Is it the wrong time to consider switching from QFF to Velocity?

[kurtislee09]

I know it could probably be the wrong time to switch from QFF to Velocity, but here are my thoughts that led me here...
1) I am QF Gold now but I sort of wanna go for Platinum, which could be difficult for QFF due to its high SC requirements while Velocity is far more easier.
2) I fly domestically most of the time and Virgin has a more generous point system allowing you to earn more, especially in business
3) Flights are generally cheaper, especially business saver

But here are also some of my thoughts that are holding me back...:
1) VA is in volluntary administration and the future of it is uncertain (my main concern)
2) Lounges are not comparable to that of the Qantas Business Lounges, which looks more like a QP
3) Fewer international lounge options
4) No First Class Lounge

I'm a bit indecisive between the both programs and given that I'm QF gold already should I make the change and start all over again? Thanks!

 

[jakeseven7]

Just checking - is this a joke thread? I’m one G&T in and can’t tell

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Personally, I would stick with QFF till we know if VAversion2 will still have a VFF.
In the end, we all hope so, but its really up to the new owners, if it all works out.
I am not making any bookings with VA till July, I would just say, wait a bit.
If the new VA/VAversion2 will continue to have a VFF, then good, VAversion2 if they continue with VFF, its a good deal, lounges esp ADL is new, and the others have been redeveloped from the AN footprint, MEL, SYD, BNE, and their VA PER is a new lounge.
Also earning status with the FB twinning is a good deal too, but the new owner might stop all this.
VB when it first started, for the first 5.5 years of its life, didn't have a FF system!
The new owners of VAversion2 might decide its too expensive to have a FF system, and go totally LCC to make up for the expense of the purchase of VA.
We also need to find out if SQ will continue to have a quasi FF agreement with VAversion2, just in case if you get an urge to go up to Asia once the borders are reopened, or DL if you have an inkling for the US.
QF say they expect to start flying more domestic routes in Jul.

 

[33kft]

Yes, it's a bad time, because you have no prospect of any better deal than it has been for years now (and all of the reasons you've listed have been true for a long time), meanwhile there is a very significant chance that anything you invest into the VFF program could be lost entirely.

So is it a bad time? Yes, you have zero upside risk to changing now vs any other point in time, and significant downside risk.

 

[p--and--t]

I know it could probably be the wrong time to switch from QFF to Velocity, but here are my thoughts that led me here...
1) I am QF Gold now but I sort of wanna go for Platinum, which could be difficult for QFF due to its high SC requirements while Velocity is far more easier.
2) I fly domestically most of the time and Virgin has a more generous point system allowing you to earn more, especially in business
3) Flights are generally cheaper, especially business saver

But here are also some of my thoughts that are holding me back...:
1) VA is in volluntary administration and the future of it is uncertain (my main concern)
2) Lounges are not comparable to that of the Qantas Business Lounges, which looks more like a QP
3) Fewer international lounge options
4) No First Class Lounge

I'm a bit indecisive between the both programs and given that I'm QF gold already should I make the change and start all over again? Thanks!

Sorry, but funniest leg pull I've read for days. Then I realised you might actually be serious

Maybe you don't realise that

• VA2 has a better than 50% chance of being an airline similar to a version of Tiger.
• Banks are swapping rewards cards to programs other than Velocity (lack of confidence in the program)
• VA can't pay its nearly $8B bills and is in administration
• VA runs out of cash within a month
• VA owes Velocity a couple hundred million and the Velocity store has stopped trading (I suspect Velocity will not be able to meet all its obligations if VA goes under)
• there is no guarantee the new owners will recognise status, especially if they take the airline down market.
• there is no guarantee there will be any lounges at all under the new owners

 

[Mattg]

I would be waiting until the sale process is finalised and we see what the "new" Virgin is like before making any decisions.

 

[Dr Ralph]

'Is it the wrong time to consider switching from QFF to Velocity?'



Yes.

 

[bodog]

A bird in the hand....
Stick with Qantas and rack up those Status Credits towards LTG or Platinum

 

[AIRwin]

@kurtislee09 remember to change your pic when/if you do decide to move so we'll all know...

 

[DC3]

I know it could probably be the wrong time to switch from QFF to Velocity ..

VA2 = Tiger-minus

 

[eastwest101]

As funny as this thread is, it's indicative really a matter of customers weighing the downside, with little domestic flying available and almost no international flying available to Virgin or Qantas passengers, it's really a case of working out if there will be an airline industry in the future, and how much smaller any surviving industry will be, and if Qantas and Virgin will be going to the dustbin of history or not, Assuming they both survive its just a matter of guessing which frequent flyer and loyalty scheme will be devalued. And if only one airline survives then there is zero competitive pressure so any survivor would enhance their products and loyalty scheme anyway. And that's predicated on you having an income, and can afford to fly in the future.

Worrying about airline status levels at the moment is like being concerned about your Instagram feed during a car crash, it's pretty irrelevant in my opinion, at this point in time.

 

[jakeseven7]

My feeling has changed now, I suspect now QF will be partially / fully renationalised and VA2 will go under and disappear completely.

This is based on the impossibility of containing the virus outbreaks and the state based restrictions we are seeing in reaction.

My answer to the OP remains the same though, would forget Velocity personally. But up to you.