Major changes to Velocity Frequent Flyer announced 17/10/24

[MEL_Traveller]

I've never seen those types of numbers for priority.
I see them enforce priority-only passengers in the priority queue a lot now, which is nice to see, also, keep in mind that after status holders begin dropping like flies 2025/2026 (under the new earn rates), that'll be a much lower number boarding via priority

5-7pm on the SYD-MEL route…

That’s if course when they actually offer PB. Most if the time they like to give priority about 10 seconds, then board the general lane as well.

 

[simmomelb]

5-7pm on the SYD-MEL route…

That’s if course when they actually offer PB. Most if the time they like to give priority about 10 seconds, then board the general lane as well.

I've always managed to be one of the first 10 -15 pax to board, but I've never noticed queues behind me that long.
Either way, as I mentioned, those numbers are without doubt going to drop off later next year and continue to drop into 2026.
I don't expect to see many, (sure there will be some), leisure-only flyers by mid-2026, in priority, other than those that have purchased Econ X or treated themselves to J.

 

[MG1]

I wonder whether it's worth making some last minute bookings during the current VA sale, or wait and hope that they gave a DSC sale prior to April.
I'm currently WP and can push to retain WP with relative ease for this membership cycle (no hope for bookings made after April). I'm unfortunately too far away to push for FG though.
I'm wondering whether there's any point now as I'll need to spend too much to get to FG. Decisions, decisions.
It's such a shame that Velocity have decided to nuke their program. There were other ways that they could've gone about the changes.

 

[simmomelb]

I wonder whether it's worth making some last minute bookings during the current VA sale, or wait and hope that they gave a DSC sale prior to April.
I'm currently WP and can push to retain WP with relative ease for this membership cycle (no hope for bookings made after April). I'm unfortunately too far away to push for FG though.
I'm wondering whether there's any point now as I'll need to spend too much to get to FG. Decisions, decisions.
It's such a shame that Velocity have decided to nuke their program. There were other ways that they could've gone about the changes.

You can always book some cheap seats in J now and if DSC comes along before then, cancel your flight for a full refund and rebook under DSC.

 

[drron]

I’ve seen the priority line longer than the general line a couple of times at MCY. And they do police it. Always a couple who try and move over to the priority lane and then get told to go back to the end of the line.
I’m usually towards the front of the general line.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I've always managed to be one of the first 10 -15 pax to board, but I've never noticed queues behind me that long.
Either way, as I mentioned, those numbers are without doubt going to drop off later next year and continue to drop into 2026.
I don't expect to see many, (sure there will be some), leisure-only flyers by mid-2026, in priority, other than those that have purchased Econ X or treated themselves to J.

Exactly! Old config 737 has capacity of 176.

30 of those are economy extra, and another 8 are business… thats already 20% entitled to priority. Then add any plats not successful in economy X plus all the golds! Easy to get to 30%+ in the priority lane!

 

[antycbr]

Rewards from the Cocos & Keeling Islands – or Christmas Island for that matter – always seemed tricky to find, in my experience. Have you found otherwise?

I believe these are subsidised by the Commonwealth Department of Territories so are not eligible for reward seats. You also couldn’t use the annual family trip benefit on these sectors.

 

[RooFlyer]

Aside from being able to ‘fly forward’ by calling at any time of the day, I can’t think of any platinum benefits that were worthwhile for plat pax travelling in business class.

I agree that travelling biz mostly negates the need for status, but with VA's plat e-mail, on the 3 to 4 occasions I've had to use it, it was answered within a day and yes, actually addressed my query or request.

 

[MG1]

You can always book some cheap seats in J now and if DSC comes along before then, cancel your flight for a full refund and rebook under DSC.

Was certainly thinking about doing that @simmomelb - thank you for confirming that this isn't a silly idea.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Platinum charge card would only give lounge access on domestic flights, not flying SQ?

I think you’re missing the point of AmEx Platinum charge cards. You get access to one of the most comprehensive lounge networks in the world, meaning in many cases you’ll get lounge access irrespective of who you are flying and what airport you are flying from. The AmEx lounge network consists of the following:

• Priority Pass lounge access for yourself and guess at hundreds of airports around the world when travelling any airline.
• AmEx Centurion lounge access at dozens of international airports globally including SYD, MEL, SFO and DEN to name but a few
• Plaza Premium lounge access at the few airports that have them
• Airlines lounge access when flying that airline: Lufthansa Business (when flying Lufthansa Group airlines), Virgin Australia (when flying on a Virgin Australia flight), Delta Airlines (when flying any Delta flight aside from basic economy)

And the number of lounges the have access to are big. Take Sydney as one example: you’ve got access to the Virgin Australia and Rex lounges in terminal 2. Then in Terminal 1 (international) you have the House lounge, AmEx Centurion, and Plaza Premium lounges. Oh and that includes the Plaza Premium arrival lounge at the international terminal meaning when you get off that red eye flight, you can pop in take a shower and have a breakfast like a civilized person.

