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

[clifford]

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned before, but it's now clear to me why VA Velocity has come up with these changes. just look at the CEO's CV...

Principal, The Boston Consulting Group Mar 2004 - Jul 2011 · 7 yrs 5 mos

Budget Analyst, Department of Finance and Administration Mar 2003 - Mar 2004 · 1 yr 1 mo

 

[MooTime]

Try Sydney lounge during peak, it can honestly be hard to find a seat, particularly if they haven't opened upstairs :/

On another note, I am currently calculating the status credits, new vs old for business between MEL - OOL.
Currently earns 80SC, on the current sale fare price of $319 that will drop to 26 status credits (319/12).
It sure will be difficult keeping status levels if all you do is chase sale fares.

Yeah no peak times for me anymore, hence not seeing this sardines scenario.

I remember being knock back years ago in Syd lounge in peak as silver cos was full.

Ool trips great cash value, just not if chasing status. $319 amazing price.

Could say who needs status when paying that price!

 

[RooFlyer]

Still continuing on the theme of lounges, BNE lounge this morning Wi-Fi speed 110 MBps. Was crowded when I got in at about 10:30 am had to hunt around but I found a seat; now a 11:45 I can see quite a few spots vacant. I won’t edit at my previous post but clearly it’s not always crowded.

 

[AdMEL]

One of the problems in MEL is the lack of staff to clear up. Tables are often piled high with used crockery during the busiest periods. And they run out of plates and bowls as well

When I was in the SYD lounge a few weeks ago for a 6.30pm flight to MEL on a weekday, the same problem was apparent - downstairs was very full and upstairs was open, with no service other than some chips, and the tables upstairs were full of used crockery which wasn’t cleared for more than an hour.

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

VA is not going to improve if

1. they don't improve their partner offerings, and
2. they don't join an airline alliance.

The Qatar investment probably doesn't help with the joining of an alliance.

As well as QR being in OW, within OW they own 25% of IAG (BA and IB), 10% of Cathay an 49% of Rwandair (rumoured as a potential OW member). They'd have to either

• Be happy for VA to join one of the other alliances
• Somehow force QF out of OW which as a founding member might be impossible
• Blow up OW by leaving and potentially taking some of their investee airlines with them

 

[RooFlyer]

VA is now having a sale... presumably to soften the blow. Good chance to get those future bookings in before April!

Virgin Australia On Sale

Virgin Australia on sale. Check out the latest flight specials on offer. http://specials.virginaustralia.com/

specials.virginaustralia.com

email has just dropped for me. Very good that it actually highlights flights and cost from my home port rather than just some random one.

Be happy for VA to join one of the other alliances

i’ve said before that I'd love QR to have VA put into star alliance.

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

i’ve said before that I'd love QR to have VA put into star alliance.

That would be a surprise, they have no stakes in any *A airlines, their incentive would be to get people onto airlines they have a stake in.

 

[RooFlyer]

That would be a surprise, they have no stakes in any *A airlines, their incentive would be to get people onto airlines they have a stake in.

Yes, but it would be entertaining wouldn’t it?

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

Yes, but it would be entertaining wouldn’t it?

If QR didn't have the right to block it (which I doubt), that would quite a VA board meeting to be a fly on the wall at:

Bain: "Thanks for paying $xx_ for 25%, we're now going to sign VA up to an alliance which isn't aligned to your broader interests"
Qatar: ""

 

[justinbrett]

At the end of the day, people just want Ansett back. We all do.

But VA (as DJ) killed AN. Deliberately (according to the latest interview with Brett Godfrey).

So you're stuck with VA. Suck it up. The failure of VA1 suggests they're going to stop trying to be Ansett.

VA2 is a new thing.