Goodwill status retention non-existent

[Comoman]

Unfortunately I have found that Velocity doesn't do the same as Qantas and allow a goodwill status retention if you're just short.

I was 1380 SC's but 6/8 VA flights. I fly internationally and out of Perth it's not easy. I learnt from bitter experience with seating not to use a VA flight number on SQ.

So bang down to Gold - been Plat for many years. Due to the (adverse) changes to VA out of Perth now pooling to SQ. Pity really....

 

[mannej]

Generally QF do the same, if you don't get the 4 ~, you won't obtain the status with QF. There is anecdotal evidence some may have had the ~ requirement waived but it's rare.

 

[Comoman]

Generally QF do the same, if you don't get the 4 ~, you won't obtain the status with QF. There is anecdotal evidence some may have had the ~ requirement waived but it's rare.

OK - however 4~ is a lot easier than 8!

 

[Mogul]

Have you spoken to VA?

 

[mannej]

OK - however 4~ is a lot easier than 8!

Saying that, I think you may have confused those getting comped falling short of the SC requirement with QF and not the sector count.

 

[serfty]

All you need is those two VA flights before 360 of those SC's drop off and you are back to WP.

 

[andye]

What is the best squiggle run ex-PER?

 

[Edge]

http://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/specials-offers/flight-specials/view-best-fares/?city=PER

Perth to Geraldton from $119 or Perth to Ravensthorpe from $118 each way

 

[Comoman]

Saying that, I think you may have confused those getting comped falling short of the SC requirement with QF and not the sector count.

Yes don't disagree - was confused.

No I haven't spoken to VA. For me (personally) the biggest issue is the SQ seating issue. Until they fix this I will book direct with SQ and post to KF. Sitting in the back in the middle of a row of four as a VA Plat is poor form which is what happened to me.

Add this and the painful EY points continual non-posting and it all feels a bit too hard.

 

[eastwest101]

Yes don't disagree - was confused.

No I haven't spoken to VA. For me (personally) the biggest issue is the SQ seating issue. Until they fix this I will book direct with SQ and post to KF. Sitting in the back in the middle of a row of four as a VA Plat is poor form which is what happened to me.

Add this and the painful EY points continual non-posting and it all feels a bit too hard.

I can understand the frustrations, the SQ seating issue is totally un-necessary as VA went to Sabre back in 2013 and are still taking all of the pain that this change brought about (with buggy websites and things not possible to do online) by not doing it properly and without getting any of the gains. But its not surprising from an airline IT team that can't even design a multi-city booking tool to work properly or even display prices correctly. Its a classic case of pinching the pennies and throwing away the pounds.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Yes don't disagree - was confused.

No I haven't spoken to VA. For me (personally) the biggest issue is the SQ seating issue. Until they fix this I will book direct with SQ and post to KF. Sitting in the back in the middle of a row of four as a VA Plat is poor form which is what happened to me.

Add this and the painful EY points continual non-posting and it all feels a bit too hard.

I certainly don't disagree with you regarding the SQ seating bit, but it sounds like you have already made the decision to move to SQ. We all have to make similar choices. Move or stay. I believe that one who chooses another airline (and I am also one of those people) can't really moan too loudly if we fail to meet the requal requirements. They are fairly transparent. we just have to make the decision to either work to keep status or let it drop. It's no business of mine, but with only two sectors needed, I would have looked at options before the status dropped, with routings or bookings or a convenient status run somewhere, but as serfty says, if you can grab the two sectors before dropping below 1000SCs. you'll get it back. For me, I've actually started a fairly full on spreadsheet to track SCs (and numerous other travel rewards) to ensure I book correctly to earn the required amounts....down to the last SC in one case. Next review year, I'll decide if I want VA plat enough to fly some J sectors or whether I'll be happy with gold, but whatever the choice, I won't be complaining if I'm not comped top status with VA because I've chosen to fly with another airline!

 

[jackthomas]

I certainly feel your pain(having also just dropped a tier) but the rules are firmly set out, and we can't get angry at Velocity when we fail to meet them...

 

[Pleb Status]

I have also run into the same seating issues when booking the VA codeshare on SQ flights (the first and last time I will try that). I was led to believe by VA that if I called SQ direct they could assign seating but SQ will not touch the booking as it is not SQ ticket stock. Luckily, as I booked through Expedia and not VA direct, I was preassigned some seats at ticketing which means I should not be sitting in a middle seat.

I blame SQ for this issue. They could easily assign the seats if they wanted to (other airlines allow you to assign seats on codeshares through the operating carriers website) but SQ would rather penalise you for not booking directly with them.

