The Velocity Status Run Master thread

[MooTime]

Based in MEL, I assume the best option for me is to do MEL-OOL direct, which gets me 160 SC

Return MEL-OOL is 160 SC.
1 way of course just the 80SC.

Tis the best route SC wise from MEL. Via CBR or SYD. In J of course.

 

[blackcat20]

I need to find myself a cheap three sector run out of MEL, I have the SC but not the ~

 

[AngryVal]

I need to find myself a cheap three sector run out of MEL, I have the SC but not the ~

...sectors?

I'm the opposite - I need probably another 250 status credits.
Cheapest I have found is MEL --> MCY via Sydney in Mid November for about $792 with the ITX13 promo code.

Gets 220 status credits. Throw in a work trip to Sydney and I think we'll just get there!

Any chance we'll see any DSC offers anytime soon? Given the insane state of SYD & MEL airports I saw on Friday I'd be surprised if they do - feels like the airlines are just trying to claw back $$$ after two years of Covid.

 

[Milefest]

I need to find myself a cheap three sector run out of MEL, I have the SC but not the ~

MEL-SYD-BNK-SYD-MEL is 4 sectors. Base pricing for the MEL-SYD-BNK route is ~$157 for Choice fares with ITX13 so $314 return and can be done in a day. This route has a lot of demand though

 

[SYD]

I need to find myself a cheap three sector run out of MEL, I have the SC but not the ~

Do monogamous VFF‘ers understand “~” (aka QF squiggles)?

Even QF dropped the actual squiggle annotation quietly while we were locked down…

 

[blackcat20]

Do monogamous VFF‘ers understand “~” (aka QF squiggles)?

Even QF dropped the actual squiggle annotation quietly while we were locked down…

I probably should have used a for VA

 

[Isolar]

I am a complete newb as far as booking Virgin flights, so hoping someone might have some insight.

Trying to book some flights for 200 SC's. Started in Google flights and found some good business fares for SYD-LST (via MEL) & return with reasonable flight timings. However, when I try to book direct on the VA site the particular flight times I want that Google shows are not displayed.

Am I missing something? Is there a better engine to book through to get the flights that Google says are available?

 

[odysseus]

Google now has links to enable booking as well. If you use that, you should be able to get it.

Normally they are a combination that a TA has put together - Virgin does not often sell these when a direct option is available.

 

[Isolar]

Yes, after failing to see the flight combos on the VA site, I tried clicking on the "Book with Virgin Australia" button and it just showed the booking page with a list of flights for the outbound trip to select (both non-stop and connections via MEL, but not the flights as shown on Google).

As an example, for SYD-LST, Google showed an option of 10:00am departure from SYD, connecting to the 12:15pm LST flight in MEL. Putting together with a return trip Google priced it at the lowest fare possible on the day.

When trying to book on VA, there was no 10:00am departure listed. There were earlier & later departures but the price was much higher.

I was able to select flights with the connection in MEL, just not with particularly good timings that Google was showing.

 

[henrus]

Has anyone got any suggestions for just 20SC out of Brisbane. I've still got until Feb and would prefer to do them via flying.

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

Has anyone got any suggestions for just 20SC out of Brisbane. I've still got until Feb and would prefer to do them via flying.

Depends - do you want to have a holiday in a decent location or do you just want to rack up the SC? BNE to any of the Queensland ports will get you the 20SC you need, or you could head down the M1 to OOL and do OOL-SYD & return for a (generally) cheaper 20SC.

 

[henrus]

Depends - do you want to have a holiday in a decent location or do you just want to rack up the SC? BNE to any of the Queensland ports will get you the 20SC you need, or you could head down the M1 to OOL and do OOL-SYD & return for a (generally) cheaper 20SC.

I'm happy for either but looking ahead there seems to be some reasonable choice fares from OOL-SYD for about $70. A return OOL-SYD-OOL for ~$140 is probably cheapest.

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

I'm happy for either but looking ahead there seems to be some reasonable choice fares from OOL-SYD for about $70. A return OOL-SYD-OOL for ~$140 is probably cheapest.

Spot on - I doubt you'd get better than that. Maybe BNE-NTL?

 

[whole-lotta-moxie]

I am have been trying to find an answer to this question, sorry if it has been answered but I am have not been able to find it

If I use points to upgrade to Business class do i get the Bus class SC points?
If i pay $$ and my last minute upgrade request is successful do i get the SC points?

