Is this the next big VA announcement?

[yogi]

There have been lots of VA announcements lately and we know there is another one forthcoming [in particular the reference to there are 5 letters in the word; I think it was 777 who suggested maybe it could be Delta or Air NZ] and all of the VA airlines are becoming one at the start of the new year. I was reading Plane Talking and from it -

"Another clue to the Qantas move lies in the docket Virgin Australia and Delta Airlines jointly filed with the US Department of Transportation recently in as bid to achieve approval of their trans Pacific alliance, which is still pending with a decision expected any day.

The proposed Virgin+Delta arrangement is very tight. It also specifically allows the creation of a common marketing brand for their trans Pacific services and respective domestic networks.

If we were to be mischievous, something like PacificFlyer, to bounce off the well known Qantas Cityflyer branding on its major inter city routes. There may well be something like a PacificFlyer branding coming out of this, but given the nature of the JBA, probably from Qantas not Virgin Australia. If the ACCC agrees of course."

So, if we connect the above info and the above thread, are we about to get an imminent (next fortnight or so) announcement of a joint VA / Delta Pacific crossing?

The Pacific Crossing? Virgin Pacific? Delta Pacific? Delta Australia? Pacific Flyer? Delta Virgin Pacific? etc. etc. etc.

Trans-Pacific Service Name Here
​

Delta Airlines. Virgin Australia. Together.​

 

[yogi]

The amusing thing about looking at the above post of mine is that my little promo title thing is sitting perfectly centred aligned above a set of rotating ads, one of which is a VA banner ad for VAustralia flights to LAX and SFO.

Looks almost like the ad is part of the post and vice versa.

 

[dk4]

It is waaayyyy too Aussie-centric to think that Delta would consider a "Pacific Crossing", to mean its flight to Sydney.

Logistically it may be so, but I would guess that if you were to speak with anyone in Atlanta about a "PacifcFlyer" brand at Delta, they would instantly think Japan, not Australia. LOL

Narita to remain key hub for Delta | The Japan Times Online

 

[yogi]

It is waaayyyy too Aussie-centric to think that Delta would consider a "Pacific Crossing", to mean its flight to Sydney.

Logistically it may be so, but I would guess that if you were to speak with anyone in Atlanta about a "PacifcFlyer" brand at Delta, they would instantly think Japan, not Australia. LOL

Narita to remain key hub for Delta | The Japan Times Online

That's a good point. The other name I had played with was a variation of coast to coast but couldn't adapt it well enough. I am sure they have some name thought out. Is likely to be something quite different.

 

[pshepvic]

I actually really like the Coast to Coast branding ... they could always use that for the Pacific crossing as well? The Pacific Coast to Coast

 

[Simsy85]

You know i've got to be honest...

Now that VA has J class and a smarter service, with newer planes, if they did a status match (even though they don't have lounges in DRW *hint hint*) with QFF's, i'd dump QF faster than a fat kid eats a cupcake.

that being said, i reckon the chances of that are sweet FA.

 

[777]

You know i've got to be honest...

Now that VA has J class and a smarter service, with newer planes, if they did a status match (even though they don't have lounges in DRW *hint hint*) with QFF's, i'd dump QF faster than a fat kid eats a cupcake.

that being said, i reckon the chances of that are sweet FA.

Seriously, i suggest you take a look at some of the other threads about SC runs. Shouldn't be that hard to get gold.

 

[pshepvic]

It's all very coastal/beachside isn't it ... The Coast to Coast Service, the planes are being named after beaches, so I really think the next announcement will follow that theme somehow:?:

 

[loobloke]

Especially living in DRW they give you a load of crazy routing options. You can easily get 200SC in one trip on premium for $700.

It's no longer unreasonable to achieve status doing domestic runs now at a reasonable cost. Especially for people who are enthusiast in loyalty schemes, it's not hard to work the system at all.

With these changes, I have no idea why people are expecting to be given things free. People who show no interest to loyalty to the brand are going to just take advantage of others who have earned status "the hard way".
Show some genuine interest in the brand and you might be surprised with the rewards.

And to think back in the day I used to hate the limited flight options to/from DRW...

 

[DJ 1D]

With these changes, I have no idea why people are expecting to be given things free. People who show no interest to loyalty to the brand are going to just take advantage of others who have earned status "the hard way".
Show some genuine interest in the brand and you might be surprised with the rewards.

This. I'm getting pretty tired of QFers asking for status match now that Virgin has come out with a whole slew of fantastic perks. Some of us who have been loyal to Virgin for years are now finally reaping the benefits...well, us and the crazy status runners!

 

[Justchecking]

This. I'm getting pretty tired of QFers asking for status match now that Virgin has come out with a whole slew of fantastic perks. Some of us who have been loyal to Virgin for years are now finally reaping the benefits...well, us and the crazy status runners!

Yep, the status match boat has sailed. And thats as it should be, why should the airline gift the perks which it has so expensively put in place? Shouldn't those perks be the domain of individuals who's reward it rightfully is, the top tier DJ flyers. There is however one way you can guarantee yourself a J class seat, access to the lounge and all the rest....buy it!

