Double the Fun [Double Velocity SCs, Book by 24 Nov, Travel by 13 Oct 2020]

[Denali]

Yep. Our SYD-MELB-CHC J fares were cheaper than Y freedom fares.

 

[Jozo]

I am going to hit Platinum next week after a flight, and then I have a biz class flight booked in December from Sydney to Perth.
Is it a good idea to cancel the Perth flight and then rebook on the same flight to earn the additional 200SC during this promotion or will there be a block or something which won’t allow me to earn the extra SC

 

[ozstamps]

Depends on whether 200 SC are worth to you, the $200 or whatever cancel fee.

Virgin will not give a stuff if you do it 10 times!

WIN-WIN all round to them.

 

[knagelli]

Any tips/ideas to book return fare to AKL in mar/apr 2020 to take advantage of the ongoing DSC offer ?

 

[Denali]

Any tips/ideas to book return fare to AKL in mar/apr 2020 to take advantage of the ongoing DSC offer ?

Connect via another state and make sure its VA operated all flights.

We're flying SYD>MELB>CHC and then CHC>BRI>SYD instead of direct from Sydney. Long day but worth the SCs and prices were less than Freedom Y fares.

 

[knagelli]

We're flying SYD>MELB>CHC>BRI>SYD instead of direct from Sydney. Long day but worth the SCs and prices were less than Freedom Y fares.

Thanks @Denali

Did you use any promo code , the catch for me is that I am trying to use my Amex travel credit to make the bookings. Not sure if that will be economical to book directly on VA site with a promo code or with travel credits on Amex site.

This is what I can see currently on Amex site :

 

[Stealthflyer]

So has anyone established for sure that promo codes don’t void the double status offer? I know that using travel bank funds are okay (I asked before booking during the last DSC promotion).

 

[Dee#]

Just checked last years 2xSC fares I took 3 times between Perth and Darwin. Fare basis says LZFDO/PR/PR.

Sure sounds like promo fare code. Gosh I would have been stuffed and lost my platinum status if it hadn't worked. May not risk it. Terms might be different to Feb 19.

I've just booked 3 flights using promo codes so I really hope not! Will find out in January...

I just rang the platinum velocity desk this morning. Got someone who knew what he was talking about. If you use a promo fare its 'an offer' so you don't get double SC's . You can check but I wont be using them.

 

[Dee#]

So has anyone established for sure that promo codes don’t void the double status offer? I know that using travel bank funds are okay (I asked before booking during the last DSC promotion).

yes I rang the Velocity Platinum desk. No go on promo.

 

[Stealthflyer]

Terrific. Thanks @Dee#

I’m going to have to decide what’s more important now: the DSC or the $200 discount for international return J flights. My rational brain says the discount but then again my preoccupation with collecting FF points is anything but rational. I guess that’s why Virgin runs these promotions.

 

[Dee#]

Terrific. Thanks @Dee#

I’m going to have to decide what’s more important now: the DSC or the $200 discount for international return J flights. My rational brain says the discount but then again my preoccupation with collecting FF points is anything but rational. I guess that’s why Virgin runs these promotions.

I suggest you also ring the desk to confirm. This guy sounded pretty confident, but I don't want to give anybody a wrong answer and cost them money or SC's

 

[cqtiger]

none of the promo codes are working atm anyhow

 

[kevrosmith]

I used Promo Codes on the February DSC offer, and received both the discount on the fare AND the double status credits.

These were the T&Cs for that offer:


Are some slight changes for the November 2019 T&Cs:


However, personally, I would find it difficult to expect that the DSC promotion would be negated by a discount code on the fare. They are offering DSC when booking through Accelerate, and those fares are discounted in a very similar manner to Promo Codes. The T&Cs in the Accelerate email are the same as Velocity email.



The fare basis for Accelerate bookings uses /AC in a simliar fashion to Promo Codes, which use /PR.




Guess I'll have to wait until October next year to see if the Promo Code negated the DSC offer, but personally, I'd be surprised if it did. YMMV

 

[stig_aus]

none of the promo codes are working atm anyhow

This is definitely not true. This is using PTV47.

 

[klm597]

I also used a promo code for HKG flights booked during the February DSC offer and the flights all posted with double status credits. My fare basis also had the /PR at the end.

It seems like in practice using promo codes doesn't affect the DSC offers, at least not in the past.

 

[Jurahn]

I'm lowly Silver status now, so there's no way I was ringing Velocity to ask them anything (oh, how I miss the Gold line!). I posed the question to them on social media instead, asking "I note the Ts & Cs say this cannot be used with any other offer. Does this include using 10% promo codes for discounts on fares?" Their response is "That's correct. If this code is applied you will not earn Double Status Credits."

 

[Denali]

Thanks @Denali

Did you use any promo code , the catch for me is that I am trying to use my Amex travel credit to make the bookings. Not sure if that will be economical to book directly on VA site with a promo code or with travel credits on Amex site.

This is what I can see currently on Amex site :

View attachment 197589

No, I didnt use promo code and now Im glad.

Note that VA99 to Christchurch seems to be notoriously late to depart (30-60mins on average) so be prepared. We have Novotel Christchurch Airport Hotel bookings for Dec and the Hotel is due to open Dec 12th at this stage. Fingers crossed as I booked it at 8 points per dollar promo.

 

[Ross B]

Sorry to sound naive, but would that include Happy Hour fares?

 

[jase05]

No, I didnt use promo code and now Im glad.

Note that VA99 to Christchurch seems to be notoriously late to depart (30-60mins on average) so be prepared. We have Novotel Christchurch Airport Hotel bookings for Dec and the Hotel is due to open Dec 12th at this stage. Fingers crossed as I booked it at 8 points per dollar promo.

We were in Christchurch 4 weeks ago and the Novotel Airport hotel looked completed from the outside and the concierge at the Novotel Cathedral said that the hotel would be open at the end of November.

*edit*
have just seen that it is opening on Sunday with bookings from Monday

 

[Dee#]

From the conditions it also looks like you need to make very sure you activate the offer BEFORE you make your booking. If they are going to be strict about it.