Announcing our New Velocity Frequent Flyer Program

[anat0l]

One thing of note for SQ Lounge access....it's the same as *A from what I can tell.

Which is access to any SQ lounge around the world, except for in SIN Changi where it's strictly KrisFlyer Gold lounge unless you have a SQ J or F/R ticket.

For the untrained here, the KrisFlyer Gold lounge is separate from the normal SilverKris lounge complex in SIN T3. It is a smaller lounge for elites (SQ KF and *G) not flying SQ J or F/R. There are no showers, decent self-serve food and some computers.

 

[JohnK]

On a related topic - Does anyone know if HH do soft landings?

I believe Hilton does have soft landings. I went from HH Gold to HH Silver and then back to Blue.

P.S. sorry if I am posting a lot in this thread but I got in it quite late and have been stuck here for a long time tonight. :shock:

 

[notzac]

If I could criticise one thing, it would be not everything should be given to those who status match. It would have been nice to have something special for those of us who actually earned the status. Not only would it encourage those who received a status match to try and earn the required SCs (that are normally needed to earn the status) but also keep your loyal customers happy.

Totally get where you're coming from. As someone who got comp'ed VA Gold well before the first round of AFF status matches, and has since done the hard yards to get to VA Platinum - kinda tough to see QF WP's get comped Platinum now. All those whingy DYKWIA's in our lounges..!

BUT .. let's both take a deep breath; quite a few of the comp'ed VA Platinums ain't gonna keep their shiny cards long term (as much as VA might wish otherwise). QF are sure to announce some sort of "enhancement" in the next few weeks or so that everyone will be amazed by, and will swear off flighting with VA again to run straight back to QF. Me .. cynic? Never :!:

 

[QF WP]

I am guessing card, printout of QFF status page and tomorrow's boarding pass with Platinum on it should be enough?

Yes. Hopefully the Lounge Manager Annette will be on shift and be able to help you.

 

[oz_mark]

I believe Hilton does have soft landings. I went from HH Gold to HH Silver and then back to Blue.

I went from Gold to Blue, with a challenge back to Gold.

 

[oz_mark]

whingy DYKWIA's in our lounges..!

Aha, now I know what the W in WP means - Whingy :shock:

 

[Vinny]

I saw Free status match with Virgin for Qantas Frequent Flyer members! - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller today, checked it out as much as I could and instantly applied. I've been looking for a new FF scheme for a while now and this sounds like what suits my travel plans. After looking at their site flights and connections are an attractive option.

For me it was bye to QF anyway due to a number of reasons over a number of years, but if Virgin mail me a new card I'll be a happy bloke and take advantage of it. My credit card account can be easily switched so bring it on.

 

[kpc]

One thing of note for SQ Lounge access....it's the same as *A from what I can tell.

Which is access to any SQ lounge around the world, except for in SIN Changi where it's strictly KrisFlyer Gold lounge unless you have a SQ J or F/R ticket.

For the untrained here, the KrisFlyer Gold lounge is separate from the normal SilverKris lounge complex in SIN T3. It is a smaller lounge for elites (SQ KF and *G) not flying SQ J or F/R. There are no showers, decent self-serve food and some computers.

I have asked the same Q in one of the posts above:

Velocity Frequent Flyer, Can I confirm that as a Velocity Platinum member travelling in Y class on SQ, you can access the Silver Kris Lounge at Changi airport, not just the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge? The KrisFlyer Gold Lounge is inferior to the Silver Kris Lounge and does not have showers or bathrooms within:shock:
No more shower facilities at SIN SQ lounge for EG and *G travelling in Y? - SQTalk

The Velocity Specialist rep is getting back to me about this...

 

[Fifa]

I nearly fell off my chair when I started reading this thread a couple of hours ago and have hardly left the computer!
So much for getting other work done tonight.
I've finally finished reading all the posts and am excited about having the opportunity to try out what Virgin has to offer and email has been sent.

Regarding Complimentary Fare Upgrades, in particular 14.17 - Platinum Members may choose to redeem a Complimentary Fare Upgrades for a guest who is travelling with them.
Does the guest also have to be on a flexible fare?
I'm wondering as +1 will be using the free Amex Platinum Reserve credit card flights in the near future so I may as well tag along as well!
It just wouldn't seem fair if I was up the front and they were 'down the back'

 

[Justchecking]

No one does, from what I can tell.

