Will you still earn/retain Velocity status beyond 2025?

[fletty]

I see, you’re thinking people will book lite instead of choice while they still have status? And won’t book choice because they no longer need the SCs?

Possibly.

But it’s also possible the folk paying $600 for an economy fare on Qantas MEL-SYD for just a handful of SCs will swap to VA because that $600 fare will now net 50 SCs. So status may be easier for them to get.

Status was too easy on VA and it detracted from being able to offer the needed benefits to those who flew often.

That means in at least some cases they lost revenue to other carriers.

I definitely agree that status with VA is very easy relative to QF. I unintentionally reached (and retained) SG with family pooling and a couple of sale J fares to Melbourne. Having said that though what VA offers with status is less too without an alliance.

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

I'm but one data point, but to the point above re: Lite fares, I will re-qualify for platinum on Friday and from there on out, will stop bothering with VA status as I slowly soft-land to gold and eventually silver and back to red.

In practice, for me that means:

• First and foremost, choosing Lite fares over Choice, at least for the next year while Platinum gives me free seat assignments, and even after, simply paying for the seat assignment would still be cheaper than Choice. I virtually never travel with a checked bag domestically and was paying more for Choice solely for the SCs and eligible flight sectors for status. Future bookings later this year already reflect this change in approach, and thus, less revenue for VA. I'll still help fill the aircraft, but I'm now paying less than I would to do so.
• Choosing QF over VA when prices are comparable (doesn't happen often, but it does happen; I've noticed on several recent work trips between SYD-MEL that QF and VA have been identically priced in at least one direction), and potentially even choosing QF over VA even when QF is somewhat pricier given I intend to maintain status on QF under current conditions.
• Not specifically choosing VA international partners for overseas trips.

Virgin status has always been easier to earn than QF. It's also worth a lot less. So the compromise made sense. For most, it's now going to be harder to earn VA status than QF yet still offer a lot less. I understand that loyalty programmes are simply transactional, and transactionally, I no longer see sufficient value in it, so I won't bother.

Time will tell if there are enough cases like mine to have any impact on bottom line. But as of now, to me this move looks poised to disincentivise a lot of people like me who might have been willing to pay more for Choice/Flex (heck, I've even paid for J a few times to cross status thresholds will absolutely never do that again under the new programme).... not to mention, the additional $20-30 each way I paid for a Choice fare surely covered my costs in the lounge.

If pax like me are truly a drain on the company's bottom line, well then, the new strategy should succeed in getting some of them out of the lounge (whoops, hello, AMEX Platinum). The question is: will those pax still get on the aircraft and, if so, will they pay as much as they were willing to pay before. I suspect many will still do the former, but I for one won't be doing it as often, and I certainly won't be doing the latter.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Many VA planes are full or close to full at busy times. VA only sells a certain number of lite fares. So once they’re gone, the remaining pax are still going to have to fork out for choice or flex.

You might buy lite, but that means someone else may have to end up buying choice, or higher.

Or go to JQ. Which benefits QF anyway.

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

Many VA planes are full or close to full at busy times. VA only sells a certain number of lite fares. So once they’re gone, the remaining pax are still going to have to fork out for choice or flex.

You might buy lite, but that means someone else may have to end up buying choice, or higher.

Or go to JQ. Which benefits QF anyway.

Interesting. I've never not seen Lite available on flights I've booked, but looking at SYD-MEL on Friday and Sunday this week, I see a few flights that appear not to have Lite fares at peak times, but the vast majority still do, even during those peak times.

I won't punish myself to spite VA, but the point is that my approach to booking VA will fundamentally change in a way that makes booking VA less likely than it was before and at the lowest fare class available. Again, time will tell.

 

[Stealthflyer]

Interesting. I've never not seen Lite available on flights I've booked, but looking at SYD-MEL on Friday and Sunday this week, I see a few flights that appear not to have Lite fares at peak times, but the vast majority still do, even during those peak times.

I won't punish myself to spite VA, but the point is that my approach to booking VA will fundamentally change in a way that makes booking VA less likely than it was before and at the lowest fare class available. Again, time will tell.

I think they must have changed the way the three fares categories are sold because lite always seems to be available nowadays even when the flights are skyrocketing and they’re down to only a few economy seats available. It used to be that lite (or whatever it was called before the name changes) would sell out and then you’d have to book into choice or flex.

