International Upgrades with points?

[mannej]

Yes they get a bit of income from Credit Cards but I suspect more from paid tickets. Lower status members can still redeem tickets anyway and they are most likely lower status as they do not fly a lot, buy cheaper fares or a combination of both. Whilst there is capacity control, if it's a free for all it would still limit the availability for this who have higher status and revenue spend with Virgin.

I never said it is a free for all. If status is the main factor here, why not include silver members as well?

 

[random111]

It's a step in the right direction!

Would be great if upgrades were available more than 7 days out, as with this current offer I wouldn't buy a flexi in the hope of securing an upgrade, but would if I knew a few days after purchase. Too much risk of ending up in Y for 14 hours if going to LAX.

 

[Justinf]

I may have jumped the gun regarding my own personal situation.
Are the upgrades available on a booking originally made using Velocity points? I have a MEL-LAX-MEL booking made using points, but now I am thinking I will not be able to request an upgrade because the original booking would have to be made usuing moolah ($).

 

[dandandan]

12.8 Flight Upgrades are not available on:
12.8.1 Reward Seat fares,

I may have jumped the gun regarding my own personal situation.
Are the upgrades available on a booking originally made using Velocity points? I have a MEL-LAX-MEL booking made using points, but now I am thinking I will not be able to request an upgrade because the original booking would have to be made usuing moolah ($).

 

[Justinf]

bummer. thanks Dan.

 

[dandandan]

And I am saying if it's a free for all it's not an incentive to get to a higher level if you have heaps of points. I take it you are silver? what are you with QF?

I never said it is a free for all. If status is the main factor here, why not include silver members as well?

 

[MandM]

So how does this compare to QFF? I assume long haul is 3601miles+

If you look at SYD-LAX at 7491 miles it makes it 45K to upgrade from PE to Biz on both VFF and QFF. So that eg. is equal to Qantas.

But anything under 7001 miles VFF is more expensive...

If you look at Saver/Discount E to PE then it's 45K on QFF and 45K on VFF. Same again, except less than 7001 miles and QFF is less.

So in a nutshell, it is the same because only LAX and AUH (both 7001+) are available?

 

[Shy180]

Sweet - so has anyone actually had this confirmed by upgrading a booking?

 

[mannej]

And I am saying if it's a free for all it's not an incentive to get to a higher level if you have heaps of points. I take it you are silver? what are you with QF?

What does it matter what my status levels with any airline is?

It may be a step in the right direction yes, but still a work in progress.

 

[dandandan]

Well you are saying it should include Silver members as well but unfortunately it's not. I am guessing you are Silver and got points through a credit card offer or maybe you switch some QF business to Virgin. Borghetti was the master behind the QF Frequent Flyer strategy so he is obviously making a point of difference with Virgin as a result, this being one that only top status members get the intl's points upgrades for now.

What does it matter what my status levels with any airline is?

It may be a step in the right direction yes, but still a work in progress.

 

[777]

I have a simpler theory... the IT system is cough and for now they need to manually process all these upgrade requests. Hence, they are best to limit it to Gold/ Plat until they get their systems in order (i.e. migrate to sabre and get it up and running). After that we'll see.

 

[mannej]

Well you are saying it should include Silver members as well but unfortunately it's not. I am guessing you are Silver and got points through a credit card offer or maybe you switch some QF business to Virgin. Borghetti was the master behind the QF Frequent Flyer strategy so he is obviously making a point of difference with Virgin as a result, this being one that only top status members get the intl's points upgrades for now.

Nice assumption but well off.

Nothing you have stated has changed my opinion that it is still a work in progress...

 

[dandandan]

So secretive are you! unfortunately your past posts have a lot of information.

Nice assumption but well off.

Nothing you have stated has changed my opinion that it is still a work in progress...

Where have you said that any of this change is a work in progress, your opinion is/has been that this should be for Silver members as well.

 

[mannej]

So secretive are you! unfortunately your past posts have a lot of information. Where have you said that any of this change is a work in progress, your opinion is/has been that this should be for Silver members as well.

Fine - I will repeat myself here.

Whatever status I am doesn't feature in my opinion on this one. Hence my reason for not bringing it into this discussion as it is not relevant

and

It is still a work in progress. (I have stated this before). There is room for improvement (and I am not saying that the QF system is that great either, but that is well documented), and yes I believe that it should be opened up, but with differential availability for each tier of hierachy.

 

[dandandan]

We are having a good little battle aren't we, lets just leave this one at this.

Fine - I will repeat myself here.

Whatever status I am doesn't feature in my opinion on this one. Hence my reason for not bringing it into this discussion as it is not relevant

and

It is still a work in progress. (I have stated this before). There is room for improvement (and I am not saying that the QF system is that great either, but that is well documented), and yes I believe that it should be opened up, but with differential availability for each tier of hierachy.

 

[robd]

Oooh, I was waiting for Virgin to offer this enhancement. I am nothing status atm, but will be gold by mid Dec. I have chosen Virgin for my last two international flights and my next one later this month. I choose to travel in PE and certainly wouldn't waste my hard earned points (by flying and CC spend) on discount economy flights for long haul, but would definitely use them for upgrades if it were offered at my level (non).

I certainly understand the status thing. I reconcile it to thinking, let's say I have been working in a position for 5 years, and a new employee comes along and gets paid the same as me. Whaaaaat?

Perhaps as a compromise for Silver members (as a work in progress) upgrades could only be had from Economy Flexi to Premium Economy and above?

 

[mickeyc747]

It doesnt make that much off a difference if you are not a status passenger. Based on Average fares for Septmber October

SYD LAX Return J class points and payment for the first one

Cost of one way SYD LAX 94000 points+ $425 tax and one way business class around $3000. Dont need Status for that.

Cost of a return Y+ $3285 and 90000 points to upgrade a return trip. $140 less and 4000 points less status needed

Cost of a return Y $4935 and 90000 points and status needed no one would do it.

 

[robd]

It doesnt make that much off a difference if you are not a status passenger. Based on Average fares for Septmber October

Cost of one way SYD LAX 94000 points+ $425 tax and one way business class around $3000. Dont need Status for that.

Cost of a return Y+ $3285 and 90000 points to upgrade a return trip. $140 less and 4000 points less status needed

Cost of a return Y $4935 and 90000 points and status needed no one would do it.

I've obviously had too much red tonight.......

Not understanding this at all. Maybe I'll comprehend it tomorrow, when I will also regret this post. Lol.

 

[mickeyc747]

I've obviously had too much red tonight.......

Not understanding this at all. Maybe I'll comprehend it tomorrow, when I will also regret this post. Lol.

It is based on doing SYD LAX return.

 

[robd]

It is based on doing SYD LAX return.

Ok you have forced me to befuddle my "red wine" head and reconsider your post.

$6k on a J return Syd-Lax, but with Y+ and 90,000 pts, same outcome. Thats $2.7k or 90,000 points on top of the $3,300 from Y+, yes? The difference is, that I have already spent the money on everyday items to earn the 90,000 points.

In any event, I can't use those 90,000 points to go to J, because I don't have the status to do it.

To spend the additional $2.7k for 30 hours flying (when I've already earned it in points value) equates $90 extra per hour.

Nah. Doesn't add up that way for me.