Will you still earn/retain Velocity status beyond 2025?

[aus_flyer]

There are many, many elites who have absolutely no knowledge of or interest in frequent flyer programs (whether it's Virgin or Qantas). I know someone who has been Chairmans Lounge Platinum One for over a decade and until recently he had no idea what a status credit is. Plenty of big spenders pay no attention. They're not outraged by changes because they don't care.

For every VA frequent flyer that is angry with the changes and shaking their fist at the sky (like some of the angry trolls on here), there would be 10 high spenders that couldn't care less. But I guess we'll know more when VA's results come out later this week. I suspect the sky isn't falling, they're not 'panicking at full blast'... and maybe it's because some of their biggest critics (including on here) keep flying with them anyway.

 

[IainF]

There are many, many elites who have absolutely no knowledge of or interest in frequent flyer programs (whether it's Virgin or Qantas). I know someone who has been Chairmans Lounge Platinum One for over a decade and until recently he had no idea what a status credit is. Plenty of big spenders pay no attention. They're not outraged by changes because they don't care.

For every VA frequent flyer that is angry with the changes and shaking their first at the sky (like some of the angry trolls on here), there would be 10 high spenders that couldn't care less. But I guess we'll know more when VA's results come out later this week. I suspect the sky isn't falling, they're not 'panicking at full blast'... and maybe it's because some of their biggest critics (including on here) keep flying with them anyway.

Exactly right.
I chose the airline not the FF program.

 

[ols]

There are many, many elites who have absolutely no knowledge of or interest in frequent flyer programs (whether it's Virgin or Qantas). I know someone who has been Chairmans Lounge Platinum One for over a decade and until recently he had no idea what a status credit is. Plenty of big spenders pay no attention. They're not outraged by changes because they don't care.

For every VA frequent flyer that is angry with the changes and shaking their fist at the sky (like some of the angry trolls on here), there would be 10 high spenders that couldn't care less. But I guess we'll know more when VA's results come out later this week. I suspect the sky isn't falling, they're not 'panicking at full blast'... and maybe it's because some of their biggest critics (including on here) keep flying with them anyway.

Wouldn’t a lot of these people not care because their flights are being paid for by corporations, companies, businesses or by government (the taxpayers) and it’s not their hard earned money they are forking out?

 

[aus_flyer]

Wouldn’t a lot of these people not care because their flights are being paid for by corporations, companies, businesses or by government (the taxpayers) and it’s not their hard earned money they are forking out?

I'm not sure what that has got to do with it.

 

[RooFlyer]

Wouldn’t a lot of these people not care because their flights are being paid for by corporations, companies, businesses or by government (the taxpayers) and it’s not their hard earned money they are forking out?

Not quite the same situation, but when I was shuttling across the Pacific consulting for a mining company in the early-mid 2010s, I reached and passed QFF lifetime gold without even realising it. I knew what an SC was but never got into the details of the program because I was just flying and doing stuff.

 

[leesionn]

Wouldn’t a lot of these people not care because their flights are being paid for by corporations, companies, businesses or by government (the taxpayers) and it’s not their hard earned money they are forking out?

I understand that people might be upset over changes that happen because they're consistently loyal to an airline and whatnot, but I've said it before (way earlier in this thread) and I'll say it again.

The airline does not have to be loyal to you. It is their company, and whether customers like it or not they can do as they please with regards to the business decisions they make.

Also, I'm not sure if this has been brought up before, but I'd imagine there was at least some research dedicated to determining possible outcomes of moving to a spend-based system would be, no? They have data that we don't have, so I wouldn't be surprised if they made the decision under the impression it would ruffle some furthers but ultimately wouldn't effect loyalty/revenue when considering the bigger picture (people who don't pay for their flights, corporations with business agreements, travellers who don't care about status etc etc).

 

[serfty]

Also, I'm not sure if this has been brought up before, but I'd imagine there was at least some research dedicated to determining possible outcomes of moving to a spend-based system would be, no? They have data that we don't have, so I wouldn't be surprised if they made the decision under the impression it would ruffle some furthers but ultimately wouldn't effect loyalty/revenue when considering the bigger picture (people who don't pay for their flights, corporations with business agreements, travellers who don't care about status etc etc).

I'm sure the prior research came up with the desired result; something like feathers being ruffled but the chooks continuing to lay.

