Will you still earn/retain Velocity status beyond 2025?

[serfty]

My understanding is, the

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?

I flew through SYD on a Wednesday in March and the upper lounge was open outbound ~9:30am & inbound ~4:30pm.

 

[nutwood]

I flew through SYD on a Wednesday in March and the upper lounge was open outbound ~9:30am & inbound ~4:30pm.

It opened around 10 ish last Thursday.

 

[ozstamps]

Hope the tone-deaf Velocity Brass read the 'Weekend Australian' this week, part of which is below. It is not just members here giving the crazy decimation of the Velocity plan a big minus, but experienced industry commentators, from AFF Editor Matt Graham down, giving it a thumbs down.

This sort of coverage in mainstream national media is a disaster for Velocity. HEAPS of once loyal and happy flyers STILL do not really understand that flying the same routes and pattern as they have done for years to get Status, will very likely see their status vanish.

The more that sad reality gets into national media, the faster the penny will drop with many, and the less Choice and above bookings will be made on Virgin, as simple as that. Costing them serious dollars.

64% of those 100s voting here state they will lose their status this year, and will not pay the 'Status Ransom $$ Annual Fee' and if that translates nationally, as The Australian predicts, Velocity have indeed 'shot itself in the proverbial foot'
-

'Virgin Velocity changes ‘ask too much of members’

Has Virgin Australia’s Velocity program shot itself in the proverbial foot with major changes to the way members earn status credits? Experts have their say.

Changes to Virgin Australia’s Velocity program making it harder to attain elite status tiers may have backfired on the airline, as frequent-flyer experts say it’s no longer worth the effort.

Introduced in April, the changes mean Velocity members earn status credits from total dollars spent rather than routes and cabin class, while flights with partner airlines deliver fewer credits.

Some experts argue the move was necessary given the “ease” at which gold status could be obtained at Virgin Australia, but it was still considered bold as Qantas’ frequent-flyer status was calculated on route and cabin.

Australian Frequent Flyer website editor Matt Graham said that from the outset it was plain the changes were not popular – because of the extra cost.

“Under the new program, the amount of money you would need to spend to achieve or maintain Velocity status is way, way higher than before,” Mr Graham said. “In some cases, people would need to spend around four times as much to maintain the same status tier level that they currently have.”

As a result, reaching gold status with the Velocity program – led by chief executive Nick Rohrlach – cost as much or even more than the same tier with Qantas Frequent Flyer, Mr Graham said.

“Many frequent flyers feel that the benefits of the Virgin Australia status do not justify the high qualification requirements,” he said.

“This is particularly … because Virgin Australia has a much smaller international network than Qantas; has fewer airline partners and since Virgin Australia is not part of a global airline alliance the benefits that frequent flyers get when flying partner airlines are much less consistent.”

Point Hacks spokesman Daniel Sciberras said that with all loyalty program changes there were “winners and losers” but in Velocity’s case, there seemed to be more losers than winners.

“There is some benefit for people who are buying those high-priced (flex) tickets and flying regularly,” Mr Sciberras said.

“But people who are looking for value and buying the choice fares will find it harder to earn the status compared to what it was in the previous regime.”

He said if the motive were to get people to spend more on their fare, it may not have the desired outcome unless members could see the “rewards” were worth it.

In that sense Virgin Australia was at a disadvantage due to its much smaller lounge network and complex arrangements with partner airlines.

“Then if you get on a Virgin Australia plane itself (for an international flight) you get no lounge access, but if you book it on the partner airline code you do. It’s very complex.”

Steve Hui of iflyflat.com.au agreed simplicity was the key with loyalty programs if airlines wanted members to remain engaged.

“We’re in an age where no one reads the instruction manual. They just get the device out of the box and start using it,” Mr Hui said. “That’s the mistake they made. People just want to fly. They don’t have time to do these calculations. Not everyone’s an accountant.”

 

[MooTime]

Hope the tone-deaf Velocity Brass read the 'Weekend Australian' this week, part of which is below. It is not just members here giving the crazy decimation of the Velocity plan a big minus, but experienced industry commentators, from AFF Editor Matt Graham down, giving it a thumbs down.

This sort of coverage in mainstream national media is a disaster for Velocity. HEAPS of once loyal and happy flyers STILL do not really understand that flying the same routes and pattern as they have done for years to get Status, will very likely see their status vanish.

The more that sad reality gets into national media, the faster the penny will drop with many, and the less Choice and above bookings will be made on Virgin, as simple as that. Costing them serious dollars.

64% of those 100s voting here state they will lose their status this year, and will not pay the 'Status Ransom $$ Annual Fee' and if that translates nationally, as The Australian predicts, Velocity have indeed 'shot itself in the proverbial foot'
-

'Virgin Velocity changes ‘ask too much of members’

Has Virgin Australia’s Velocity program shot itself in the proverbial foot with major changes to the way members earn status credits? Experts have their say.

