Virgin Blue Velocity Status Poll

[Yada Yada]

Given that we have a poll about QFF status levels, I figure it's only right that we also poll for the the Virgin Blue Velocity status of users and visitors to this site.

 

[Petch]

I voted red + paid Lounge membership, (although my paid membership is with Priority Pass rather than directly with the Lounge, and therefore comes with different rules/access etc).

 

[Travel Guru]

I voted red + paid Lounge membership, (although my paid membership is with Priority Pass rather than directly with the Lounge, and therefore comes with different rules/access etc).

How does the access rules with PP differ to lounge membership when it comes to usage of the lounge??

TG

 

[Petch]

How does the access rules with PP differ to lounge membership when it comes to usage of the lounge??

I joined as "prestige" (who thinks up these w@ck titles!?!) http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/community/airport-lounges/priority-pass-just-joined-11846.html ... anyway for me, the main difference is -

• If I want to take a (lounge) guest in with me, I must pay for them*, and I am limited to a maximum of 1 guest. I don't think this is how a direct the Lounge membership or Gold Velocity Status works.
• I can access the Lounge irrespective of the airline that I am flying that day. I don't think direct the Lounge membership provides access when not flying Virgin Blue.

* I don't pay @ the Lounge though. When I get to the welcome desk (or whatever it is called), the host swipes my PP card, and I sign a printout. If I take a guest in with me, then this is noted on the printout that I sign. Once PP get this information, they charge my credit card the appropriate fees.

 

[Shano]

Currently a non-member.

My last DJ flight was about 5 years ago.

Given the joining fee I should really join up in case availability means that I have to book at DJ flight.

 

[JohnK]

Not surprising that the majority are red or not members at all.

Can't see my status changing for a long time unless DJ feels that I deserve complimentary Silver or Gold status....

 

[oz_mark]

Not surprising that the majority are red or not members at all.

Can't see my status changing for a long time unless DJ feels that I deserve complimentary Silver or Gold status....

Interesting idea, but I wonder why DJ would feel the need for that!

 

[Yada Yada]

I think this poll in conjunction with the other will show that AFF is very much dominated by people who mostly fly and therefore have status with QF. :!:

 

[Travel Guru]

Interesting idea, but I wonder why DJ would feel the need for that!

It actually makes perfect sense to offer status recognition...I would be thinking there's alot of people who might be willing to use DJ given the slow demise of QF global in place of 1*, but are less than willing to forego the benefits of status and instead become one of the plebs again.

If DJ offered a status recognition, it might just pick up quite a bit of business from those that find the QP overcrowded and the QF inflight domestic service not worth the extra $$

TG

 

[Yada Yada]

But I'd prefer that the V-Lounges were not full of QFF freeloaders who hadn't earned their keep!

 

[oz_mark]

It actually makes perfect sense to offer status recognition...I would be thinking there's alot of people who might be willing to use DJ given the slow demise of QF global in place of 1*, but are less than willing to forego the benefits of status and instead become one of the plebs again.

If DJ offered a status recognition, it might just pick up quite a bit of business from those that find the QP overcrowded and the QF inflight domestic service not worth the extra $$

TG

Yes, but if you were going to do that, would you not target the corporate traveller?

 

[Petch]

I think this poll in conjunction with the other will show that AFF is very much dominated by people who mostly fly and therefore have status with QF. :!:

Interestingly, I tried to book some Virgin Blue flights the other day (MEL-SYD), but ended up on Qantas...

As the recent sales now included flights thru mid-September, I was faced with a dilemma - DJ@$79 or QF@$95 a $20 difference (if I factor in one way credit card charges). (Lack of ground transport options [i.e. a SkyBus every 10mins] & lounges, are the only things that keep me from travelling to Geelong to fly.)

So I learnt that for $20, I was prepared to fly with Qantas, given the assumption that they will have the new Domestic Business Lounges* operating by then. And that's beside the fact I really like the self made sandwiches in the Lounge and find Virgin Blue's staff more friendly than Qantas'... (*assuming by the new International First Lounge standards, Qantas may do a good job domestically too, annoyed if they don't.)

I admit that I am not impressed with myself, but I don't want to miss out on the new QF J lounges. (Story may have had a different ending if my QF card was a colour other than Platinum.)

 

[JohnK]

Interesting idea, but I wonder why DJ would feel the need for that!

DJ may want to status match and possibly snare some business their way.

 

[Keith009]

I'm not even a member...

The OW network, with the occassional *A flight serves me rather well me thinks.

I've done 2 VS flights but have credited them to flying club as they have airlines I actually fly, eg SQ as partners. But the miles are now orphaned and I've no idea what to do with them. This was of course prior to BD opening membership of DC to the rest of the world outside Europe.

 

[oz_mark]

DJ may want to status match and possibly snare some business their way.

Well, if they ever feel in the mood, they could flick an upgraded status my way.

 

[oz_mark]

Interestingly, I tried to book some Virgin Blue flights the other day (MEL-SYD), but ended up on Qantas...

As the recent sales now included flights thru mid-September, I was faced with a dilemma - DJ@$79 or QF@$95 a $20 difference (if I factor in one way credit card charges). (Lack of ground transport options [i.e. a SkyBus every 10mins] & lounges, are the only things that keep me from travelling to Geelong to fly.)

I look at the Virgin Blue and Qantas options when travelling on my own tab. Today I was looking at flights MEL-PER:

Virgin Blue - Blue Saver $279
Qantas - Red-e-deal $283

One bottle of wine can probably justify the $4 difference. Think I will go with QF.

 

[Petch]

I look at the Virgin Blue and Qantas options when travelling on my own tab. Today I was looking at flights MEL-PER:

Virgin Blue - Blue Saver $279
Qantas - Red-e-deal $283

One bottle of wine can probably justify the $4 difference. Think I will go with QF.

That is such a fascinating route at the moment, with 5 players operating scheduled jet services! (And an obvious return to base route for OzJet.) PLUS Qantas Group running an A320 up against a B737 every night... (5 minutes apart)

I tried to book one direction with Skywest, a bit back, but they were soooo overpriced, I wasn't prepared to do it - but I have flown both Tiger and Jetstar on that route in the last few months. It will be interesting to see if JQ backs off back to Geelong, once its fleet size increases, or keeps its Tulla service!

 

[dajop]

I tried to book one direction with Skywest, a bit back, but they were soooo overpriced

Skywest aren't really competing on the MEL-PER route, as it goes via KGI. Their service is targetted squarely at KGI, and this is reflected in pricing which has the Skywest lead in fare for KGI-MEL slightly lower than QF's red e-deal for KGI-PER-MEL.

 

[wallacej]

I must say that more recently I have found myself on QF flights because they were cheaper than DJ at the time of booking. This is normally NOT the case, but last week my travel was booked for March/April travel and I was surprised at the number of QF flights in my schedule.

I am Gold now with DJ, and want to keep it...but this may not happen if their prices are so close to QF prices.

My concern is when my compay wants to shove me onto Tiger or Jet*... so far been lucky and have stood my ground and declared that they were on my no fly list due to lack of frequency...

 

[oz_mark]

DJ may want to status match and possibly snare some business their way.

Interestingly I happened upon an ACCC determination that allows Virgin Blue to status match Qantas Frequent Flyers (not that the notification says anything about who will be offered a status match!)

Velocity Rewards Pty Ltd - Notification - N93322