Will you still earn/retain Velocity status beyond 2025?

[Carmilla5]

Our new writer Stephanie has written an opinion piece about why she won't bother maintaining Velocity status next year, after the program changes. You can read it here:

Opinion: Why I Won’t Maintain My Velocity Status Next Year

Our new writer Stephanie has been a Velocity Gold or Platinum frequent flyer with Virgin Australia since 2017. But she no longer feels it's worth maintaining her status. This is why.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

Fantastic write up and echoes much of my experience.

Yes we needed an overhaul but sadly I think Velocity are going to see such a huge decline in members keeping status it may be a rude awakening.

Their changes were too extreme. Granted yes they need to make a profit but the offering post 2020 is miserable. The lounges aren’t even worth visiting now really except for at least the huge space presented in the Melbourne lounge and the coffee is always good. If I see another biriyani or tagine I may scream! First world problems yes.

Sadly having to pay close to $5000 just to retain Gold is not enough. Not enough lounges Australia wide, status much harder to attain and keep, and all the other reasons mentioned above.

I love Virgin and love the staff, they are truly an asset. I won’t be chasing status anymore sadly. I’ll miss it and hope that they pivot in time towards improving status benefits, and rethinking the changes they’ve made.

 

[moa999]

Probably the best example of the deval yet.

All the multi-segment tricks are devalued.
On the flip others are getting 50+ SCs for late booking SYD-MEL returns (before double SCs).

But I can't imagine it's that a high of a percentage of VA customers that typically fly multi segment

 

[Geomac]

I'm sure most people reading this are already familiar with the recent changes announced to Virgin Australia's Velocity Frequent Flyer program. In particular, from next year:

• You'll earn status credits for Virgin Australia flights based on the amount you spend,
• You'll earn fewer status credits on partner airlines, and
• To earn or retain any status level, you'll need to earn at least half of the required status credits from VA marketed flights you personally fly (i.e. not from family pooling, partner airlines, etc.)

Put simply, this will make Velocity status harder for most people to earn.

I've shared my thoughts about this, and how this has affected my decision on whether to continue renewing my own Velocity status, in this opinion piece:

Opinion: Is Velocity Status Still Worth It After 2025?

Virgin Australia Velocity status will be harder and more expensive to earn from 2025. For some flyers, it might not be worth keeping.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts as well on how these changes will affect you. Feel free to vote in the poll at the top of this thread, and let us know in this thread what you think of the changes to Velocity status.

I think 50% of the gold members currently in 2025 will not be able to retain their Gold Status unless they spend double what they spent in 2024! Worst marketing decision ever, only winner will be Qantas, as people drop Virgin in droves!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I think 50% of the gold members currently in 2025 will not be able to retain their Gold Status unless they spend double what they spent in 2024! Worst marketing decision ever, only winner will be Qantas, as people drop Virgin in droves!

But why were people flying VA in the first place? Because of price.

If price is the driving factor, you don’t need loyalty, or FF schemes.

Sure, people may spend slightly less, a lite fare instead of choice. But i’m not sure it’s going to drive folk to Qantas where the lowest fares are often closer to flex fares on VA.

 

[ozstamps]

That is why Qantas invented Jetstar.

If there is a choice of LCC with no snacks or free booze etc, and folks have no status - no brainer really.

Virgin shot themselves in both feet here. Actively drive a lot of $$$s to your only competitor. Brilliant 'Management'.

As their Q3 market share will show, I feel sure.

Our glorious PM has been extolling us to SUPPORT AUSTRALIAN COMPANIES (Qantas Group) and not American owned ones. (Virgin) They could not have picked a dumber year to mess with once loyal and happy Elites.

We are flying to ADL on Tuesday. Booked months back.

For over 10 years I've never even looked at Jetstar prices, but many now will - total no brainer - Virgin gets creamed as can be seen -

 

[HS-TQE]

But why were people flying VA in the first place? Because of price.

If price is the driving factor, you don’t need loyalty, or FF schemes.

Also a lot of people saw VA 1.0 as an LCC, despite the Borghetti-era advertising stating otherwise.

Time will tell if removing most of the Borghetti-era FF offerings, whilst generous, are arguably costly, are going to cost them.

Now that VA 2.0 has since gone back to a 'glorified' LCC+ with a 8-seater recliner J Cabin and limited FF/lounge services attached and gradually reduced their international offerings (both their own and international partners either leaving or being removed by VA) to focus primarily as a "domestic carrier" it could be said that Bain are taking VA back to their "Virgin Blue" (New World Carrier) offering of the late Godfrey era, also with limited FF/lounge services but with "everyday low fares".