 

[henrus]

If I use points to upgrade to Business class do i get the Bus class SC points?

Nope, you get the original fare class.

If i pay $$ and my last minute upgrade request is successful do i get the SC points?

If using the bid upgrade then no again it's based on original fare class.

You either need to buy business class to begin with or make a fare change to the ticket to change to a business class fare.

"Upgraded fares: members travelling on upgraded fares that are purchased with Velocity Points, UpgradeMe Platinum Member Offer, UpgradeMe Premium Bids or using cash at the airport will earn Status Credits based on the fare class originally purchased."

Source: Virgin Australia


From a technical aspect. When a upgrade of any of the above mentioned is successful the e-ticket is not actually reissued and retains the original booking class but instead PNR booking is updated to display Z class. VA's systems are smart enough to recognise that if an eticket has an economy fare type but the booking has a Z fare showing then the pax has been upgraded to business class (therefore allowing business class seat selection/baggage allowances etc).

On the website it'll show something like "Business Cabin - Flex" (indicating that it's still an economy flex fare)


The itinerary will then show something like this:


Whilst the eticket still shows the economy fare (in this case L):

 

[whole-lotta-moxie]

Nope, you get the original fare class.


If using the bid upgrade then no again it's based on original fare class.

You either need to buy business class to begin with or make a fare change to the ticket to change to a business class fare.


Source: Virgin Australia


From a technical aspect. When a upgrade of any of the above mentioned is successful the e-ticket is not actually reissued and retains the original booking class but instead PNR booking is updated to display Z class. VA's systems are smart enough to recognise that if an eticket has an economy fare type but the booking has a Z fare showing then the pax has been upgraded to business class (therefore allowing business class seat selection/baggage allowances etc).

On the website it'll show something like "Business Cabin - Flex" (indicating that it's still an economy flex fare)
View attachment 304906

The itinerary will then show something like this:
View attachment 304907

Whilst the eticket still shows the economy fare (in this case L):
View attachment 304908

Thank you @henrus... I am new to Status credits and just trying to find a way to extra SC because i booked the cheapest flights... Silly me

 

[henrus]

Thank you @henrus... I am new to Status credits and just trying to find a way to extra SC because i booked the cheapest flights... Silly me

There are quite a few ways to earn SC's cheaply.

Obviously flights is the best, as mentioned in this thread there are some great options that have high SC earn. Look for flights that are in business class (but cheap J fares ~$300-500 can be found on many routes) and also flights that connect, for example BNE-HBA would earn 80 SC in J fare but there are many times where a BNE-MEL-HBA could cost the same price or cheaper but also earn a much higher 135.

Virgin also has double status credits or other promotions throughout the year, for example right now there is a promotion to earn 20% bonus status credits on Virgin Australia operated/marketed international flights by 31 Dec 2022.

Earning through Flybuys/Coles can also be good if you shop at them. At Coles, Liquorland or First Choice you can earn 1 status credit for every $100 spent, with a cap of 10 per month.

Finally, some new credit cards come with SC bonuses. Points Hacks (the owner of AFF) has an offer with an ANZ credit card, it's got a $95 annual fee (essentially free given the card comes with a $95 Virgin Credit each year) but also a sign up bonus of 30 SCs plus 75,000 virgin points (when you spend $1500 in the first 3 months).

80,000 extra ANZ Rewards Points + $50 back with the ANZ Rewards Platinum Credit Card

The Point Hacks team have reviewed the ANZ Rewards Platinum card, including the points earn rate and complimentary travel insurances.

www.pointhacks.com.au

 

[whole-lotta-moxie]

Earning through Flybuys/Coles can also be good if you shop at them. At Coles, Liquorland or First Choice you can earn 1 status credit for every $100 spent, with a cap of 10 per month.

Ohhh wow, I didn't realise this... Good thing it is now Gin weather. Looks like a few trips to Liquorland or First Choice is now required

 

[SCM]

I need more segments rather than SCs to get to platinum. What are some cheap non-lite destinations from Sydney?

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

I need more segments rather than SCs to get to platinum. What are some cheap non-lite destinations from Sydney?

SYD-OOL is good, or you could do HBA/LST via MEL, or any of the QLD regionals (GLT, ROK, MKY, CNS) of you'd like a double up (via BNE). How many segments do you need??