Virgin Australia Platinum Plus Status Discussion

[MEL_Traveller]

I'm not a VA flyer, but the chat around my circles had always seemed to have been space available, i.e. as a Platinum (or Platinum Plus, in this case), if there is a seat, you can upgrade into it using your instrument, no questions asked.

This is a shock to me. (Yes, it doesn't affect me personally)

I never knew this! I only flew MEL-SYD vv so it was pretty easy to just find a flight with award inventory though.

I didn’t use any upgrades the first year because business was so cheap, and you lose the flexibility of a full refund in some economy fares.

for me the biggest benefit of P1 would be the Aussie call centre. If that’s gone… can’t see an advantage.

 

[Luke B]

Australian Call Centre seems to be gone too. I can't see any mention of it anymore as a PP benefit. And all calls now divert to Manila.

Side note - appears Beyond members have lost access to SQ First Class lounge in Singapore.

Benefits keep getting watered down. Very sad.

I spoke to the Aussie call centre on Saturday last week. What time were you calling?

 

[aus_flyer]

I spoke to the Aussie call centre on Saturday last week. What time were you calling?

Tried calling multiple times today to test. I asked about the Australian call centre and was told that there’s now a premium call centre in Manila.

 

[Luke B]

Tried calling multiple times today to test. I asked about the Australian call centre and was told that there’s now a premium call centre in Manila.

Interesting. There had always been one in Manila for Platinums, maybe Brisbane were short staffed or lots of calls?

 

[aus_flyer]

Interesting. There had always been one in Manila for Platinums, maybe Brisbane were short staffed or lots of calls?

Possible. But removing all references on the website to the Australian call centre is a change.

 

[Happy Dude]

I'm not a VA flyer, but the chat around my circles had always seemed to have been space available, i.e. as a Platinum (or Platinum Plus, in this case), if there is a seat, you can upgrade into it using your instrument, no questions asked.

This is a shock to me. (Yes, it doesn't affect me personally)

That's not ever been a thing for me as a WP, but I'd be PO'd if it was an unwritten benefit for WP+ that's now been taken away.

There has to be a reward seat, not just a spare seat or three, in order to use upgrades, and you have to be on Flexi. Making the upgrades easier for WP+ to use, relative to WP, should be the benefit.

 

[aus_flyer]

That's not ever been a thing for me as a WP, but I'd be PO'd if it was an unwritten benefit for WP+ that's now been taken away.

There has to be a reward seat, not just a spare seat or three, in order to use upgrades, and you have to be on Flexi. Making the upgrades easier for WP+ to use, relative to WP, should be the benefit.

It was a great unwritten benefit. The Australian call centre was very generous in opening up extra seats for upgrades and redemptions for Platinum Plus members. Now it's all gone.

 

[Mattg]

Received this “welcome to Platinum” letter last month.



If Platinum “unlocks our very best benefits”, what is the point of Platinum Plus?

 

[aus_flyer]

Received this “welcome to Platinum” letter last month.

View attachment 509628

If Platinum “unlocks our very best benefits”, what is the point of Platinum Plus?

It does feel like Andrew Cleary is doing his best to kill off Platinum Plus

 

[simmomelb]

Received this “welcome to Platinum” letter last month.

View attachment 509628

If Platinum “unlocks our very best benefits”, what is the point of Platinum Plus?

Platinum Plus unlocks their very, VERY, best benefits.
Like third-party lounge access on VA Short Haul.... oh wait :/
Ok, it allows you into their Beyond Lounges... oh wait :/
Oh wow, it gives you a check-in of 5x 32kg bags, because we are all moving home every month, so that'll be handy
Wait, wait, wait, the VERY best benefit - it gives you a card that says Platinum Plus, phew, that's a relief.
You can then show all your friends your Platinum Plus card, and then get to explain ALL those extra benefits it offers.

 

[trisreed]

Oh wow, it gives you a check-in of 5x 32kg bags, because we are all moving home every month, so that'll be handy

I've been tempted to use this to take my camping gear up north (WA) to actually find a use for it!

 

[simmomelb]

In all seriousness, they need to add something compelling to Platinum Plus, given 75% of those status points need to be on a VA-marketed flight flown by you, that's a big ask for extras that arguably most people would never make use of. I really can't think of much they can offer, other than Beyond Lounge access in MEL, SYD, and BNE (that would be tempting for a lot of people).
I mean, short-haul lounge access should be available on Gold, Plat and J.
I am still gobsmacked that we are halfway through 2026, and they still aren't offering this, and they can't even blame partner relationships for this.

 

[Luke B]

Possible. But removing all references on the website to the Australian call centre is a change.

Wow. Rang through today and asked the girl, Platinum Plus calls have been moved to the Philippines.

 

[AirAdl]

I rang a fortnight ago and got the Aussie team and the tone was so bad and very out of character and now I know why...
Their codeshare is a joke beyond words
I want to like them but they make it impossible