Market research companies don't get these contracts if they regularly produce results hugely out of line with expectations. (There will be get out clauses if the actuality does not reflect the research result. i.e. the chooks stop laying despite what the research indicated).

 

[Happy Dude]

1) Handing out SC like candies? It's capped at 125.
2) Without telling anyone? They've sent out a mass email.
So they are 'panicking at full blast to stop losing even more Elites', yet....

So you think VA is handing out status credits "like candies", and capped at 125 max, yet, Qantas is handing out double status credits 'UNLIMITED', like what, candies on Halloween night by bucket loads?

You can literally go from zero to Platinum with Qantas on a single return flight to London, as the AFR article has said, but that's not desperate, right?

So if VA does an extra status-credit offer, they are 'panicking at full blast'; if QF does it, it's just business as usual?

Got it!

Nicely put there @simmomelb. I'd also add that the VA offer is an annual one, as is QF's, further emphasising the ridiculousness of claims by some antagonists here of panicking by VA.

 

[ozstamps]

'further emphasising the ridiculousness of claims by some antagonists here of panicking by VA'

I'd be delighted if the Velocity apologists here can point to ONE example EVER ... where large chunks of Status credits were awarded for flights taken and paid, even the despised by Virgin LITE fares, the month BEFORE it was announced

I'll save them looking - as it has **NEVER** occurred.

Why? - as it creates ZERO extra income for the millions of SC and bonus miles handed out. A trained chimp can see that.

Handing out 45 BONUS SC for someone taking a $60 flight Sydney-Ballina last month, in usually worthless LITE class, plus all the extra miles is SCREAMING of total desperation and full scale PANIC, to frantically claw back at least some elites. All too late for most.

Near 63% of the 100s of voting here alone, say they will drop status. That is a FACT. Conveniently ignored by the apologists. National mainstream media can see it clearly, and the die-hards cannot- c'est la vie.

Status means far more to those on this board than the general public. So if near 63% HERE agree they have been demoted, it will be wider still in Joe Public land.

Their Platinum ranks will be decimated.

Nationally, that is mega numbers.

All to 'free up some lounge space'. No longer Rorhlach is out the door.

 

[aus_flyer]

'further emphasising the ridiculousness of claims by some antagonists here of panicking by VA'

I'd be delighted if the Velocity apologists here can point to ONE example EVER ... where large chunks of Status credits were awarded for flights taken and paid, even the despised by Virgin LITE fares, the month BEFORE it was announced

I'll save them looking - as it has **NEVER** occurred.

Why? - as it creates ZERO extra income for the millions of SC and bonus miles handed out. A trained chimp can see that.

Handing out 45 BONUS SC for someone taking a $60 flight Sydney-Ballina last month, in usually worthless LITE class, plus all the extra miles is SCREAMING of total desperation and full scale PANIC, to frantically claw back at least some elites. All too late for most.

Near 63% of the 100s of voting here alone, say they will drop status. That is a FACT. Conveniently ignored by the apologists.

Status means far more to those on this board than the general public. So if near 63% HERE agree they have been demoted, it will be wider still in Joe Public land.

Their Platinum ranks will be decimated.

Nationally, that is mega numbers.

All to 'free up some lounge space'. No longer Rorhlach is out the door.

Last year Qantas gave me 300 status credits as a loyalty thank you which was not linked to any particular flights. It was a freebie. At least Virgin’s is linked to actual flying activity.

 

[jase05]

Near 63% of the 100s of voting here alone, say they will drop status. That is a FACT. Conveniently ignored by the apologists.

Yes, I’ll drop status but it absolutely won’t stop us flying with VA. Mrs Jase and I will still end up taking 30+ J flights this year with them as we enjoy their service. We have just chosen to credit those flights to a more beneficial program for us.

 

[MooTime]

Yes, I’ll drop status but it absolutely won’t stop us flying with VA. Mrs Jase and I will still end up taking 30+ J flights this year with them as we enjoy their service. We have just chosen to credit those flights to a more beneficial program for us.

Cool you have ability to fly always in J. Genuinly that's fantastic.

I've read here on AFF that status is largely irrelevant when one flies J anyways.

