new A330) however my work will only pay for Y. I have used 2 of my free comps (paid for flexi myself) and saving other 2 for use in later in the year. I have noticed J on the a330 is generally quite empty.

Looking at flight upgrades MEL-PER would be 9900 to upgrade from a flexi. If this was half at 4950 I would be happy to pay the $100-$150 out of my own pocket to move to flexi to move to J.

Also then most flights are fairly full so that would open up another seat in Y for another passenger to pay the fare.

May be a simplistic way to look at things but maybe a good option for VA to look at? I accept it may affect availability of J on 737 but generally that isn’t always full anyway. Maybe a one week cut off prior to the flight for half point upgrades or limited availability so need to be booked in advance.

It may encourage more money/points spent and be a win for the frequent flyer.

Any thoughts on this being workable?

 

[drewbles]

Perhaps post this here: Ask Velocity Frequent Flyer

Good idea though

 

[Jousams]

It would almost make it that you were earning more points than you were spending.
Maybe if they made it ineligible for points (not SC) earn or something.

Think about, it how many points would a plat earn paying $400 on a flight to perth?
It would allow them to perpetually fly in business at economy prices. (Which is what many of us currently do...)

 

[drewbles]

It would almost make it that you were earning more points than you were spending.
Maybe if they made it ineligible for points (not SC) earn or something.

Think about, it how many points would a plat earn paying $400 on a flight to perth?
It would allow them to perpetually fly in business at economy prices. (Which is what many of us currently do...)

$400 would net a Plat 4000 points. A half price upgrade is 4950 from MEL/SYD-PER, so it's not perpetual. There would be a decrease.

One way to help would be to allow upgrades for Plats on non-flexi fares. Perhaps have that as a Plat benefit rather than half price? You avoid the perpetual problem and build loyalty. Perhaps have it confirmed at T-72H or similar.

 

[calroth]

Instead of making it cheaper in points for upgrades, they could make it so Platinum members earn points at a faster rate than anyone else. This would give the same effect...

...only they already do this?

 

[smit0847]

An additional 4 free flexi to J upgrades for everytime they requal WP.

 

[drewbles]

An additional 4 free flexi to J upgrades for everytime they requal WP.

You get 4 when your year rolls over though which is effectively the same?

 

[paultiffen]

Maybe a set number of 500 mile upgrades similar to what some airlines in the states do

 

[IainF]

You get 4 when your year rolls over though which is effectively the same?

Mrs IainF is sitting on 3830 SCs after 5 months into her year. She is on track to hit 7000 for the year. She would love even 2 x comp upgrades every 1000 SCs she gets duringthe year. (Although 4 would be better) Her mum flys with her a lot and we could utilize them for her.

 

[drewbles]

Mrs IainF is sitting on 3830 SCs after 5 months into her year. She is on track to hit 7000 for the year. She would love even 2 x comp upgrades every 1000 SCs she gets duringthe year. (Although 4 would be better) Her mum flys with her a lot and we could utilize them for her.

Ahh like QF's old 'Upgrade Credits' (which were replaced with Loyalty Bonuses). Gotchya. Yes very good idea Or alternatively, 1 complimentary upgrade per 200 SC's (or maybe 250). Gives people something to keep going for as opposed to 'just falling short' of double platinum or similar

 

[smit0847]

You get 4 when your year rolls over though which is effectively the same?

I meant an additional 4 for every time you requal within the same year.

 

[smit0847]

Mrs IainF is sitting on 3830 SCs after 5 months into her year. She is on track to hit 7000 for the year. She would love even 2 x comp upgrades every 1000 SCs she gets duringthe year. (Although 4 would be better) Her mum flys with her a lot and we could utilize them for her.

Goodness! What are her flying habits? Is she flying SYD-PER-SYD in J every week?!

 

[drewbles]

I meant an additional 4 for every time you requal within the same year.

Gotcha IainF's post clarified it for me

I still reckon some kind of x upgrades per y SC's would work nicely too

 

[amagz]

Regarding points MEL-PER. Last couple trips got 2400 each way (1200base+1200bonus). Therefore as mentioned chip in another 500 points to upgrade and breakeven. Plus I would have to pay the upgrade to flexi cost. Currently at 9900 + flexi upgrade there is no real incentive. I can save up 70,000 points and get a Y reward seat MEL-LHR. So approx 7 x J mel-per upgrades or free flight to London? If half price points I could get approx 14 x J upgrades on a330 vs flight to LHR. The 14 upgrades would be more tempting (not for the waistline). Wouldn't these points redeemed with VA be more value to domestic use than using on a partner long haul?

Also like the upgrade from a non-flexi. On the airbus I get a meal/drinks/seat selection anyway, what value does the flexi offer apart from needing it to upgrade. I am loyal to VA however some incentives to spend a bit more cash/points could benefit both sides including a spare seat to sell in Y while I read the wine list in J

 

[IainF]

Goodness! What are her flying habits? Is she flying SYD-PER-SYD in J every week?!

Well pretty close actually... BNE-PER-SYD-BNE every second week in J.
Add in (so far this year) BNE-JFK in J. BNE-AUH-PVG-AUH-SIN-BNE in J/F, BNE-SIN-BNE, BNE-SYD-HKG in J.
Still to come is at least 1 x BNE-JFK, 1 x BNE-AUH, 2-3 x BNE-SIN.
Throw in some well planned family pooling/companion plat and we have made 6 people plat already this year....(Her, me, Mil, Bil, colleague x 2)
There really is no more incentive for us to push towards Velocity after this and I am looking at using Singapore or Air NZ for the rest of the year.

 

[muppet]

Hi all, read a few posts over time about extra perks for VA plats. Was thinking that half point flight upgrades for plats (even gold) could work for all involved. Last year I made the most of the half point promo and would have used it more if it were ongoing.

I fly regularly MEL-PER return (love the new A330) however my work will only pay for Y. I have used 2 of my free comps (paid for flexi myself) and saving other 2 for use in later in the year. I have noticed J on the a330 is generally quite empty.

Looking at flight upgrades MEL-PER would be 9900 to upgrade from a flexi. If this was half at 4950 I would be happy to pay the $100-$150 out of my own pocket to move to flexi to move to J.

Also then most flights are fairly full so that would open up another seat in Y for another passenger to pay the fare.

May be a simplistic way to look at things but maybe a good option for VA to look at? I accept it may affect availability of J on 737 but generally that isn’t always full anyway. Maybe a one week cut off prior to the flight for half point upgrades or limited availability so need to be booked in advance.

It may encourage more money/points spent and be a win for the frequent flyer.

Any thoughts on this being workable?

I'm all for transfers of wealth from VAH shareholder to VFF Platinums... just don't see how it will work?

Are there less than 24 platinums per PER-SYD/MEL/BNE flight? And Less than 8 on every other one? I personally think $400 + 6,000 points nett is brilliant already.

 

[dandandan]

Are Mil and Bil your children? I can see how you can gift to the two work colleagues under the companion and with 2 over 18 being you two I trust the other two plats are your kids.

Well pretty close actually... BNE-PER-SYD-BNE every second week in J.
Add in (so far this year) BNE-JFK in J. BNE-AUH-PVG-AUH-SIN-BNE in J/F, BNE-SIN-BNE, BNE-SYD-HKG in J.
Still to come is at least 1 x BNE-JFK, 1 x BNE-AUH, 2-3 x BNE-SIN.
Throw in some well planned family pooling/companion plat and we have made 6 people plat already this year....(Her, me, Mil, Bil, colleague x 2)
There really is no more incentive for us to push towards Velocity after this and I am looking at using Singapore or Air NZ for the rest of the year.