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[oz_mark]

And gone again!

I think there may be an issue at Virgin Blue where the web content is kept on several webservers, but they aren't all in sync with each other. So it works for a while, then not for a while etc.

Don't know for sure. But very weird!

Google was there this time

Velocity> Status and Benefits


(Although who knows when Google will come along again and purge it)

 

[oz_mark]

Well, the page is back again.

It is also worth reading the updated Terms and Conditions, particularly sections 5. Section 4 and 6 also useful.

Velocity> Member Terms and Conditions

 

[serfty]

Interesting; they have gone back and calculated SC's in the last 12 months as appropriate.

I earned 1500 flying SC's since joining in October last year. So I need spend to up to another $3,700 on DJ flights before my 'year' end to get Silver.

Those 1,500 points/SC's were earned for a $250 spend. After September 23rd, that will only earn 1,250 points.

 

[StevePER]

I think the way they are determining the initial status isn't very fair. My join date was November 2005 so it looks like they are taking activity from November 2006 to determine initial status (ie basing it on the last 9 months rather than 12).

Even so, I have 21375 points in that period so I should be Silver. But Velocity says I still need another 4128 - don't know what's going on there. Edit - they are calculating from December so I only have 8 months worth of activity.

I noticed at Perth Airport yesterday the new signs for priority checkin only refer to Silver and Gold - will Blue Zone and Corporate Plus passengers still be able to use these lines?

Steve

 

[Mal]

I'm surprised that there was nothing in the media today regarding this change. No press release issued, and no savvy media sites picked up the story from their sniffing around.

Talk about soft release! On again, off again the site

There also appears to be some login errors at the moment - for me, I get "A system error occurred. Please contact the Membership Contact Centre on 131 875", so think there may still be some more work happening on the site at the moment.

 

[alto25]

First things first ....... g'day everyone!
My first post here, although I have lurked a for a while .

I have looked forward to the "new" Velocity for some time, and while I look forward to priority check-in (as a much needed benefit!!), I have to say that I am disappointed with the "bonus" on earning points once qualified for Gold.

On the 5, 6, 7 earning scale, Silver earn 20% more points than Red, but Gold only earn 16.6% more than Silver.:shock:

I know that this is only early days for the status enhancements, but comparing to other programs ( eg. UA MP where Gold earns 100% bonus -75% more than Silver on UA flights) I have to say hhmmmmm!

cheers,

Al.

 

[wallacej]

Like other DJ fliers here, we have no card yet. I flew DJ this morning ex MEL. The lines were VERY long, however the priority line was EMPTY. As I approached I saw the gold/silver. I said to the young fellow checking boarding passes that I saw online that I was silver, and if I could go in priority line....

No problem at all.... EXCELLENT... went to the lounge, had time to have two cups and my favourite toasted ham and cheese sandwiches....

Then came the flight, 5 screaming kids, dirty nappies, and a missed approach at MCY...delayed arrival (of course), and my regular car type was not available.... so driving a manual Getz this week....

And here I was thinking what a great day it was going to be

 

[futaris]

Looks like DJ will be entering the NZ market:
NZ to get new domestic airline - New Zealand, world, sport, business & entertainment news on Stuff.co.nz

 

[stuartfaz]

Looks like DJ will be entering the NZ market:
NZ to get new domestic airline - New Zealand, world, sport, business & entertainment news on Stuff.co.nz

That's a nice surprise for our friends across the dutch.

According to this article ( Crikey - Business - Virgin Blue: the third most profitable airline in the world ) the jets that are going to be used for the new Pacific Blue operation were the ones originally slated for the ULCC, so it looks like DJ's just going to let TT and JQ at each other for now.

 

[NM]

... the jets that are going to be used for the new Pacific Blue operation were the ones originally slated for the ULCC, so it looks like DJ's just going to let TT and JQ at each other for now.

or perhaps they are going to leverage the lower costs of a NZ-based operation (like JetConnect) in order to launch the ULCC operation both in Australia and trans-Tasman? Lots of possibilities.