 

[SCM]

Just thinking, is it possible to comment on VA's submission for QR to become their exclusive partner heading to Europe? Is it being reviewed by ACCC or anything?

 

[JohnK]

Guess you can get the priority pass benefits to the primary card holders and the additional card holders who can use the lounge benefits.

I'd say we can sacrifice lounge access or fly JQ ex-BNE utilising QF Lifetime Gold. Need to make sure we book early enough to avoid award availability issues.

 

[serfty]

I'd say we can sacrifice lounge access or fly JQ ex-BNE utilising QF Lifetime Gold. Need to make sure we book early enough to avoid award availability issues.

I'm sure you'd be impressed by the $1450 annual fee (alleviated somewhat by an annual $450 travel credit).

Of course, you could just buy a Priority Pass membership:

Priority Pass Lounge Guide: Save up to 20% on Membership

Even if you're not a frequent flyer, you can enjoy access to airport lounges around the world with a Priority Pass membership.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

or Lounge Pair:

LoungePair Guide: Access Airport Lounges for Less

With LoungePair, you can save money when buying one-time access to over 400 airport lounges. Plus, AFF Silver, Gold & Platinum members can get a special discount.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[JohnK]

I'm sure you'd be impressed by the $1450 annual fee (alleviated somewhat by an annual $450 travel credit).

Too much and not sure I'd be able to get one now with my troubles.

I don't drink much now so lounge membership is not that important. And golf clubs and most of my golf clothes are in Thailand.

I'll look at Priority Pass later for wife/daughter.

 

[henrus]

Just thinking, is it possible to comment on VA's submission for QR to become their exclusive partner heading to Europe? Is it being reviewed by ACCC or anything?

Yes you have until 31 October and can be done on an online form:

Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways

Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways (the Applicants) seek authorisation to engage in cooperative conduct under an integrated alliance including:

www.accc.gov.au

 

[lobo76]

Hmnnn I guess the total cost of maintaining Platinum will be somewhere about $8-9k?

If you played the game you used to be able to get a few flights at $4-5 per SC and you could almost always do better than $12/SC.

I can't see myself chasing status after this year. I suppose there's a few people here happy to hear people like myself will drop out.

For a recreational only flyer it feels like there are better options now like Priority Pass or Amex Charge for lounge membership. Automation has reduced the benefit of skipping the checkin queues. You can buy a seat in economy-x if you want priority boarding and legroom etc.

What does that leave really?

I guess I'll shoot to maintain this year then drain my 450k points balance as I drop down the tiers.

 

[kamchatsky]

These days I don’t see lounges are of much value because of the quality of the food and drinks offered, and airport food court are much better equipped these days and serves much better food. So for me I don’t bother chasing statues and don’t really bother with Amex or Priority Pass either, except if it is free as part of the credit card promo.

 

[henrus]

Hmnnn I guess the total cost of maintaining Platinum will be somewhere about $8-9k?

Based on the new model it'll mean $12,000 spend to obtain platinum and a $9600 spend to retain. Currently it's possible during a DSC to obtain for under $2k so this is a much larger jump.

 

[MooTime]

I don't see why some say I'll drain my velocity points now that I can't retain whatever status I have under the changes. Heard this theory a few times in this thread.

I have ~800k velocity points, have no intention using them for sake of using them as my status will stop in time
Plan to use in couple years, regardless of status. Maybe they'll be avois by then, ha!

Used a bunch recently on return trip to Fiji, 6/8 seats in J.
Rewards points, be it VFF or QFF or other o/s airlines are very handy regardless of status.

 

[antycbr]

Used a bunch recently on return trip to Fiji, 6/8 seats in J.
Rewards points, be it VFF or QFF or other o/s airlines are very handy regardless of status.

Indeed, VA point redemptions are also not prioritised/restricted to high status pax like QFF where platinums get first go at premium awards before they are released to lower tiers.

Having said that I did get two J seats on LATAM to SCL as a lifetime bronze QFF, so it is possible.