Announcing our New Velocity Frequent Flyer Program

[Lawlass]

Just received my new card and cable-tie bag tags (which I can not do up!) in great big fancy packaging. There was so much packaging I kept poking at it wondering if there was more stuff inside. :shock:

 

[gumpy]

Well done Virgin on a great new program.

I've applied for Platinum status matching, however even if I am granted Platinum status with DJ I will still remain with QFF for the majority of my business/leisure travels. For my personal circumstances, my key reasons are:

- I have invested a lot of time and money into QFF and I have 1 million QFF points and 300,000 with AA.
- Without Platinum status with QFF I've got buckley's chance of actually being able to redeem my points on the exact flights I want in International premium cabins unless I spend twice as much on a costly ASA.
- QF offer a reasonable business product on most domestic services whereas DJ only offers it on SYD-PER.
- The Oneworld alliance has a much better story for International services.
- The QF First Class Lounges in MEL and SYD have won my heart and wallet

On the other hand, I do expect to bring some business to DJ because:

- I am grateful to DJ for offering Gold status match earlier this year and now again with their new Platinum status.
- I want to support some competition in the market. QFF's monopoly has been screwing over and diluting the benefits of their loyal/elite members for way too long.
- DJs attitude and customer service across all fronts of the business are outstanding. Some of the Stepford Wives on QF services need a wake up call.
- I am keen on the new Business product. I will use my upgrade certs on this route to extract a $1900 each way fare in business from a $380 spend on the underlying economy fare.
- Though I am already Hilton Gold, instant Diamond status is attractive. I could easily maintain for 12 months, but not likely thereafter given regular requalification rules. I can also use it as another form of evidence to status match top tier elite status in other hotel chains I don't already hold.
- There is definite value in the complimentary partner Gold status without the need to reach 3000 odd status credits.
- Priority boarding is properly managed and enforced.

Comparing apples with apples, i'ts fair to say that even if I didn't have such an investment in QF and AA already and I was starting from scratch as a Platinum in both, I'd still stick with QFF. When we get more details and harmonisation of DJs alliance partners and domestic business cabin availability, my loyalty will need to be revisited.

Now that QF has had a chance to review the new VFF offering, I think we might see some minor improvements in QFF in an attempt to retain member loyalty. Who knows, maybe some real 'enhancements' are on the cards. I doubt it'll be much though, because with a strangehold of ~90% of the corporate sector and the 'loyalty' of some 8 million members, there's little need for QF to discount the most profitable part of their business, QFF. Go get em Virgin!

You sum up my situation and thoughts perfectly.

 

[QF WP]

Is the status match for people who aren't currently members of Velocity only? If I'm currently a VFF Silver, can I apply for a status match to Platinum against my QF WP?

Yes and it will be done. I'd recommend (if you are in a Terminal in BNE, SYD or MEL today or this weekend), doing the status match in The Lounge. Not sure of the exact situation, but at very least get the new (temporary) Plat card on the spot? I know awilcockson did it yesterday and he posted a copy of his new card.

If you are in MEL, see AFF member (and VA staffer) Keith009 at the booth and he'll walk you through it.

 

[straitman]

If you are in MEL, see AFF member (and VA staffer) Keith009 at the booth and he'll walk you through it.

Much and all as it's tempting to go to MEL next week and say hello to Keith I'll probably visit the lounge in Canberra this weekend instead.

 

[Justchecking]

With respect to ATA when flying someone else .... well those with status matches have other elite status (most likely QF SG/WP anyway) which would give them access to their respective lounges anyway, so thus probably a negligible afffect on numbers anyway, but that's my reasoning.

The only issue I can see with lounge access and potential crowding is: A Qantas Gold/Platinum status matches to Velocity Gold/Platinum and then chooses to fly Tiger :shock:

Or Jetstar....which many QFF pax do.

Gold members post really sums up what status match means to many of QFFs high yield customers. It means free lounge access for 2 years, the odd DJ flight when QF isn't convenient but no real loyalty gained as he's more than happy to let the status lapse in future years. he's fully invested in using up his bazillion QFF points rather than maintaining status with DJ.

 

[Limewood]

Joined up, had super fast response, sent of copy of Q SG had an email back to confirm!, think I'll be flying more with DJ now and their affiliates as they go where I go.

 

[awilcockson]

Is the status match for people who aren't currently members of Velocity only? If I'm currently a VFF Silver, can I apply for a status match to Platinum against my QF WP?

Yes, you can apply.

 

[medhead]

Just received my new card and cable-tie bag tags (which I can not do up!) in great big fancy packaging.

it takes a while to work them out. Need to get the thread perfectly straight.

 

[beejay1177]

A question re the status match for someone that is only QFF PS!

I've sent off my request to be status matched to VA Silver, and it appears that I will be given 12 months as a new expiry date. Am I then reading this correctly in that I will only then need to get 300 status points to get to Gold in the next 12 months?

