What Does The Noob Status Matched QFF Need to Look Out For?

[markis10]

They provide a refund on The Lounge membership. I assume it is pro-rata.

But is that on earned Gold or Status Match?

 

[medhead]

But is that on earned Gold or Status Match?

Aren't these the same thing, in a practical sense? They are making you gold with all the associated benefits on a status match. That includes free lounge membership. So I assume the system would generate an automatic refund as per earned gold

 

[markis10]

The question had come up and someone mentioned it needed to be earned, I agree its the same thing and its certainly not referenced in the status match FAQs as being an issue.

 

[tm.smile]

They provide a refund on The Lounge membership. I assume it is pro-rata.

I understand that would be for Annual membership, however what about single passes?

 

[medhead]

The question had come up and someone mentioned it needed to be earned, I agree its the same thing and its certainly not referenced in the status match FAQs as being an issue.

Umm, ok will stress the assume in my other posts. It is only my assumption so could be completely wrong.

 

[medhead]

I understand that would be for Annual membership, however what about single passes?

After jumping in feet first, I'm coming back for a second go. My gold account has kept a separate tracking of lounge passes. Perhaps they'll keep it there until used along with the new guest passes per 100SC.

Perhaps I need to shut my cake hole.

 

[tm.smile]

After jumping in feet first, I'm coming back for a second go. My gold account has kept a separate tracking of lounge passes. Perhaps they'll keep it there until used along with the new guest passes per 100SC.

Perhaps I need to shut my cake hole.

Fingers crossed that is the case (similar to QC membership)! Thanks

 

[markis10]

A couple of things to watch out for if you are a noob:

1. Yes, it is possible to make coffee after 9 on weekdays and all weekends, in fact you can have a real coffee anytime the lounge is open! At DJ, they invest in people, not machines
2. Yes, you can change to an earlier flight in most cases ( so you don't drink them dry)
3. No, you cannot take two flights when a direct option is available and expect more points/SC's.
4. No, you don't earn points on any reward flights, but we have some wicked classic award choices if you do your homework.
5. Yes, you can book an award flight without the minimum 24 hour period of mourning for those points now spent before you get to enjoy the benefit.
6. No, you cannot check in more than once in an attempt to play seat hopscotch, you get one shot only until you hit the lounge, where the angels can hopscotch for you.
7. Yes, you can earn 3 points per $ with Amex or 1.5 points per $ with an ANZ rewards platinum card which is uncapped, and it's not a direct earn. $2200 spend on an ANZ Rewards PLAT AMEX will get you a PE seat MEL SYD for $50.
8. Yes, they also have a Velocity Amex card that is promoted in the lounge at present with free bubbly!

 

[medhead]

One difference I enjoy is the ability to login into your velocity account during the booking process when they ask for your name and contact details. Saves having to enter your name/address details during the booking process if you haven't login in already. One thing I find annoying about Qantas that they don't pick up that information unless you are logged in before starting a booking.

 

[futaris]

7. Yes, you can earn 3 points per $ with Amex or 1.5 points per $ with an ANZ rewards platinum card which is uncapped, and it's not a direct earn. $2200 spend on an ANZ Rewards PLAT AMEX will get you a PE seat MEL SYD for $50.

Which amex is 3 points/$?

 

[markis10]

Which amex is 3 points/$?

Earn 3 Reward Points1 for every $1 spent on purchases (excluding cash equivalent transactions) using the ANZ Rewards Platinum American Express card.
Earn 1.5 Reward Points1 for every $1 spent on purchases (excluding cash equivalent transactions) using the ANZ Rewards Visa Platinum card.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Anyone know what the SC earn on SQ will be? Will it likely be the same as the current table ?

 

[notzac]

1) Was wondering, I purchased a The Lounge pass before the prices went up and now that I will be Velocity Gold, what will happen to that pass?
2) There is no lounge access at LAX with Virgin America on Velocity is there?

To the best of my knowledge, refunds only apply to annual memberships - not to single passes. And no - no lounge at LAX for VX flights, as there is no VS CH (and even if there were, it would be paid entry). Sucks more than a little bit. I've heard on Galley FM that there may well be proper lounge options at LAX in the next year or so, but .. not sure I entirely trust that one!

