Will you still earn/retain Velocity status beyond 2025?

[simmomelb]

This is a very valid consideration. Fly domestically, the only benefits of WP are Econ X, greater point earn, four upgrades a year and supposedly priority on points upgrades.
Out of these, assuming you're not trying to accumulate points, the only benefit is Econ X seating. I'm finding it hard to use my four upgrades as I can't plan far enough ahead. I used to be able to call on the way to the airport and there was a good 50 % chance it'd go through. Priority on points upgrade doesn't exist. I tested it against another flyer without status. I applied for points upgrade from Flex to J, they bid $150. Guess who got the upgrade?
If then, Econ X is the only benefit, it makes more sense to just pay for it, rather than spend money chasing status. SG gets you lounge, priority boarding etc.
Flex is another thing that no longer makes sense. If the difference from Choice to Flex is > $100, why bother? Just pay the fee if you have to change things. If you are chasing Status and want to spend more money, purchase J. At least you get a better seat!

Don't forget the additional number of people allowed in the lounge with Platinum, so if you are travelling in a group of 3 or 4, you can all get in, domestically, for some, that is a worthy added extra, but if you are only travelling by yourself or with 1 extra then that's of no use.
Also, if you are travelling on VA/Qatar Airways, you have Platinum Lounge access at DOH.
But I agree, for many, depending on travel patterns, it's likely not worth chasing at all.
But then again, I don't think status is ever worth chasing. Why hand over more money to an airline than you normally would, just to earn status? I'd argue that's likely not worthwhile from a financial perspective.
That's not to say it isn't good to make bookings that you already had planned during DSC promos etc.

 

[clifford]

I'd argue that's likely not worthwhile from a financial perspective.
That's not to say it isn't good to make bookings that you already had planned during DSC promos etc.

Well, what airline status is worthwhile from a financial perspective?

It's basically the comfort and feel good factor. In my case I value OWE, as it gets me into nicer lounges, better seats, etc. Yes, I know, from an accountant's point of view, it would be seen as a waste of money, but I enjoy it, so it's worth something to me.

 

[the8guy]

Does anyone know how this new changes will impact someone who is currently on a status hold due to parental ? My platinum;s currently on hold until early dec, does this get extended for another 12 months as per before?

 

[SYD]

The “Dead cat bounce” begins.
WP->SG->PS->NR->SG…..and….


After years of WP then a job change my VA status eventually hard landed to Red last year a day prior to embarking on a TSC run to see what I’d been missing. Not much as it turned out but I was Golden again….

But the changes will ensure I won’t see much again anytime soon.

So long and thanks for all the Squealing Pig (is that still the Lounge Sav Plonk de Jour?)

 

[AIRwin]

But the changes will ensure I won’t see much again anytime soon.

Every cloud has a Silver lining

 

[Notyourbag]

The “Dead cat bounce” begins.
WP->SG->PS->NR->SG…..and….
View attachment 461993

After years of WP then a job change my VA status eventually hard landed to Red last year a day prior to embarking on a TSC run to see what I’d been missing. Not much as it turned out but I was Golden again….

But the changes will ensure I won’t see much again anytime soon.

So long and thanks for all the Squealing Pig (is that still the Lounge Sav Plonk de Jour?)

No the $10 tatachilla is the lounge plonk de jour.

 

[HS-TQE]

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.

NZ's relationship is not really a 'relationship'. It's a one way Travel Agent relationship where VA buys seats and lounge access on NZ services and resells under the VA code as an authorised travel agent.

There are no bilateral benefits for NZ travellers flying VA as NZ's domestic partner is still QF. NZ elites in Australia connecting on a Domestic Flight are directed to the QF lounges under the NZ/QF partnership.

 

[CityRail]

I have given up on Virgin Australia, until they joins Star Alliance again.

 

[AIRwin]

I have given up on Virgin Australia, until they joins Star Alliance again.

Again?

 

[ozstamps]

And I understand Qantas were not too happy about their One World application either.

So they combined the two, and started their own - 'One Alliance' - now they can veto anyone they wish.

 

[clifford]

Again?

