Article: Velocity Gold vs Platinum Status: What’s the Difference?

[AFF Editor]

Velocity Gold vs Platinum Status: What’s the Difference? is an article written by AFF editorial staff:

Velocity Gold vs Platinum Status: What's the Difference?

Velocity Platinum members enjoy many additional benefits on Virgin Australia flights, but the extra perks are marginal on partner airlines.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

You can leave a comment or discuss this topic below.

 

[jpp42]

This seems like as good a place to post my question as any as it relates to Economy X - one of the differences. I have a flight booked in Economy X in June, but my Platinum status runs out after my 31 May 2022 status review date (pretty sure I'm not eligible for a further extension if I understand the rules correctly, and I have only 20 status credits this year). I was able to select the seat for free, but what happens after my status is gone - will I lose that seat assignment? I'm not too fussed as it's only MEL-SYD but just curious.

 

[Must...Fly!]

This seems like as good a place to post my question as any as it relates to Economy X - one of the differences. I have a flight booked in Economy X in June, but my Platinum status runs out after my 31 May 2022 status review date (pretty sure I'm not eligible for a further extension if I understand the rules correctly, and I have only 20 status credits this year). I was able to select the seat for free, but what happens after my status is gone - will I lose that seat assignment? I'm not too fussed as it's only MEL-SYD but just curious.

You'll keep it but if you have a flight change or something after dropping back then you may not be able to select economy X again without paying

 

[SYD]

Sounds like someone is listening RE status benefits with Hawaiian?

Virgin Australia eyes broader Hawaiian Airlines partnership as it spreads its international wings

In this exclusive chat with Point Hacks, Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka tips what's next with the airline's international partnerships.

www.pointhacks.com.au

 

[ozstamps]

Been a Virgin Plat for 10 years now. Ditto spouse. To us, Row #3 (getting less and less available to secure, sadly) is the main benefit. First year comp to Hilton Diamond was very nice, but that is a one-off, and does not engender any repeat Platinum qualifying on Virgin.

Very little otherwise in difference between the 2 tiers, now that Platinum upgrades can again only be used on expensive Freedom (full fare) buckets, from June 30.

Be VERY savvy for them to LEAVE it there for Choice fares as has been the case for all this year. We made discretionary bookings like SYD-PERTH-BROOME etc, due to that decision. Many extra bucks for Virgin. WIN-WIN. Most years we have never used the Platinum upgrades. We will not be alone.

Virgin totally control upgrade inventory, so they hold all the cards.

Virgin should try and add some little extra juicy looking carrots, to entice folks to fly the MANY extra SC.

ALL status in any program is always ASPIRATIONAL. Dangle a major carrot of some kind over Golds.

I was a United top level 1K for 10-15 years, and their 4 x annual 'Systemwide' upgrades were THE benefit most lusted after, and most sought carrot by all Mileage Plus members. No contest. Fully transferrable, and for the most part, usable on ANY buyable economy fare bucket, and fully confirmable in advance.

Very many times I flew Sydney-USA-South America or Europe, on one Systemwide, all flights upgraded in advance all the way. And vice versa. Virgin these days have only a domestic network, but they can still offer such a thing.

Maybe TWO Virgin Systemwides per Plat, usable on any fare bucket, as long as 'X' inventory exists on that flight, network wide (and NZ/Pacific if they ever return) and THAT is a benefit worth chasing, even for Golds. Virgin cannot fly us Sydney-San Francisco-Washington-Rio, but they CAN offer SYD-PER or MEL-DRW or CNS etc.

Clearly it has WORKED very well for new partner United for many decades, and Jayney & Posse can hopefully learn from success stories on other successful airlines.

Going forward, Gold and Platinum are very similar again now. Makes no sense really, and gives no-one a good reason to spend $1000s more to get it. For any overseas travel on partners there appears to be ZERO difference in Bennies that I can see between Gold and Platinum, and never has.

I mean THIS below, well covered in the article above, is essentially all there is extra! Almost no Platinum will ever buy Lite fares I'd suggest as almost zero status credits earned, no sectors earned, and no checked bag - so hardly a 'benefit'.


'There are also some substantial additional benefits available to Velocity Platinum members on Virgin Australia flights! These include:

• Complimentary Economy X seat selection
• Free seat selection on Economy Lite fares
• Four annual complimentary Business Class upgrades when booked on an Economy Flex fare
• Ability to Fly Ahead on Economy Choice fares (in addition to Flex & Business fares)
• Up to 3 additional guests at Virgin Australia Lounges, excluding children (instead of 1 guest with Gold status)
• 100% bonus points on Virgin Australia flights (instead of 75% bonus points with Gold status)
• The guaranteed Economy reward seat benefit for an annual family holiday can be used on international flights'

 

[antycbr]

My suggestion to differentiate platinum - make the top floor of Sydney T2 platinum plus guests only as an exclusive lounge.

The lower floor is a zoo right now.

 

[SYD]

My suggestion to differentiate platinum - make the top floor of Sydney T2 platinum plus guests only as an exclusive lounge.

The lower floor is a zoo right now.

I would usually make a beeline upstairs when it was open. Pity the space looks like an RSL.

 

[clifford]

I've just become VA Platinum, and apart from the Economy-X benefit and better call centre response, I can't see any worthwhile extra benefits.

