What I would like Velocity to do in 2014.

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Two questions:
1. Do you have a cold?
2. What do you mean by using the word "factual"?

Thanks for getting back VA.

1. *cough* A little bit. Spent a little time with ankle-biting vectors during Christmas *cough*

2. We all know what I mean by factual. VA's done great to get to where it has but joining an actual alliance has to happen soon to fill the gaps that still make QF attractive (and TBH OW is about the only thing attractive about QF right now). Things like the AB deal don't cut it (there's zero incentive to use them under current arrangements, with less points than I'd receive through OW and no SCs) and Europe is still a massive hole, as is a lot of Africa, Asia and South America. Elites still can't access things like lounges at most of the ports your partners in alliances serve (where they rely on alliance partner lounges). At other ports lack of lounge choice means some necessities (i.e. showers at SIN) are unavailable to elites. I know for some reason VA refuses to join *A (god only knows why - but it would be a game changer for sure), but if VA doesn't work on expansion can it at least work on getting more partners (or bennies that at least match alliance members on its current partners - i.e. luggage on DL) so VA elites travelling internationally aren't second class citizens compared to alliance members? There are one or two coups VA has managed, but on balance VA elite is still far below alliance elite internationally.

I don't want to criticise the great work VA are doing, but it appears the momentum isn't there anymore. I clearly believe in the product. But VA elite does seem a little 'unfinished' in the international recognition sense, and shouldn't be left idling. Most of us WP have been or are alliance elite with other airlines, so we just know exactly some of the deficiencies that exist. A lot of us at elite level also spend at least half our travel budget/time on OS trips, so our international needs very much inform our choice of domestic airline.
 
Online booking for all ward travel.

I've been fortunate enough to only use award travel with them on VA metal, but it seems from other comments that booking via partenrs is a painful process and can quite often be a lot more points than you think.
 
Thankyou to VFF for your reply. If I had a preference (and for my own personal convenience) the ability to do international multi-city/stop overs would be very useful. I have a few flights that I would like to book as one ticket, but currently cannot, which means I have to book separate tickets which leads to problems if flights go awry.
I would also like to say that the plat call centre staff have been great and very helpful.
 
I'm not sure why not having massive VAi tin is all that important, I like VA's international partners and as long as my status level is recognised with equivalent benefits I'd receive on VA tin I'm happy.

That's the thing though - I fly SQ a lot (and kind of love them as an airline, so I'm certainly not complaining about the choice of partners!) but I certainly don't get equivalent benefits on SQ flights as I would on VA long haul if they flew anywhere useful. Things like a reasonable priority for op ups, a possible chance of organising a blocked middle seat, and points upgrades are all unavailable as I have never been able to take a VA long haul flight...

The other issue around relying so heavily on the virtual alliance at the moment is varying burn costs for redemptions. The points difference for J between Etihad, VA, V Atlantic compared to NZ, and SQ (for instance) is kind of hilarious. SQ is so high it may as well not exist as a redemption option for me, even before any issues of booking and availability...

Danny
 
Being able to to complete online Multi-city international bookings in the one ticket is a must.
 
+1 to that, but inclusive of SG.

If I may add to this, I would very much like to see a Lifetime Silver/Gold/Plat introduced. I'm sure many would agree with this. Too many SCs end up just expiring with no long term recognition of loyalty.

It's one of the few features QFF has over VFF.

I was at a Xmas dinner where a VA person attended and the question was asked about lifetime status.

The answer was no. It was seen as a long term expense with no real pay off for Virgin.

So keep dreaming but it's not going to happen whilst the current CEO is there.
 
That's the thing though - I fly SQ a lot (and kind of love them as an airline, so I'm certainly not complaining about the choice of partners!) but I certainly don't get equivalent benefits on SQ flights as I would on VA long haul if they flew anywhere useful. Things like a reasonable priority for op ups, a possible chance of organising a blocked middle seat, and points upgrades are all unavailable as I have never been able to take a VA long haul flight...

The other issue around relying so heavily on the virtual alliance at the moment is varying burn costs for redemptions. The points difference for J between Etihad, VA, V Atlantic compared to NZ, and SQ (for instance) is kind of hilarious. SQ is so high it may as well not exist as a redemption option for me, even before any issues of booking and availability...