 

[kevrosmith]

Many VA planes are full or close to full at busy times. VA only sells a certain number of lite fares. So once they’re gone, the remaining pax are still going to have to fork out for choice or flex.

You might buy lite, but that means someone else may have to end up buying choice, or higher.

Or go to JQ. Which benefits QF anyway.

Didn't their new pricing scheme basically do away with that where all fare classes continue to be available as Lite, Choice and Flex, just with incremental price increases in each band and bracket as the volume of seats available decreased...?

 

[kevrosmith]

Thread 'Virgin changing its fare structure'

Jul 22, 2024

Just received this, seems to be more aligned to Air NZ style of fare bands.

This week, you will receive an addendum to your current contract outlining some exciting changes we are making to our fare structure.

We are excited to announce a significant enhancement to our fare offerings, aimed at providing greater flexibility and value for your corporate travel needs. Effective from 22 August, guests will be able to choose from Economy Lite, Choice, or Flex fares at any time during the booking window, provided seats are available. This change is designed to better accommodate the diverse...

• ChrisBNE
• Replies: 45
• Forum: Virgin Australia | Velocity

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Didn't their new pricing scheme basically do away with that where all fare classes continue to be available as Lite, Choice and Flex, just with incremental price increases in each band and bracket as the volume of seats available decreased...?

Ok, fair point! What I was meaning was that fares increase as buckets fill. Overall revenue per flight prolly remains the same.

 

[serfty]

Ok, fair point! What I was meaning was that fares increase as buckets fill. Overall revenue per flight prolly remains the same.

Getting more to the point, Lite fares are a good discount on Choice, or, to put it another way, your $100 lite fare seems more reasonable than a $120 choice fare if you are not chasing status and have carry on only.

I'm thinking the recent 6 Choice or better flights to earn an additional 125 SC promotion may have been an indicator many with status have given up and stopped paying that extra.

For example, if you are SG or WP but only until February, why pay the additional?

 

[simmomelb]

For example, if you are SG or WP but only until February, why pay the additional?

This has always existed, where you ask, why pay for Choice.
For example, if you already had the required sectors and landed enough status credits for your next review date well ahead of schedule, which was insanely easy to do within a short period under the old earn rates, just book Lite for the rest of that time until your review date passes.

 

[ozstamps]

Virgin will take a far larger dollar hit than their bean counters predicted, over heaps of now disgruntled Elites burning miles for domestic travel, or booking the cheap LITE fares, I can guarantee.

As I clearly posted earlier, the 64% of folks here who state they will drop in status, will no doubt often book LITE and often save ~$60 a round trip or $120 a couple - why ever not? As will many 1000s of others, not members of these boards.

LITE or award tickets gives the exact same free lounge access, same priority check in, and priority boarding, same free Row 3 or Exit rows for myself and whomever travels with me, etc. Total no-brainer.

I have Platinum for another year locked in, and my wife has if for a year after that, as I'll gift it to her in a year or so. So we will cruise along very happily soaking up all the benefits, just as ever, but Virgin will make a lot less $$$s..

We will not be giving them ~$5,000 a year each from now on. Those flying on the bosses dime of course on last minute Flex fares etc do not give two hoots as always, and of course cheerfully comment the New Deal is of no concern. Lucky them.

However, the clear fact remains, 100,000s of Elites nationally pay for Status THEMSELVES. And can make choices. Virgin will lose a large sum from this sector.

 

[SCM]

A tangential question, I'm currently plat, and seeing as how there's no benefit to not flighting on a lite fare other than luggage, will the plat benefits of extra luggage apply to this situation?

That is to say, if I buy a lite fare with 0 luggage, will plat status allow me to bring 2 checked luggage?

If so, then yeh no reason to overpay.

 

[odysseus]

A tangential question, I'm currently plat, and seeing as how there's no benefit to not flighting on a lite fare other than luggage, will the plat benefits of extra luggage apply to this situation?

That is to say, if I buy a lite fare with 0 luggage, will plat status allow me to bring 2 checked luggage?

If so, then yeh no reason to overpay.

Lite fares are 0 baggage included, regardless of status.