So I think Virgin Australia stands alone

Whether it will be enhanced in 1 or 10 years, I guess that's more reason you should milk it as much as you can full teat...err, I mean full tit....erm, full tilt... ah never mind.....

And doing so will most certainly contribute to it's quick demise. why not use it as intended a convenience for the days when you fly? I can definately see a lot of comped status pax utilising the ATA without switching any of their flying to DJ, simply because they got it for free. It will put financial pressure on DJ to either cut the offerings within the lounge or to cut ATA. Both of which will be bad news for the actual DJ flyers. People have a tendency to abuse a privilege, sadly.

 

[oz_mark]

And doing so will most certainly contribute to it's quick demise. why not use it as intended a convenience for the days when you fly? I can definately see a lot of comped status pax utilising the ATA without switching any of their flying to DJ, simply because they got it for free. It will put financial pressure on DJ to either cut the offerings within the lounge or to cut ATA. Both of which will be bad news for the actual DJ flyers. People have a tendency to abuse a privilege, sadly.

Indeed. I have a bit of a question over the sustainability of some of the offerings - especially at the gold level. Still, I have started to, and will continue, to move some of my spend across to Virgin. So they have succeeded in that.

 

[JohnK]

refer to my previous post about golden handcuffs with QF. Very few people would be willing to go from QF WP back to zero status whilst they built up to velocity WP.

Where do you fit the ones that are able to maintain QF Platinum but would find it very difficult to get VA Platinum?

The status match will more than likely achieve what VA wants and that is to get more bums in seats.

 

[Martin J Cowling]

Looks like they've added "Upgrade using points" to the mix.

Question: looking at the website, upgrades only seem to be available for Virgin Australia and Pacific Blue. I dont see V Australia included in the upgrades????:?:

 

[JohnK]

sorry, am i missing something? What's wrong with middle eastern carriers?

Does there have to be anything wrong with them? I do not like the middle east and do not want to transit there. I would say the same about most African carriers although I may give South African Airways a go one day.

 

[777]

As an aside, i didn't look yesterday but today is the first time i've seen more people on the AFF home page viewing the Velocity section than viewing the QF section. Probably a sign VA is doing something right

 

[QF WP]

Yesterday from all of my viewings (as a Mod I am interested in these things), it was a ratio of QFF Forum 1: VA Forum 3.

 

[Keith009]

Hmmm. My membership card says May 2011 and I have no idea where my new card is located.

I am guessing card, printout of QFF status page and tomorrow's boarding pass with Platinum on it should be enough?

You should also bring along a printout of your latest QFF account statement.

 

[Velocity Frequent Flyer]

I think you have every right to feel this way, and I agree - it's annoying to try so hard to get gold and supporting VA from the start and then people that have always doubted VA, never fly them, and like to put them down get Platinum like that....

I would like to hear VA's take on this scenario.

Should someone take us up on the matching, and then put the card in their wallet to never take it out again unless to compare the amount of cards they have with say Ryan Bingham.... who is going to know?

If the new member is able to maintain the Platinum level, then they have made a real contribution to our airline/freq flyer program.

Our existing members have gotten us to the newly branded Airline, Premium services (with more to come) recently renovated Lounges (with more to come), Priority Systems in place (with more to come), Better network (with more to come).... but the bottom line is we need more people flying with us to enable the "more to come!"

 

[samh004]

Thanks for getting back to me. I totally understand what your saying, it would be very close minded of me to say that I won't want any more Golds in the program. But I can't help but feel that since Platinum and status matching was introduced. Being a gold who earned it by flying, has been a bit devalued.

*cough* on super discounted fares... I'm sure I could be a Gold from flying if I was in your shoes.




 

[Velocity Frequent Flyer]

I nearly fell off my chair when I started reading this thread a couple of hours ago and have hardly left the computer!
So much for getting other work done tonight.
I've finally finished reading all the posts and am excited about having the opportunity to try out what Virgin has to offer and email has been sent.

Regarding Complimentary Fare Upgrades, in particular 14.17 - Platinum Members may choose to redeem a Complimentary Fare Upgrades for a guest who is travelling with them.
Does the guest also have to be on a flexible fare?
I'm wondering as +1 will be using the free Amex Platinum Reserve credit card flights in the near future so I may as well tag along as well!
It just wouldn't seem fair if I was up the front and they were 'down the back'

Both people travelling will need to be on a Flexi Fare to qualify for the upgrade.