 

[moa999]

or perhaps they are going to leverage the lower costs of a NZ-based operation (like JetConnect) in order to launch the ULCC operation both in Australia and trans-Tasman? Lots of possibilities.

Am sure they will use a NZ based operation for Pacific Blue NZ.
Does this mean Embraer's to NZ as well or just the new 737s

Will be interesting to see how both AirNZ and QF respond

 

[NM]

Am sure they will use a NZ based operation for Pacific Blue NZ.
Does this mean Embraer's to NZ as well or just the new 737s

Will be interesting to see how both AirNZ and QF respond

No, I am not sure, just posing a possibility given the mention of an Ultra LCC operation in Australia and now this mention of commencing NZ domestic operations.

Good to see DJ is not just sitting back naval gazing.

 

[Whatever]

I think the way they are determining the initial status isn't very fair. My join date was November 2005 so it looks like they are taking activity from November 2006 to determine initial status (ie basing it on the last 9 months rather than 12).

Even so, I have 21375 points in that period so I should be Silver. But Velocity says I still need another 4128 - don't know what's going on there. Edit - they are calculating from December so I only have 8 months worth of activity.

I noticed at Perth Airport yesterday the new signs for priority checkin only refer to Silver and Gold - will Blue Zone and Corporate Plus passengers still be able to use these lines?

Steve

Hey Steve,
I think you will find that they went back to the start of the program to determine status.

Based on the number you mentioned above I would guess you have earned 15872 since Dec 06 and but only earned 5503 in your first 12 months.

By going back to day one of Velocity those of who travelled a lot in the early days are rewarded as well.

To acheive 20000 in 21 months (Nov05-Aug07) would have made it way to busy in the priority queue for my liking. (It would be quicker in the bagdrop queue and thats saying something )

 

[StevePER]

Based on the number you mentioned above I would guess you have earned 15872 since Dec 06 and but only earned 5503 in your first 12 months.

Sounds about right... guess I've been punished for joining up way before I started flying DJ.

To acheive 20000 in 21 months (Nov05-Aug07) would have made it way to busy in the priority queue for my liking. (It would be quicker in the bagdrop queue and thats saying something )

Agree, but I think it would have been preferable to base everyone's status on the last 12 months.

Steve

 

[Mal]

Agree, but I think it would have been preferable to base everyone's status on the last 12 months.
Steve

I also joined mid Nov 2005. I believe your SC's were calculated from Dec 1 last year - today. My account is similar, but as I had no transactions between Aug and Dec last year, I can't say for sure.

I agree with your point, but still think that it is fair to only use the X months since the 1st of the month after your last anniversary of membership - keep in mind that you still have another 3 months to earn those SC's to push you over the line. and if they just used the last 12 months it could seriously warp status levels/length of time of elite status.

 

[leny]

Does anyone know if Virgin Blue will be sending out the new bumpy red cards to existing smooth 'silver&red' cardholders?:?:

 

[wallacej]

For those of you who wish to compare. I joined Velocity in Jan this year when I started flying with them. I accrued approx 22,000 at the review time (Aug 11), now I am at about 25,500

I have been given Silver status with a note on the statement saying that I need to earn approx 24,400 by 31 Jan 08 to upgrade to Gold. Of course if I qualify before then I am upgraded to gold immediately.

​

 

[wallacej]

Does anyone know if Virgin Blue will be sending out the new bumpy red cards to existing smooth 'silver&red' cardholders?:?:

Ohhh yeah... forgot about that... I hope so... I have quite a collection going.

 

[futaris]

pacificblue.com.au has Intra New Zealand fares up now.

NZ$39 Fares.

AKL-WLG
AKL-CHC
WLG-CHC

Sale period: 23 Aug to 16 Sep
Travel period: 15 Nov - 29 Feb

 

[alien]

Silver status for me and I have to earn 28,214 by 30 Nov 2007 for Gold. Not likely I will get there..... oh well.....