Velocity rewards on Coles FlyBuys?

[Hvr]

COLES is expected to sign a deal with Virgin Blue as part of a major shake-up of its FlyBuys customer loyalty program. The retail giant is believed to be in discussions with the airline about ways to link its Flybuys scheme with Virgin's Velocity rewards program.
If a deal is struck, FlyBuys' 10 million members would be able to earn points when buying Virgin Blue flights and also purchase plane tickets using points earned by shopping at other participating businesses such as Kmart and Target.

So maybe we can tell a person's flying preferences by their supermarket?

 

[Mal]

Of some interest is this quote regarding Velocity...

the Velocity program, in which consumers earned frequent-flyer points to use on items such as flights, accommodation and car hire, was being reviewed for a relaunch at the end of the year.

"We are looking to make it a world-class program with global coverage. We've got some very exciting changes to come," Ms Copeman said.

Could be some interesting changes coming through.

 

[samh004]

If I can’t earn Velocity points on my shopping at Coles (I don’t go there) then it’s not worth it for me. I wouldn’t want to keep the points in FlyBuys only.

 

[sydstar]

Interesting times ahead...

Don't know if I can see Coles completely scrapping FlyBuys, for 2 reasons I have seen from the EDR website community blog/forum (of all places!) - thye won't make their 'mistakes'

1) Lack of knowledge of how EDR/QFF works - no linking of multiple EDRs to 1 QFF - Coles doesn't have this issue - all points to FlyBuys, all redemption (at a poor rate) through FlyBuys
2) $30 min before 1 QFF/$1 - 'almost' any purchase at Coles will earn something (min $5?)

I can see FlyBuys branding staying due to its significant market penetration as it is. I can see an optional 'sweep' of FlyBuys points to 'Velocity' or whatever it is known as then, hopefully with a satisfactory earn rate. I can also see bonus offers through targeted e-mails becoming more common as well.

My habits won't probably change, I shop on conveinience, however, I do buy a lot of Shell petrol so virgin points there would be nice!

Unrelated, I'd like to see Virgin Blue, (or whatever the new name is) ditch Velocity branding and move to 'Flying Club' (ala VS) - I like this branding, and also think that to compete with QFF, they need the reference to 'flying' in their loyalty program.
Everyone knows 'Frequent Flyer' means Qantas, so Virgin need something like this, where instant recognition of loyalty is linked to brand - Velocity doesn't cut it

 

[drross]

Interesting development for flybuys. This forum has often commented about the poor earn rate but we,ve never had a problem .. Several microwaves (I've 4 daughters) and lots of other electricals. Virgin flights at a discount;special offers etc , could be very interesting

 

[samh004]

Interesting development for flybuys. This forum has often commented about the poor earn rate but we,ve never had a problem .. Several microwaves (I've 4 daughters) and lots of other electricals. Virgin flights at a discount;special offers etc , could be very interesting

But I can get a microwave at Big W these days for under $100, even under $50… I guess it all comes down to what you’re aiming for, and for most here, flights would be preferable to microwaves

Plus (and I’m sure someone will correct me), you can get some form of radiation in the air, but probably not microwave

2) $30 min before 1 QFF/$1 - 'almost' any purchase at Coles will earn something (min $5?)

That came about from the minimum spend to get a fuel voucher, which I’d assume Coles would keep too…

 

[kamchatsky]

Exciting times ahead. I cannot wait to see the relaunch of Velocity and Flybuys and how they will benefit each other.

 

[ff-jr]

Long time lurker, first time poster.

As redundant the Fly Buys program is for most shoppers, I say the more potential to earn points, the better! I've worked for Coles for 7 years now and I've only come across one person who's ever praised FB (read: because they'd managed to accumulate enough points to actually redeem an award). I'm interested to see how the points redemption will be structured. Hopefully this signifies an overhaul at the Fly Buys end, also (but I very much doubt it).

The Velocity refresh is by far what I'm most excited about amongst all this rebranding.

 

[samh004]

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I’d say Welcome! but you’ve been here almost as long as I have

 

[SeaWolf]

The scheme works totally differently in NZ, but over there it's possible to convert FlyBuys points to AirNZ Airpoints:
https://www.flybuys.co.nz/GetRewards/Pages/AirpointsReward.aspx?RewardID=3160

Would be nice if we were able to accumulate FlyBuys and then convert them to Velocity points.

 

[Jurahn]

Make a nice change to be able to get enough points to redeem ANYTHING through Flybuys! Would be great to be able to convert to Velocity points, as SeaWolf said.

 

[ureshii_eric]

Coles and Virgin Blue

Anyone heard that Virgin Blue to offer Velocity Rewards points on Coles FlyBuy cards

 

[Mal]

Re: Coles and Virgin Blue

It is rumored, but not conformed.

Eg: Virgin set to join FlyBuys deal | Herald Sun

 

[Enigmaraff]

I hope this go through. Would be great to be able to use this at Coles and get velocity points.

 

[Globetrotter]

Does anyone know if there has been any progress with the speculated Fly Buys/Coles with Velocity hook up?

 

[cavemanzk]

The scheme works totally differently in NZ, but over there it's possible to convert FlyBuys points to AirNZ Airpoints:
https://www.flybuys.co.nz/GetRewards/Pages/AirpointsReward.aspx?RewardID=3160

Would be nice if we were able to accumulate FlyBuys and then convert them to Velocity points.

From around 6months ago they made it even better, you can now swipe your NZ FB card in NZ & the points auto convert to your airpoints account Fly Buys - Retail - Earning Airpoints Dollars - Airpoints - Air New Zealand - New Zealand Site

 

[frankxinyu]

Fly Buys, The WORST Loyalty program of all time....

 

[leemin]

Fly Buys, The WORST Loyalty program of all time....

It's also the program with the BEST potential.

Doesn't a third of the country have a FlyBuys card? That's a lot of marketing power!


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[Major]

And, if they could merge with flybuys NZ it would be a very big market

 

[serfty]

Fly Buys, The WORST Loyalty program of all time....

Certainly does not engender much "loyalty" to Coles under it's current form, but I still get some joy out of it.

http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/fly-buys/getting-the-most-out-flybuys-11656.html