Buying Velocity points

[SomeRando]

Aren't SQ suites avail with Velocity points?

You can't book First/Suites directly with Velocity, you have to convert to Krisflyer.

Factoring conversion from one to another it seems like the points required for J are about the same although Krisflyr has better availability and at a longer lead time than Velocity.

 

[jase05]

Why obviously? Aren't SQ suites avail with Velocity points?

I believe at one point they said First was coming back to Velocity but it hasn’t happened yet and I doubt it will anytime soon

 

[FlyingFiona]

You can't book First/Suites directly with Velocity, you have to convert to Krisflyer.

Factoring conversion from one to another it seems like the points required for J are about the same although Krisflyr has better availability and at a longer lead time than Velocity.

Thanks, good to know. I'm new to Velocity (having been a QFF collector for years until I saw sense!) but a massive fan of SQ after recently travelling quite a few long haul flights in J with them. So I'm predominantly looking to convert Velocity to Krisflyer.

 

[N0mad]

i recall reading somewhere that when buying points through Velocity they are counted as a foreign transaction. Can anyone confirm this? thinking of potentially buying some points as we often utilise SQ redemptions.

 

[SomeRando]

i recall reading somewhere that when buying points through Velocity they are counted as a foreign transaction. Can anyone confirm this? thinking of potentially buying some points as we often utilise SQ redemptions.

The T&Cs do state: Points Booster transactions are processed outside of Australia. The member is responsible for any additional fees charged by the member’s financial institution in connection with the Points Booster transaction.

I used my Ubank card so it was fee free. YMMV.

 

[ozstamps]

i recall reading somewhere that when buying points through Velocity they are counted as a foreign transaction. Can anyone confirm this? thinking of potentially buying some points as we often utilise SQ redemptions.

I hope not. Surely Virgin would need to state any foreign transaction fees up front? The $3500 fee for top level gets pricey is more fees are added.

I am sure some here using regular credit cards can advise.

 

[FlyingFiona]

I hope not. Surely Virgin would need to state any foreign transaction fees up front? The $3500 fee for top level gets pricey is more fees are added.

I am sure some here using regular credit cards can advise.

From the Velocity website:

 

[ozstamps]

It says IF there are fees you are paying them - my question again is ARE there fees?

 

[FlyingFiona]

It says IF there are fees you are paying them - my question again is ARE there fees?

It doesn't say if, it says banks generally do. Don't you know whether your bank charges you fees for foreign transactions? Mine does, so yes, there are fees!

 

[oz_mark]

It says IF there are fees you are paying them - my question again is ARE there fees?

Entirely depends on the card you pay with. Virgin can't possibly know the agreement between you and your credit card provider.

 

[ozstamps]

I think my standard cards have a 3% or so fee for 'foreign transactions' if this is how this one is viewed. No one else who used a regular ozzie card has confirmed this.

So Virgin Australia, an Australia, company selling Velocity Miles to almost entirely Australians, slugs most of them $100 or so in needless fees to do it on highest tranche? A nasty and needless surprise to many I am sure.

Why on earth would they not process this simple transaction within Australia, dodging all fees to your clients?

 

[jase05]

I think my standard cards have a 3% or so fee for 'foreign transactions' if this is how this one is viewed. No one else who used a regular ozzie card has confirmed this.

So Virgin Australia, an Australia, company selling Velocity Miles to almost entirely Australians, slugs most of them $100 or so in needless fees to do it on highest tranche? A nasty and needless surprise to many I am sure.

Why on earth would they not process this simple transaction within Australia, dodging all fees to your clients?

I’m guessing it’s because Points Inc look after that side of things. They are a Global loyalty company based in Canada and many airlines and hotels use them

 

[ozstamps]

Well Virgin do seem to manage to sell airline tickets within oz and charge locally, so selling points would be .01% of that volume.

Why outsource things like that?

 

[SomeRando]

Most points programs are managed by a third party so it's nothing out of the ordinary.

Everyone, even those who rarely travel, should get a card that's fee free anyway. Macquarie, Up, Ubank, ING all do just off the top of my head.

Anyway, I booked my trip today using my bought points. SYD-SIN in suites then first class to Heathrow and returning in J from CDG. About $360 in fees so I'm happy.

 

[ozstamps]

Most points programs are managed by a third party so it's nothing out of the ordinary.

Managed by a FOREIGN Third Party - meaning near all their clients pay a totally un-necessary 3% or so - do Qantas?

Virgin Finances move in weird ways -- paid some taxes today, and they show as originating from Virgin at BAMAGA!

I've been to BAMAGA .. a near entirely aboriginal settlement population 1100 persons, at the tip of Cape York, facing Thursday Island, indeed PNG - the most northern point of Australia - if there is a bank branch or a PO there, I'd be astounded.

Maybe they outsourced charging tax collection to the locals here? Very odd.


10 Jul

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA 994012 BAMAGA
$14.69
10 Jul

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA 994012 BAMAGA
$749.64
10 Jul

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA 994012 BAMAGA
$749.64

 

[drron]

I bought my points late on the 10th so they would miss my next statement. And so it happened. But also no fees for a foreign payment.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Managed by a FOREIGN Third Party - meaning near all their clients pay a totally un-necessary 3% or so - do Qantas?

It was a good pick up.

But perhaps many buying points would have a foreign ‘fee free’ credit or debit card for these purposes. Or justify the cost because they’ll be accruing points on the total purchase. If you earned 3500 velocity points on your card, that’s between $35 and $50 in value.

 

[burmans]

It was a good pick up.

But perhaps many buying points would have a foreign ‘fee free’ credit or debit card for these purposes. Or justify the cost because they’ll be accruing points on the total purchase. If you earned 3500 velocity points on your card, that’s between $35 and $50 in value.

Personally I think the OP is barking up the wrong tree here. Plenty of organisations are global these days and hence potentially forex fees apply. But financial institutions differ in whether they charge based on the (presumably processing) location or currency. Not really a Virgin problem but a CC provider problem and yes, in an increasingly global world we should understand the fees our CC provider charges.

And yes, I do know which of my cards to use in this situation.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Personally I think the OP is barking up the wrong tree here. Plenty of organisations are global these days and hence potentially forex fees apply. But financial institutions differ in whether they charge based on the (presumably processing) location or currency. Not really a Virgin problem but a CC provider problem and yes, in an increasingly global world we should understand the fees our CC provider charges.

And yes, I do know which of my cards to use in this situation.

TBH, buying points from VA or QF I might have assumed it was aussie based.

I’d want the warning of any conversion fees to be pretty prominent.

 

[Brissy1]

From the Velocity website:

View attachment 396352

ACCC guidelines :

https://www.accc.gov.au/system/files/1651FAC_FX%20busines%20guide%20Disclosure%20D02.pdf

"...including a prominent statement during an online order process..."

Prominent?