I don't see myself going for Plat next year, but who knows?

 

[andye]

Another benefit is status matching
Have enjoyed the QR WP/OWE

 

[Must...Fly!]

I've just become VA Platinum, and apart from the Economy-X benefit and better call centre response, I can't see any worthwhile extra benefits.

I don't see myself going for Plat next year, but who knows?

Though there could be more, without devaluing gold I think both are really good benefits for the jump up. I always get such good service on the phone.

 

[jase05]

Agreed there is not a huge difference in benefits and when Wi-Fi returns I’d love to see Plats get it for free whilst others pay or something like that.
Probably not enough difference ito go out of your way to jump from Gold to Platinums but who is doing that anyway?

 

[jpp42]

For any overseas travel on partners there appears to be ZERO difference in Bennies that I can see between Gold and Platinum, and never has.

A bit of hyperbole, there are some minor benefits, as mentioned in the article, Platinum gets you access to the Etihad first class lounge in Abu Dhabi, even when travelling economy. I have enjoyed this on Europe trips several times. Not worth chasing platinum for, to be sure, but it's not correct that there are *zero* benefits. (There was, also I think a small difference which level your status "mapped" to on Delta, but not sure if that will be the case on United.)

 

[openseat]

Economy X is a great Platinum benefit that keeps me in VA for domestic. I have used the generous luggage limits quite a few times when I used to go for work in the Solomons, lots of books for schools, etc. My change of job, however, will probably mean I'm on my last year of Plat.

 

[Notyourbag]

For me using the Etihad First lounge and Economy X were the two biggest benefits, I'm okay to drop to Gold as I'm chasing to retain QF Gold these days.

 

[Mr H]

With any airline programme, the step change is from no/occasional lounge access to guaranteed lounge access. Individual members may get some occasional usage out of the other benefits, but mostly it is window dressing. That step change has to happen somewhere, and the silver to gold step is as good as anywhere.

The Platinum benefit that is not being talked about is the soft landing to gold - so qualification for platinum is effectively securing gold for two years, not just one.

The lack of benefits on partner airlines is mostly a product of VA not being in a major alliance. If VA wanted to do Plats a solid - along with benefiting all their members regardless of tier - then Star Alliance membership is the way to go.

 

[Ade]

With any airline programme, the step change is from no/occasional lounge access to guaranteed lounge access. Individual members may get some occasional usage out of the other benefits, but mostly it is window dressing. That step change has to happen somewhere, and the silver to gold step is as good as anywhere.

The Platinum benefit that is not being talked about is the soft landing to gold - so qualification for platinum is effectively securing gold for two years, not just one.

The lack of benefits on partner airlines is mostly a product of VA not being in a major alliance. If VA wanted to do Plats a solid - along with benefiting all their members regardless of tier - then Star Alliance membership is the way to go.

Agree with all your points here. Well said !

I'd be willing to fly VA more if it were part of an alliance. The main reason I fly QF is because it's part of OW and services the international route I fly often.

Another good thing that could be good is if VA Gold/Plats are able to gift lounge passes to their friends & family. I'm VA Gold and never use the lounge passes I receive as part of the membership & my credit cards. I wanted to gift those to my mates, but I was told by customer care that it's not possible to transfer lounge passes. Unlike with QF, where I have been regularly gifting passes to anyone I know. The lounge passes go unused otherwise.

 

[MooTime]

Attaining VA Plat isn't too hard with a DSC and family pooling.

I regard economy X as very beneficial, especially with couple little ones along for family trips.
Also mates going away with +3 lounge access handy.
Extra luggage also handy with a family.
Phone service, my goodness, what a pleasure to call & get any issues resolved in single digit minutes....compared to the alternative mob.

 

[Mr H]

Attaining VA Plat isn't too hard with a DSC and family pooling.

I always recoil a little from statements that XX Tier is not too hard to achieve.

In my experience, when I have travelled enough to have status it did not feel difficult to achieve, but when I have not travelled much it has looked so far beyond the horizon to be unimaginable.

Basically, it is down to whether you travel for work, especially if your employer springs for flexible fares. Occasional leisure travellers (like I am now and likely to remain) will probably not attain status and would not make good use of status if they got it. I mean, is there any point in getting status if you're only going to use it for lounge access for next year's status runs?

 

[MooTime]

I always recoil a little from statements that XX Tier is not too hard to achieve.

In my experience, when I have travelled enough to have status it did not feel difficult to achieve, but when I have not travelled much it has looked so far beyond the horizon to be unimaginable.

Basically, it is down to whether you travel for work, especially if your employer springs for flexible fares. Occasional leisure travellers (like I am now and likely to remain) will probably not attain status and would not make good use of status if they got it. I mean, is there any point in getting status if you're only going to use it for lounge access for next year's status runs?

You did fail to mention my reasoning of 'not too hard' to achieve certain status.........with DSC offers and family pooling.

I'm a predominant leisure traveller these days also.

Economy X exMEL to Perth, Darwin, Cairns, Fiji or NZ is very advantageous IMO for comfort.

 

[klymen]

Fly Ahead even on Choice fares, combined with being able to call in advance to book it, combined with short wait time on the phone.