Email received from VA - Share your thoughts, and lunch with our Velocity CEO

[lovestotravel]

Personally I’d like the to actually make Platinum tier more worthwhile. I understand it works for some but isn’t that appetising for many as well.

- I hear the VIP lounges are basically empty from my CEO, why not allow Plats in x times a year?

- Fix the watered down Upgrade benefit for Plats which has been devalued to point of not caring about

- I know Priority Boarding was raised before but I think they need to revisit this new policy that has thrown a spanner in the works of something that worked ok previously

100% the VIP lounges are a waste of time/space

Let platinums flying J in perhaps or platinums once per year etc

 

[twinaisle]

Let platinums flying J in perhaps or platinums once per year etc

The platinums who status pool or the ones who fly for it?

 

[RooFlyer]

The platinums who status pool or the ones who fly for it?

Don't care, as long as we status matchers get in

 

[jase05]

The platinums who status pool or the ones who fly for it?

No Pooling.
Or ideally create a higher tier level (also non pooling)
If you earn 2000SC’s on your own without pooling you probably deserve to have access to the beyond lounge

 

[twinaisle]

No Pooling.
Or ideally create a higher tier level (also non pooling)
If you earn 2000SC’s on your own without pooling you probably deserve to have access to the beyond lounge

Yeah I agree

 

[MarkD]

No Pooling.
Or ideally create a higher tier level (also non pooling)
If you earn 2000SC’s on your own without pooling you probably deserve to have access to the beyond lounge

Yeah nice idea, but logistically its not going to happen. Then wait for the “ im still platinum, ive still accrued x amount of points, thereby denying my wife, husband, dog, cat, child, step child and many others the possibility to reach silver status”. In reality i pool my wifes points and status, but she usually only flies a couple of times a year and contributes maybe 100 a year to mine. These would otherwise be wasted. It doesnt benefit me as i am usually around the 700 per year at the moment so gold is sweet spot for me ( so much less flying than 8 years ago where i flew 4000 sc in a year)

 

[serfty]

I wonder if this is related to the following:

Virgin Australia "Milestone Announcement" June 1, 2023

So, the date has been scheduled for some big announcements at Virgin Australia for loyal VA passengers :) The event will be known as "Milestone Announcement". Who is excited to see what perks, additions and changes might be announced on the day...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

Maybe gauging reactions?

 

[lovestotravel]

The platinums who status pool or the ones who fly for it?

Remove family pooling of SC's

 

[Ade]

No Pooling.
Or ideally create a higher tier level (also non pooling)
If you earn 2000SC’s on your own without pooling you probably deserve to have access to the beyond lounge

Yeah I agree

Or, say that as long as the total SC tally is at least 2500 and at least 75% (or a certain %) is self-earned, then qualify for a tier above WP that also provides access to beyond lounge, amongst other benefits.

QF-WP1 is at 3600, with at least 2700 (75%) in QF metal - VA can do something similar.

This will entice pax to keep flying VA past WP qual (or re-qual) ...

 

[twinaisle]

Remove family pooling of SC's

Or you can pool to gold and any status above that has to be self earn

 

[SYD]

Or you can pool to gold and any status above that has to be self earn

Or WP must be X SCs on VA metal! A la QF WP1.

Gees, VA loyalty are getting some great "enhancement" ideas just from this thread!

 

[clarkkent]

Don't change anything about family pooling, one of the best features of the velocity program.

 

[twinaisle]

Or WP must be X SCs on VA metal! A la QF WP1.

Gees, VA loyalty are getting some great "enhancement" ideas just from this thread!

Would make it fair for the ones who truly fly and earn though

 

[MooTime]

WP Flexi upgrades are great perk.
On the east coast to either Darwin or Perth.
Flexi price very different on these routes.
Other routes meh.

I agree with a tier above WP, but Virgin continue to say they are different, they don't do what others do and WP+ would be pretty close to a copy.

Family status pooling here to stay, it appeals to leisure / families, what VA about.

Yet to travel o/s since VA rebirth but very happy with the partners in QR, SQ & United.

Now;
* Remove fly ahead for SG.
* Add Fly later as pointed out upthread to WP. 2 passes.
* Give WP flying J on revenue ticket a ~$20 terminal voucher for airports without a lounge, given paper voucher at bag drop.
* 2 upgrades to J from choice fare between East coast (Inc Tas & SA)
* Increase WP req'd SC to 1200 / 1000.

 

[jase05]

Don't change anything about family pooling, one of the best features of the velocity program.

I’m happy for family pooling to stay as is but I’m all for introducing a higher tier where family pooling doesn’t count. I think the best frequent flyers need to be rewarded for their loyalty

 

[twinaisle]

I’m happy for family pooling to stay as is but I’m all for introducing a higher tier where family pooling doesn’t count. I think the best frequent flyers need to be rewarded for their loyalty

Yes, the true VA frequent flyers who fly and often go above the required SC number that retains it. Too many infrequent platinums who have matched or pooled and don't know the way VA operate which isn't fair to the OG status holders.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yes, the true VA frequent flyers who fly and often go above the required SC number that retains it. Too many infrequent platinums who have matched or pooled and don't know the way VA operate which isn't fair to the OG status holders.

Interesting you mention that. Do crew have any indication of the different levels of platinums?

 

[lovestotravel]

Interesting you mention that. Do crew have any indication of the different levels of platinums?

I have noticed no difference to treatment on board since becoming Platinum sadly

That being said I usually travel in J and the service is always great

 

[Vic]

Or give the platinum more guess access for family members so they don't have to use pooling to make sure there is enough combines status so that the 4 or 5th family member can use the lounge for holidays.

Then again, imagine the potential for family Lord of Flies action. Maybe VA should set up a fish bowl in the airport terminal where a series of hunger games are used to weed out the family member who gets to sit in the food court.
It could also provide entertainment to the security queues... some people might even diverge away from security screening to watch.
May the odds be ever in your favour...

 

[twinaisle]

Or give the platinum more guess access for family members so they don't have to use pooling to make sure there is enough combines status so that the 4 or 5th family member can use the lounge for holidays.

Then again, imagine the potential for family Lord of Flies action. Maybe VA should set up a fish bowl in the airport terminal where a series of hunger games are used to weed out the family member who gets to sit in the food court.
It could also provide entertainment to the security queues... some people might even diverge away from security screening to watch.
May the odds be ever in your favour...

More access for families? VFF is generous enough with people guesting other airline pax into the lounge without flying VA. They should tighten this up like QF are doing.

It's total mayhem in the lounge when delay and disrupts hit and I wonder how many people in the lounge at those times are guests of a SG/WP or have been guested in prior and make it their home.