Will you still earn/retain Velocity status beyond 2025?

[Bigkev]

Are you sure it was the same fare? The old 25 on CBR-MEL would have been a Flex fare. 13 under the new system works out to around $156 - that's more like Choice fare pricing, not Flex.

It’s for work, all fares were booked flex

 

[nutwood]

I'm trialing a new technique. Book J well in advance, this gives me security that'll have a comfortable seat and flexibility. Night before flying, when I know definitely I'll be travelling, check the flight. If it's obviously lightly booked, book Choice and select a front row seat with no-one in the middle. Cancel J flight. If flight's looking full, stick with Plan A.
Obviously not good for accumulating SC's but works financially. Now it's purely $ based, there's no incentive to book Flex, if you're definitely travelling, so the mix of J and Choice will return similar SC's to consistently booking Flex.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I'm trialing a new technique. Book J well in advance, this gives me security that'll have a comfortable seat and flexibility. Night before flying, when I know definitely I'll be travelling, check the flight. If it's obviously lightly booked, book Choice and select a front row seat with no-one in the middle. Cancel J flight. If flight's looking full, stick with Plan A.
Obviously not good for accumulating SC's but works financially. Now it's purely $ based, there's no incentive to book Flex, if you're definitely travelling, so the mix of J and Choice will return similar SC's to consistently booking Flex.

How does it compare in terms of fares though? last minute v advance? I was getting $349 one ways for SYD-MEL, the price of the cheapest economy fare far exceeded that by the day of travel (although I was on peak flights).

 

[MooTime]

I'm trialing a new technique. Book J well in advance, this gives me security that'll have a comfortable seat and flexibility. Night before flying, when I know definitely I'll be travelling, check the flight. If it's obviously lightly booked, book Choice and select a front row seat with no-one in the middle. Cancel J flight. If flight's looking full, stick with Plan A.
Obviously not good for accumulating SC's but works financially. Now it's purely $ based, there's no incentive to book Flex, if you're definitely travelling, so the mix of J and Choice will return similar SC's to consistently booking Flex.

I highly doubt the day before departure there'll be 2 row 3 seats available. 1 for you 1 next to you for 'comfort'.

And year price day before far from cheap, even choice.

 

[nutwood]

Obviously, it depends on loading. Depending where you are flying and when you are flying. I should qualify my comment to say that I've only trialed it once so far. Adelaide to Sydney in the middle of the day. Banked about $400 and had a comfortable trip. If the flight's lightly booked, the prices don't go up.
If there are few premium flyers travelling, the front rows are often empty. I've had an entire row 3 to myself before now. I've also been the only person in the business cabin on multiple occasions.