Will you still earn/retain Velocity status beyond 2025?

[simmomelb]

Yes you can however there are a few issues to be aware of including:
- Huge mark up in price compared to the partner's price
- Difficulty in booking open-jaw tickets using the VA website
- possible issues with seat selection

This can be true, however, booking Qatar Airways via the Qatar website or the VA website are the same or within a few cents. I've even seen those ones ever so slightly cheaper on the VA website at times (likely to do their their relationship/25% ownership of VA).
But yes, on Singapore it can be very different (more $), or the same/similar, depending on the flight.

 

[jeppetto367]

This can be true, however, booking Qatar Airways via the Qatar website or the VA website are the same or within a few cents. I've even seen those ones ever so slightly cheaper on the VA website at times (likely to do their their relationship/25% ownership of VA).
But yes, on Singapore it can be very different (more $), or the same/similar, depending on the flight.

UA is also usually a lot more expensive as a VA ticket. I find it wild that they not only halved the amount of credits you get on UA/SQ/etc on non-VA tickets, but also brought in the 50% of credits required to be on VA. Surely the reduction in the non VA credits earned would be enough.

 

[SYD]

I find it wild that they not only halved the amount of credits you get on UA/SQ/etc on non-VA tickets,

QF did similar with “Simpler & Fairer” - although there are still sweets spots that earn ok - flights between Oz and the ME that are not on a QF code are not in the sweet spot...

but also brought in the 50% of credits required to be on VA.

That’s the real nasty bit requiring it for ALL status levels.

QF only have that sort of requirement for P1.

Surely the reduction in the non VA credits earned would be enough.

You would have thought so….

 

[simmomelb]

UA is also usually a lot more expensive as a VA ticket. I find it wild that they not only halved the amount of credits you get on UA/SQ/etc on non-VA tickets, but also brought in the 50% of credits required to be on VA. Surely the reduction in the non VA credits earned would be enough.

I've not looked at United, but yeah, that's not great. I agree.
It would be nice to see them remove that 50% requirement, as it really doesn't put them in a good place for those who fly a lot internationally and book via a partner website.
Or at least sharpen the international pricing so it's on par with partner pricing if booking with VA directly.