Will you still earn/retain Velocity status beyond 2025?

[MooTime]

Yes, the same genius who said it was OUTRAGEOUS some scheming peasants were paying less in Business Class cabins that those on Flex tickets on many routes, and this 'rorting' HAD TO STOP.

To quote you - 'Now that's not word for word but the gist.'

A clueless approach. Virgin sets all ticket price points - never the flyers.

Ok you lost me, you wanna call me a clueless. Ok go with another rant, hurray hurray.

Whatve's.

 

[Must...Fly!]

In the couple interviews that the ex VA chief David whathisname said they wanted to reduce their elite members and give a better experience to the very most loyal members by in one way having more roomier lounges.

That'll work.

By giving every man and his dog with a Velocity AMEX access whenever they fly. Smoke & mirrors, don't fall for it. They're not giving anyone a better experience, just the balance sheet.

 

[ozstamps]

By giving every man and his dog with a Velocity AMEX access whenever they fly. Smoke & mirrors, don't fall for it. They're not giving anyone a better experience, just the balance sheet.

Not to mention a very large number of United Lifetime Golds like my partner and I, who get automatic Virgin lounge access on any fare bucket, priority check-in etc, etc, even if one has ZERO Velocity status.

There is a HUGE number of United Elites resident here, as they've flown here for MANY decades. Their 4 'lifetime' Gold/Platinum/1K/GS Elite levels are fair, very simple to understand (unlike the convoluted mess Velocity dreamed up), and have been in place for decades.

 

[jase05]

Seems to be some regulars on here who do nothing but trash anything VA do and apparently dislike the airline but still choose to fly with them. I’ve never understood this as if o dislike a business I will stop using them hence my permanent ban on flying JQ

 

[SYD]

As I've posted waaay up thread re busy lounges...In the couple interviews that the ex VA chief David whathisname said they wanted to reduce their elite members and give a better experience to the very most loyal members by in one way having more roomier lounges.
Now that's not word for word but the gist. Far from it. It was very clear by le roch what their intention was.

Now if you missed those interviews or failed to research them that's your failure.

VA current standing and actions are quite clear.

But you can buy VA lounge access for a fraction of the cost of flying to achieve/retain SG. And it’s not like VA SG comes with OWS or A*G benefits….

Unless VA open Dom J lounges, things aren’t going to improve.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Unless VA open Dom J lounges, things aren’t going to improve.

Let's just say you opened the VIP lounges to Platinum Plus, which would free up some capacity in the pleb lounges. Then cut your elite numbers by a specific amount (unknown to us, not Velocity). Would anyone be surprised if the sum of that capacity was roughly the number of projected co-branded Velocity card holders?

Good business

 

[ozstamps]

Virgin have nickel and dimed for years about paying to open the superbly useful kerbside entry to SYD Lounge, except for an hour or two each day .. and have ZERO lounges of any kind in Cairns or Hobart - or indeed for ANYONE flying Virgin metal overseas from any port.

Any wistful dreams about them opening dedicated Business Lounges has as much chance of working as Trump's tariffs!

 

[nutwood]

Virgin have nickel and dimed for years about paying to open the superbly useful kerbside entry to SYD Lounge, except for an hour or two each day .. and have ZERO lounges of any kind in Cairns or Hobart - or indeed for ANYONE flying Virgin metal overseas from any port.

Any wistful dreams about them opening dedicated Business Lounges has as much chance of working as Trump's tariffs!

I got to use the kerbside entry on Thursday! Second time for me. Normally I'm flying in the afternoon. Only one other person there as the check-in people inside were advising that it was quicker to just use the normal security as it was quiet. As you say, so convenient, why not spruik it?
As I've said elsewhere, VA have a cringe about anything that's not LCC thinking. They aspire to be Jetstar, not Qantas. This seems to be recent thinking and I find it sad. They have a good product and they are industriously trying to ruin it.

 

[RooFlyer]

and have ZERO lounges of any kind in Cairns or Hobart

I've been flying VA out of Hobart since they started and earned Plat along the way. I'm in the terminal, same as when I'm flying QF because the QF lounge is cough.

Big deal.

 

[kallinch]

Let's just say you opened the VIP lounges to Platinum Plus, which would free up some capacity in the pleb lounges. Then cut your elite numbers by a specific amount (unknown to us, not Velocity). Would anyone be surprised if the sum of that capacity was roughly the number of projected co-branded Velocity card holders?

Good business

Tbh this wouldn’t make much of impact on capacity. From what I’ve heard the total number of plat plus member <1000 people. Possibly more “exclusive” than Beyond!

