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

[ozstamps]

I like one suggestion somebody made in this thread and that is to just go after the cheap domestic seats and purchase annual lounge access. Then maybe just go for (if possible) cheaper Business or Preminum Economy seats when flying international.

That will save you heaps of $$$ and give you much more flexibility. A no brainer really (and it's what I am doing). Velocity have priced themselves out of the market.

Agree, as I posted earlier - THE dumbest time in HISTORY to heavily mess negatively with their FF plan when they are hoping to float, and offer buyers an apparent loyal and stable rusted on FF core base.

They are driving MASSES of folks to Jetstar and Qantas, and share buyers will see this when market share figures keep rolling out giving less of the market pie each month to Virgin, as will most certainly occur. Heaps of part interested flyers still are not totally aware of the New Deal earning regime, and will vote woth their wallets I am sure.

They are the clear #2 out of #2 airlines, and this year was the one to ENGENDER and reward loyalty, and not actively drive it away.

Not to give me pretty measly Lifetime Gold after 10 years as Platinum, simply as I booked many revenue Biz trips to Europe direct with Etihad, as they offered more and faster options, is just insulting. This crazy system that a large chunk of SC needs to have been booked via Virgin we knew nothing about 5 years back - prices were the same - it was never an issue.

We both have lifetime United Gold, so get access to Virgin lounges, extra baggage, priority boarding, and check in etc already, and am Virgin Plat for another 12 months, and in a year will gift my wife Platinum so will have Economy Plus seats for years anyway.

I'll use Velocity points, or book Lite fares etc. Indeed, I have about a million Qantas points I never touch - they'll get a workout for Biz domestic redemptions from now on. And for overseas, we will book whichever revenue carrier is lowest priced I can get some kind of points on. Money loss on all 3 counts to Virgin. Genius management. And many will follow suit, as the posts above prove.

And to top it off, appoint yet another AMERICAN to head the Company at this time in history. Quite a few folks out there will book Qantas as a protest if fares are similar - or indeed cheaper as Jetstar is. Do not underestimate the way the politicial winds are blowing lately. Albo is talking up BUY AUSTRALIAN and many will heed it. The Flying Kangaroo is about as ozzie as it gets to many. Talk about being tone-deaf in all arenas.

They have shot themselves in BOTH feet with all this raft of very heavily NEGATIVE changes, at THE very worst time possible to do it.

Dumber than dirt.

 

[ozstamps]

You are not reading or understanding the point. Or both.

Etihad flights booked via Virgin all count - 100%.

Etihad flights booked via Etihad for same money and flights do not, in their wackadoodle new Math announced years AFTER they were booked and flown.

Dumber than dirt.

 

[RooFlyer]

I

You are not reading or understanding the point. Or both.

You’re possibly correct. I’m reading it that you booked and flew with Etihad, years ago, booking direct with EY, with no involvement in Virgin. And Virgin didn’t give you gold.

And then something to do with the fact that Virgin changed it’s frequent flyer earning regime recently?

Right?

 

[jeppetto367]

I


You’re possibly correct. I’m reading it that you booked and flew with Etihad, years ago, booking direct with EY, with no involvement in Virgin. And Virgin didn’t give you gold.

And then something to do with the fact that Virgin changed it’s frequent flyer earning regime recently?

Right?

They're saying that for 11 years (2013-2024) VA were saying you could fly on any airline they're partnered with and your Status Credits would be treated the same for the purposes of status/loyalty (whether VA/EY/etc).

Now VA is going ahead and saying we'll reward your loyalty, but we're introducing this new metric that we never told you about these past 11 years, so your credits are now not as valuable. Had customers (like the above poster) known they most likely would have booked VA flights.

Interestingly if you booked VA coded partner flights (EY/DL/etc) you were actually worse off as you couldn't select seats and easily modify your booking (and this is the same even now). So many (such as the above poster) would have avoided VA coded flights due to this.

It's just a kick in the teeth for people who have followed the rules and are now being told the hard earned cash they spent wasn't good enough.

 

[MooTime]

They're saying that for 11 years (2013-2024) VA were saying you could fly on any airline they're partnered with and your Status Credits would be the same (whether VA/EY/etc).

Now VA is going ahead and saying we'll reward your loyalty, but we're introducing this new metric that we never told you about these past 11 years, so your credits are now not as valuable. Had customers (like the above poster) known they most likely would have booked VA flights.

Interestingly if you booked VA coded partner flights (EY/DL/etc) you were actually worse off as you couldn't select seats and easily modify your booking (and this is the same even now). So many (such as the above poster) would have avoided VA coded flights due to this.

It's just a kick in the teeth for people who have followed the rules and are now being told the hard earned cash they spent wasn't good enough.

What about the new deal that VA have introduced Life Time Gold?

You didn't know that for just dozen years.

Just moving forward your int flights garner few less SC's, always been in the T&Cs that can give notice and these things can change just another devaluation in the airline business, a expected over time.

