Virgin Australia Platinum: What would you like to see? / Hope to see?

[Misha]

Hey Guys,

Since the news that VA will be introducing Platinum, what is it that you would like to see as part of the initiative? What do you think will be included?

Anything is good, particularly the ridiculous - and hopefully those VA reps will take note

I will start with some fairly obvious and logical (?) ones:


1/ Upgrades (free) where available to J/Y+

2/ Separate section of the Lounge (I think a good option would be the upstairs at SYD as a Platinum Retreat (though I'll probably never see it!)

3/ Ability to guest in more people to the standard lounge

4/ Significantly better points/sc earn

Help me out friends....

 

[yohy?!]

In-lounge exercise equipment to burn off the lounge food and drink.

Particularly useful for multiple sector status runs

 

[Ansettaddict123]

In-lounge exercise equipment to burn off the lounge food and drink.

Come to think of it that's not a bad idea at all. Definitely a great point of difference with QF. How much it would be used is another question entirely however...

 

[JB007]

What I think would be good for Platinum's (and hopefully filter down to the other levels) is rather than have a set number of Lounge guests per visit, each level gets allocated a number of guests annually and you can use them when and how you like with the only limit being the capacity of the Lounge. Have it electronically linked to your Velocity account so you only have to show your card and indicate how many guests you are bringing in.

If you run out of guest passes, you should be able to purchase more at a slightly discounted rate to the current Single Entry Pass.

 

[777]

Partner gold/ lounge access.

Some sort of generosity with upgrades would be nice -- although free all the time is probably pushing it.

 

[Noob]

But free is my favorite word

 

[MelUser]

What about 8 system wide 3 sector EVIPs (like AA)?

 

[antycbr]

- You could offer a few upgrade vouchers per membership year and even tier them e.g. 2 upgrade credits from a saver to business or 1 upgrade credit from flexi to business. There was nothing wrong with the old QF upgrade credit system. Let them be banked unless you fall below silver.

- Complimentary catering on savers (i.e. cater to the Flexi level). If you're hitting Platinum at say 1000 SC, chances are you're either on Flexi or Premium/J for most of your flights anyway. The odd saver fare will be personal travel so a good way of smoothing the waters. Ideally for your partner too if travelling with you.

- Exit row or preferred seating allocated at time of booking if not in Prem/J

- Partner Gold or a number of lounge invites you can transfer to nominated people

- Reduced anyseat awards points thresholds - as Platinums travel so much anyway, chances are they'd like to be able to take trips when they can rather than being constrained by reward class availability.

- Guaranteed call centre response times with dedicated lines - I believe this is also a Gold benefit but haven't noticed any difference as you don't key in your number, or call a different number to a Red member.

- Priority baggage - not sure where this is going in Velocity but most airlines offer priority baggage of some shape or form for elites.

- Special events for your frequent flyers, or even just the chance to contribute ideas to improve Velocity and have them actually be listened to (unlike QF). Think like a series of FF forums in each capital city.

 

[Noob]

I am starting to think it would be great PR from Virgin to start there own forum.....

- ask opinions
- polls
- answer questions

 

[yogi]

I am starting to think it would be great PR from Virgin to start there own forum.....

- ask opinions
- polls
- answer questions

I would tend to agree.

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ity/creating-atmosphere-30598.html#post445392

 

[connieguy]

I suggest Status Credits should have the same life as do Points and Status Tier selection timing should be at the members choice. This way years when you gain more SCs than needed to obtain your desired Tier level you can, if effect, bank them for lean years, like we can do with points.

I mean we make the decision of when and how many points we draw down and use for award flights, so why not do the same for Status Tier choices? As example if you are happy with Gold, why burn SCs on Platinum when those Platinum SCs may also be used to buy you another year of Gold?

So DJ maybe it is time to boldly go where no other airline has gone before. Make status tier selection a members choice and give SCs the same life as Points. They are, after all, our SCs. Should not we have the right to decide how and when we spend them?

 

[connieguy]

As for DJ Platinum I would like to see:

1) 12 domestic J return upgrades per Platinum year.

