Chip in Velocity Card

[nufnuf]

I was just playing with the NFC reader in my Galaxy S3 going through the cards in my wallet and I noticed that the Velocity card has a chip in it similar to the Qantas card.

Does any one know what Virgin they have planed for their card? Podiums for check-in like Qantas? It seems that at the moment Virgin are using the barcode instead of the chip on the back for everything, even the scanners in the lounge use the barcode instead of the chip. Thoughts about any upcoming enhancements? Or just future proofing cards?

 

[DGW]

I'm thinking it might just be future-proofing, based on the fact that my old WP card (issued Dec 2011) has one, and from memory the SG card before that had one too. So they've had tags in the cards for at least 18 months (perhaps since the new branding/cards were rolled out?) and I haven't seen a use for them yet.

 

[dandandan]

Does self check in to the lounge use the chip?

I was just playing with the NFC reader in my Galaxy S3 going through the cards in my wallet and I noticed that the Velocity card has a chip in it similar to the Qantas card.

Does any one know what Virgin they have planed for their card? Podiums for check-in like Qantas? It seems that at the moment Virgin are using the barcode instead of the chip on the back for everything, even the scanners in the lounge use the barcode instead of the chip. Thoughts about any upcoming enhancements? Or just future proofing cards?

 

[Comoman]

The self check-in terminals have a chip reader in the top. Touch your card to the top.

 

[wallacej]

My plat card issued in July has no chip...fyi.

 

[dandandan]

So nufnuf, there is one instance where they use the chip.

The self check-in terminals have a chip reader in the top. Touch your card to the top.

 

[dandandan]

My plat card does not either, unless it is a hidden chip?

New Plat card is due to come soon, been sitting on review since 26 Feb. Does the word Platinum seem to rub off on others cards as well? mine is completely rubbed off and you can see basically some of the m. Could make it interesting in partner lounges.

My plat card issued in July has no chip...fyi.

 

[samh004]

My plat card does not either, unless it is a hidden chip?

Yes, it's hidden.

 

[notzac]

My plat card issued in July has no chip...fyi.

If you look closely, you'll probably see a square-ish outline on the card above the logo in the bottom-right corner .. that's the chip.

 

[DC3]

So, some have the chip and some haven't?

 

[wallacej]

If you look closely, you'll probably see a square-ish outline on the card above the logo in the bottom-right corner .. that's the chip.

Well, I could not see the outline you mention, yet, interestingly, I turned on the NFC function on my phone, and sure enough, there is something inside...now to spend the rest of the day working out what the NFC function actually does on my phone

 

[clarkkent]

Annoyingly it interferes with the Go Card readers in Brisbane. No longer can I tap my wallet, alas.

 

[nufnuf]

I thought that the scanners in the lounge read the barcode on the back of the card. I put the card up to the window when I entered the lounge. The top didn't seem to work for me. I guess my old gold card may not have had a chip. My current silver one definitely does though.

 

[Comoman]

I thought that the scanners in the lounge read the barcode on the back of the card. I put the card up to the window when I entered the lounge. The top didn't seem to work for me. I guess my old gold card may not have had a chip. My current silver one definitely does though.

The self check in terminals work at the top - not the lounge entry scanner thingy....

 

[bullerdude]

The self check in terminals work at the top - not the lounge entry scanner thingy....

Everytime i've been in the lounge recently the scanner has been off anyway

 

[Fantic125]

So, some have the chip and some haven't?

Just had a look at my old Plat card from last year, and my current Gold card and they both have the chip. You can see the outline when you bounce the light off it.

 

[Jousams]

both my old silver card, issued July 2012 & my current gold card issued november 2012 both have the chip.
My old lounge member card (issued august 2012) does not have the chip though.

 

[totd]

both my old silver card, issued July 2012 & my current gold card issued november 2012 both have the chip.
My old lounge member card (issued august 2012) does not have the chip though.

The lounge card is only used for access to the Lounge, not self-checkin. The VA website also mentions that standard lounge members are not entitled to use self service entry:

Lifetime lounge members and Velocity Platinum and Gold Members can also access the lounge via Self Service Entry. Located in the reception of each lounge, simply tap or swipe your card and follow the prompts for streamlined lounge entry.

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Virgin Australia's Airport Lounges | Virgin Australia

IMHO, it does seem a bit rude to not provide expedited access to people that are specifically paying for access to the lounge.