 

[jeppetto367]

What about the new deal that VA have introduced Life Time Gold?

You didn't know that for just dozen years.

Just moving forward your int flights garner few less SC's, always been in the T&Cs that can give notice and these things can change just another devaluation in the airline business, a expected over time.

Yeah I understand re the change to less credits moving forward, things like this are expected and I'll probably still maintain VA Platinum so doesn't really bother me.

What annoys me is that they decide to offer LT Gold and then split your previously earned credits into two piles based on a metric they never told us about. If it just affected all credits moving forward it would be understandable, but no one was ever told they'd be penalised in the future for booking the wrong type of fare.

 

[MooTime]

Yeah I understand re the change to less credits moving forward, things like this are expected and I'll probably still maintain VA Platinum so doesn't really bother me.

What annoys me is that they decide to offer LT Gold and then split your previously earned credits into two piles based on a metric they never told us about. If it just affected all credits moving forward it would be understandable, but no one was ever told they'd be penalised in the future for booking the wrong type of fare.

Ok I understand your point.

But considering there was never a LTG prospect in the past, tough to be critical of this aspect.some of ones flying doesn't count in full context for a new LTG offer.

I don't see this as being too outrageous, but understand some see it differently.
Many past SCs cut in value.

 

[HS-TQE]

You are not reading or understanding the point. Or both.

Etihad flights booked via Virgin all count - 100%.

Well, the "international 'codeshare' passengers" aren't VA's market anymore though, even if passengers flew VA in the past to get said status to access for their international codeshare network.

In a way, VA are listening by saying "we're a (primary) domestic airline now!" by pulling out of most international (through their own flying and ways of redeeming them), so it's a bit of a be careful what you wish for.

They're still offering International Partnerships, but Bain choose to take that risk by putting in the rule that 50% of the flying has to come from VA in their primary market as a "domestic carrier".

 

[jeppetto367]

Well, the "international 'codeshare' passengers" aren't VA's market anymore though, even if passengers flew VA in the past to get said status to access for their international codeshare network.

In a way, VA are listening by saying "we're a (primary) domestic airline now!" by pulling out of most international (through their own flying and ways of redeeming them), so it's a bit of a be careful what you wish for.

They're still offering International Partnerships, but Bain choose to take that risk by putting in the rule that 50% of the flying has to come from VA in their primary market as a "domestic carrier".

But 75% for life time for some reason.

 

[Happy Dude]

That will save you heaps of $$$ and give you much more flexibility. A no brainer really (and it's what I am doing). Velocity have priced loyalty to themselves out of the market.

FTFY

For clarity that is. I hope their fares will remain competitive but like most, I will be looking elsewhere now and getting benefits from elsewhere too.

 

[RooFlyer]

They're saying that for 11 years (2013-2024) VA were saying you could fly on any airline they're partnered with and your Status Credits would be treated the same for the purposes of status/loyalty (whether VA/EY/etc).

Now VA is going ahead and saying we'll reward your loyalty, but we're introducing this new metric that we never told you about these past 11 years, so your credits are now not as valuable. Had customers (like the above poster) known they most likely would have booked VA flights.

Ah; that's clearer, thanks. I missed it in the OP amongst all the bold and CAPITALS and BOLD CAPITALS and 'dumber than dirt's .

Seems by some arguments that Velocity has gone backwards in offering Lifetime Gold. I dunno about that. I suspect that, 10 years ago, if someone was contemplating EY or VA earn, where EY had 'more and faster options', they still would have gone EY, rather than some notional status years and years away.

Its just like Qantas introducing Lifetime Platinum. 75K SCs. Yes, earned on any qualifying OW flight, but I never heard anyone complain "Gee, had I known about QFF LTP 10 years ago, I would have flown Qantas back in 2015, not SQ (etc)."

VA LTG is a new program - they want people to fly on VA code going forward (AKA loyalty). Can't have 1 rule backwards and another one forwards.

Anyway, I'm in the same boat as everyone else. Not losing any sleep over it, and certainly not posting repetitive rants over it.

 

[MH_fan]

I'm not a fan of the changes with Velocity but my attitude is that "it is what it is". I'm being pragmatic about it. Hey, at least there's a Forever Gold (lifetime gold) now when there previously wasn't. I'll fly them when it suits me and if that gets me status, then great. If not, so be it. I already have LTG with QF (and therefore OW). I don't think I'm too far off VA's FG (probably just need a couple more years). It's at least achievable unlike QF's LTP.

 

[anat0l]

But 75% for life time for some reason.

...and Platinum Plus.

Its just like Qantas introducing Lifetime Platinum. 75K SCs. Yes, earned on any qualifying OW flight, but I never heard anyone complain "Gee, had I known about QFF LTP 10 years ago, I would have flown Qantas back in 2015, not SQ (etc)."

They certainly didn't complain that way; they just complained it was a ludicrous, even mocking, target.

