Announcing our New Velocity Frequent Flyer Program

[notzac]

Has anyone who earned their platinum the old fashioned way (you know, by flying the actual airline) received their platinum kit in the mail yet? No sign of mine here.

Unless it's waiting for me when I get home - nope, nothing as yet.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I can just imagine the B717 taxiing in under the rail bridge and passengers disembarking next to the dump truck and walking accross to the Shell Roadhouse to claim their bags.

In all seriousness, I spoke with crazydave about this, and the problem is RTIO own the airport at PBO, and Virgon can't use it as yet. Even though Skywest and QF do.

Aren't Skywest and Virgin now in a ten year alliance?

 

[futaris]

I can just imagine the B717 taxiing in under the rail bridge and passengers disembarking next to the dump truck and walking accross to the Shell Roadhouse to claim their bags.

What surprises me is that Google Maps Street View has Tom Price and Shell Roadhouse.

 

[Reggie]

Aren't Skywest and Virgin now in a ten year alliance?

I said the same thing, but the Skywest flights into to PBO are charter flights, and don't count.

 

[777]

Meanwhile, QF are convinced they have nothing to worry about: Qantas relaxed about Virgin revamp

Golden handcuffs and all that.

 

[connieguy]

Meanwhile, QF are convinced they have nothing to worry about: Qantas relaxed about Virgin revamp

Golden handcuffs and all that.

What that is a surprise or not what you would expect QF to say? Apparently AJ / QF seem to think there is nothing that anybody can do to take away / unlock their WPs Golden Handcuffs. Time for a wake up call and maybe a big hit to the stock price.

Hey QF see this?



And this?

 

[QF WP]

gowatson, you forgot to add the VA chart below the QAN chart, but it will be a lag effect on both anyway as revenues will decrease on QF with a commensurate increase in VA.

Then they'll be worried

 

[connieguy]

gowatson, you forgot to add the VA chart below the QAN chart, but it will be a lag effect on both anyway as revenues will decrease on QF with a commensurate increase in VA.

Then they'll be worried

With no dividends for 3 years (despite AJ declaring QF are making a profit), I'm amazed the PPS is as high as it is. :shock:

 

[JohnK]

I know which one I am going to treasure most

Which one?

Did anybody else get that today or am I lucky:?:

I think you are just lucky....

 

[QF WP]

Thanks Velocity...first DJ flight will be in Oct to the AFF do in Cbr.

Sounds the same as me

 

[The Matrix]

I think this is great news and I followed up on matching my QF Platinum status. I have already received notification that I am now a Platinum member with VA. The problem is that I have just recently booked a whole lot of OS travel with QF / BA, but the next flight that I book - either domestic or international will be through Virgin.
The Matrix

 

[coyote25]

Handcuffs now unlocked! Got my match today 7 days after requesting. Just requalified as SG with QF so now to start with VA.

Time to start reading the Virgin forum posts to learn more about the program and build up the same level of knowledge I have with QF. Luckily it seems a lot of AFF members who went first happily share their knowledge

I wonder how many new flyers AFF has directly and indirectly bought to VA over the past few months?

Finally real competition for frequent flyer / business flyers for the first time since we lost AN.

 

[markis10]

Time to start reading the Virgin forum posts to learn more about the program and build up the same level of knowledge I have with QF. Luckily it seems a lot of AFF members who went first happily share their knowledge

I wonder how many new flyers AFF has directly and indirectly bought to VA over the past few months?.

Without the changes DJ have made being there in the first place I doubt many of us would have been early adopters, not to mention the participation by DJ's reps!

 

[samh004]

I got awarded Platinum whilst in Auckland. I am flying back with Pacific Blue who has no lounge here, or even lounge sharing. I figured I'd front to the Air NZ lounge to see how I go anyway... they let me in no problems! I am super impressed.

Indeed, you can get Air NZ lounge access when flying across the Tasman, but not to Pacific Islands.




 

[QF WP]

Time to start reading the Virgin forum posts to learn more about the program and build up the same level of knowledge I have with QF. Luckily it seems a lot of AFF members who went first happily share their knowledge

Likewise, otherwise I'd be like your avatar and might not commit to trying out their product.

I wonder how many new flyers AFF has directly and indirectly bought to VA over the past few months?

Would be interesting to know and I'd think there will be few left who can't attest to dual elite status QF & DJ.

 

[drewbles]

I just got to work after a seminar this morning and see an Express Post 500g satchel (plastic) from VA.