Changes to Virgin Australia’s Velocity program making it harder to attain elite status tiers may have backfired on the airline, as frequent-flyer experts say it’s no longer worth the effort.

Introduced in April, the changes mean Velocity members earn status credits from total dollars spent rather than routes and cabin class, while flights with partner airlines deliver fewer credits.

Some experts argue the move was necessary given the “ease” at which gold status could be obtained at Virgin Australia, but it was still considered bold as Qantas’ frequent-flyer status was calculated on route and cabin.

Australian Frequent Flyer website editor Matt Graham said that from the outset it was plain the changes were not popular – because of the extra cost.

“Under the new program, the amount of money you would need to spend to achieve or maintain Velocity status is way, way higher than before,” Mr Graham said. “In some cases, people would need to spend around four times as much to maintain the same status tier level that they currently have.”

As a result, reaching gold status with the Velocity program – led by chief executive Nick Rohrlach – cost as much or even more than the same tier with Qantas Frequent Flyer, Mr Graham said.

“Many frequent flyers feel that the benefits of the Virgin Australia status do not justify the high qualification requirements,” he said.

“This is particularly … because Virgin Australia has a much smaller international network than Qantas; has fewer airline partners and since Virgin Australia is not part of a global airline alliance the benefits that frequent flyers get when flying partner airlines are much less consistent.”

Point Hacks spokesman Daniel Sciberras said that with all loyalty program changes there were “winners and losers” but in Velocity’s case, there seemed to be more losers than winners.

“There is some benefit for people who are buying those high-priced (flex) tickets and flying regularly,” Mr Sciberras said.

“But people who are looking for value and buying the choice fares will find it harder to earn the status compared to what it was in the previous regime.”

He said if the motive were to get people to spend more on their fare, it may not have the desired outcome unless members could see the “rewards” were worth it.

In that sense Virgin Australia was at a disadvantage due to its much smaller lounge network and complex arrangements with partner airlines.

“Then if you get on a Virgin Australia plane itself (for an international flight) you get no lounge access, but if you book it on the partner airline code you do. It’s very complex.”

Steve Hui of iflyflat.com.au agreed simplicity was the key with loyalty programs if airlines wanted members to remain engaged.

“We’re in an age where no one reads the instruction manual. They just get the device out of the box and start using it,” Mr Hui said. “That’s the mistake they made. People just want to fly. They don’t have time to do these calculations. Not everyone’s an accountant.”

Thanks for sharing some snippets from the article.

Now heres the brocken record..... Velocity main aim here is to reduce the status holders, it's been said by them themselves numerous times.

I'm just guessing but theses changes would've been on the table for upto 12months & seriously discussed for 6 months the ins n outs. They went thru their research blah blah.

To put Forever Gold on the table they had to make attaining SCs more financial for them.

We flew to Fiji this week, as Platinum member in business class on VA mental, zero lounge access, this totally stinks and how they justify this is beyond me.

Luckily had PP so House lounge it was.

 

[ozstamps]

I've flown Virgin to Samoa and Rarotonga and Port Vila and NZ in recent times, also in Biz Class, and also as a Platinum, and agree them being too cheap to offer any lounge access ex MEL/SYD/BNE is very poor.

Seeing they have a long relationship with Air NZ (and SQ) - very cheap and nasty, and the ultimate nickel and diming. Pay them some bucks a pax and job done. Their elites entering Virgin lounges here incur a fee to SQ and NZ so it all evens out. Race to the bottom stuff, it really is.

 

[simmomelb]

We flew to Fiji this week, as Platinum member in business class on VA mental, zero lounge access, this totally stinks and how they justify this is beyond me.

This is completely inexcusable, yet, they've recently made pathetic excuses for it which is unimaginable, given the dollars now required to acquire and attain gold and plat.
It's just a hot mess now - fly with us to Doha and get a lounge (wet leased), fly with us to Fiji or Queenstown and tough cough.
No reasonable person would think that's acceptable as an elite spending those sorts of dollars with them.

 

[clifford]

No reasonable person would think that's acceptable as an elite spending those sorts of dollars with them.

Indeed, and that's why I won't be either elite or spending with them shortly.

Where VA (Bain) have miscalculated, is that Australia is not the USA, and what works there won't necessarily work here.

It will be fun to watch...

 

[jase05]

Indeed, and that's why I won't be either elite or spending with them shortly.

Where VA (Bain) have miscalculated, is that Australia is not the USA, and what works there won't necessarily work here.

It will be fun to watch...

I agree that the lounge situation is poor and that VA have made some poor decisions but personally we will probably book 20-30 domestic J flights in the next 12 months and will choose BFOD. I’d think that most if not all will be booked with VA so as long as they keep their prices considerably lower than the opposition they will continue to get our money.