Checked baggage

Your guide to Virgin Australia's checked baggage allowance based on your selected fare. Find information on size, weights and extras.

www.virginaustralia.com

 

[clifford]

I have Platinum for another year locked in, and my wife has if for a year after that, as I'll gift it to her in a year or so. So we will cruise along very happily soaking up all the benefits, just as ever, but Virgin will make a lot less $$$s..

We will not be giving them ~$5,000 a year each from now on. Those flying on the bosses dime of course on last minute Flex fares etc do not give two hoots as always, and of course cheerfully comment the New Deal is of no concern. Lucky them.

I imagine that you're assuming now QR are ruling the roost, VA will remain as it is for the foreseeable future.

Big assumption, given recession (or worse) possibilities, but in general your thoughts seem to be on the mark.

 

[Ansett Nostalgic]

To be honest, Velocity points look pretty worthless these days with the ridiculous surcharge on award bookings now imposed especially with QR.

 

[levelnine]

To be honest, Velocity points look pretty worthless these days with the ridiculous surcharge on award bookings now imposed especially with QR.

Important to note that Qantas surcharges will be very similar once the devaluation kicks in.

The days of low surcharge award tickets are basically over for the majority of Australian points collectors.

 

[RooFlyer]

To be honest, Velocity points look pretty worthless these days with the ridiculous surcharge on award bookings now imposed especially with QR.

I guess then I'll just have to keep converting to KrisFlyer miles and take advantage of their abundant J availability, as I do now. Damn.

In general, I think it truly bizarre that the VA/QR tie up has created so much moaning and complaints. Peeps, do what most people do - change your airline! Change the strategy. Change something so you won't be afflicted with the wretched VA/QR choices ever, and then maybe some contentment will reign.

I have long said that I regard QFF points as pretty worthless (can't get international J or F awards). But I still collect them (hard to avoid), still use them when it suits and will continue to do so. I maintain QFF Plat mainly through a yearly RTW, mostly flying QR . As it happens, I'm not flying so much with VA this year (previous regular QLD destination not being visited), so won't make Plat, although I expected to. Too bad, so sad. But I'll get the points through CC and continue to convert to KF. Life goes on and the FF world keeps turning.

 

[ozstamps]

Lite fares are 0 baggage included, regardless of status.

We almost never check bags domestically. I am sure for most Elites that is also true.

Flew Virgin last night on Lite fares, with rollaboards that weighed probably 8-9 kilos each as Virgin oddly never weigh anything, and a computer bag, and wife's handbag, and that was heaps of storage. Had row 3 in each direction, with central seat left empty after asking nicely at check-in.

The obvious fact remains for another year or so Virgin are still giving free Economy X, free lounge access, free priority check in, and free priority boarding, to masses of folks who ONCE would have cheerfully paid a good deal more for 'Choice' fare buckets. As I recall, Choice would have cost us $120 more on this trip.

Now that chasing SC is largely irrelevant to many after the April 1 program tweaks, Virgin is the only $$$ loser.

 

[RooFlyer]

Now that chasing SC

.... has always been a mugs game. Just fly the routes, fare class and price you want and let the cards fall where they may; less stress, probably less cost and more happy flying.

Life goes on and the FF world keeps turning.

 

[ozstamps]

Chasing lifetime Status is aspirational ..... MANY people yearn to do that, and SAVVY massive global hotel and Airline programs all have such programs, so they and those happily participating disagree with you, that it is a 'mugs' game'.

You are entitled to your negative view on it, as you have probably never qualified.

Virgin had a brain fart to roll out a mere 'Lifetime Gold' latter 2024, and predictably stuffed that up badly, with such convoluted and wackadoodle rules, that 6 months on, even now THEY are still trying to work out themselves who qualifies.

All it achieved was to p!ss off many very loyal past flyers for the past 10 or 15 years, who appear still do not make their loopy cut-off point. It is just GOLD, not Platinum or Platinum Plus they are recognising here!

I flew near 2 million real MILES (not Kms) with United on my own dime to achieve Lifetime Star Alliance Gold (and for a nominated partner as well) and it has paid off most handsomely.

It was not a 'mugs' game' in my view. Indeed, right now it gives me, without spending a cent on past Virgin flights, priority check-in. priority boarding, free lounge access, and free bag. Not only with Virgin, but with EVERY Star Alliance carrier globally.

Not a 'mug's game' that huge benefit that I've used endlessly, since earning it a decade or two back.