Open it to find not the expected (I thought it might be my Gold membership kit - nice and quick); to find that it has:

1. VFF With Compliments Slip, pre-printed but hand signed by Phil Gunter, with the words "As a valued Velocity Gold Member, please accept this gift in celebration of the launch of the new Velocity Frequent Flyer program" as well as WCS from The Lounge Team, Brisbane
2. Book by Luke Mangan, personally signed
3. metal ties and Gold cards (x2)
4. BNE Lounge Manager mobile number (on Express Post envelope)

I know which one I am going to treasure most

Did anybody else get that today or am I lucky:?:

Considering your 'contacts' I dare say you got lucky (although many got the book when doing a status match in-lounge; is yours hand-signed by Luke? The lounge ones were, at least in MEL).

 

[QF WP]

I agree that I got lucky and yes, it was signed by Luke - see point 2

 

[connieguy]

I agree that I got lucky and yes, it was signed by Luke - see point 2

MsPG and I dined at Glass recently. SWMBO really likes the signed book. Nice touch VA.

 

[Jack Melon]

We live in hope. Newcastle would probably be the biggest port now that doesn't have a lounge for *any* carrier but Jetstar kind of own the place unfortunately. Can't see the maths working for DJ on a mere 3 or 4 return flights a day (two BNE, one MEL - have i missed any?) unless the folks at NTL wants to offer them a very sweet deal on the space.

777, i am with you. I am based at NTL as well, DJ need more flights to comepete with Jetstar.

As you said they own the place. Also my travel has gone to JQ for the OOL run since they canned it back in April because of jetstar pushing them out, but they diddnt understand that for a 1hr flight jetstar wanted $49, DJ wanted $99.

If they come back in the near future and do the route again, guess who will have there beloved virgin pax back! I could have tried there new product, but no. I also joined velocity because i travel NTL-OOL-NTL a lot but looks like they lost that too.

I am sick of the lack of of Destinations at NTL. Sydney is a huge hassle.

Points they need to improve on at NTL (agree with me).
1. Bring back the NTL-OOL-NTL route and actually bring your prices in line with Jetstar... its a 1 hour flight for god sake.
2. More destinations. These are the polls and other pax i have spoken too that want these destinations added, they currently have to go to sydney and hate it:

1. Tropical/Northern Queensland City.
2. Adelaide (NO.1 They want)
3. Tassie (Hobart)
4. Perth
5. New Zealand (They are happy with a once a week service as long as they do not have to go to SYD.)

3. More flexibility!
All you do is have to look at the Schedule. Jetstar have 6 BNE services daily return, Virgin: 2.
JQ has 5 MEL return servies daily, virgin:1
JQ has 1 and holiday period 2 services to OOL, virgin: 0.

4. A lounge for your corporate guests. The BNE run especially is a very business sector route as well as lesiure.

Well thats my naging on but trust me virgin, i and others are crying out for competition and new routes from you to actually take on jetstar here and keep the air fair. Jetstar has risen up prices since you left, and the flights are always FULL. But the service is Shi*!

Jack

 

[oliverd]

Have been diligently reading this thread (well up to the 31st page) and getting close to making a switch to VA with the status-match offer and changes to FF program. (I don't fly enough to get to a decent level with both airlines).

The benefits of the new program have been thoroughly and look compelling... the only areas where QF still seems to have an edge are:

1) Lounge differentiation - Only one lounge class with VA... but except for the QF First lounge in Sydney, I can't tell the difference between the Business and First lounge. Slightly less choice compared to Oneworld and a bit more complicated in terms of lounge access entitlement.

2) Status / points earn rates - earn rates slightly lower than QF, but redemption rates also lower. The substantially lower earn rate with VS is disappointing, but SG and EY are both viable alternatives for UK travel.

3) Upgrades - the only significant gap for international travel (we have a Y policy for all Asia travel)

4) Redemption availability - as painful as QF is, I've been able to get UK/Europe J seats with flexibility in travel dates a few times, and there's multiple carrier options for most destinations. A year or so ago, when I enquired about SYD/LHR in J on VS Atlantic using points, the call centre agent sort of laughed and said "you're dreamin". Still seems to be the case today. But EY and hopefully SG seem to be about on par with QF in terms of availability and points required. Anyone have experience on VS/EY/VA redemption via VA FF?

Anything I've missed? Any more seasoned travellers with comments on redemption availability via VA on int routes?

Oliver