The Velocity Status Run Master thread

[Dee#]

well i regularly travel Perth-Darwin. 3.5hr flight. Now its always economy only!! I have contacted Virgin and its looking like being that into the distant future. Don't know how I'm going to keep up my platinum SC's. Business was 105 per flight now its like 30 in economy and no instant cash back if plans change.
Only option is taking all day and flying more expensively business via Adelaide to Darwin. Then you crack up the SC's. Even then Perth to Adelaide Business is not every day. Its not looking good For Perth based Business frequent fliers with Virgin. Can get it to Syd, Mel, and Bris though.

 

[PERLHR]

well i regularly travel Perth-Darwin. 3.5hr flight. Now its always economy only!! I have contacted Virgin and its looking like being that into the distant future. Don't know how I'm going to keep up my platinum SC's. Business was 105 per flight now its like 30 in economy and no instant cash back if plans change.
Only option is taking all day and flying more expensively business via Adelaide to Darwin. Then you crack up the SC's. Even then Perth to Adelaide Business is not every day. Its not looking good For Perth based Business frequent fliers with Virgin. Can get it to Syd, Mel, and Bris though.

Tbh I think the same. For me I think if I wish Platinum or at least Gold next year (which is relatively doable) I'll head east using a cheapy of even BA Avios on Qantas in biz, then fly VA between various destinations (preferably where I have not yet been to) over 5 days (I have the time) thus find cheaper biz fares. Did this last year quite well. It's certainly cheaper from MEL or SYD and quite fun.

 

[Dee#]

Well Virgin Perth-Darwin now have no business. Perth-Adelaide also no business.
They are dumping Perth by the look of it.
I go to Darwin 4 times a year.
Qantas is $1300 direct, Virgin via Adelaide $1650, only one leg business.

No Darwin Virgin club either. Seems they are turning lower than Sh*tstar out of Perth.

Have tried to get an answer from them if it is going to improve-nothing.

Big advantage with Biz is that it is easy to get your money refunded on cancellation and Platinum you are instantly put through on the phone.

My platinum runs out next Feb 24. Partner already back to gold.
Seriously considering switching to Q but they are not much good either.

 

[PERLHR]

Well Virgin Perth-Darwin now have no business. Perth-Adelaide also no business.
They are dumping Perth by the look of it.
I go to Darwin 4 times a year.
Qantas is $1300 direct, Virgin via Adelaide $1650, only one leg business.

No Darwin Virgin club either. Seems they are turning lower than Sh*tstar out of Perth.

Have tried to get an answer from them if it is going to improve-nothing.

Big advantage with Biz is that it is easy to get your money refunded on cancellation and Platinum you are instantly put through on the phone.

My platinum runs out next Feb 24. Partner already back to gold.
Seriously considering switching to Q but they are not much good either.

I do share your pain ..and it's a shame but it does seem that VA are utilising the regional 320 Airbuses, all in economy ofcourse, and the 737 7s again mostly in economy for quite a few routes ex PER. Shame also because VA have in my view, quite a nice lounge at PER but FF may struggle to retain status. Cairns is also another route that has been "downgraded"relatively recently. HBA also has been put to 320. So yes PER in business reduced dramatically. Funny isn't it when PER has I think substantial income.and.many bods would prefer to fly biz.

 

[henrus]

Funny isn't it when PER has I think substantial income.and.many bods would prefer to fly biz.

That’s the problem… the J fitted 737s are far more profitable on the golden triangle and east coast routes which is why somethings got to give.

It’s a shame the 700s can’t fly internationally because they’d be perfect for freeing up 800s to Port Vila and Apia etc

 

[MooTime]

Why buy these junk Y only planes? Or not reno them with J cabin.

Screams ultra low cost carrier.

Thought VA went down the hybrid / mid tier path.

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

Why buy these junk Y only planes? Or not reno them with J cabin.

Screams ultra low cost carrier.

Thought VA went down the hybrid / mid tier path.

They're second-hand 737-700s that fit their need to both replace the A320s and the F100s with VARA, as well as better service the thin routes that they have in their map. Unfortunately Bain doesn't have the $$ to go down the new plane route that QF is doing with the A220/A320neo and hence this is the result. The other option not servicing the routes as frequently or not servicing them at all - take your pick.

 

[MooTime]

They're second-hand 737-700s that fit their need to both replace the A320s and the F100s with VARA, as well as better service the thin routes that they have in their map. Unfortunately Bain doesn't have the $$ to go down the new plane route that QF is doing with the A220/A320neo and hence this is the result. The other option not servicing the routes as frequently or not servicing them at all - take your pick.

But you say to service the thin routes yet they actually have more seats on them.

Wouldn't the thin routes be better serviced with a few less seats & 8 more expensive, certainly appeal to more pax.

Otherwise yeah I understand your view & agree.

