How to get your Velocity status recognised by Delta ground staff?

[Warks]

Am a VA SG and have booked my Delta flights for the upcoming trip with my VA number hoping to get the Gold benefits (luggage and boarding) but I've heard people say on here that Delta staff often know nothing of Velocity and when shown the card still don't get it as the name Virgin Australia doesn't appear on the card. Looking at it now it looks like some sort of Visa card for a company called 'Velocity'. Staff may well have a list of partner airlines at hand but may not know anything about Velocity so what can one do to avoid being treated like any other flyer?

Appreciate your help.

 

[williamsf1]

Am a VA SG and have booked my Delta flights for the upcoming trip with my VA number hoping to get the Gold benefits (luggage and boarding) but I've heard people say on here that Delta staff often know nothing of Velocity and when shown the card still don't get it as the name Virgin Australia doesn't appear on the card. Looking at it now it looks like some sort of Visa card for a company called 'Velocity'. Staff may well have a list of partner airlines at hand but may not know anything about Velocity so what can one do to avoid being treated like any other flyer?

Appreciate your help.

As long as your Velocity number is in the PNR correctly , DL have automated recognition for VA members . You should be able to log into the DL website and see " Sky Priority" noted.


When handing your card over at the lounge, make sure you present with the Velocity gold side up along with your boarding pass.

 

[serfty]

I second that advice ... just finished a DL based Velocity MR which entailed seven separate lounge visits.

I quickly got into the habit of presenting the card "Velocity" forwar and saying, "Virgin Australia, Velocity".

The debit card version has no mention of "Virgin Australia" on it, only Velocity and this caused a bit of an issue at MSP where one agent who had been presented with the card with the "Velocity" side facing her handed it to another to process; but Visa side facing. The second agent stared at it for a time before saying "This is a debit Visa; what am I to do with this?" I asked her to turn it around while telling her about Virgin Australia, Velocity and Marketing oafs ...

This credit/debit thing is compounded by there being quite a few cards floating around the USA with Skyclub entry as a benefit. The agents see "Visa" and start heading down that process.

 

[Zerosignal]

Yeah still cannot believe this has not been fixed.

 

[TomVexille]

Yeah still cannot believe this has not been fixed.

That would require VA to lean on DL and for DL to actually train their staff

 

[Zerosignal]

Simple fix it to put VA on the card like the other one.

All it says is velocity, which incidentally looks very similar to AMEX platinum velocity card.

 

[Pleb Status]

I got rid of the VA VISA FF card and went back to the standard VA FF card (this was by special request and they originally stated it cannot be done).

It has been a lot easier on SQ now to get priority baggage etc, even though it is on the boarding pass.

 

[Revolio]

I got rid of the VA VISA FF card and went back to the standard VA FF card (this was by special request and they originally stated it cannot be done).

It has been a lot easier on SQ now to get priority baggage etc, even though it is on the boarding pass.

Similarly, I never hooked into "Branson Money". The (standard, unlinked) Platinum card reads "loyalty program of Virgin Australia" - unambiguous. I've noticed however, airline staff, and hotel staff too for that matter, can become conveniently ignorant and unaware, when the occasion warrants.

 

[Denali]

I just use my luggage tag as my card at the desk - has the logo and name, no Visa to confuse the staff.

 

[Frostydog007]

To play it safe, I always travel with a spare luggage tag that clearly shows Virgin on it - but havent had to use it as the Velocity card seems to have worked for me so far

 

[Warks]

Thanks - some good advice. Must remember to dig out the luggage tags as a back up.

It looks like one of those things like the VA and Velocity websites that will never actually be fixed no matter how many complain. Be good if our friendly VA person could comment and/or take it on board.

 

[Denali]

Thanks - some good advice. Must remember to dig out the luggage tags as a back up.

I recently phoned, requesting new luggage tags. Conversation went like this:

Me: Hi. I would like to order some new luggage tags for member number blah blah blah please.
Rep: How many would you like?
Me: Three please.
Rep: You cant have three you can only have two!
Me: Well why did you ask me how many I wanted?

And I only got one in the mail.

 

[MarkD]

Funny, we have totally different experiences. I cannot fault Delta or their recognition of my virgin Status. I have flown Delta, Air NZ, Singapore and never had any issues whatsoever. Im always pleasant and not demanding and they return that respect. At the end of the day we are guests of partner airlines, so even though we are using their facilities, I always remember that I have next to zero value to them as a customer.

 

[kalboy]

I recently opted out of the Global wallet functionality and automatically received a new card after 2-3 weeks which is a standard card with the Velocity and Virgin Australia logo on the front. On the back is a magstripe, barcode and their phone numbers.

 

[newmarket]

Im always pleasant and not demanding and they return that respect.

+1. That's the key.

I've never had a problem either.

 

[Warks]

I don't think being demanding was the issue here. I'd read on here that some flyers had experienced non-recognition of status due to the card saying just 'Velocity' not Virgin Australia. I assume they weren't DYKWIAs about it as everyone who posts here is a nice person. It's possibly they experienced rudeness or offhandedness from staff but I don't know. You can be as nice as you like but if they pull the "rules are rules" on you there's not a lot you can do without support or evidence.

 

[dflyerau]

Funny, we have totally different experiences. I cannot fault Delta or their recognition of my virgin Status. I have flown Delta, Air NZ, Singapore and never had any issues whatsoever. Im always pleasant and not demanding and they return that respect. At the end of the day we are guests of partner airlines, so even though we are using their facilities, I always remember that I have next to zero value to them as a customer.

I'm pretty confident they haven't just pretended to not know anything about VA because I was stood there arguing rather than telling her how good the service had been.

 

[24601]

A while ago I flashed my gold velocity card to someone from Delta who was guarding the entry to a priority check in lane. She said "ooh!" in an admiring tone and waved me through, with an ever-so-subtle bow I like to think. Clearly she knew who I was

Lounge access was fine too.

 

[MarkD]

I'm pretty confident they haven't just pretended to not know anything about VA because I was stood there arguing rather than telling her how good the service had been.

Whatever dude as i said everyones experience is different, but being a wanker wont help you much

 

[jpk]

[QUOTEserfty;1258961]The debit card version has no mention of "Virgin Australia" on it, only Velocity and this caused a bit of an issue at MSP where one agent who had been presented with the card with the "Velocity" side facing her handed it to another to process; but Visa side facing. The second agent stared at it for a time before saying "This is a debit Visa; what am I to do with this?" I asked her to turn it around while telling her about Virgin Australia, Velocity and Marketing oafs ...[/QUOTE]

I've had problems every time I use DL in MSP, first it was the no VA on card issue, the last few times I got refused access to the priority check in line as the sign only had DL & VS & Skyteam logos, the woman said she had never heard of VA before and as it wasn't on the sign I wasn't getting in. I fed that back to VA who couldn't care less, now I book AA.