 

[IainF]

'further emphasising the ridiculousness of claims by some antagonists here of panicking by VA'

I'd be delighted if the Velocity apologists here can point to ONE example EVER ... where large chunks of Status credits were awarded for flights taken and paid, even the despised by Virgin LITE fares, the month BEFORE it was announced

I'll save them looking - as it has **NEVER** occurred.

Why? - as it creates ZERO extra income for the millions of SC and bonus miles handed out. A trained chimp can see that.

Handing out 45 BONUS SC for someone taking a $60 flight Sydney-Ballina last month, in usually worthless LITE class, plus all the extra miles is SCREAMING of total desperation and full scale PANIC, to frantically claw back at least some elites. All too late for most.

Near 63% of the 100s of voting here alone, say they will drop status. That is a FACT. Conveniently ignored by the apologists. National mainstream media can see it clearly, and the die-hards cannot- c'est la vie.

Status means far more to those on this board than the general public. So if near 63% HERE agree they have been demoted, it will be wider still in Joe Public land.

Their Platinum ranks will be decimated.

Nationally, that is mega numbers.

All to 'free up some lounge space'. No longer Rorhlach is out the door.

Sure I can....
I received a status bonus in April from flights I had undertook in March last year.
The promo was announced AFTER I had flown the flights.
Facts matter Glen.
Emotions don't..

 

[ozstamps]

they're not 'panicking at full blast'... and maybe it's because some of their biggest critics (including on here) keep flying with them anyway.

They are indeed in total panic mode as this laughable DSC proves, but moving on from obvious FACTS - .. disenchanted folks 'FLYING Virgin' often does not mean they make even one cent from that this year.

I am still Platinum, and my wife I've gifted Platinum for another year. She used to earn it, also paying real money to do so, but hey, we'll game their system for another year or two.

(We are both Lifetime Gold Million Milers on UA, and get most elite perks on Virgin from that anyway.)

We still 'fly Virgin', but give them no MONEY to speak of - not the $10,000s a year they always got before. And we are not alone, I can assure you. THAT is their issue right now, and it clearly just only just occurred to them as a side issue to decimating Velocity.

Does that 'thin the herd at lounges' - of course not. Everyone gets a 'soft landing' from Platinum to Gold at Virgin, and hence lounge access etc.

When an airline decimates their FF plan, this is the end result in many cases. Small tweaks we all live with - this was madness - too much all at once. Mainstream national media have noticed it. BAD FOR PR.

Guess what - burning Virgin miles accumulated years before, earns them ZERRRRRRRRRO revenue on this year's figures. Or next year's. We have masses of Velocity points so now use those, and not MONEY.

They still give us priority boarding, 'Fly Ahead', extra baggage allowance, Row 3, and lounge access etc, etc. But Virgin get ZERO dollars from us, as we are pissed off. And many are in the same boat.

Business folks flying on the bosses' dime do not give a rats about these changes - we all know that - and pointing out examples of it, are not addressing this issue - but there are masses of folks who do pay for their own travel - and they clearly DO care. And they DO have choices where to spend their money

Market share figures will show this, as the year creeps on.

Indeed this reality may well be what is behind this frantic and half coughd current panic, to dole out millions of SC to folks for flights that took place LAST MONTH and of course earned them ZERO extra revenue!


Just saw this Ayesha de Kretser article in the AFR yesterday which touches on this promo, (and she also comments on some of the Qatar flights being cancelled) - This accurate stuff Virgin does NOT want in mainstream media - Very 'TACO' Trumpian!

'Virgin Australia will give frequent flyers big status bonuses when they book flights, changing course just months after it tweaked its Velocity loyalty program to make it much harder for passengers to climb status levels.

Virgin also made it harder for frequent flyers to achieve higher status by requiring that 50 per cent of credits had to be earned on Virgin Australia-operated flights, disadvantaging international travellers who fly on partner airlines such as United Airlines, Singapore Airlines and All Nippon Airways. '

 

[jase05]

Cool you have ability to fly always in J. Genuinly that's fantastic.

I've read here on AFF that status is largely irrelevant when one flies J anyways.

There are occasions where sadly J isn’t possible for example when we have to fly Link in and out of CBR and status becomes handy.
I’ve got Forever Gold though plus QR Platinum and VS Gold to fall on eventually if we have to fly Y

 

[IainF]

They are indeed in total panic mode as this laughable DSC proves, but moving on .. Disenchanted folks 'FLYING Virgin' does not mean they make even one cent from that this year.

