What changes do you want to see to Virgin Australia/Velocity?

[kirk7]

A good touch would be gold members getting some recognition with VS or better yet- DJ should join the Star Alliance...

 

[777]

A good touch would be gold members getting some recognition with VS or better yet- DJ should join the Star Alliance...

Gold members do get recognition with VS including access to priority queues, Clubhouse access (only VS operated ones), etc. This has been in place for quite some time.

 

[browski]

Yes they do and aren't they all glowing with financial health and offer great product... I'm sure DJ would be well advised to follow in their footsteps

If you look at the Delta Sky Miles benefits, they even give unlimited complimentary upgrades on all discount economy flights subject to availability - and for Gold/Platinum members they can confirm it 5 days in advance!
Now, that's a benefit/program that rewards loyalty.

SkyMiles frequent flyer program benefits

OK, I forgot my personal rule that I will never compare Aussie FF Programs with the US ones; it was just too depressing.

 

[oz_mark]

• Upgrade certificates. Please?

Back in the day, Qantas used to give upgrade credits (which turned into the 5000 point loyalty bonus). Perhaps DJ could pinch that idea from the past.

Heck, it might even help those with 'excess credits' keep interested.

 

[777]

If you look at the Delta Sky Miles benefits, they even give unlimited complimentary upgrades on all discount economy flights subject to availability - and for Gold/Platinum members they can confirm it 5 days in advance!
Now, that's a benefit/program that rewards loyalty.

SkyMiles frequent flyer program benefits

OK, I forgot my personal rule that I will never compare Aussie FF Programs with the US ones; it was just too depressing.

I think that would be overkill - after all US airlines do have a habit of going broke all the time. But upgrade vouchers would be nice.

But... I'd love to see them take a leaf out of VX's book and sell empty Business Class/ PE seats at a fixed but reasonable rate if unsold 24 or 6 hours before take off. It would be a nice way of earning a bit of extra revenue on those seats, getting me to part with a little extra cash and rewarding those of us who lack the means/ employers to fly J all the time.

I've done an F and a MCS upgrade on VX and it both made me love them AND made them get a bit of cash that they would have otherwise not have got.

777.

 

[openseat]

If you look at the Delta Sky Miles benefits, they even give unlimited complimentary upgrades on all discount economy flights subject to availability - and for Gold/Platinum members they can confirm it 5 days in advance!
Now, that's a benefit/program that rewards loyalty.

SkyMiles frequent flyer program benefits

OK, I forgot my personal rule that I will never compare Aussie FF Programs with the US ones; it was just too depressing.

And to think SkyMiles (aka PesoMiles) is one of the worst for redemption rates among the US programs.....

 

[browski]

And to think SkyMiles (aka PesoMiles) is one of the worst for redemption rates among the US programs.....

.....but still way better than anything in Oz.

And also to 777, who posted "I think that would be overkill - after all US airlines do have a habit of going broke all the time."

This is actually not true, there have been more airline bankruptcies in Australia than in the US. Remember that the tactic of filing for Bankruptcy protection (they refer to this as Chapter 11 in the US), is a business strategy that allows an airline to keep functioning whilst "re-organising" its business - the airline will have some judicial oversight, but essentially the airlines is negotiating its way out of paying all their employee entitlements (like superannuation). After they rid themselves of these overheads, they just carry on trading. Not noble, but effective.

The only major airline to ever file for Chapter 11 and then discontinue operations was Pan Am in 1991.

If you file for Chapter 7, then it is all over.

 

[alien]

This was my post back in 2008 -

What benefits would you like with Velocity?

​

Just looking at my velocity account and was thinking of what I would like to have added to the program.

I know people will naturally reach Gold with their flight behaviour however I just can't see the real benefit in trying to reach Gold just to get free lounge access and an extra point/staus credit.

Also has anyone used priority check-in? I'm assuming this benefit only relates to international flights????

1. Points/status earned with the purchase of fares/services for the toal amount paid by credit card ie 1 point per dollar spent credited to your account for fares you buy for others
2. Silver status kept if you maintain the silver requirement 2 years running but just can't get to Gold and the same for Gold
3. Gold status getting access to L2A (as mentioned in another thread)
4. Earn points and or status credits on award flights at say .5 of the going rate
5. Earn points when purchasing The Lounge membership.

I thought it would be interesting to get ideas/opinions from other people on here with what they would like to see added to velocity.

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ocity/what-benefits-would-you-like-12170.html

 

[Noob]

How could Virgin Australia be even better?

This thread is a place where members can post what they think Virgin Australia could do to become Australian frequent flyer's carrier of choice. Please list your ideas and make your first point the most crucial in your opinion.

It would be great for Qantas die-hards to give their opinions as well.

This is intended to be a resource for the VA team, hopefully the thread gets plenty of ideas! Cheers.

 

[FSM-2024]

Re: How could Virgin Australia be even better?

I would like to see more lounges in regional ports serviced by VA. Understanding QF, Jetstar and QFLink have a majority of traffic to some regional ports, maybe they could setup joint regional lounges (with REX, Skywest etc) to make the venture more affordable.

 

[dajop]

Was thinking last night, there is now good partner coverage for following geographies:

Australia to:
Europe
North America
Middle East
SE Asia
NZ
SW Pacific

and:

Within region:
Australia
NZ
SE Asia
Middle East
North America

The most significant gaps are North Asia & Intra-Europe. Two more partners would be icing on the cake ... (LH group or AF/KL?), and (KE, CA or CZ?). Oh and for good measure throw in BMI (with full reciprocity) and Rex!!!

 

[Misha]

What about South/Latin America and Africa... two places I want to hit soon - but not without Velocity SC

 

[concorde71]

Clear direction !

 

[tyler21]

With exciting new changes expected to occur later in the year regarding velocity, I have been speaking to Singapore and virgin australia crew and they stated that Virgin will become apart of star alliance which will be exciting.

Would this help you?

 

[drfs]

With exciting new changes expected to occur later in the year regarding velocity, I have been speaking to Singapore and virgin australia crew and they stated that Virgin will become apart of star alliance which will be exciting.

Has anyone else heard this? That would be awesome ... if it happens.

 

[MelUser]

Velocity points and status credits crediting on a per segment/sector flown basis.

 

[Keith009]

With exciting new changes expected to occur later in the year regarding velocity, I have been speaking to Singapore and virgin australia crew and they stated that Virgin will become apart of star alliance which will be exciting.

Would this help you?

Though not implausible, that's just rumour and speculation at this stage IMO, especially when it comes from galley fm.

Welcome to AFF.

 

[notzac]

Velocity points and status credits crediting on a per segment/sector flown basis.

Well played.

 

[concorde71]

Velocity points and status credits crediting on a per segment/sector flown basis.

The week is not over, they will probably change the rules at least two times before weeks end.

 

[wyvern]

Sort earning and redemption on partner airlines. Please!

MFU on paid tickets with VA/DJ and partner airlines.

Lifetime status.

Manage My Booking with advance seat selection for status members (including partners).

Priority security at all airports.

Priority boarding at all gates.

Free newspapers to take away in the lounge.

Free drink/snack on board for status members.

Seat blocking for status members.

And to add to a list, credit miles and SC per sector!