2) DJ / partner airline F check-in, F security / customs channel and F Lounge access including 1 traveling pax.

3) Partner Gold.

4) Ability to bank SCs over those required for Platinum.

5) Top tier DJ / partner system wide priority seat selection, including exit rows and 1 seat blocking (for non full flights) in all cabins at no cost.

6) 75% Platinum tier points bonus.

7) 1,000 Virgin group SCs to qualify and 800 to retain.

8) Guaranteed economy seat if booked at least 24 hours in advance of flights.

9) Anytime DJ Lounge access.

10) Arrival DJ / partner Lounge access where possible.

 

[DJ 1D]

- You could offer a few upgrade vouchers per membership year and even tier them e.g. 2 upgrade credits from a saver to business or 1 upgrade credit from flexi to business. There was nothing wrong with the old QF upgrade credit system. Let them be banked unless you fall below silver.

- Complimentary catering on savers (i.e. cater to the Flexi level). If you're hitting Platinum at say 1000 SC, chances are you're either on Flexi or Premium/J for most of your flights anyway. The odd saver fare will be personal travel so a good way of smoothing the waters. Ideally for your partner too if travelling with you.

- Exit row or preferred seating allocated at time of booking if not in Prem/J

- Partner Gold or a number of lounge invites you can transfer to nominated people

- Reduced anyseat awards points thresholds - as Platinums travel so much anyway, chances are they'd like to be able to take trips when they can rather than being constrained by reward class availability.

- Guaranteed call centre response times with dedicated lines - I believe this is also a Gold benefit but haven't noticed any difference as you don't key in your number, or call a different number to a Red member.

- Priority baggage - not sure where this is going in Velocity but most airlines offer priority baggage of some shape or form for elites.

- Special events for your frequent flyers, or even just the chance to contribute ideas to improve Velocity and have them actually be listened to (unlike QF). Think like a series of FF forums in each capital city.

I think these are some excellent suggestions. I especially like points 3,4 and the last one - always wanted to be invited to some of the events and it would be quite nice to hear Mr Borghetti's vision firsthand.

My hope, as simple as this sounds, is for Velocity to take the best of the others' programs as well as adding a few special 'Virgin' touches of their own. Based on their recent developments it looks like they are up to the task.

 

[Noob]

How about a small shiny badge for platinum members so they can be easily identified plus it would be cool

 

[DJ737]

Hi there

Maybe add some rail benefits with Virgin Trains in the UK, like lounge access when travelling Standard Class, membership of VT's traveller program, complementary on board refreshments in Standard Class and discounts on rail travel with VT.

The Plat card could operate like a railcard which give discounts of 33%.

Just thinking outside the square.

Cheers
DJ737

 

[markis10]

-

- Guaranteed call centre response times with dedicated lines - I believe this is also a Gold benefit but haven't noticed any difference as you don't key in your number, or call a different number to a Red member..

Not sure if you have checked but the red number is different to the gold number, and I know that there is a Gold team based in QLD that handle the calls, as for a guaranteed response time, not really possible IMHO, especially in the last 24 hours. Having said that, I have had to call them twice and the response has been great given what they are going through with the ash issues!

 

[LiamR]

Not sure if you have checked but the red number is different to the gold number, and I know that there is a Gold team based in QLD that handle the calls, as for a guaranteed response time, not really possible IMHO, especially in the last 24 hours. Having said that, I have had to call them twice and the response has been great given what they are going through with the ash issues!

I've never heard of a different number for gold members... are you talking about the one on the back of your card?

 

[rooboy68]

The new "Velocity Platinum" signs are up at DJ's curbside entrance for the lounge in Sydney, can't be too far away from the launch!

 

[r0bs]

I'd like to see:
1. A separate "Platinum Lounge"
2. Better Lounge Food (with say a small selection of hot food finger food.. etc)
3. Lifetime Platinum after holding Platinum status for 3 years. (Lifetime Gold too would be good)
4. Free upgrades when available. (to Blue Zone seating for example)

And whilst we are at it, Ditch the 'Flexi" fare food, It is aweful. How wabout a discount off the 'normal' menu.