Velocity account suspended

[simmomelb]

To be clear, QF suspended accounts for non family transfers/redemptions.

I didn't think QF had any status/FF points family pooling? My bad if I'm wrong (just referring to a pooling offering).
Last time I tried to maintain my status with them I don't recall seeing this feature, although I don't fly with them enough to even look at that now.

 

[MrJetset]

It is not family pooling, but you are able to redeem awards for family and transfer points to family members.

They acted on accounts that had too many people associated with either of these activities.

 

[simmomelb]

It is not family pooling, but you are able to redeem awards for family and transfer points to family members.

They acted on accounts that had too many people associated with either of these activities.

Ah yep, I was aware of that option. Thanks for the clarification

 

[Jack_OC]

It is huge for VA.

Let's assume a redeemed point costs VA 0.5c - whether for a gift card or for a flight. They must cancel billions of points a year from accounts that have gone dormant. If people got the idea that they could sell points to strangers, those lost points would start getting redeemed, costing the airline 0.5c per point. Plus, they would also potentially lose revenue from selling points themselves at a much higher rate, and lost marginal revenue from ticket sales if people redeemed for flights they would otherwise have paid for (i.e. people would redeem for flights that would have cost more than 0.5c per mile as a revenue fare).

Another issue for VA is related to status, because they allow SCs to be pooled as well as points (which is something that is almost unique to VA, AFAIK).

Given that 6 members can be added to a family pool, it’s possible for someone to get to Platinum without even earning 200 SCs in their own right. If VA weren’t strict about enforcing the “same household” rule, I suspect a lot more people would be able to shortcut their way to status.

 

[simmomelb]

Another issue for VA is related to status, because they allow SCs to be pooled as well as points (which is something that is almost unique to VA, AFAIK).

Given that 6 members can be added to a family pool, it’s possible for someone to get to Platinum without even earning 200 SCs in their own right. If VA weren’t strict about enforcing the “same household” rule, I suspect a lot more people would be able to shortcut their way to status.

Although they make it a little harder as you'd still need to book 8 flights (4 return flights) in your review period to earn Platinum, and only the person trying to acquire Platinum can fly/earn those sectors (for the 8 sectors required).

 

[Jack_OC]

Although they make it a little harder as you'd still need to book 8 flights (4 return flights) in your review period to earn Platinum, and only the person trying to acquire Platinum can fly/earn those sectors (for the 8 sectors required).

I realise that, but it still means (in theory) that someone could get to Platinum by taking just 4 short domestic rtn flights, if they can get enough SCs pooled by others. That's pretty ridiculous, when you consider that the equivalent flights with QF would only get you about a quarter of the way to Silver!

In practice, I doubt if many people get to Platinum quite so easily, but that's really only because VA enforce the same household rule. Imagine if you could get away with adding any extended family member to your pool any time they had an upcoming VA flight? And the reality is, if VA didn't enforce the same household rule, they would probably not be enforcing the "family" part of the rule either, so it would open up the possibility of people pooling SCs from literally anyone. I would guess that a lot of VA's customers have little or no interest in SCs, so there would be plenty of people willing to pool them to someone else, if it was possible.

 

[simmomelb]

Yes, I totally agree with you, I was just thinking that I'm glad they at least have the 8 sectors which helps just a little with this.
I only pool between myself and my better half, but I've recently earnt enough to gift Platinum, but thats a lot of flying.

Now I'm thinking... what have you done, if you don't maintain platinum for the better half in 12 months you'll be sleeping with the dog

On a side note, I just made use of the lounge in domestic before a VA international departure, they kindly reminded me they don't offer international calls/departure info, that was at least something (doesn't excuse not having an int lounge partner), along with priority at international check in, which made a huge difference or with only 2 in front of me instead of 50 and a mountain of baggage

 

[Mr H]

Yes, I totally agree with you, I was just thinking that I'm glad they at least have the 8 sectors which helps just a little with this.
I only pool between myself and my better half, but I've recently earnt enought to gift Platinum, but thats a lot of flying.

So you think VA should make it more stringent to get status in order to thin the numbers in the lounge, and they should ban/restrict guesting in, but you're OK with being able to gift Platinum.

 

[Jack_OC]

So you think VA should make it more stringent to get status in order to thin the numbers in the lounge, and they should ban/restrict guesting in, but you're OK with being able to gift Platinum.