I think they must have been referring to Ansett. Unfortunately it'll never happen.

 

[HS-TQE]

Considering the Star Alliance are reportedly removing their "Connecting Partner" model after Juneyao Airlines flagged interest in moving to Full Member status, this also decreases any 'cheaper' options should QR/VA flag interest in the future.

However Oneworld's QR being involved as VA co-owner very much almost puts the nail shut on VA applying for Star Alliance, and currently VA is effectively a Low Cost Carrier by Star Alliance standards, none of VA's flights have proper full service in Y, with the default baseline 'Lite' fare being a carry-on allowance of 7kg and complimentary water & tea.

IIRC Star Alliance carriers require at least part (but not all) of an airlines' network to provide whole full service in Economy (e.g complimentary meals, complimentary non-alcoholic drinks and/or snacks, with little to no buy on board, etc).. I don't see Bain moving away from their current LCC in Y (on all routes) approach to meet reported standards as long as they still hold a considerable 40% stake in VA.

There is also the membership fees and the requirements to pay fellow Star Alliance carriers every time a FF access one of their lounges and earning from $$ from other Star carriers for vice-versa. I'd think the membership fees and lounge fees is what makes QR/Bain resist applying, and I can't see QR being too overly happy at having to shell out $$ to a direct competitor (and non-VA partner) in *A whenever a VA FF decides to access one of their lounges.

 

[ozstamps]

Virgin do not own any wide body aircraft.

Yes, they are just a LCC, essentially running a domestic only network, offering zero free food or snacks, on flights of any length these days. EasyJet Ozzie.

Star would toss any application in the bin, laughing their heads off.

Virgin nickel and dime so much these days, they'd probably balk at paying the application fee.

 

[aus_flyer]

Virgin do not own any wide body aircraft.

Yes, they are just a LCC, essentially running a domestic only network, offering zero free food or snacks, on flights of any length these days. EasyJet Ozzie.

Star would toss any application in the bin, laughing their heads off.

Virgin nickel and dime so much these days, they'd probably balk at paying the application fee.

Have you seen who some of the Star Alliance members are? They make Virgin look luxurious (and with a much better safety record).

 

[HS-TQE]

Virgin nickel and dime so much these days, they'd probably balk at paying the application fee.

It was given the impression that VA didn't want to spend the CapEx to apply in the Borghetti days, and NZ and UA would've veto-ed them when VA had EY and DL as their major partners.

 

[ozstamps]

Have you seen who some of the Star Alliance members are? They make Virgin look luxurious (and with a much better safety record).

I've flown over 3 million miles, on about 20 different Star Alliance partners over the years. Have you?

You surely must have, to make such an absurd unsourced claim.

Can you supply a list here of all those current members whose widebody jets make Virgin Australia look 'luxurious' and are less safe. Oddly, not one aircraft I've flown on has crashed. Funny about that.

Fascinated to learn something new here each day.

Look forward to reading that list you have. And to be meaningful your figures will of course rate crashes per million miles flown.

 

[HS-TQE]

Can you supply a list here of all those current members whose widebody jets make Virgin Australia ..

Not related to the question, but to point out:
* Aegean Airlines
* Copa Airlines
* Croatia Airlines

Are all current narrow-body only Star Alliance members which are largely full service primary domestic / short haul international airlines.

Also to add Adria Airways, Spanair and BMI (British Midland) were also all narrow-body full-service domestic/regional Star Alliance members before the first two went into liquidation and most of the later was sold and absorbed into British Airways (a Oneworld member) after years of losses.

 

[ozstamps]

Have flown all three airlines and their inflight service was not less 'luxurious' than Virgin Australia - let's face it - you cannot get coughpier and more nickel and diming, than zero free food or snacks on a 4 hour flight.

VA is a LCC, we get it, and accept that, but when folks make absurd claims they exceed the inflight standard of Star Alliance 'that have worse safety records' carriers they clearly have never flown, or researched, it needs to be called out.

Still waiting to read actual stats on the 'terrible safety records' all these hillbilly Star Alliance Carriers have - that previous poster claims as well as the above .