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This week our members ponder the possibility of Virgin Australia introducing a new Velocity status tier above Platinum.
Currently, Virgin Australia has three status tiers; Silver, Gold and Platinum. But there is little incentive to continue flying with Virgin after qualifying for Platinum status each year. There is simply no higher status tier to aim for.
Qantas, by comparison, has an elite “Platinum One” status tier for very frequent flyers. Qantas also offers additional loyalty bonuses and lifetime Silver and Gold status, meaning those extra status credits earned after qualifying for Platinum status don’t go to waste.
What do you all think, should Velocity introduce a level above WP? And if so, what perks should it have?
My thoughts would be yes… Reduce WP from 800 maintenance to 600 maintenance and bring in another level at 1,000 maintenance… Perks could be something along the lines of guaranteed business class reward seat bookings for you and anyone travelling on your booking (domestic and international), separate/upgraded section of lounge with better offerings, priority before priority boarding, partner platinum offering… and maybe a higher rate of points & status earning?
On the whole, our members believe that any such changes at Virgin Australia would only be to the detriment of frequent flyers. As it is, there are few tangible benefits of Velocity Platinum status over Velocity Gold status. Platinum members receive two extra lounge guests, four complimentary upgrades and various other benefits. But unlike Qantas, Virgin does not have domestic Business or international First class lounges for its Platinum members. It also lacks the international partner airline network of Qantas.
Given the difference between Gold and Platinum status is already minimal, our members question what Virgin could realistically offer to members of a tier above Platinum.
VA is not in a position to even match the benefits that come with QF Platinum status, never mind P1. They have no domestic J lounge equivalents; no international F lounges (of their own); a very limited international network (of their own), which means any benefits related to international travel (in particular award/upgrade availability) would be worthless to many people.
Our members also fear that the creation of a new tier would degrade the existing Platinum benefits. To some extent, this happened to Qantas’ Platinum tier when Platinum One status was introduced. Certain benefits once afforded to Platinum members are now only available to Platinum One flyers.
Be careful what you wish for, it won’t be beneficial long term. To have clearly defined benefits for a higher level they would need to reduce the benefits of the lower levels. You only need to look at Qantas with their introduction of WP1 and subsequent degradation of WP level benefits.
Virgin Australia flyers do get some additional benefits when reaching 1,500 or 2,000 status credits within a year. Members earning these amounts of status credits can gift a companion Gold or Platinum status, respectively. Virgin also offers a VIP status tier known as “The Club”. This is similar to Qantas’ invitation-only “Chairman’s Lounge”.
Join the discussion HERE.
