Virgin joins AIA, 50% cashback on flights 2X per year

[pauly7]

Can anyone with 50% cashback kindly help to confirm an example of Freedom fare for MEL/SYD-HKG (before and after 50% cashback)? I'm seeing approx $1325 base fare + $220 taxes doing a normal search on VA website, so with 50% cashback on base fare + taxes it would be about $880? Then can use 27,500 velocity points to upgrade to business one-way as Velocity Gold/Platinum (as long as there is availability)

Also can one achieve Platinum in AIA (for the 50% cashback) without joining the gym member

it’s fairly easy to get Platinum and you don’t need to have a gym membership, just be heathy and move!

You could get the above flight cheaper on sale...

 

[SeaWolf]

I'd be curious to know what insurance options people are using for AIA Vitality access these days? I was previously using the RAC Income Protection but when the rules changed I got cut off because I'm living in Sydney these days. I know there's various options available but I'd be interested to hear what people's experiences are.

 

[lilkid28]

Can anyone kindly advise the cheapest way/amount to access an eligible membership for this for a VIC resident? RACQ seems like Queensland resident only.

 

[Johnno101]

If you have health insurance and are willing to change then my own is a alternative that incorporates aia vitaliy.

 

[Must...Fly!]

If you have health insurance and are willing to change then my own is a alternative that incorporates aia vitaliy.

Indeed, I am with them now on a hospital only policy - vitality was a carrot in enticing me.

 

[maia200]

Also can one achieve Platinum in AIA (for the 50% cashback) without joining the gym membership?
[/QUOTE]
Yes, I do not have gym membership there is no participating gyms where I live. I get my points walking and sleeping, do the food planner for 7 days twice a year, do the online assessments and health checks. I do the doctors check up, eye check etc and take my form with me. Reach platinum easily within six months max.

 

[maia200]

Agree and I was in the same boat! - AIA are just cutting the guts out of this program and using VA/SQ ‘selected fares’** is a massive devaluation of their benefits. You are better off buying direct half the time (of course it depends on the status level you hold with AIA).

As a Plat I have yet to find a fare worth purchasing.

With the QF arrangement it was much more generous.

I wrote to AIA complaining about the change from QF to VA - its worthless to me as I enjoy my QF WP benefits. The benefit for me are the gift vouchers and the discounted endota spa vouchers. I have the life insurance so may as well join their program and I get some motivation.......

 

[glasszon]

it’s fairly easy to get Platinum and you don’t need to have a gym membership, just be heathy and move!

You could get the above flight cheaper on sale...

I thought freedom fares never go on sale?

 

[lilkid28]

Does the cashback apply to all passengers on the booking or just 1 passenger (AIA member)

 

[Johnno101]

Just a single person who is the member. If two of you are members then have to do seperate bookings and link.

 

[maia200]

I usually take the $5 Woolworths voucher each week when I complete my activities. I see they're now have a 300 Point velocity voucher that seems better value. Will someone confirm.?

 

[knagelli]

Just wondering if Medibank Health Insurance also gives AIA discount ?

 

[glasszon]

I usually take the $5 Woolworths voucher each week when I complete my activities. I see they're now have a 300 Point velocity voucher that seems better value. Will someone confirm.?

Only if you value your points at 1.67 cents each, I normally value them at 1 cent each so I don't consider the velocity voucher to be a good deal, but YMMV.

 

[lilkid28]

I usually take the $5 Woolworths voucher each week when I complete my activities. I see they're now have a 300 Point velocity voucher that seems better value. Will someone confirm.?

Depends on how much you value VA points, or when there is a CC surcharge, how much you would pay to acquire those points.

 

[Johnno101]

I value the points on getting an upgrade to business on an economy flight to Japan using my 50% off with AIA. Comes in at around 3c per point therefore $9 vs Woolworths $5

 

[odysseus]

Are you guaranteed to get the upgrade? If not, its value needs to be deprecated for the risk of not getting it.

 

[Johnno101]

That is always the risk that you take but can be mitigated by the normal process of ringing velocity and ensuring the seats are available at the same time having the booking for economy ready to go and when upgrade is ok'd book. Then while still on to cs ask for the upgrade,

 

[Deleted member]

How much extra is the insurance cost with AIA compared to other insurers that dont give money back
(someone has to pay for this)

AIA is actually one of the least expensive insurers including the so called cash back (otherwise how will we keep you as a policyholder) insurers.
ideally you "could" consider getting advice on life insurance and take out cover which is best for you rather than best for your FF a/c balance

 

[theblank]

I have read through this thread a few times, and I still dont get it, what is AIA Vitality? their own website doest tell me directly what it costs?
It seems like I have to join a Gym on a weekly plan/contract from some of the comments here.

I get that buying AIA insurance allows me to joing AIA Vitality. I am somewhat interested becaause the cook is nagging me about life insurance, so I might as well buy her one, and then get free stuff too, win/win ;-)

 

[Johnno101]

In answer to above aia vitality is a cash back program that you get membership through some health funds and insurance funds. The intention is to get you healthy by challenging you to achieve tasks. You do not have to join a gym but you can at discounts. I undertake regular exercise at home and it counts but you need a tracking device. In our family we all belong and treat it as a competition to achieve the best outcome. Do not consider it a way to get cheap flights but that is a possible outcome.
for instance I get now 300 velocity points for doing 12500 steps 5 times per week. So possible to get 15000 velocity points per annum. In doing this and other healthy challenges you can also achieve platinum status which with AIA means a 50 % cash back on the base price of 2 return trips domestically per annum Or one return overseas trip on virgin/Singapore per annum. Check this because I have kept it simple.
i belong to myown health fund at the lowest hospital/extras level which also in Incorporates AIA vitality at no extra cost. Given an effort to reach the goals this can mean that your health insurance is returned non taxibally in the form of a holiday each year. Ok if it suits you.