I am still Platinum, and my wife I've gifted Platinum for another year. She used to earn it, also paying real money, but hey, we'll game their system for another year or two.

(We are both Lifetime Gold Million Milers on UA, and get most elite perks on Virgin from than anyway.)

We still fly Virgin, but give them no MONEY to speak of - not the $10,000s a year they always got before. And we are not alone, I can assure you. THAT is their issue.

Does that 'thin the herd at lounges' - of course not. Everyone gets a 'soft landing' from Platinum to Gold at Virgin.

When an airline decimates their FF plan, this is the end result in many cases. Small tweaks we all live with - this was madness. Mainstream media have noticed it.

Guess what - burning Virgin miles accumulated before, earns them ZERRRRRRRRRO revenue on this year's figures. Or next year's.

They still give us priority boarding, 'Fly Ahead', extra baggage allowance, Row 3, and lounge access etc, etc. But make ZERO dollars from us, as we are pissed off. And many are in the same boat.

Business folks flying on the bosses' dime do not give a rats about these changes - we all know that - and pointing out examples of it, are not addressing this issue - but there are masses of folks who pay for their own travel, and they DO care.

Market share figures will show this, as the year creeps on.

Indeed this reality may well be what is behind this frantic and half coughd current panic to dole out millions of SC to folks for flights that took place LAST MONTH!


Just saw this Ayesha de Kretser article in the AFR yesterday which touches on this promo, (and she also comments on some of the Qatar flights being cancelled) - This accurate stuff Virgin does NOT want in mainstream media - Very 'TACO' Trumpian!

'Virgin Australia will give frequent flyers big status bonuses when they book flights, changing course just months after it tweaked its Velocity loyalty program to make it much harder for passengers to climb status levels.

Virgin also made it harder for frequent flyers to achieve higher status by requiring that 50 per cent of credits had to be earned on Virgin Australia-operated flights, disadvantaging international travellers who fly on partner airlines such as United Airlines, Singapore Airlines and All Nippon Airways. '

If you are so disenchanted with VA, you can vote with your feet and just not fly them.
Problem solved.
Enjoy Jetstar.

 

[RooFlyer]

@ozstamps , Virgin again thanks you for your continued loyalty, especially as I recall your saying you were bailing across to Qantas, or something like that. What happened? Nah, don't bother, you'd probably bankrupt AFF's font budget with all that bold and colour and colour bold. Its expensive you know!

 

[Happy Dude]

We still fly Virgin, but give them no MONEY to speak of - not the $10,000s a year they always got before.

So, if you continued to do what you have done previously - ie spend $10k+/year with VA - wouldn't you still get WP or above, despite the changes?

Or to rephrase it slightly, exactly how will the changes affect you if you keep doing what you've been doing?

Those letting their status go are doing so because they don't/won't spend $10k+ a year with VA or will run afoul of the partner/50% rules.

Seems odd that you're changing your flying habits (and be so enraged towards VA) because of changes that wouldn't affect you.

 

[ben95]

We still fly Virgin, but give them no MONEY to speak of - not the $10,000s a year they always got before

Hmmm how do you fly Virgin when you give them no MONEY? I would love to know this one simple trick airlines hate.

I mean you should know even velocity points earning and redemptions incur real money movements behind the scene right?

 

[ozstamps]

I recall your saying you were bailing across to Qantas, or something like that. What happened?

Oddly there are plenty of flying choices, not connected with Virgin in any way!

For decades, I stuck within their pretty limited overseas network and worked within it. Worked for us, and worked for Virgin.

Looking now at flying Qantas Business Class to Santiago Chile, as Qantas has a very cheap deal on.

Long flight, and with the DSC on there, it will be instant QF Gold or Platinum etc.

2 years back would not have even thought about that.

There are plenty of choices.

For Domestic, will keep burning our millions of Velocity miles earned years back, and keep all the Platinum perks. Miles we never used before as we gave MONEY to these folks each year keep Status. As did many others.

As Matt Graham pointed out recently in an article with all the insane Qatar 'carrier fees' etc, and often limited availability using miles to fly to Europe etc, and SQ largely totally blocking all award Business seats from SYD and MEL to Virgin, it has got madly expensive lately.

Yet Virgin domestic rewards are generally low priced in points compared to revenue cost, and easy to get.