To be fair, you have to first get at least 1,000 SCs within a year to get yourself to Platinum, and then earn another 1,800 SCs within the subsequent year before you can gift Platinum, so it's a pretty high bar. I doubt if much of the lounge overcrowding is due to this particular benefit.

 

[simmomelb]

So you think VA should make it more stringent to get status in order to thin the numbers in the lounge, and they should ban/restrict guesting in, but you're OK with being able to gift Platinum.

Wow, picky
After BOTH of us spending thousands of dollars with VA in the last 12 months, I think it's deserved, even without pooling, my partner would have well surpassed gold requirements.
"To be fair, you have to first get at least 1,000 SCs within a year to get yourself to Platinum, and then earn another 1,800 SCs within the subsequent year before you can gift Platinum, so it's a pretty high bar. I doubt if much of the lounge overcrowding is due to this particular benefit."
I never suggested this!???
I mentioned gold or platinum members letting randoms in, that was it, to which someone pointed out it's probably very low numbers that do this.
Happy Monday to you also

 

[Mr H]

To be fair, you have to first get at least 1,000 SCs within a year to get yourself to Platinum, and then earn another 1,800 SCs within the subsequent year before you can gift Platinum, so it's a pretty high bar. I doubt if much of the lounge overcrowding is due to this particular benefit.

I have no problem with it. I just find it entertaining to see such an obvious case of pot calling the kettle black.

 

[Jack_OC]

"To be fair, you have to first get at least 1,000 SCs within a year to get yourself to Platinum, and then earn another 1,800 SCs within the subsequent year before you can gift Platinum, so it's a pretty high bar. I doubt if much of the lounge overcrowding is due to this particular benefit."
I never suggested this!???
Happy Monday to you also

I was replying to Mr H.

 

[Vic]

I realise that, but it still means (in theory) that someone could get to Platinum by taking just 4 short domestic rtn flights, if they can get enough SCs pooled by others. That's pretty ridiculous, when you consider that the equivalent flights with QF would only get you about a quarter of the way to Silver!

In practice, I doubt if many people get to Platinum quite so easily, but that's really only because VA enforce the same household rule. Imagine if you could get away with adding any extended family member to your pool any time they had an upcoming VA flight? And the reality is, if VA didn't enforce the same household rule, they would probably not be enforcing the "family" part of the rule either, so it would open up the possibility of people pooling SCs from literally anyone. I would guess that a lot of VA's customers have little or no interest in SCs, so there would be plenty of people willing to pool them to someone else, if it was possible.

Actually, I'm not sure this is really relevant as an issue. The family pool can only include 2 adults, including the person receiving, plus 4 children. So there are only 5 people can donate. 4 of those are children, so the option for those children to be flying alone are limited, not impossible, limited.

In practice you'll have 1 adult donating, only, who can independently donate points. The question becomes why would that adult not keep the points/status for themselves? In what circumstances would 2 adults not in a family work together to pool?
Most likely the person will be flying with the children. So there is certainly the point that a parent can control to collect from children. The children are likely to fly very rarely in the case of someone that needs their points to get platinum. The 4 children rule is very much a limitation to the idea that easy platinum is possible.

I really cannot see any circumstances where people randomly pool to another.

 

[Mr H]

The question becomes why would that adult not keep the points/status for themselves? In what circumstances would 2 adults not in a family work together to pool?

Hypothetically, one person is the employer and the other is the employee... Or my friends think FF is a waste of time and energy and I persuade them to sign up and link their flights to their account when they would otherwise not have bothered... Or I agree to 'buy' someone's points and SCs...

There are all sorts of potential reasons.

 

[Jack_OC]

Actually, I'm not sure this is really relevant as an issue. The family pool can only include 2 adults, including the person receiving, plus 4 children. So there are only 5 people can donate. 4 of those are children, so the option for those children to be flying alone are limited, not impossible, limited.

In practice you'll have 1 adult donating, only, who can independently donate points. The question becomes why would that adult not keep the points/status for themselves? In want circumstances would 2 adults not in a family work together to pool?
Most likely the person will be flying with the children. So there is certainly the point that a parent can control to collect from children. The children are likely to fly very rarely in the case of someone that needs their points to get platinum. The 4 children rule is very much a limitation to the idea that easy platinum is possible.

I really cannot see any circumstances where people randomly pool to another.

I think you've missed my point. I was highlighting the fact that it's extremely important for VA to strictly enforce the rules around family pooling, to stop people from easily getting status. I agree that this is not really an issue, because they do enforce the rules. I actually said that in the post that you quoted: "In practice, I doubt if many people get to Platinum quite so easily, but that's really only because VA enforce the same household rule."