If you have a substantial layover, either consider getting a day pass for the AS Lounge at T3 or getting out of the airport altogether.

1. Yes, it is possible to make coffee after 9 on weekdays and all weekends, in fact you can have a real coffee anytime the lounge is open! At DJ, they invest in people, not machines
2. Yes, you can change to an earlier flight in most cases ( so you don't drink them dry)
3. No, you cannot take two flights when a direct option is available and expect more points/SC's.
4. No, you don't earn points on any reward flights, but we have some wicked classic award choices if you do your homework.
5. Yes, you can book an award flight without the minimum 24 hour period of mourning for those points now spent before you get to enjoy the benefit.
6. No, you cannot check in more than once in an attempt to play seat hopscotch, you get one shot only until you hit the lounge, where the angels can hopscotch for you.
7. Yes, you can earn 3 points per $ with Amex or 1.5 points per $ with an ANZ rewards platinum card which is uncapped, and it's not a direct earn. $2200 spend on an ANZ Rewards PLAT AMEX will get you a PE seat MEL SYD for $50.
8. Yes, they also have a Velocity Amex card that is promoted in the lounge at present with free bubbly!

This is a really nice summary! Let me add a couple things around reaching the Gold Desk with a minimum of fuss:

Monday - Friday, 8am - 8pm AEST: Call the "International locations" number on the back of your Velocity card and then enter in your membership number when prompted.
All other times: Call the regular Virgin Australia number (13 67 89) and then follow the prompts to either make or change a business class booking (this is perhaps not kosher, but the couple times I've needed to speak to someone they've been happy to help me out as a Gold member)

If you call the first option out of hours, it will tell you that the priority line is closed and to call back during business hours.

Earn 3 Reward Points1 for every $1 spent on purchases (excluding cash equivalent transactions) using the ANZ Rewards Platinum American Express card.
Earn 1.5 Reward Points1 for every $1 spent on purchases (excluding cash equivalent transactions) using the ANZ Rewards Visa Platinum card.

Be careful with this one .. ANZ Rewards points do NOT transfer to Velocity at 1:1! From the fine print on the ANZ Rewards website..:

Redeem an initial 4,500 Reward Points for 2,000 Velocity Points and then additional multiples of 2,250 Reward Points for 1,000 Velocity Points. You should allow up to 5 business days for Velocity Points to be allocated to your Account. Account Holder must be a Member of the Velocity Program. Velocity Membership terms and conditions apply. For full terms and conditions please visit Home | Velocity Frequent Flyer Velocity is owned and operated by Velocity Rewards Pty Ltd as trustee of the Loyalty Trust.

That said, I can certainly recommend the AmEx Velocity Platinum card as a good points earner..

Anyone know what the SC earn on SQ will be? Will it likely be the same as the current table ?

Very likely to be the same as the current table, but I'm not sure that anyone outside VA/SQ knows for sure..

 

[markis10]

To the best of my knowledge, refunds only apply to annual memberships - not to single passes. And no - no lounge at LAX for VX flights, as there is no VS CH (and even if there were, it would be paid entry). Sucks more than a little bit. I've heard on Galley FM that there may well be proper lounge options at LAX in the next year or so, but .. not sure I entirely trust that one!

If you have a substantial layover, either consider getting a day pass for the AS Lounge at T3 or getting out of the airport altogether.



This is a really nice summary! Let me add a couple things around reaching the Gold Desk with a minimum of fuss:

Monday - Friday, 8am - 8pm AEST: Call the "International locations" number on the back of your Velocity card and then enter in your membership number when prompted.
All other times: Call the regular Virgin Australia number (13 67 89) and then follow the prompts to either make or change a business class booking (this is perhaps not kosher, but the couple times I've needed to speak to someone they've been happy to help me out as a Gold member)

If you call the first option out of hours, it will tell you that the priority line is closed and to call back during business hours.



Be careful with this one .. ANZ Rewards points do NOT transfer to Velocity at 1:1! From the fine print on the ANZ Rewards website..:

Good pickup, thanks for that!