Danny
Hi Danny (rtyuiop), I've only done a couple of SQ flights using my VA Platinum card (and admittedly not in Y, just J and Suites), but I was actually recognised as VA Platinum and it did seem to offer some benefits - one of the Suite trips was a redemption and technically I shouldn't have been given an invite to The Private Room in Singapore, but one was nevertheless extended. And whether it was just the SQ 'experience' or the VA Platinum at work - the ground and FA staff couldn't do more for me (and I have no 'status' in SQ KrisFlyer).

Experiences no doubt vary, but I felt very welcomed as a Velocity (VA) Platinum.

Regarding op-ups, etc even inside OneWorld & *Alliance it's not common for alliance partners to give these things priority for other alliance members. As to be expected, they treat their own FF members best (because that's who they earn the most from), especially those elite grades unique to their own airline (P1/CL on QF, PPS on SQ, etc). Hence why I was pleased that SQ was treating me like I was one of their own elites, rather than just that VA Platinum.

Same goes for redemptions, airlines typically give the most award seats to their own FF scheme. But yes, online redemptions for SQ would be nice (and it's really down for SQ to come to the party).
 
I was at a Xmas dinner where a VA person attended and the question was asked about lifetime status.

The answer was no. It was seen as a long term expense with no real pay off for Virgin.

So keep dreaming but it's not going to happen whilst the current CEO is there.

There is no doubt lifetime status has some effect on consumer behaviour, and it has made me put some international and occasional domestic business Qantas' way (mostly because I was so close to LTS it was worth it), but I really think its benefit comes into play when the status bars are set high. Platinum and Gold in Qantas is an effort to meet/retain when you factor in the expense (you pay for the MEL & SYD FLounges and the J Business Lounge access). It's a softer hurdle in Velocity, made easier by competitive Business pricing (that makes sense too, on Coast to Coast service in particular).

Of course if travel expenses don't come off your bottom line, who cares, but I prefer to be savvy with my dollar.

I can easily retain my VA Platinum, so I'm less concerned with Lifetime status. Lifetime status is only useful if you intend to become an infrequent​ flyer lol.
 
Regarding op-ups, etc even inside OneWorld & *Alliance it's not common for alliance partners to give these things priority for other alliance members. As to be expected, they treat their own FF members best (because that's who they earn the most from), especially those elite grades unique to their own airline (P1/CL on QF, PPS on SQ, etc). Hence why I was pleased that SQ was treating me like I was one of their own elites, rather than just that VA Platinum.
That's the thing with QF; other alliance partners treat their elites better than QF do. CX are well known for the excellent treatment of QF WP/WP1's, as are BA (I've only flown a handful of BA long haul flights, and received op-up on 2 of them!).
 
The Velocity software has lifetime recognition built into it; it is just a matter of VA management deciding to flick the switch.
 
I was a 100% domestic and 60% international QF flyer until they decided to jump into bed with EK and abandoned PER. Now I would say my Qantas stats are 10% domestic and 0% international. The dom went to VA and int to SQ, TG, AY, VA and CX.

Since joining VA I have a few wishes:
1. Please, fix the website. It is getting better sure, but enough is enough already. The QF site leaves the VA one for dead, especially in terms of functionality.
2. Multi-city Online
3. Flexi to J Upgrade Online
4. SilverKris Lounge in SIN for WP.
5. Increase requirements for WP. It is too easy to attain and this probably restricts the rollout of further WP benefits. Either that or introduce WP1.
6. Lifetime Status
7. Stop the steady increase of Flexi prices
8. I'll save any criticism of PER airport, due to the pending improvements (I'm hoping for big things! Kerbside Check-in perhaps?)
9. Upgrades on SQ metal

Thank you for:
1. Great staff
2. Amazing J
3. Did I mention great staff?
4. Shopandearn
5. Agoda booking rewards.

Overall, I'm very happy with the shift to VA and look forward to another year of patronage!
 
Hi Danny (rtyuiop), I've only done a couple of SQ flights using my VA Platinum card (and admittedly not in Y, just J and Suites), but I was actually recognised as VA Platinum and it did seem to offer some benefits - one of the Suite trips was a redemption and technically I shouldn't have been given an invite to The Private Room in Singapore, but one was nevertheless extended. And whether it was just the SQ 'experience' or the VA Platinum at work - the ground and FA staff couldn't do more for me (and I have no 'status' in SQ KrisFlyer)...

