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

[Saab34]

I’ve thrown one fare away under the previous offer due to booking so far out, and spent a bit on change fees too. It’s the change fees that are the killer. The only saving grace is when you change the flight the offer maintains with it (I don’t think it’s meant to but it’s more likely the poor IT systems at play...) But VA have a $90 change fee, vs Jetstar who have $55 change fee and a flex no fee change for $35/$45.

 

[MH_fan]

Loving the DSC offer! Booked a status run for the start of my new anniversary year and will score 760SC for under $1100!

 

[serfty]

But VA have a $90 change fee, vs Jetstar who have $55 change fee and a flex no fee change for $35/$45.

For trans Tasman I class "Business Saver" bookings, the change fee is $120.

 

[cqtiger]

change fee on elevate on virgin is $70

 

[moffat39]

Loving the DSC offer! Booked a status run for the start of my new anniversary year and will score 760SC for under $1100!

MH_fan can you let us know what trip you booked for under a $1100 for 760sc? I would really appreciate it.

 

[Stealthflyer]

MH_fan can you let us know what trip you booked for under a $1100 for 760sc? I would really appreciate it.

Yes, @MH_fan I’m curious too.

 

[serfty]

For trans Tasman I class "Business Saver" bookings, the change fee is $120.

Actually, I just rechecked and that is only assessed if the change is being made within 30 days of departure - earlier than that, there is no fee.

In all cases any fare difference applies.

 

[MH_fan]

MH_fan can you let us know what trip you booked for under a $1100 for 760sc? I would really appreciate it.

Sure! It was one of the suggested itineraries for maximum SCs from various blogs. I went with the HBA-MEL-BNE-DUD and return. I booked it through one of the OTAs (as it was about $150 cheaper than booking with VA directly). It was Fly365. Anyway, DUD works for me, as I have a very dear friend living there. I could've booked the flights from SYD and it would've been $25 cheaper but I'd have only gotten 520SC and 4 segments. So, an extra $25 to get 240SC was worth it to me. The flight timings also work well if you want to fly down to HBA from SYD that same morning and also flying back that same evening (using VA and/or JQ).

 

[moffat39]

Sure! It was one of the suggested itineraries for maximum SCs from various blogs. I went with the HBA-MEL-BNE-DUD and return. I booked it through one of the OTAs (as it was about $150 cheaper than booking with VA directly). It was Fly365. Anyway, DUD works for me, as I have a very dear friend living there. I could've booked the flights from SYD and it would've been $25 cheaper but I'd have only gotten 520SC and 4 segments. So, an extra $25 to get 240SC was worth it to me. The flight timings also work well if you want to fly down to HBA from SYD that same morning and also flying back that same evening (using VA and/or JQ).

MH_Fan many thanks for that. Unfortunatley i live in Brisbane so that will not work for me. Great status credit run for those for who it would work. I suppose i could fly to Melbourne and then start it.
Was it in J or economy and what time of the years was it?

 

[Denali]

MH_Fan many thanks for that. Unfortunatley i live in Brisbane so that will not work for me. Great status credit run for those for who it would work. I suppose i could fly to Melbourne and then start it.
Was it in J or economy and what time of the years was it?

I was going to suggest Brisbane>Melbourne>Christchurch for 560 SCs. Were doing SYD>MEL>CHC>BNE>SYD for just under $1K pp J seats (without using promo code)

 

[MH_fan]

MH_Fan many thanks for that. Unfortunatley i live in Brisbane so that will not work for me. Great status credit run for those for who it would work. I suppose i could fly to Melbourne and then start it.
Was it in J or economy and what time of the years was it?

Oh yes. Definitely not an itinerary for those based in BNE unfortunately. Flights were in J. I booked the flights to make use of the Labour Day long weekend next year. I know that it's so far in advance but I usually plan my trips up to 11 months ahead at times! And I rarely ever change my plans.
Oh, and I agree with the suggestion of BNE-MEL-CHC return in J for a status run.

 

[moffat39]

Thank you Denali and MH_Fan for the help!!! Have just booked BNE-MEL-CHC for weekend of 7 February 2020. Business saver only $961.32 return and with the double status credits I calculate that will give me 520 status credits which should get me to platinum.

