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

[drron]

Make sure the water bottle is corrosion proof - have you tasted the Hardy's wine in the VA lounges lately?

The Riddle was better.

 

[SCM]

Two questions further;

1. Any predictions on how this will impact EY partnership overall? F lounge access for plat? Maybe it will stop after April, or maybe October?

2. Just to get it right, my period is April -> April. I already have plat secured for next cycle (from April 25 to April 2026) - but what I'm wondering is, if I meet the criteria for renewal to April 27 (so next next, ie. between April 25 and October 25 I meet all criteria under current rules to renew) but before the October changes, will it renew my status yet again at the time I reach SC and segments criteria - OR will it wait until April 2026 (my next next renewal date) to check criteria for 2027?

I hope this made sense.

 

[odysseus]

Two questions further;

1. Any predictions on how this will impact EY partnership overall? F lounge access for plat? Maybe it will stop after April, or maybe October?

2. Just to get it right, my period is April -> April. I already have plat secured for next cycle (from April 25 to April 2026) - but what I'm wondering is, if I meet the criteria for renewal to April 27 (so next next, ie. between April 25 and October 25 I meet all criteria under current rules to renew) but before the October changes, will it renew my status yet again at the time I reach SC and segments criteria - OR will it wait until April 2026 (my next next renewal date) to check criteria for 2027?

I hope this made sense.

If you make your bookings prior to 2 April 25 for the coming year (to April 26) they will earn at the current SC rate. Thus, if you're able to book the flights sufficient to earn 800 SC before then, and at least half are on VA flight numbers, when your April 26 renewal comes around, you will be renewed til April 2027. Renewal is done at the renewal date though (April 26) so you will have the 50% requirement in place then, not the sector count.

 

[elanshin]

Two questions further;

1. Any predictions on how this will impact EY partnership overall? F lounge access for plat? Maybe it will stop after April, or maybe October?

This question is not for this thread but the QR acquisition thread. If QR gets their agreements in place bye bye everything EY is the current understanding (and SQ to Europe). See the ACCC fillings they made.

 

[jakeseven7]

This question is not for this thread but the QR acquisition thread. If QR gets their agreements in place bye bye everything EY is the current understanding (and SQ to Europe). See the ACCC fillings they made.

Ugh don’t say that, how depressing.

 

[serfty]

2. Just to get it right, my period is April -> April. I already have plat secured for next cycle (from April 25 to April 2026) - but what I'm wondering is, if I meet the criteria for renewal to April 27 (so next next, ie. between April 25 and October 25 I meet all criteria under current rules to renew) but before the October changes, will it renew my status yet again at the time I reach SC and segments criteria - OR will it wait until April 2026 (my next next renewal date) to check criteria for 2027?

For avoidance of doubt, If your next review date is before 1st October 2025 and you ticket bookings before 2nd April for travel AFTER your next review date, then SC earn for that travel will be at the current zone/class/carrier based system. Anything ticketed from 2nd April will earn SC at the new rates.

As for when the new regime kicks in, the following indicates it would be based on your subsequent review date (or next review date if on/after 1st October 2025). If that is before 1st October 2025 then WP would be 800+/1000+ SC and 8+ eligible segments. Otherwise, 400+/500+ SC on VA flights with total SC earn for all sources of 800+/1000+.

Changes to Status

www.velocityfrequentflyer.com

Changes to the way you maintain or upgrade your Status membership​

From 1 October 2025, we are making some changes to the way you qualify for Status. The number of Status Credits required to upgrade or maintain your Status membership will stay the same, however, Eligible Sectors will no longer be used. Instead, to upgrade or maintain to Silver, Gold, and Platinum Status, you will be required to earn 50% of your Status Credits on Virgin Australia marketed flights flown by you ².