The classic example I like to use to demonstrate the 'SQ way' is the KF Gold lounge at SIN T3. Not only do they separate out the status Y passengers from the J lounge (unlike most other airlines), they decided not to put toilets into the KF Gold lounge even though SIN T3 was almost exclusively built for SQ. They are basically saying, if you are not flying J/F, we will do the absolute minimum possible and actually cause inconvenience to our customers if we can.

 

[Jurahn]

What is the best squiggle run ex-PER?

Perth-Busselton used to be a great option for this, until VA dropped that route . I note they're also ceasing flights to Albany and Esperance as of February 27 2016 (they decided not to re-tender for those routes and the tender has been awarded to REX) and so I assume there goes the Ravensthorpe flights as well.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

I have also run into the same seating issues when booking the VA codeshare on SQ flights (the first and last time I will try that). I was led to believe by VA that if I called SQ direct they could assign seating but SQ will not touch the booking as it is not SQ ticket stock. Luckily, as I booked through Expedia and not VA direct, I was preassigned some seats at ticketing which means I should not be sitting in a middle seat.

I blame SQ for this issue. They could easily assign the seats if they wanted to (other airlines allow you to assign seats on codeshares through the operating carriers website) but SQ would rather penalise you for not booking directly with them.

The classic example I like to use to demonstrate the 'SQ way' is the KF Gold lounge at SIN T3. Not only do they separate out the status Y passengers from the J lounge (unlike most other airlines), they decided not to put toilets into the KF Gold lounge even though SIN T3 was almost exclusively built for SQ. They are basically saying, if you are not flying J/F, we will do the absolute minimum possible and actually cause inconvenience to our customers if we can.

Totally agree. The situation is tolerable, but does feel like a massive slap in the face for putting your Y loyalty to VA/SQ.

Regarding being comped WP requal, it does leave a bitter taste for sure, particularly if you've been platinum for a number of years, but I certainly wouldn't have expected it. I'd send an email to the platinum [at] velocityfrequentflyer.com address and see if they can help you.

 

[dfcatch]

Another example of where the lack of a proper alliance just doesn't provide the same seamless consistent customer experience across partners.Wake me up when VA joins Star.Back to the OP - the 8 sector requirement is not onerous - if you can't fly 8 VA sectors in 12 months then in IMHO (and with respect) you're not a frequent flyer.It tells me that perhaps VA shouldn't be your home FF program of choice.That said - Serfty is right, the VA system means you have a loose deadline on getting back up to Platinum (and between you and me and the Internets - there are some savvy advantages to dropping and then requalifying).Also - I am yet to notice any difference between WP and SG with VA - I doubt you will either.

 

[serfty]

... Also - I am yet to notice any difference between WP and SG with VA - I doubt you will either.

Disagree ... row 3 on booking economy and the 16 comp upgrades I have burned.

 

[andye]

In the OPs case, where he had plenty of SCs already, it would probably be worth it for the soft landing alone (as well as row 3, extra lounge guests, higher hotel tiers etc)

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Disagree ... row 3 on booking economy and the 16 comp upgrades I have burned.

In the OPs case, where he had plenty of SCs already, it would probably be worth it for the soft landing alone (as well as row 3, extra lounge guests, higher hotel tiers etc)

Moving slightly OT but the only reasons I'm contemplating spending more to retain WP are row 3, extra points and the upgrades.

I rarely need the extra lounge guests (and in any case, I nearly always lose guest passes that's been accumulated with Amex etc), the soft landing is only a benefit if you reduce the flying to a level that won't support gold (which is not currently likely in my case), I keep top tier with Hilton anyway (and it seems Europcar even though they've been somewhat irritating me of late) and I already have a SM for both hotels and cars left sitting on shelf waiting to use for the last couple of years

The upgrades are only a consideration if you're inclined to buy flexis or see the value of J at the flexi price, over Y. That'll be some people and not others. I've been buying flexis as I have to, to keep status on two airlines.....which is odd when you sit and think about it. The "no status" argument is still worth thinking about. I might actually calculate the saving and see how many "nice" seats I can buy with the savings! For the majority of my flying, I genuinely couldn't care less about the status benefits and it really only becomes important to me when I fly with my family as I'm away so often, I like them to get some of the FF benefits when they fly with me.

 

[Denali]

I don't understand why OP is saying Im not going to book with you/spend money with you but Im disappointed that youre not going to give me something for free and Im not entitled to it.

For next April (already planning next years status renewal), I booked via VA instead of SIA because I need the sectors. We have plenty of SCs (was able to gift gold this year) but will be short on sectors so booking VA is what I have to do to maintain status. I found I can access seat allocation by phoning SIA (after I get the reservation number from VA helpdesk, done this for both Y and J seats) and/or using the SIA ap.