I normally fly BNE-MEL in economy and from memory the cheapest I see business save one way is $499 so it looks like I get the MEL-CHC return sector for nothing extra.

 

[knagelli]

I currently have 342 status credits and my review date is in Mar 2020. Have some flights planned in next couple of months which will fetch me around 400 SCs. So If I target to get the balance status credits to reach 1000 , will I be able to jump from Silver to Platinum directly.

Based on this , I will make some bookings today for Feb/Mar to benefit from the DSC.

I am based out of Melbourne and can do status run flights over the weekend only as it is all self funded.

Appreciate your suggestions and expertise.

 

[Denali]

Thank you Denali and MH_Fan for the help!!! Have just booked BNE-MEL-CHC for weekend of 7 February 2020. Business saver only $961.32 return and with the double status credits I calculate that will give me 520 status credits which should get me to platinum.

I normally fly BNE-MEL in economy and from memory the cheapest I see business save one way is $499 so it looks like I get the MEL-CHC return sector for nothing extra.

Just checking, its VA operated flights the entire way? No AirNZ flights on the booking.

 

[Denali]

I currently have 342 status credits and my review date is in Mar 2020. Have some flights planned in next couple of months which will fetch me around 400 SCs. So If I target to get the balance status credits to reach 1000 , will I be able to jump from Silver to Platinum directly.

Based on this , I will make some bookings today for Feb/Mar to benefit from the DSC.

I am based out of Melbourne and can do status run flights over the weekend only as it is all self funded.

Appreciate your suggestions and expertise.

As long as none of the SCs drop off before you earn 1000 SCs in the 12mth period. Dont forget you need 8 sectors flown.

Hubby was Red when we left Sydney and Gold by the time we got home and Platinum a couple of months later. So dont activate your Hilton/hotel benefit while Gold if you think youre going to get to Platinum.

Othen thant the bonus points % being higher as platinum and the Abu Dhabi F lounge, I wouldnt go too crazy to make platinum. We dont even use the 4 x upgrades anymore as Ive found J seats cheaper than Y for the flights we have done lately,

 

[moffat39]

Just checking, its VA operated flights the entire way? No AirNZ flights on the booking.

Yes VA tickets. Going to CHC is VA324 and VA 99 and the return leg is VA96 and VA353

 

[jase05]

We dont even use the 4 x upgrades anymore as Ive found J seats cheaper than Y for the flights we have done lately,

Just posted on another thread that if your flexible I find the Transcon flights can be not bad value. Recently booked freedom fare PER-MEL for $665 and used a Platinum upgrade (Business Saver was $1300) It’s on the A330 aswell so hopefully no aircraft changes

 

[Denali]

Just posted on another thread that if your flexible I find the Transcon flights can be not bad value. Recently booked freedom fare PER-MEL for $665 and used a Platinum upgrade (Business Saver was $1300) It’s on the A330 aswell so hopefully no aircraft changes

We've been lucky the couple of times we went to WA on the 330 so fingers crossed.

 

[knagelli]

As long as none of the SCs drop off before you earn 1000 SCs in the 12mth period. Dont forget you need 8 sectors flown.

Thanks @Denali .
Good point , I will be flying 8 sectors by Dec 2019 so issue there. I checked again to see how many SCs expire and as of Feb 29 2020 , I will be having 679 SCs so will need another 321 SCs to go platinum.

I am thinking one way J fare on MEL-BNE-AKL and return economy. Hope this will help me cross the line without any hassles.

 

[Stealthflyer]

Sure! It was one of the suggested itineraries for maximum SCs from various blogs. I went with the HBA-MEL-BNE-DUD and return. I booked it through one of the OTAs (as it was about $150 cheaper than booking with VA directly). It was Fly365. Anyway, DUD works for me, as I have a very dear friend living there. I could've booked the flights from SYD and it would've been $25 cheaper but I'd have only gotten 520SC and 4 segments. So, an extra $25 to get 240SC was worth it to me. The flight timings also work well if you want to fly down to HBA from SYD that same morning and also flying back that same evening (using VA and/or JQ).

Living in Hobart, I feel like every international flight is a status run! Points wise it‘s great, but I’d give anything to be able to fly internationally from my home airport. Part of me wonders if Virgin hasn’t built a lounge in Hobart because so many of us low-value Hobartians have status simply because we can’t fly direct.