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

I don't fly VA because I'm still hesitant to get on a 737 MAX, but if I ever overcame that, my calculation would look like:

• What I really value from status is lounge access, not just with the airline but with their global alliance partners
• Flying VA domestically in AU, I'd just get the Amex Platinum or Amex Velocity Platinum for lounge access - or even pay for Lifetime VA lounge access for 6.7x the annual fee for the Amex Platinum
• For flights on their international partners, I'd credit them to programs in each of the respective global alliances, where sufficient status gives global lounge access (except the US in Star or SkyTeam)

If I was already paying for J domestically, the benefits of VA status seem largely moot. And chasing status to earn more points which are increasingly hard to redeem at any value above 1c per dollar doesn't seem worth it.

As the article snipped above says, overall chasing VA status just doesn't seem worth it, when the main benefits can be acquired in other ways.

 

[ols]

Well, I am really in a pickle.
I have been status credit rich but sector poor since start of the year.
Needing two sectors to get to Platinum before 17th July.
Was OS for a few months in Feb, March and April.
Had extensive hand surgery in May (over 120 stitches) and was only able to fly without risking damage and even having a slightly working hand until a week ago.
Knowing I needed two sectors and with status credit clock ticking booked Perth-Darwin return to get me to Platinum.
Took my wife to get us some Winter warmth up North and the heat is good for my hand healing.
Return trip tomorrow to beat 17th deadline.
Checked my Velocity today and it said I still require two sectors!
Weird because it has credited me one sector that was required to maintain gold.
Rang the Phillipines and it was just too much for them to understand why I should only require the sector from my flight tomorrow to be Platinum and that I will lose a heap of rolling credits and on the 17th I will not have 1,000.
Have sent an email to [email protected] explaining everything and hope to hell that this can be sorted.
If I am denied on this will not be a happy camper.
Was just wanting to get Platinum before October changes, more than anything for the free Economy X.

 

[simmomelb]

Well, I am really in a pickle.
I have been status credit rich but sector poor since start of the year.
Needing two sectors to get to Platinum before 17th July.
Was OS for a few months in Feb, March and April.
Had extensive hand surgery in May (over 120 stitches) and was only able to fly without risking damage and even having a slightly working hand until a week ago.
Knowing I needed two sectors and with status credit clock ticking booked Perth-Darwin return to get me to Platinum.
Took my wife to get us some Winter warmth up North and the heat is good for my hand healing.
Return trip tomorrow to beat 17th deadline.
Checked my Velocity today and it said I still require two sectors!
Weird because it has credited me one sector that was required to maintain gold.
Rang the Phillipines and it was just too much for them to understand why I should only require the sector from my flight tomorrow to be Platinum and that I will lose a heap of rolling credits and on the 17th I will not have 1,000.
Have sent an email to [email protected] explaining everything and hope to hell that this can be sorted.
If I am denied on this will not be a happy camper.
Was just wanting to get Platinum before October changes, more than anything for the free Economy X.

Not sure why you bothered calling
Just wait until after the 17th. I'm sure you took screen shots, highly likely it'll all calculate correctly a day or two after your return.
Let us know how you go on the 18th or 19th

 

[ols]

Not sure why you bothered calling
Just wait until after the 17th. I'm sure you took screen shots, highly likely it'll all calculate correctly a day or two after your return.

A screen shot from today will show I need two sectors when I'm only getting one tomorrow.
Worried it won't sort itself out as a sector was credited for my gold status.
The status credit count on the 17th will leave me well short (losing 480) and am worried it will all turn to muck.

 

[simmomelb]

A screen shot from today will show I need two sectors when I'm only getting one tomorrow.
Worried it won't sort itself out as a sector was credited for my gold status.
The status credit count on the 17th will leave me well short (losing 480) and am worried it will all turn to muck.

It's not credited to your Gold status, it's credited to your profile. If you have the required sectors and status credits, even if they land late on your profile (usually a day or two later), as long as you took the flights before those status credits expire, you'll automatically upgrade to Platinum, calculated on the date you achieved this (flew).

 

[ols]

It's not credited to your gold status, it's credited to your profile. If you have the required sectors and status credits by the 17th (even if they land late, as long as you took the flights by this date) you'll automatically upgrade to Platinum.

I needed one sector to maintain gold before this trip and it has been processed from my flight on the 13th but the platinum sector requirement stayed at two and didn't change to one.

 

[Happy Dude]

I needed one sector to maintain gold before this trip and it has been processed from my flight on the 13th but the platinum sector requirement stayed at two and didn't change to one.

So you had 3 sectors before this trip?

Wouldn't that mean you need 5 sectors before 17 July to get to WP before this trip?

4 sectors needed to maintain/achieve gold, 8 sectors for platinum, in addition to the SC requirements.