Funny enough, just like QF LTP, for VA FG, there will likely be a "sizeable" number of people who will have that status already (viz. when FG comes into being, some will instantly have the status; this was also QF's claim when LTP came into force).

I am assume VA is figuring that once the new programme starts and their partnership with QR is a solid go, getting "VA flights flown by you" (there's got to be a better term for these) SCs will be significantly easier for those who they believe earnestly will earn and deserve Platinum Plus and/or FG.

 

[Vic]

TL: DR
So does the 50% VA requirement mean the 8 flight segment requirement is going away?


I see some discussion about lifetime gold. It's a new thing!!!!!!!!!

The argument that they didn't tell you 11 years ago about the earning requirement for something they don't have then but will have in 11 years is pure nonsense.

They've introduced something new and they have introduced new rules for the new thing.
11 years ago they told you status earned on other airlines would count this year for status with VA. [FULL STOP] That's it!

They never made promises about the future. No future value for that status. You signed on with that condition, that is what you accepted. Be thankfully that those spent/defunked status credits are worth anything. Cause they could've said, lifetime from now, no backdating.

 

[anat0l]

TL: DR
So does the 50% VA requirement mean the 8 flight segment requirement is going away?

Yes, the 8 flight segment requirement is going away.

That said, for Platinum, instead of 8 VA segments, you need 500 SC on VA flights flown by you. A blind calculation of domestic or short haul international travel means you'd have to spend $6000 to get those 500 SC (assuming no SC bonus promos or the like, and of course more dollars if you only buy Lite fares). Even in Business, that $6000 is likely more than 8 segments (and remember that's just to get the 50% VA SCs required; you then need another 500 SC to actually get Platinum). For retention, it becomes $4800 for the prerequisite SCs.

Once VA flights on QR get up and running in earnest, you could get your prerequisite SCs in less than eight segments, but likely still a lot of money then: for example, SYD-DOH on VA/QR would earn 160 SCs in Business, so 2 return trips would easily get you the prerequisite SCs and then some on the way to / retaining Platinum, but that's not small scratch.

 

[kamchatsky]

I don't know why anyone is so upset about VA's rule for LTG. After all, this is VA2.0. They could completely ignore what you have earned in VA1.0 when it went to administration in 2020. I.e. Your past flights, SCs were as good as dead in 2020. VA 2.0 is a completely different company. VA 2.0 did not have to take into account VA 1.0 SCs at all.

We should be happy that they even that that into account. Technically they only have to start counting the SCs from 2020 onwards.

 

[henrus]

We should be happy that they even that that into account. Technically they only have to start counting the SCs from 2020 onwards.

I got my account export from Velocity and it was quite entertaining to see old VA domestic flights from over 10 years ago plus a handful of Delta and Air New Zealand flights. Whilst I have no where near the 12,000 credits needed it's amusing knowing they'll be included on my progress to lifetime gold.

 

[odysseus]

I don't know why anyone is so upset about VA's rule for LTG. After all, this is VA2.0. They could completely ignore what you have earned in VA1.0 when it went to administration in 2020. I.e. Your past flights, SCs were as good as dead in 2020. VA 2.0 is a completely different company. VA 2.0 did not have to take into account VA 1.0 SCs at all.

We should be happy that they even that that into account. Technically they only have to start counting the SCs from 2020 onwards.

Of course it's up to them - but it's in their interest.

If they were to discard all the flights people had previously taken, so you had to start from 0, people would be ticked off and just as inclined to start from 0 with QF. After all - they don't lose anything by leaving but VA would have said their past business was of no value - which defeats the whole purpose of a 'loyalty program'.

Plus it's not costing significantly more - the bulk of people who get LTG will already have current year gold or plat status. So the marginal cost of the few additions of people who met it but no longer do would be negligible in the scheme of things. So, given they decided they would offer LTG,, calculating based on past credits is the most sensible way.

 

[fkcn]

Of course it's up to them - but it's in their interest.

If they were to discard all the flights people had previously taken, so you had to start from 0, people would be ticked off and just as inclined to start from 0 with QF. After all - they don't lose anything by leaving but VA would have said their past business was of no value - which defeats the whole purpose of a 'loyalty program'.

Plus it's not costing significantly more - the bulk of people who get LTG will already have current year gold or plat status. So the marginal cost of the few additions of people who met it but no longer do would be negligible in the scheme of things. So, given they decided they would offer LTG,, calculating based on past credits is the most sensible way.

If they had said that from now/Oct, only VA flights wouid be counted towards LTG, but that all previous flights which credited to VA regardless of airline (as they were all considered equivalent before) would also be counted, that would seem fairer.

 

[aaronm]

Will wait and see how far I end up from LTG but in my view the bigger issue is that it will cost ~$4800 to simply retain Gold status. It's hard to see the value there. For self-funded/leisure flyers it's probably cheaper to just buy a J seat or lounge access when you need it and at that point loyalty isn't a factor.