 

[nutwood]

I'm not convinced that lounge numbers are a problem for them. If they were, they wouldn't be doing credit card deals that allowed lounge access. My feeling is that they simply want to commodify everything they can. People want status? Tie it to spend. Want an upgrade? Bid for it. Lounge access? Get a credit card and we'll get a kick back. In the meanwhile, we'll push the prices up where ever we can and cut back the reward seats on any flight that could be popular.
My guess is short term revenue boost at the cost of long term earnings but perhaps their crystal ball is showing increasing demand? As many have said, Qantas is more expensive and Jetstar is, well, Jetstar. That said, I'm booking more with Qantas now. As VA sneaks the prices up, Qantas has become competitive again. There's also an added bonus that Qantas still seem to look after me as a WP. If I apply for an upgrade I generally get it. In addition, my faithful shadow appears to have not held a grudge and loyally sits next to me still.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I'm not convinced that lounge numbers are a problem for them. If they were, they wouldn't be doing credit card deals that allowed lounge access. My feeling is that they simply want to commodify everything they can. People want status? Tie it to spend. Want an upgrade? Bid for it. Lounge access? Get a credit card and we'll get a kick back. In the meanwhile, we'll push the prices up where ever we can and cut back the reward seats on any flight that could be popular.
My guess is short term revenue boost at the cost of long term earnings but perhaps their crystal ball is showing increasing demand? As many have said, Qantas is more expensive and Jetstar is, well, Jetstar. That said, I'm booking more with Qantas now. As VA sneaks the prices up, Qantas has become competitive again. There's also an added bonus that Qantas still seem to look after me as a WP. If I apply for an upgrade I generally get it. In addition, my faithful shadow appears to have not held a grudge and loyally sits next to me still.

I think you hit the nail on the head…. unmonetised lounge access/use is the problem!

 

[HS-TQE]

I got to use the kerbside entry on Thursday! Second time for me. Normally I'm flying in the afternoon. Only one other person there as the check-in people inside were advising that it was quicker to just use the normal security as it was quiet. As you say, so convenient, why not spruik it?
As I've said elsewhere, VA have a cringe about anything that's not LCC thinking. They aspire to be Jetstar, not Qantas. This seems to be recent thinking and I find it sad. They have a good product and they are industriously trying to ruin it.

Or as Bain once said since they've started VA 2.0, a "Virgin are a 'Value Carrier'" (not a Full Service or Not a Low Cost Carrier), which is argued to be just a 'glorified LCC+' with a 8-seater Recliner J cabin attached with limited Lounge & FF Services in the Capitals (+OOL).

 

[nutwood]

Or as Bain once said since they've started VA 2.0, a "Virgin are a 'Value Carrier'" (not a Full Service or Not a Low Cost Carrier), which is argued to be just a 'glorified LCC+' with a 8-seater Recliner J cabin attached with limited Lounge & FF Services in the Capitals (+OOL).

I grew up with Aesop's Fables. There's a very apt one involving a donkey and the moral is those who seek to please everybody, please nobody.

 

[clifford]

I'm not convinced that lounge numbers are a problem for them.

Of course they're not. If they were they'd open the upper floor in SYD. It's all about short-term money and why would they care about lounge crowding. People will still book and go there. Ever tried getting a seat in the BNE QF Pub, for example?

 

[nutwood]

Of course they're not. If they were they'd open the upper floor in SYD. It's all about short-term money and why would they care about lounge crowding. People will still book and go there. Ever tried getting a seat in the BNE QF Pub, for example?

They do open the upper lounge in Sydney. I was there on Thursday. A very nice lady made me a cup of coffee and brought it to where I was sitting. Only time that ever happened to me with Qantas was in the Chairman's lounge!

 

[simmomelb]

They do open the upper lounge in Sydney. I was there on Thursday. A very nice lady made me a cup of coffee and brought it to where I was sitting. Only time that ever happened to me with Qantas was in the Chairman's lounge!

Yep, I've been upstairs recently also, they definitely open it when it's too busy. I'm in the SYD lounge now and it's understandably (IMO) closed as it's probably only at 40% capacity downstairs. But during peak it comes in handy.
Gotta say, this lounge is in dire need of an upgrade, it's looking very dated :/
The rest rooms alone are diabolical.

 

[Digicola]

Yep, I've been upstairs recently also, they definitely open it when it's too busy. I'm in the SYD lounge now and it's understandably (IMO) closed as it's probably only at 40% capacity downstairs. But during peak it comes in handy.
Gotta say, this lounge is in dire need of an upgrade, it's looking very dated :/
The rest rooms alone are diabolical.

It was said that renos were planned in line with the new concept in ADL after the MEL refresh. Clearly thats gone out the window as actually reinvesting into the airline means less money in Bain’s pockets.

 

[MooTime]

It was said that renos were planned in line with the new concept in ADL after the MEL refresh. Clearly thats gone out the window as actually reinvesting into the airline means less money in Bain’s pockets.

True.
I don't mind syd lounge don't think it's too bad, but if you state your going to renovate a lounge then don't to pocket the Reno works cap ex, throw on a $9 Temu shower curtain, reduce ecoX from 18 to 12 seats & reduce the row 3 space, reduce status holder no's which in turn reduces lounge costs then your certainly moving towards LCC than mid tier / hybrid.

Getting awfully clear.

 

[harryhv]

My understanding is, the

Yep, I've been upstairs recently also, they definitely open it when it's too busy.

Tried to get the Sydney Virgin lounge to open upstairs one overcrowded afternoon last year and they said managers are instructed to NOT open upstairs during the daytime, not till after 6pm - is that still the case?