². From 1 October 2025, Eligible Sectors will no longer be required to upgrade or maintain your Status level. To be eligible to upgrade into Silver, Gold, and Platinum Status, Velocity members must earn the required Status Credits during the previous 365 days, with at least 50% earned on Virgin Australia marketed flights flown by the member. To be eligible to maintain Silver, Gold, and Platinum Status, Velocity members must earn the required Status Credits during their Benefit Period, with at least 50% earned on Virgin Australia marketed flights flown by the member. Status Credits earned through Partner Airline marketed flights, Family Pooling, Flybuys or an eligible Velocity Points earning credit card will not count towards the minimum requirement of Status Credits to be earned on Virgin Australia marketed flights flown by the member. For more information on how many Status Credits are required for Silver, Gold, Forever Gold,Platinum and Platinum Plus membership levels, click here. Your Status Credit balance may go up or down on a daily basis as credits are earned or expire. To view your up to date balance visit My Velocity.

 

[SYD]

This question is not for this thread but the QR acquisition thread. If QR gets their agreements in place bye bye everything EY is the current understanding (and SQ to Europe). See the ACCC fillings they made.

Relevant to Status earn, assuming SQ remain a FF and SC earn partner, you’ll still get SCs on SQ to Europe etc. Just won’t be able to get the VA codeshare (I think I read that’s already been rolled out?) - so the additional impact flying SQ (and EY - if they stay) will make it harder to attain/retain VA status.

 

[jase05]

Already receiving questionnaires and feedback emails from VA so will be interesting to see if they scale back a few planned changes

 

[MooTime]

Already receiving questionnaires and feedback emails from VA so will be interesting to see if they scale back a few planned changes

Would be mildly amusing to hear the below from Nich Rohrlach just reworded as it was for an opening paragraph rather missing the nastie bits.

"We have listened to feedback that our members want to be better recognised for flying regularly with Virgin Australia and to be able to fly domestically for even fewer Velocity Points^. The changes announced today will balance the program towards these needs, while ensuring we continue to provide you with great value in the Australian market."

 

[justinbrett]

(and EY - if they stay)

EY is gone completely. No international codesharing or loyalty program on any airline headquartered in the middle east or Africa.

The only thing EY can do is codeshare on VAd. They might switch to QF now, could even book on EK codes now that they have a partnership which is only expanding.

 

[RooFlyer]

Already receiving questionnaires and feedback emails from VA so will be interesting to see if they scale back a few planned changes

Hope I get one - I'll say "Go for it!".

 

[SYD]

EY is gone completely. No international codesharing or loyalty program on any airline headquartered in the middle east or Africa.

The only thing EY can do is codeshare on VAd. They might switch to QF now, could even book on EK codes now that they have a partnership which is only expanding.

EK - EY merger is still a potential. Maybe I’ll get to go to the new EY 1st lounge after all!

 

[jase05]

EK - EY merger is still a potential. Maybe I’ll get to go to the new EY 1st lounge after all!

When we were there recently there were several clips on the news and daily finance shows stating that EY is in the best financial state they have been for a long time and that they have a heap of ambitious ideas and strategies and that although they are working on some partnerships a merger is not on the cards and that it won’t happen

 

[justinbrett]

When we were there recently there were several clips on the news and daily finance shows stating that EY is in the best financial state they have been for a long time and that they have a heap of ambitious ideas and strategies and that although they are working on some partnerships a merger is not on the cards and that it won’t happen

The thing is EY is backed by the richest emirate (Abu Dhabi). Although Emirates the airline is more successful, Dubai has had money troubles recently (which is why it’s the Burj Kalifah, not Burj Dubai as it was originally intended. The Emir of Abu Dhabi bailed out Dubai).

With ongoing competition with QR, completely reasonable to see a AF/KL style partnership that continues to serve both hubs under their respective brands. They’re already moving towards it with interline and open jaw tickets (into one hub and out of the other).

 

[HS-TQE]

EY is gone completely. No international codesharing or loyalty program on any airline headquartered in the middle east or Africa.

The only thing EY can do is codeshare on VAd. They might switch to QF now, could even book on EK codes now that they have a partnership which is only expanding.

EY are already almost gone and reduced to a unilateral Domestic Codesharing arrangement (the reverse of the NZ agreement) but with VFF EY redemptions added for VA passengers.

I'd suspect the EY/VA unilateral domestic codeshare will go when it clears FIRB and ACCC under QR's orders. They won't want their nearby local rival carrier's feed on their investment.

EY switching their domestic codeshare from VA to QF isn't out of the question either.