Virgin "enhances" redemptions, changes to points + pay

[anat0l]

I'm sure someone must have mentioned it somewhere (that I can't find for some reason or another), or I'm doing something wrong (but I doubt it), but it seems that all the J redemptions now have been set at the "correct" minimums, rather than the old minimum of 6900 points. The minimums seem to be set in the same way as QF ASAs are, i.e. equivalent to the same "Classic Award" (or "Reward Seat" in VFF parlance) for the same itinerary.

Still fairly good value on select sectors, just not as kick-cough like before. Ah well.

 

[AdMEL]

Re: Very cheap business class points + pay redemptions

That explains why I when I did a search a few days ago, there were no figures, just odd letters - thought it just didn't like either IE6 at work! Bugger!

 

[TonyHancock]

Re: Very cheap business class points + pay redemptions

Interesting. When I search for MEL-PER Points + Pay I only seem to get points only, no pay option.

 

[Moopere]

Re: Very cheap business class points + pay redemptions

I'm sure someone must have mentioned it somewhere (that I can't find for some reason or another), or I'm doing something wrong (but I doubt it), but it seems that all the J redemptions now have been set at the "correct" minimums, rather than the old minimum of 6900 points. The minimums seem to be set in the same way as QF ASAs are, i.e. equivalent to the same "Classic Award" (or "Reward Seat" in VFF parlance) for the same itinerary.

Still fairly good value on select sectors, just not as kick-cough like before. Ah well.

I'm hoping its just a web page fault. The whole page is barfing up java errors for me at the moment

 

[oz_mark]

Re: Very cheap business class points + pay redemptions

Interesting. When I search for MEL-PER Points + Pay I only seem to get points only, no pay option.

Yep, the slider does nothing for me. Points stay the same, and the pay stays at $0. Probably cause the points displayed is the minimum points required.

 

[Virgin Bart]

Re: Very cheap business class points + pay redemptions

I'm using Firefox on a Mac, and my slider works... But it certainly doesn't show what I want it to! My MEL-CBR-MEL in J is:

Max points: 33,400 + $0
Max pay: 27,600 + $21.25

Noo!!

 

[AdMEL]

Re: Very cheap business class points + pay redemptions

Yep, the slider does nothing for me. Points stay the same, and the pay stays at $0. Probably cause the points displayed is the minimum points required.

For me, I don't have enough points to meet the new min number MEL-PER.

Glad this was posted before I transferred more credit card points to Virgin - was going to tomorrow!

 

[wafliron]

Re: Very cheap business class points + pay redemptions

For me, I don't have enough points to meet the new min number MEL-PER.

Glad this was posted before I transferred more credit card points to Virgin - was going to tomorrow!

Ditto - as much as I'm very disappointed about the change (was planning on booking 4 x J return MEL-DPS), I'm glad it was noticed / posted before I topped up my DJ account!

Out of interest, could someone please do a dummy booking MEL-DPS (one way) in J and let me know the new minimum points cost? I can't do it myself as I don't have enough points in my account.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Re: Very cheap business class points + pay redemptions

Out of interest, could someone please do a dummy booking MEL-DPS (one way) in J and let me know the new minimum points cost? I can't do it myself as I don't have enough points in my account.

67,800 or
47800 + $91.42

Call me ungrateful, greedy or a dreamer, but that sucks.

 

[wafliron]

Re: Very cheap business class points + pay redemptions

67,800 or
47800 + $91.42

Call me ungrateful, greedy or a dreamer, but that sucks.

That does :-( Dammit, why didn't I book a few weeks ago when I started thinking about!!

Thanks for running the search though.

 

[Water]

Re: Very cheap business class points + pay redemptions

Did Melb - Hbt last week in J 27800 return for 2 now its 27800 oneway for 2 massive increase, Virgin going down the Qantas path already.

 

[muppet]

Re: Very cheap business class points + pay redemptions

67,800 or
47800 + $91.42

Call me ungrateful, greedy or a dreamer, but that sucks.

I'm with you swanning_it. I'm totally ungrateful. I know that the previous offer was too good to be true...... but none the less! I've racked up friggen thousands of points with grand plans to tour in J. With so many points accrued I can now only get me and the +1 on 1.5 return trips.... grrrrrr.

This makes that stupid virgin credit card the worst decision (from a credit card points perspective the 2for1 is still good.)

I guess it's back to Y for this spoilt little virgin fanboi.

m

 

[serfty]

My Velocity account is somewhat depleted at the moment, and when I do a search I get this:

Minimum points required to make this booking is 6900 Points. You do not have the minimum number of Points required to continue - view more details. Try other flights or make your booking at www.virginaustralia.com.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Re: Very cheap business class points + pay redemptions

How's this new point burn compare with QF......out of curiosity?

I suppose this'll make a points upgrade considerably more attractive.

 

[hummel]

Re: Very cheap business class points + pay redemptions

Glad it wasn't just me but really annoyed I transferred some points over 2 days ago. Was hoping to use them for one way J BNE-MEL.

Looks like i'll be looking elsewhere now!

 

[Fruitcake]

Re: Very cheap business class points + pay redemptions

How's this new point burn compare with QF......out of curiosity?

I suppose this'll make a points upgrade considerably more attractive.

Pretty much on par, although QF taxes / fees are generally a bit more (ie $74 taxes/fees on CNS-SYD with QF, in comparison to $44 on DJ).

https://www.velocityrewards.com.au/content/Redeem/Airlines/PointsTables/index.htm

Frequent Flyer - Using Points - Qantas & Partner Classic Awards - Points Tables

This is the first of the recent noted 'enhancements' to Velocity / DJ that have touched me - and one that I'm quite disappointed with.

 

[jazza1971]

Re: Very cheap business class points + pay redemptions

That's really disappointing they have made this change :/!! Virgin please consider changing back to the old minimum points burn!

 

[pauly7]

Phew glad I saw this in time.

Will keep my MR points exactly where they are thanks very much Virgin!

 

[serfty]

Re: Very cheap business class points + pay redemptions

That's really disappointing they have made this change :/!! Virgin please consider changing back to the old minimum points burn!

Yeah ...right! I seriously doubt that will happen ...

 

[Moopere]

Re: Very cheap business class points + pay redemptions

Still can't fill the front of the bus but making it more expensive? You have to wonder. Its a strategy to make you burn more points I think. They know we're out here doing the numbers.

I just did a dummy run, PER-MEL, Flexi = 13,800 + $603 (I used the slider for minimum points). Upgrade to J is 9,900 each way, so, another 19,800. Total cost now 13,800 + 19,800 = 33,600 + $603.

To me thats equivalent to $1,603 of fare and I'll pay that for J transcon. Presumably as I switch over to this method of flying DJ and away from their previous generous Rewards pricing I'll also now earn SC...