Using Velocity Gold for benefits on Delta & Hilton

[brown891]

Hi all,

Quick couple of questions.

I will be flying into LAX (From LHR) and then off to SFO on the same afternoon in Early Feb. The trip to LAX will put me on Gold Status with VA.

1. I am wanting to know how quickly matching status is available with Delta so I can receive the baggage allowance of 'Gold Medallion status' for the flight to SFO.

Also - I understand you can request to be matched to either IHG or Hilton Honours.

2. I was hoping to get some advice on how long this takes to kick in once requested. I plan to use this to my advantage while in America for room upgrades/free breakfasts etc in San Fran, LA and Vegas.

Thanks for your help!

 

[ozjuice]

There are threads on the second question, but basically you need to chase this up with Velocity ASAP or it will never happen. Can take months. Also you are best to wait until January to extend your Hilton membership period.

 

[Falcs]

Zero chance you'll be gold for your Delta flight.

 

[Denali]

Also - I understand you can request to be matched to either IHG or Hilton Honours.
2. I was hoping to get some advice on how long this takes to kick in once requested. I plan to use this to my advantage while in America for room upgrades/free breakfasts etc in San Fran, LA and Vegas.

 

[brown891]

There are threads on the second question, but basically you need to chase this up with Velocity ASAP or it will never happen. Can take months. Also you are best to wait until January to extend your Hilton membership period.

Unsure what you mean by extending my membership period?

But okay maybe San Fran I won't stay Hilton but will try have it sorted by the time Vegas rolls around..
As for Delta.. hmm maybe I will try to get an email sent within the time frame..

 

[Bibendum]

The upgrade to gold will take a 4 to 7 days to process.. AFTER the SC have come via Delta and that make take up to a week MAX.. Sorry OP, no dice..

Once VA have upgraded your status you can then apply for the HH bit..

 

[brown891]

The upgrade to gold will take a 4 to 7 days to process.. AFTER the SC have come via Delta and that make take up to a week MAX.. Sorry OP, no dice..

Once VA have upgraded your status you can then apply for the HH bit..

Shiiieeeett okay thanks for that.

 

[Jurahn]

The upgrade to gold will take a 4 to 7 days to process.. AFTER the SC have come via Delta and that make take up to a week MAX.. Sorry OP, no dice..

Or longer ... on a trip earlier this year, my two Delta domestic flights in the US (booked as codeshares as part of a VA international itinerary) didn't post at all, I had to put in retro claims to Velocity for both flights.

 

[Denali]

Depends on when your Delta SCs clear and Velocity updates but when my husband first got status, and not understanding what it meant/why, he was getting emails congratulating him on SG and WP while we were travelling so update your email address and keep an eye on your status.

Im assuming you have flown your 8 VA sectors?

 

[brown891]

Yep I have all the sectors flown, and I don't need any SC's to post from Delta, the flight from LHR to LAX is VS (Off the RTW J class fares that did the rounds a while ago).

Had a thought so bare with me:
When I arrive in London and once the SC's post from the flight from HKG, I will be 55SC's short of Gold at that point.
I have 12 days pottering around Europe before heading to LAX.

Is it worth my time between now and the trip that begins 15th Jan to attain those 55SC's so that by the time I am in London - I will be Gold and then when arriving in LAX - it should already be updated?

I have leave through Dec-Early Jan that I will be going to Sydney but that will only accrue 55SC if I book the expensive fares..

Main reasons would be for the Extra baggage allowance (if needed) as rest of the trip is J class and have the 3x 32kg baggage allowance (not that I plan on having that many!!!!) and also for Hilton Perks. Realise its my decision but keen to hear everyones thoughts.

 

[Denali]

Are you getting SCs via Flybuys? We've earn about 40 SCs since May so far.

 

[brown891]

Are you getting SCs via Flybuys? We've earn about 40 SCs since May so far.

No I'm not currently, might look further into that, I don't do the shopping for with flybuys but could be worth it with Christmas coming up.

Thanks for that.

 

[brown891]

Does earning SC's through Flybuys work with Family pooling? Eg. Flybuys for a family member is linked to their account and I am the beneficiary, I will be able to receive SC's from their flybuys earn as well as any from my own Flybuys account?

 

[Denali]

My husband and my FlyBuy cards are linked to the one account (different card numbers) and I currently Velocity pool to him. Any FlyBuy SC earn goes to his velocity account. He got 8 SCs for Sept.

 

[brown891]

My husband and my FlyBuy cards are linked to the one account (different card numbers) and I currently Velocity pool to him. Any FlyBuy SC earn goes to his velocity account. He got 8 SCs for Sept.

Great! I might try this from now on and maybe coupled with my spend + flights to Sydney - could get me there.

Thanks for your help

 

[Happy Dude]

Is it worth spending $5,500 at Coles or whatever the cost of airfares and your time to get 55 SCs to save whatever is the additional baggage cost?

 

[brown891]

Is it worth spending $5,500 at Coles or whatever the cost of airfares and your time to get 55 SCs to save whatever is the additional baggage cost?

Well I don't plan on spending $5500 haha but if I can get closer to the 55 from normal spend then I will try plus have a sydney trip I'll have to do anyways.

But yes agree with extra spend vs. just paying additional baggage cost, will have to look it up

 

[Lord_Lenny]

Main reasons would be for the Extra baggage allowance (if needed) as rest of the trip is J class and have the 3x 32kg baggage allowance (not that I plan on having that many!!!!) and also for Hilton Perks. Realise its my decision but keen to hear everyones thoughts.

Honestly given your timings and the fact that it seems like the only leg that's a potential worry is LAX-SFO, you said everything else after that will be in J, correct?? Then it's probably more trouble than it's worth if you're just flying by yourself, I'd say take the hit and pay for the bag/s.

Delta will charge $25 for 1 bag on a regular economy fare, and then $35 for a second (any more than that you're looking at $150-200 per extra bag)

There's always a window between you accruing the SC and them actually posting, this is only really an issue if it occurs towards the end of your review date, or as you're finding out, if it strikes mid trip.

 

[brown891]

Honestly given your timings and the fact that it seems like the only leg that's a potential worry is LAX-SFO, you said everything else after that will be in J, correct?? Then it's probably more trouble than it's worth if you're just flying by yourself, I'd say take the hit and pay for the bag/s.

Delta will charge $25 for 1 bag on a regular economy fare, and then $35 for a second (any more than that you're looking at $150-200 per extra bag)

There's always a window between you accruing the SC and them actually posting, this is only really an issue if it occurs towards the end of your review date, or as you're finding out, if it strikes mid trip.

Sorry, I should have been more clear, it will be for use for 3 domestic trips in America. LAX-SFO; SFO-LAS; LAS-LAX. But the main international legs are J. But i figured by the time i am hopping on the SFO-LAS & LAS-LAX legs, Gold Status will have already come through.

I think what I will do is look to accrue SC's from normal spend up until departure and if that happens to equate to 55SC's then yay but if not, no big deal.

 

[Denali]

Once you see your SCs in your VA account, contact VA via Facebook, asking to PM someone to have your account reviewed asap as you are travelling and need your status updated to enjoy the benefits.

Like I posted above, hubby was getting emails congratulating him on SG and WP while we were travelling so it can be very fast.