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.