 

[PERLHR]

But you say to service the thin routes yet they actually have more seats on them.

Wouldn't the thin routes be better serviced with a few less seats & 8 more expensive, certainly appeal to more pax.

Otherwise yeah I understand your view & agree.

I think it's "thin routes" if they are thin, that can be done during down time of FIFO ops ex Perth. I believe the ex KLM 737s are mostly for the all economy FIFO routes to replace the F100.

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

But you say to service the thin routes yet they actually have more seats on them.

Wouldn't the thin routes be better serviced with a few less seats & 8 more expensive, certainly appeal to more pax.

Otherwise yeah I understand your view & agree.

The 737-700s have 138 seats in the all-economy set-up vs 128 in the existing 737-700s, of which they have two. Whilst it's more seats than the F100s, the VA press release (Fleet growth positions Virgin Australia for higher capacity, lower emissions) have the new 737s as the same fuel burn as the F100s, therefore lower burn/seat.
Remember that the F100s are also running FIFO work primarily and hence there isn't the demand for J there, so the extra 10 seats is 10 x whatever VA are charging their hirer on a more regular basis than the uptick in J income on some routes.

Unfortunately VA have to choose between all-Y and 10 more seats vs. J+Y cabin and losing out on more FIFO income. I'm guessing that they've done their sums and the bean counters at Bain have figured that this is the best solution in this instance. A new owner may see different in the future.

 

[marcojim]

Hi all,

Just 80 status credits from attaining Platinum for the first time! I'm based in MEL and fly MEL - CBR on weekends reasonably often. Is there an easier / cheaper way to get the 80 SCs than flying MEL - CBR return in J?

 

[mled]

Hi all,
Quick question on status credits - do I have to physically get on the flight to earn the credit?
My assumption is yes, of course. But I've found a DPS-MEL-BNE flight (when i live in Melbourne) - for the exact same price as DPS-MEL. If I checked in, did the first leg and then nicked off out of the airport at MEL, I'm not going to get those SCs for the leg to Brisbane, am I?
Would take me right to my SC number I need to maintain Gold so wishful thinking here probably!

 

[SeaWolf]

If I checked in, did the first leg and then nicked off out of the airport at MEL, I'm not going to get those SCs for the leg to Brisbane, am I?

You wouldn't get the credits for the flight you skipped.
Perhaps have a look and see if you can find a DPS-OOL-MEL instead? I've seen quite good availability on the DPS-OOL route.

 

[mled]

You wouldn't get the credits for the flight you skipped.
Perhaps have a look and see if you can find a DPS-OOL-MEL instead? I've seen quite good availability on the DPS-OOL route.

Thanks! Sadly for my dates it just keeps routing me through MEL to get to OOL, nothing direct. Guess I'll have to do another quick hop in the next couple of months and just spend up at Coles to finish it off.

Thanks for your help!

 

[PERLHR]

Hi all,
Quick question on status credits - do I have to physically get on the flight to earn the credit?
My assumption is yes, of course. But I've found a DPS-MEL-BNE flight (when i live in Melbourne) - for the exact same price as DPS-MEL. If I checked in, did the first leg and then nicked off out of the airport at MEL, I'm not going to get those SCs for the leg to Brisbane, am I?
Would take me right to my SC number I need to maintain Gold so wishful thinking here probably!

Indeed, you would not get last leg credit and maybe not even the DPS to MEL sector as the MEL-BNE not taken on one PNR. Is there not a later BNE to MEL (even if down the back) that works for you?

 

[kerfuffle]

Hi all,

Just 80 status credits from attaining Platinum for the first time! I'm based in MEL and fly MEL - CBR on weekends reasonably often. Is there an easier / cheaper way to get the 80 SCs than flying MEL - CBR return in J?

One way MEL-BNE in J gets you 80SC.

 

[MooTime]

One way MEL-BNE in J gets you 80SC.

MEL-OOL same 80SC but generally cost less.

 

[Axe_L_Thief]

I'd love to let you know the answer to this, but I'm still waiting to hear back from Virgin about my refund request...

(It's already been several weeks since I proactively contacted them to ask about compensation - as none was offered - which is honestly pathetic!)

I had that happen. Worse they credited me the economy status credits. I emailed them, and they refunded me the difference between the economy fair at the time I booked (more than I expected), and added the extra status credits. It took a few weeks in all to resolve.

 

[Mattg]

I had that happen. Worse they credited me the economy status credits. I emailed them, and they refunded me the difference between the economy fair at the time I booked (more than I expected), and added the extra status credits. It took a few weeks in all to resolve.

I did eventually get a refund of the cost difference, but it took around two months. I wasn't advised when it was processed, nor do I know how the amount was calculated.

 

[PLANT]

170 status credits by end of July..... fastest way leaving Melbourne and return?