Trans-Tasman and International Short Haul update - from 28th October 2018

[HeavyElectricity]

https://www.velocityfrequentflyer.c...News/trans-tasman-and-int-short-haul-changes/

• Trans-tasman and international short haul will earn points based on spend, rather than on miles flown.
• Status credit earn changes for trans-tasman and international short haul.
• Domestic legs flown as part of international short haul will earn points/status credits at domestic rates.
• Wifi enabled aircraft will be put on to the trans-tasman flights.
• "A substantial meal and drink included in all [trans-tasman] fares"
• MEL-WLG codeshare option on SQ.

Virgin Australia unveils new onboard offer and WiFi for all Trans-Tasman flights

Also a brief mention on lounges (no actual news as yet):

We are committed to providing you with the best travel experience possible and an announcement will be made regarding the Lounge offering for Trans-Tasman routes in the coming months.

 

[serfty]

So they are changing to a similar scheme as domestic.

I do note the Tasman band of 751-1700 miles for SC earn is different to the 751-1500 miles of the other travel types. That brings AKL-MEL/BNE into the same earn range as AKL-SYD with SC earn for Getaway going from 15 to 20.

 

[Pleb Status]

Sensible changes all around.

Looks like the status bonus is also earned on the Gateway fares, unlike on domestic flights...

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Its after being kicked out/"divorced" by their former airline partner that they made all these "improvements".

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I note the email didn't mention PNG. Hopefully that was just an oversight.

 

[Virgin Bart]

MEL-WLG codeshare option on SQ

Might that mean award availability using Velocity points?

 

[RooFlyer]

Arrrgh! It's an 'enhancement'

Alongside the introduction of these new services and fare inclusions, I’ve taken the opportunity to review and enhance our Points and Status Credit earn rates.

 

[QF WP]

Well at least it is a truly positive enhancement for the travelling FF. I just got the email as well. Changes are after the next school holidays, so they won't have to pay up for all those pre-booked ones. But Xmas one will get the added SC. Hmmm, Fiji or NZ?

 

[Saab34]

Its after being kicked out/"divorced" by their former airline partner that they made all these "improvements".

Apparently they were unable to offer all these improvements with ANZ. They had to bring their product more in line with ANZ’s Seat and Extras offering. Now they can do as they please.

Huge Plus. If Virgin were to open a AKL/CHC Lounge, this would really put them in a market leading offering across the Tasman. NZ have a garbage FF program and trans Tasman narrow body product isn’t much different from JQ. Essentially a seat + extras fare.

 

[Anastascia]

This is great news. My CBR-SYD-DPS flight I want to book has gone from 60 SC to 115. Thank you VA!

 

[CPMaverick]

This is a nice change.

I hated VA's implementation of meal/bag inclusions on the trans-tasman routes. More than once I was on a very expensive fare NZ to US and the NZ leg was a lottery, sometimes I got a meal, other times when I asked I was loudly told my ticket was 'too cheap to get a meal' (even when my ticket was $2500+).

VA made it clear when booking directly what you were getting, but on more complex itineraries through booking agents (or once, a DL codeshare), you never knew. After a couple bad experiences, I decided to send my NZ-USA business elsewhere.

If VA wants to be a full service airline, they should be one. I warmly welcome this change.

 

[ozstamps]

So they are changing to a similar scheme as domestic.

I do note the Tasman band of 751-1700 miles for SC earn is different to the 751-1500 miles of the other travel types. That brings AKL-MEL/BNE into the same earn range as AKL-SYD with SC earn for Getaway going from 15 to 20.

Yes it was silly for a SYD-NZ flight to get a lot less SC than MEL-NZ and v.v..

Was 20 SC less each way each person on an itinerary I was looking at last week

 

[Edge]

Received this email from Velocity this afternoon:

I am delighted to announce some exciting changes to Velocity Frequent Flyer, the loyalty program of Virgin Australia.

Today Virgin Australia have announced new and additional services between Australia and New Zealand as well as complimentary baggage, meals, drinks and inflight entertainment on all Trans-Tasman flights from 28 October 2018.

Alongside the introduction of these new services and fare inclusions, I’ve taken the opportunity to review and enhance our Points and Status Credit earn rates. I’m pleased to announce that these improvements will apply to both the Trans-Tasman and International Short Haul networks including destinations such as Bali, Fiji and Samoa.

For flights booked from today 1 August 2018 and departing from 28 October 2018 you’ll earn 5 Points per $1 spent1 on your Virgin Australia airfare. Previously Points were earned based on a mileage calculation. Plus, as a valued Platinum member, you’ll continue to enjoy your 100% Points bonus2. This is the first time we have applied the same Points earn rate across our Domestic, Trans-Tasman and International Short Haul networks, making it easy for you to calculate your Points earn when booking.

We will also improve our Status Credit earn rates1 for most fares across the Trans-Tasman and International Short Haul networks. As an example, a one-way Getaway fare from Sydney to Auckland currently earns 15 Status Credits, and under the new arrangement will earn 20 Status Credits.

We are committed to providing you with the best travel experience possible and an announcement will be made regarding the Lounge offering for Trans-Tasman routes in the coming months.

As always, thank you for your continued support and loyalty to Virgin Australia and Velocity Frequent Flyer. If you’d like more information about these changes, please refer to the program update on our website.
-------------------

1. Certain fare classes may be ineligible for Points and Status Credits earn, as specified here. Various fare classes may not be available all year round and certain fare types will vary depending on the destination. Please check your itinerary is eligible to earn Points and Status Credits before completing your booking. If you are unable to determine your fare class please contact the Guest Contact Centre or your booking agent for assistance. Trans-Tasman and International Short Haul flights purchased in NZD or other currency will earn Velocity Points based on AUD spent.
2. Points Bonus applies to all fares except Domestic Getaway.

 

[PointsFinder]

Regarding Wi-Fi, I confirmed with Virgin that it will be free for 15 minutes. After this the charges will be $6.99 AUD for an hour or $12.99 AUD for the full flight.

 

[blackcat20]

When they say meal do they mean an actual meal rather than some of the pathetic snacks you usually see?

 

[CPMaverick]

They said it would be a 'substantial meal'.

 

[pauly7]

They said it would be a 'substantial meal'.

Snack size rather than fun size

 

[downloadingdata]

Good change but only if they run more than 2 daily 737 flights on routes like syd-akl....

Not sure i want to pay 50% more what i can get on QF, the latter at least run 2x WB on the route..

 

[henrus]

Having flown a few trans tasman flights recently, this is all positive stuff and hopefully will keep Air NZ on their toes with the Seat to Suit product.

VA Meals across the Tasman have been gradually over the last 6 months improving (better quality and quantity). My biggest concern will be the wifi...

I've used the VA trans Tasman wifi a few times now and speeds have been nowhere near as fast as domestic. Hopefully, this won't get worse when everyone gets 15 free minutes (as there is a shortage of Optus Satellites pointing at the space between AU and NZ).

 

[serfty]

When they say meal do they mean an actual meal rather than some of the pathetic snacks you usually see?

I expect similar to what they serve on trascons to/from Perth.