Velocity FF - Gold vs Platinum Benefits

[Nee24]

Hi all

I tried a search and wasn't able to find anything similar.

I've just reached Gold status with Velocity and I have 750 status credits. It's achievable pretty easily for me to upgrade to platinum over the next couple of months, but I'm wondering whether there are any outstanding benefits that Platinum Velocity members get that Gold don't? I've looked through the benefits pages and the only real one I see is the 4 complimentary flight upgrades per year.

So I guess I'm looking for feedback from people who are platinum with Velocity who purposely maintain because it's better?

TIA

 

[kyle]

Hi all

I tried a search and wasn't able to find anything similar.

I've just reached Gold status with Velocity and I have 750 status credits. It's achievable pretty easily for me to upgrade to platinum over the next couple of months, but I'm wondering whether there are any outstanding benefits that Platinum Velocity members get that Gold don't? I've looked through the benefits pages and the only real one I see is the 4 complimentary flight upgrades per year.

So I guess I'm looking for feedback from people who are platinum with Velocity who purposely maintain because it's better?

TIA

Do note that the flights upgrades are only on Freedom fares for domestic.

This is the first year I'm at platinum. I guess the card and the luggage tags would make good souvenirs?

 

[stm1sydney]

Free Economy X is a great benefit. Also, you can lock in a Fly Ahead flight by ringing the contact centre instead of doing it at the airport. Often, I'll jump in a Uber/taxi to the airport after a meeting finishes earlier than expected, ring VA and have the Fly Ahead fixed up immediately. That is very useful.

 

[andye]

Row 3 selection, extra points multiplier, extra lounge guests, AUH lounge access, 1 year HH diamond are there too.
I don't strive but will go for it if close

 

[jase05]

Everyone is different but for us it’s definitely worth it. Economy X is a good perk and the extra lounge access quota comes in handy if travelling with family or friends who don’t hold status. The 4 comp Platinum upgrades come in useful even though it’s a bit of a pain having to shell out for a Freedom fare. Complimentary HH Diamond and Hertz Presidents Circle also are not bad benefits even though we probably don’t use either enough.
I have had to use the Priority Economy purchase once before and although it’s not something I’ve needed regularly it has saved my bacon before. I do have friends that use the Guaranteed Family Award seats each year (it’s only for Y unfortunately) but it allows a family of four to get guaranteed award seats once per year. Obviously the points multiplier is better also

 

[Harthagan]

I'd say its a pretty good list of benefits compared to what you would get with a comparable annual spend on other airlines. Family pooling and
DSC promotions make it very reasonable to maintain if you can capitalise on them.

 

[Ausbt]

The one thing I'd like them to add is 2 guests at International Lounges rather than just 1. 1 is very restrictive. I'm thinking of an upcoming trip where I'll have two non-status pax with me, I can see myself taking the 16 year old to the Sydney Amex lounge (2-17 y.o.s are comped) and dropping the adult off at The House. Then of course lack of access o/s.

Being up the waitlist for upgrade clearance as well, is better as a Plat (well, we can presume).

 

[RisingPhoenix]

[QUOTE="Ausbt,
Being up the waitlist for upgrade clearance as well, is better as a Plat (well, we can presume).[/QUOTE]

Besides that, When it comes to cancelled flights like in the storms 15/3/19 ex Brisbane it did indeed make a difference. Plat were booked onto the last few of the night and the very first the next morning.

 

[Nee24]

So I see a few mentioned economy X. Does that mean you automatically get an economy X seat if you book standard economy? And is that on any flight, domestic or international?

 

[Blinky]

As others have said, economy x and points multiplier. I’m close to getting my wife a comp gold (and maybe plat) so the multiplier will be very good for us.

 

[Muppet501st]

Access to the Revivals Lounge at LHR was a added bonus and the Priority First Lounge @ HKG is a very nice lounge for WP's. If most of your travel is domestic, free YX is the best benefit for WP.

 

[ozjuice]

You don't get Economy X on International sadly, LAX flights are extra cost.

 

[Ausbt]

You do get your companions further up the plane though. For example I'm booked in Economy row 12 with non-status +2 SYD-HKG. I'll be hoping for a points upgrade though, of course! Unsure if SG fellow travellers get any further forward.

 

[Muppet501st]

You don't get Economy X on International sadly, LAX flights are extra cost.

That is the true, but I believe its unwritten benefit if there are seats available at the checkin counter you can request it.. Myself and wife ( both WP) along with my daughter were moved into YX, and i know of 2 other people who received it for free @ LAX.
My last LAX-BNE trip we paid for it, as i didn't want to risk not having them. They are great value IMO.

 

[andye]

You do get your companions further up the plane though. For example I'm booked in Economy row 12 with non-status +2 SYD-HKG. I'll be hoping for a points upgrade though, of course! Unsure if SG fellow travellers get any further forward.

The whole PNR gets access to the status member's seat priority on VA.
The Delta Comfort+ upgrades dont work like that so you could be separated (though buying Comfort+ outright is usually a better option for the SCs).

 

[maccaisking]

The benefits as with anything depend on the person and how much you can use them. I’m about to do a sector run to make platinum (have credits but only 5 sectors) in order to take advantage of the guaranteed family trip to the USA in Jan next year. I hope to get reward seats for the trip with VA or QF but it isn’t looking good. The sector run is costing $300, the savings for the trip will be around $500 per person, based on accruing points at 1c each.

My wife has been VA plat for just over a year, we have never used the upgrades (always book cheapest fare class or reward seats) but Economy X and a reward family trip to HKG were our biggest benefits.

Edit: no wait time when calling is also very good!

 

[stm1sydney]

Does that mean you automatically get an economy X seat if you book standard economy?

Yes, for domestic, it comes up on the seat selection page so you can select any Y seat including YX for $0.

 

[Nathant123]

I was flying Business class a couple months back from Abu Dhabi to Sydney and noticed I could access the Etihad first class lounge. Don't remember that being an option when I held a gold Velocity card. I guess if you fly often enough to the UAE that could be a perk platinum offers that gold does not.

 

[ozjuice]

I was flying Business class a couple months back from Abu Dhabi to Sydney and noticed I could access the Etihad first class lounge. Don't remember that being an option when I held a gold Velocity card. I guess if you fly often enough to the UAE that could be a perk platinum offers that gold does not.

Indeed, one of the Plat perks is this lounge access.

 

[Ausbt]

in order to take advantage of the guaranteed family trip to the USA in Jan next year.

I must say I've never really been across the details of this one. So the guarantee is we will find reward seats for you, no matter what? But at what cost in points though?