 

[pshepvic]

Re: What Does The Noob Status Matched QFF MNeed to Look Out For?

...front half of the aircraft has slightly more leg room.

In some cases, the left hand side has more than the right as well! Row 1 seats A,B,C on some aircraft are further forward than D,E,F and as a result all the seats on the left up to the exit row have slightly more room than those on the right. Once you get to the exit I think the seats are then lined up.

Can't remember if it is B737 or B738 aircraft where this happens though.

That also may explain the zoning shown in the DJ/NZ alliance brochure that was posted on AFF some time ago - it showed a Gold zone which went from about row 3 to 10 on the left, but only rows 3 and 4 on the right (can't find the thread now to look that up and confirm it though!)

 

[pshepvic]

Can someone explain what the hell DYKWIA means? All the acronyms are getting out of control or ooc

Sometimes I also like to use the term DYKWITIA = Don't You Know Who I Think I Am!

 

[pshepvic]

6. No, you cannot check in more than once in an attempt to play seat hopscotch, you get one shot only until you hit the lounge, where the angels can hopscotch for you.

There is a way around this! Locate your booking online. Click "Web Check-in". Click "Select Seat". Choose your seat, then click "Ok" (or it might be "Continue"). Then STOP. Don't click the next continue button to proceed with the online check in process.

You can then go back later and repeat this process to check for a better seat. I've done it on many occasions (sometimes I've gone back to the seat selection 2 or 3 times) and have managed to a better seat.

I do find though that often the staff at the lounge or airport move you anyway to accommodate groups, however I've found they usually move me to a better seat.

I also find that sometimes when using web check in, my seat has already been allocated, but other times it isn't. When it is already allocated, it's almost always row 3 or 4. I think I read somewhere that the lounge staff allocate the seats for Golds the day before, but doesn't seem to always happen.

One other thing I find with DJ web check in. Sometimes when you get closer to the flight time (<5 hours before) the web check in no longer works and it tells you to go to a staff member or kiosk. Seems to happen with very full flights, and I suspect they restrict the number of people that can check in online to ensure they have enough seats together for people travelling together.

PS. I think you forgot one point in your list markis: 9. Toastie maker in the SYD lounge.

 

[LiamR]

There is a way around this! Locate your booking online. Click "Web Check-in". Click "Select Seat". Choose your seat, then click "Ok" (or it might be "Continue"). Then STOP. Don't click the next continue button to proceed with the online check in process.

You can then go back later and repeat this process to check for a better seat. I've done it on many occasions (sometimes I've gone back to the seat selection 2 or 3 times) and have managed to a better seat.

I never even thought to do this. Thanks for the advice. This also means I can grab a Boarding pass from a kiosk (Having my seat preselected, as selecting a seat on a kiosk takes a solid 4 hours to do) rather then printing my boarding pass.

On a slightly different note, the new Velocity Gold help desk seem to be able to assign seats around 7days before departure.

 

[drron]

Tony I think everyone has missed the obvious answer to your question.
What you really have to look out for is the newly status matched WP who really is the QF mole.
If you dont pick that person,no more F on the 380!

 

[pshepvic]

I never even thought to do this. Thanks for the advice. This also means I can grab a Boarding pass from a kiosk (Having my seat preselected, as selecting a seat on a kiosk takes a solid 4 hours to do) rather then printing my boarding pass.

On a slightly different note, the new Velocity Gold help desk seem to be able to assign seats around 7days before departure.

The reason I worked out the seat thing was when I found out that Flexible fares with DJ are no longer flexible if you've checked in online (although they waived that condition for me when I'd checked in already but missed a flight). I thought "I don't want to check in online anymore if that is the case, but I still want to get my preferred seat". Then I remembered that with DJ the seat selection happens before you do anything else with check in (as opposed to QF where it is further into the process). So I tested it out, and yep, it works!

Thanks for your tip about the gold desk for seat allocation. Although not sure if I can be bothered ringing up just to select a seat on a 1 hour flight :shock:

Wonder if the Platinum help desk will be able to use ESP to work out what seat I want??