The limitation to 2 adults only matters if they enforce the same household rule, because the other adult can change any time you like. There is a limit to how many adults anyone can pool to in a year, but AFAIK no limit to how many adults you can receive SCs from. People who only fly occasionally generally couldn't care less about SCs (or points), so there are plenty of people who'd be happy to pool to their mate in return for a slab of beer or whatever.

 

[MooTime]

interesting convo, but strayed OT. waiting for the mod.

 

[Vic]

Hypothetically, one person is the employer and the other is the employee... Or my friends think FF is a waste of time and energy and I persuade them to sign up and link their flights to their account when they would otherwise not have bothered... Or I agree to 'buy' someone's points and SCs...

There are all sorts of potential reasons.

Hypothetically, a ,meteor could hit the plane in flight... potential versus probable. Probably best not to underestimate people's willingness to bother with collecting points.
Employer/employee - AS IF. Employer: "you need to change your address to my house". Plus business rewards.

Another issue for VA is related to status, because they allow SCs to be pooled as well as points (which is something that is almost unique to VA, AFAIK).

Given that 6 members can be added to a family pool, it’s possible for someone to get to Platinum without even earning 200 SCs in their own right. If VA weren’t strict about enforcing the “same household” rule, I suspect a lot more people would be able to shortcut their way to status.

I think you've missed my point. I was highlighting the fact that it's extremely important for VA to strictly enforce the rules around family pooling, to stop people from easily getting status. I agree that this is not really an issue, because they do enforce the rules. I actually said that in the post that you quoted: "In practice, I doubt if many people get to Platinum quite so easily, but that's really only because VA enforce the same household rule."

The limitation to 2 adults only matters if they enforce the same household rule, because the other adult can change any time you like. There is a limit to how many adults anyone can pool to in a year, but AFAIK no limit to how many adults you can receive SCs from. People who only fly occasionally generally couldn't care less about SCs (or points), so there are plenty of people who'd be happy to pool to their mate in return for a slab of beer or whatever.

Sorry, I should've quoted better... I don't agree about the idea of getting platinum from less than 200 SC, due to the structure of family pooling. Now it seems you're saying it's not possible because they strictly enforce the rules.
I'll bypass my confusion and end with the technical correction, only 5 people can be added to a pool. The 6th person is the one receiving the points.

 

[ZachBruce1]

I received an email last night with "Your account profile has been updated" and now after signing in, I get "INACTIVE, SUSPENDED OR CLOSED ACCOUNT
The Velocity Membership number you have entered is associated with an inactive, suspended or close account. Please check that you have entered the correct membership details or contact the Membership Contact Centre for assistance. "

Called them and they said the internal control systems have been alerted to an unusual activity and is pending an investigation.
They said it will take 30 business days to get back to me.

Not sure why my account was suspended. I've never done a transfer. Took screenshots of all my activity and it's mostly just flybuys transfers and one flight.

I have has the exact same thing happen, but I use my account constantly. I got an email on the 20th Feb 2023, I honestly didnt think much of it. But im just trying to upgrade one of my flights with the 4 free upgrades you get at platinum and the lady told me my account as been suspended. I have been transfered to the secuirty and fraud team and just now on hold waiting for an answer.

Attached is an artical from Australian Frequent Flyer about the issue.

Velocity Accounts Suspended & Reinstated: What Happened?

Last week, an unusually large number of Velocity Frequent Flyer member accounts were suspended due to suspicious activity.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[Dobby1981]

I have has the exact same thing happen, but I use my account constantly. I got an email on the 20th Feb 2023, I honestly didnt think much of it. But im just trying to upgrade one of my flights with the 4 free upgrades you get at platinum and the lady told me my account as been suspended. I have been transfered to the secuirty and fraud team and just now on hold waiting for an answer.

Attached is an artical from Australian Frequent Flyer about the issue.

Velocity Accounts Suspended & Reinstated: What Happened?

Last week, an unusually large number of Velocity Frequent Flyer member accounts were suspended due to suspicious activity.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

Did you get anywhere? I've been locked out since the 16th.

 

[Dobby1981]

Did you get anywhere? I've been locked out since the 16th.

Got another email today asking to call the velocity call center. They sent a reset password email. Set a security question and made me set a pin number. Took under 20mins and I now have access to my account. Now to use some points for a much needed Holiday to Bali.