Based on my experience, I suspect that may have had more to do with you being a suites passenger than your VA status - I fly a lot in SQ Y, and while they are very good at delivering the promised benefits, the only occasions I can think of when they did something above and beyond a few times when they mistook me for *A gold and gave me access to the (terrible!) contract lounge in Bangalore when they shouldn't have. To be fair I don't think SQ does much of that sort of thing even for their own KF golds!

Regarding op-ups etc., yes, you are entirely correct - I probably wasn't as clear as I could have been! I meant that was a reason that I would like to see more VA medium/long haul metal flying, due to exactly the reasons you state.

Cheers,

Danny
 
Until (and of course if) VA joins a main alliance, *A being the only likely one, things will remain a shemozzle in terms of consistency of benefits and recognition. Mind you there are some pretty terrible airlines in *A so joining it may not be so beneficial and maybe the mini-alliances work better.
 
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The big things on my wish list for 2014

* A stable, functional & fully integrated website .. your getting there , but its so slow .... its now a year on since Sabre was introduced. ( QF is so far ahead of you )
* Multi City Online Bookings....both domestic & international ... it drives me nuts making single bookings
* Consistency of benefits across partners ( most have already been mentioned in this thread)
* Advance seat selection for VA Gold in Rows 3-6. Would even accept from Row 5 , instead of Row 7 .
* 1-2 Comp Upgrades for VA Gold per year.
* Lifetime Status backdated
* Expansion of VA international services beyond LAX & AUH . You have a fantastic international product & staff to go with it ...capitalise on it .
* It ties in with expansion , but the ability to fly to Japan NOT via Singapore on SG & you look at Canada too , if you like :p
* EX SYD , i would love to see MCY , BNK go to double daily to compete more with JQ and retime your CFS flights to an early AM and later PM departures.

What i would like to thank you for are:

* Your staff . They have been brilliant. I have been acknowledged as a VA Gold around 98% of the time in 2013.
* Priority boarding ...it works the majority of the time ( streets ahead of QF )
* Sydney Lounge Premium Entry ...love it .
* Fly ahead ... a Fantastic benefit i have used many times .
 
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Until (and of course if) VA joins a main alliance, *A being the only likely one, things will remain a shemozzle in terms of consistency of benefits and recognition. Mind you there are some pretty terrible airlines in *A so joining it may not be so beneficial and maybe the mini-alliances work better.
I have mentioned before, I actually met the CEO of *A last year in FRA. He said the day AN went under, they were effectively knocking at then DJ's door, and have continued to attempt to court them without success. Obviously he didn't tell me anything detailed, but said they were keen to have them but had so far been told 'no'.

Can only hope that changes, if only for the better airlines in *A (failing that, as others have mentioned, seamless status recognition on current and future partner airlines).
 
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My wishes are almost the same gwilli and as such I have taken the liberty of copying some of your post.

* A stable, functional & fully integrated website, without the need to constantly enter my VFF details
* Lifetime Status backdated (with realistic qualifying points)
* Advance seat selection for VA Gold in Rows 3-6. Would even accept from Row 5 , instead of Row 7.
* The ability to use points to upgrade from Saver / Saver Lite. My company dictates that I must fly on the cheapest fare, I had the choice I would fly flexi.
* Better communications of delays etc at airports.
* Multi City Online Bookings
* Consistency of status benefits across partners
* Expansion of VA international services beyond LAX & AUH . You have a fantastic international product & staff to go with it ...capitalise on it.


What i would like to thank you for are:

* Staff, onboard, in the Lounge and on the phone have been brilliant. When my father in law passed away and funeral dates were changed at the last minute you cancelled and in some cases re-issued a total of 12 flights without penalties.
* Priority boarding.
* Sydney Lounge Premium Entry ...love it .
* Fly ahead ... a Fantastic benefit i have used many times

Cheers
Dave.
 
What I would like to see is if you requalify as Platinum, the hotel, car rental benefits etc. earned when first qualified roll-over for a further 12 months. To think that the only way to re-validate the benefits is to drop back down to Gold and then re-qualify as Platinum is somewhat ludicrous.
 
please fix your website so i dont have to log in twice to see my bookings

On the brighter side, at least that reinforces the password so there may be fewer instances of forgotten passwords and resets as a result...
 
What I would like to see is if you requalify as Platinum, the hotel, car rental benefits etc. earned when first qualified roll-over for a further 12 months. To think that the only way to re-validate the benefits is to drop back down to Gold and then re-qualify as Platinum is somewhat ludicrous.

Plus 1 ......
 
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