 

[Noob]

Giving away status just cheapens the brand....

 

[loobloke]

This. I'm getting pretty tired of QFers asking for status match now that Virgin has come out with a whole slew of fantastic perks. Some of us who have been loyal to Virgin for years are now finally reaping the benefits...well, us and the crazy status runners!

Exactly,

I don't understand where people are getting their sense of entitlement from? It's a loyalty program not a freebies program.

It was a promotion back in the day, it doesn't mean that they are just going to throw freebies at everyone again. Especially with how easy it is now for regular flyers (not frequent) to get status, I don't think the system could cope.

I think the previous status match changed the loyalties of some flyers. But I would think many more probably took advantage of the match just because they could and only really flew VA casually, taking full advantage of benefits offered for VA frequent flyers.

Now that the grass is looking greener on the other side, everyone wants a slice of the pie and expect to get it because they have been showing loyalty to VA's rival instead ...
I do believe VA deliver a better product now (if not very soon), so get on over while you can.

But hey, I myself could never justify the $$ spend on the old system. With the occasional international trips now and then, it would be sufficient enough, but there was no way a flyer like me (flights say every couple months) could sustain the SC's required every year.

Now it's entirely possible for me and I'm excited that I can earn some status finally. I've been loyal to VA, I just couldn't always $$ loyal to them ... and I'm happy. Half my flights are red-eye to/from DRW and I took them all on VA because I prefer them, over the sometimes better timed flights to DRW (well most flights to/from DRW are at stupid times so yer..). Now it feels like they are rewarding me with more than just their fantastic service over JQ and QF

 

[connieguy]

I don't understand where people are getting their sense of entitlement from? It's a loyalty program not a freebies program.

Totally disagree.

I earned 3,250 QF SCs last year and achieved QF WP and PG with 1,150 SC earned above the 1,200 SC required for WP and 2,100 SC required for PG. Trust me that is a LOT of airline miles MY butt sat in long haul, mostly -Y OW or JQ *Class seats.

I'll earn my DJ Gold and DJ Platinum with the DJ flights I will pay for according to their FF program rules. Ok I'll game the system to the MAX but hey that is my right with QF, JQ, DJ, AA, SQ, MH, etc. I decide with which airline I spend MY money with and how I route my flights, depending on what FF benefits I can BUY with the flights I PAY for from that airline.

No airline GIVES your FF benefits for nothing. YOU BUY THEM. And never forget that!!!! You are in control. Not the airline or it's FF program.

 

[loobloke]

Noooo you've got me wrong :-|

I mean,
Loyalty: You earn it by being loyal with your $$
Freebies: You earn it without spending any of your $$

Such as giving free status matches.

 

[yogi]

Question. I am sure it is probably in each airline programs T and C's but who actually owns the points that each member has? The member themselves or are they just some sort of agreement with the airline that lets you "have them"?

Or does that become a broader discussion about their value, which I remember reading once somewhere, in dollars terms, is actually very little; it's just a transaction with the airline for you to access A, B and or C.

 

[connieguy]

Noooo you've got me wrong :-|

I mean,
Loyalty: You earn it by being loyal with your $$
Freebies: You earn it without spending any of your $$

Such as giving free status matches.

I have never had a Status Match or many opup upgrades that I did not pay for. I fly mostly international long hauls, in -Y, in a exit row seat I pay for. About 1 in 5 flights I have enough points to to do a J upgrade.

So I game the system to the max to get SCs and Miles at as low a cost as I can.

 

[loobloke]

I'm not saying you aren't earning it ... because you are earning it the same way I intend to, by doing silly routing.

My comments are directed at QFF who whinge about why VA aren't giving the a status match, because you and me are earning it with our bums on VA seats, not on QF seats.

 

[connieguy]

I'm not saying you aren't earning it ... because you are earning it the same way I intend to, by doing silly routing.

My comments are directed at QFF who whinge about why VA aren't giving the a status match, because you and me are earning it with our bums on VA seats, not on QF seats.

LooBloke I have never followed what others do. Let them whinge to their sorrow. We are smart enough to know how to game the DJ SC system to our advantage. Some may think us weird. But we will reap the DJ Platinum rewards well before others will.

I suggest a DJ WP (Wanker Platinum as that is what all the other DJ FF tiers will call us) Lounge meet in say 3 months (Mel or Syd or both) with VR (Velocity Rewards) as well (hey VR you buy the first shout!!) after DJ announces the DJ Platinum requirements for us DJ SC Runners. The Beer will be cold as will the Champs and White and the Red will be very nice.

You OK with that goal?

Maybe make a new Topic for DJ WP lounge meets?

 

[samiam]

Remaining Off Topic for a moment...

...I thought we were discussing VA's next big announcement. How did the discussion deteriorate into status, entitlement and others' whinging?

All 'pointed' remarks and labelling do is cause anger and frustration - which, IMO, is not in the spirit of sharing our experiences to maximize the lots or little that we fly- no matter the airline or the programme.....that's why I'm here, how about others?

.../OT