This works out to be perfect timing for me if so, as my QFF membership year is about to be reset, and I normally get around 200-300 status credits per year, so if I just take all my flights to VA I'll get to Gold for the first time. Woot!

Am I reading this correctly??!!!

 

[Alanslegal]

The only issue I can see with lounge access and potential crowding is: A Qantas Gold/Platinum status matches to Velocity Gold/Platinum and then chooses to fly Tiger :shock:

Or Jetstar....which many QFF pax do.

I think my point is that a Qantas Gold or Platinum already has their own lounge to visit, even if flying JQ, whereas if choosing to fly Tiger, is lounge-less. Thus the benefits of a Virgin match is ideal because they use Any Time Access when flying Tiger. But that said, think about it logically, its still a Qantas Gold or Platinum frequent flyer, choosing a status match with Velocity, purely to get lounge access when flying Tiger. I predict there aren't many QF SG/WP in this situation.

 

[markis10]

Just received my new card and cable-tie bag tags (which I can not do up!) in great big fancy packaging. There was so much packaging I kept poking at it wondering if there was more stuff inside. :shock:

That explains that photo, you were praying for fast delivery of your new Virgin credentials

 

[Justchecking]

I do get your point, but in Sydney for example, where do the JQ flights leave from? Where is the QP? What are the chances of a JQ pax using the QP instead of the more conveniently located DJ lounge? How about those ports where there is no QP lounge but there s a DJ one, OOL? How about those ports where there is a QP but the pax simply likes the facilities in the DJ lounge better? Is it really the intent of the airline to have a QF flying pax, earning QFF points and SC availing themselves of the DJ Lounge? You don't have be flying Tiger to make the decision to use the DJ Lounge.

Anyway my point was more about the fact that some people will abuse a privilege and if they do that, said privilege may be revoked. So many airlines have revoked it that there must be some element of abuse going on. Otherwise they would have happily retained the benefit and used it as leverage against their competition.

 

[pshepvic]

Love it!

 

[markis10]

How about those ports where there is no QP lounge but there s a DJ one, OOL? How about those ports where there is a QP but the pax simply likes the facilities in the DJ lounge better? Is it really the intent of the airline to have a QF flying pax, earning QFF points and SC availing themselves of the DJ Lounge? You don't have be flying Tiger to make the decision to use the DJ Lounge. .

Huh, there is no port where there is only a DJ lounge, and at OOL WPs have access to the JQ lounge (DJ is coming in Q1 2012), please check your facts!

I do get your point, but in Sydney for example, where do the JQ flights leave from? Where is the QP? What are the chances of a JQ pax using the QP instead of the more conveniently located DJ lounge

Umm, have you been to the city you use as your example, the QP is next to the JQ gates and closer to all the JQ flights by at least 500M compared to the lounge, thats a long way to stumble! They also provide a semblance of customer service and provide JQ check in/BP facilities, none of this "separate company" rubbish.

 

[Justchecking]

Then I stand corrected, thank you.

 

[drron]

I know you're very experienced at this stuff but was it J all the way/

Definitely.They did offer options with just J to SYD as well but definitely J into LAX.Plus we would get to Flounge!
There was 1 day in the month with an F award-now presuming I could access it through AA would have been 75000 miles.

 

[drewbles]

Love it!

View attachment 3589

Same ad running on the new digital billboards in MEL as you jump onto the tulla (opposite the BP).

 

[Leumas]

So looked at BNE-LAX J award in february 2012.
VFF-834800 points or 67070 points+$5941(insert shock smiley)
QFF-96000+$378.Had to go via SYD or MEL.
AA-62500+ <$100.

SYD-AKL in december,J for vQF,PE for DJ
VFF-108900 points or 67600+$202
QFF-72000+$181
AA-35000+$70

So at this stage I will stick to AA and mrsdrron to QFF.

Thanks for doing this. I was thinking about this last night on the bus but didn't get around to do the numbers in terms of points requirements.

The other thing would be the network outside Australia. With no formal alliance, I'm not sure what that will mean. I need to study it more over the weekend.

 

[Simsy85]

I wonder if SQ Solitaire PPS, QF CLs and/or BA Premiers have a sort of ATA? (Not that it matters; only one of those tiers is tangibly achievable by the general public...)

I can answer this for QF CL's - no they don't.

CL lounge dragons (although I wouldn't call them dragons in a nasty way) won't even let you in the door without handing over a BP.

When it's time for your flight, they come and find you and say "Afternoon Mr Simsy's Boss and Mr Simsy, here is your BP, your flight is just about fully boarded"

 

[cove]

Thanks Drron I can see domestic J is ok but international is lousy so far.
When something is 800k points I move to the second scheme. I am reminded on SQ that it is 306k to go First from SIN-LHR-SIN on Standard points redemption so 800k is no go.