Announcing our New Velocity Frequent Flyer Program

[medhead]

Well finally got to finish the thread. I don't know, people wanting answers at work interrupting my AFF time.

Great changes, well done!

I've been a chancer and put in for a status match to Plat. I expect to be rejected having already been matched to gold. But took a chance anyway.

As much as i like the idea of double plat, unlike some others I have no issues if the request is rejected in favour of other QFF plats. As I've enjoyed gold so far and I can easily maintain Velocity gold, with WP. Given the current SYD-ADL schedule getting to VPlatinum would be hard due to the lack of a later flight. However, I have targetted 2 European conferences for 2012, if they come off then VPlat could be achieved.

 

[Leumas]

First impressions seem to be excellent, both in terms of the programme and the status match. I'm certainly interested...

I've these questions and would appreciate some answers. These are specific to Platinum.

Complimentary baggage / Lounge
a) It says up to 69kg on Virgin. Does that apply when your fare doesn't include baggage?
b) From the wording, I assume if I fly trans-Tasman on NZ, there is no complimentary baggage? (Even though it mentions an 'additional' allowance, i.e. I've to be on a fare that includes baggage to receive this 'additional' allowance.)
c) From my understanding, if I get the cheapest DJ fare to New Zealand, I can still get lounge access (e.g. the NZ lounge at SYD?)

Hotel/Rental Car benefits
a) Does the IHG or Hilton elite membership apply each year I maintain the corresponding Virgin membership or is it an one-off match?
b) To follow AFF'ers , as an aside, I'd think Hilton Diamond will be a lot more valuable than an IHG Platinum?

Pity there is no anytime lounge access...

Personally, I'm leaning very much towards jumping. Frankly, I've been thinking about jumping for about a year now. If I do jump, QF/QFF will be losing a whole bunch of cc earn as well... If DJ get into a formal alliance, I'd have pulled the trigger already...

 

[futaris]

a) Does the IHG or Hilton elite membership apply each year I maintain the corresponding Virgin membership or is it an one-off match?

One-off match.

b) To follow AFF'ers , as an aside, I'd think Hilton Diamond will be a lot more valuable than an IHG Platinum?

Yes. Hilton Diamond is more valuable. See these threads:
http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/hilton-honors-and-premium-club/hhonors-gold-diamond-velocity-gold-32478.html
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ry-elite-memberships-platinum-gold-32480.html

 

[medhead]

First impressions seem to be excellent, both in terms of the programme and the status match. I'm certainly interested...

I've these questions and would appreciate some answers. These are specific to Platinum.

Complimentary baggage / Lounge
a) It says up to 69kg on Virgin. Does that apply when your fare doesn't include baggage?

a) It does for gold, can't see why not for platinum.

 

[pshepvic]

Have been stuck in a workshop all day and missed the big news! Haven't read the thread yet, but will do later.

Looks good from what I can see so far, and I will hit Platinum on Monday, so very excited!

 

[Velocity Frequent Flyer]

Great changes, well down.

I've been a chancer and put in for a status match to Plat. I expect to be rejected having already been matched to gold. But took a chance anyway.

Send your request through and we will match your Platinum.

 

[djfuzz]

Pity there is no anytime lounge access...

You are joking, right?

What will be interesting is whether or not QF's hand might now be forced to bring back anytime access or otherwise up the ante now that they've been pretty comprehensively been trumped in the 500-3599 SC range, or whether they'll satisfy themselves with giving flight-sim rides to 3600+ SC members.

 

[Leumas]

One-off match.

Damn it! Glad I asked though. Hope it's every year the airline status is maintained...

 

[openseat]

Any update on Delta SC earning?

I may be wrong, but I thought that Delta flights were going to earn SC's at some point. Is that on the horizon yet?

 

[awilcockson]

Send your request through and we will match your Platinum.

My day is made, I can stop refreshing my email wondering if I'll get an acceptance or a rejection.

 

[awilcockson]

Damn it! Glad I asked though. Hope it's every year the airline status is maintained...

Nope. You can apply for the status match with the hotel/car program once. And after that you have to re-qualify using the normal rules for that program.

 

[smithym]

Membership Pause for parental leave. I'm sure this will not mean much to a majority but I think this is an awesome addition. After having a sick premi bub earlier this year I cut work travel significantly but it was the last thought on my mind that I wouldn't requal for gold this year. Just goes to show that Virgin think about all pax

 

[DJ 1D]

Re: Any update on Delta SC earning?

I may be wrong, but I thought that Delta flights were going to earn SC's at some point. Is that on the horizon yet?

I thought so too.

 

[awilcockson]

Re: Any update on Delta SC earning?

I may be wrong, but I thought that Delta flights were going to earn SC's at some point. Is that on the horizon yet?

Coming Soon* along with Singapore Airlines.

edit:

http://www.velocityrewards.com.au/content/Earn/StatusCredits/index.htm

Status Credit earn on Delta Air Lines and Singapore Airlines coming soon.

 

[VA FF]

Send your request through and we will match your Platinum.

Regrading rthe Benefits that are different for Gold and Platinum, I am still showing Gold and I picked my choices this morning when they were available, will it automatically be started at Diamond Rather than Gold as I do have sufficient SC's for Platinum, just waiting for my Login to show it..

 

[drewbles]

Send your request through and we will match your Platinum.

Will that hold true for all previous people ho were bestowed a comped status level?

I've already submitted my request for a Platinum match. If it's approved, QF will get almost no travel with me from now on that's for sure. Time to book my free QF flight on my Amex before I do a product change to the Velocity card

Is there any confirmation anywhere of the HHonors match being for one year only (Haven't gotten around to reading T&C's yet)?

 

[awilcockson]

Regrading rthe Benefits that are different for Gold and Platinum, I am still showing Gold and I picked my choices this morning when they were available, will it automatically be started at Diamond Rather than Gold as I do have sufficient SC's for Platinum, just waiting for my Login to show it..

The theory is that you will be contacted by the program owner to complete the membership/status match process. I'd mention it to them when they contact you. In my case, I decided to wait for Plat to come through before clicking the button ...

 

[Danger]

I'm in The Lounge in Melbourne now and they have banners promoting the status match. I've just been status matched to DJ Platinum and the gentleman who took care of it all is a familiar face (well, name, really) to AFF and Flyertalk.

 

[oz_mark]

Regrading rthe Benefits that are different for Gold and Platinum, I am still showing Gold and I picked my choices this morning when they were available, will it automatically be started at Diamond Rather than Gold as I do have sufficient SC's for Platinum, just waiting for my Login to show it..

Velocity do say that there is a daily status review. Not sure when that happens, but it does sound like an overnight review (or at least at the end of the day)

 

[tuapekastar]

This looks, at first glance, and from reading all the posts, really really good!

I'll be doing detailed analysis as soon as I can, but I judging from what I've seen VFF looks a winner! Match application in very shortly.