New Charge for Velocity Bookings on EY

[bwhouse]

It should be noted that SQ redemptions are still better value for money than QF/EK redemptions. So although very disappointing, when correctly structured with other points earning opportunities, VFF still has some advantages over QF.

Agreed, whilst I am annoyed at the change as I was keen to try EY apartments. This just makes SQ even better value, especially for F redemptions.

 

[arkady]

Great idea - I've passed on my annoyance via social media

 

[Danger UXB]

Appreciate if you can advise on the small print once you find out as I am interested in doing the same

Ok the small print

Flight Time and Date Changes
- Permitted, subject to availability
- Changes to each flight sector must be requested at least 24 hours prior to scheduled departure of that sector
- Changes are subject to a 7,500 Points or $60 charge per guest per booking.
- Fare differences may be payable and other restrictions apply, see “General information” below.

I think the crucial bit is the highlighted bit.

Then further down it says this

General Information
- Depending upon what fares are available through our Membership Contact Centre, the fare for your new booking may be higher than the original.
- You must pay any fare difference between the fare for your new booking and the original fare.

Again my highlighting. So I think that scuppers my plan ( que Muttley laugh "Sassafrassarassum Rick Rastardly!").

Back to the drawing board... again.

Oh the ever shifting playing field, never a dull moment here in AFF land.

 

[mmchow]

Ok the small print

Flight Time and Date Changes
- Permitted, subject to availability
- Changes to each flight sector must be requested at least 24 hours prior to scheduled departure of that sector
- Changes are subject to a 7,500 Points or $60 charge per guest per booking.
- Fare differences may be payable and other restrictions apply, see “General information” below.

I think the crucial bit is the highlighted bit.

Then further down it says this

General Information
- Depending upon what fares are available through our Membership Contact Centre, the fare for your new booking may be higher than the original.
- You must pay any fare difference between the fare for your new booking and the original fare.

Again my highlighting. So I think that scuppers my plan ( que Muttley laugh "Sassafrassarassum Rick Rastardly!").

Back to the drawing board... again.

Oh the ever shifting playing field, never a dull moment here in AFF land.

I was kinda expecting that but hoping for a good news. On the other hand, wouldn't think VA/EY would be as generous as AA with date/time change without being hit with the new award chart. Double hit is a little harsh and left some sour note on us but that's the beauty of this game; you win some you lose some.

 

[edy4eva]

It's all in good faith, has anyone been able to find F seats on EY recently to begin with? From EY/AA side they're visible and bookable, but VA says no.

 

[Danger UXB]

It's all in good faith, has anyone been able to find F seats on EY recently to begin with? From EY/AA side they're visible and bookable, but VA says no.

Yep. Booked MEL ZRH in Jan next year on 29 May just before the chart changed. I did find one on EY GVA MEL that VA could not see

 

[codash1099]

I'm not a Velocity or Etihad fan (my Velocity account has been stuck on 0 since I joined) but a couple of things occur to me:

1. Coles deal through Flybuys may start to look a bit sick
2. This may be a good way for Etihad to get at least some dividend out of their Virgin investment.
3. I wonder whether this sort of thing would happen if VA were in a proper alliance. (All right, it could but would it?)

/Shields up.

 

[JessicaTam]

Wow!!!!!!!!

I'll second that. :evil:

 

[robtemt]

Agreed, whilst I am annoyed at the change as I was keen to try EY apartments. This just makes SQ even better value, especially for F redemptions.

I concur. We were up in the air about SQ F Suites vs. EY Apartment, but looks like they made our mind up for us. Really s#@t move after just changing the points required as well.

 

[ghesselberg]

Time to get booking!

 

[JessicaTam]

Time to get booking!

Belated welcome to AFF, ghesselberg.

 

[Kilo]

It's all in good faith, has anyone been able to find F seats on EY recently to begin with? From EY/AA side they're visible and bookable, but VA says no.

Yes I booked F MEL - AUH - JFK last week

 

[infinity]

Yes I booked F MEL - AUH - JFK last week

I looked at similar EY flights today and the SQ F equivalent is almost half the points and a few hundrend dollars more.

Can't see me taking anymore EY apartments ( was great for single travel but not as good for a couple ( c.f. SQ)

Even if you send points ot SQ from VA its still cheaper to do SQ in R/F

 

[amaroo]

How on earth did you get 2million points??

All you need is a few ATO bills

 

[Cryptarcadian]

That's even more outrageous if they're not honouring the original prices paid for any date changes — VA even explicitly said they would do that when the points table devaluation itself occurred.

In theory, this would then apply to anybody who has already booked prior to the announcement, but needs to make a change in the future? Surely that kind of retrospective rule change would not permitted, given this is a new charge and not a fare (points) difference?

I'm still not over how terrible this change is. I'm in the same boat along with everyone else who amassed a large stash of VA points with the explicit intent of redeeming them for EY F apartments. I just haven't been able to find time/availability yet. It's not just another enhancement, but truly a change on the "why even bother with VA any more" level. :evil:

 

[mmchow]

Got an F apartment booked from AUH-JFK on 22/11 that I will not be using. If anyone is interested in that seat/ flight before the changes kick in, let me know and we'll coordinate the cancellation/ booking (hopefully VA can see the returned award). I will also post this in the appropriate page (still looking for it).

 

[Kilo]

That's even more outrageous if they're not honouring the original prices paid for any date changes — VA even explicitly said they would do that when the points table devaluation itself occurred.

In theory, this would then apply to anybody who has already booked prior to the announcement, but needs to make a change in the future? Surely that kind of retrospective rule change would not permitted, given this is a new charge and not a fare (points) difference:

Surely these new fees only apply for new bookings made after the 16th? That's the way I read it.

 

[deva22]

What a bunch of c-bombs. I was planning a Europe trip next year in J... I *really* wanted to see what the Etihad experience was like. Looks like I'll be transferring to SQ instead. Now I just gotta figure out how to add a Infant ticket to 2x Adult reward tix

 

[Brendan Wheeler]

This sucks!!! Way to go VA, you've lost my loyalty.

 

[RTH]

That's even more outrageous if they're not honouring the original prices paid for any date changes — VA even explicitly said they would do that when the points table devaluation itself occurred.

In theory, this would then apply to anybody who has already booked prior to the announcement, but needs to make a change in the future? Surely that kind of retrospective rule change would not permitted, given this is a new charge and not a fare (points) difference?

I'm still not over how terrible this change is. I'm in the same boat along with everyone else who amassed a large stash of VA points with the explicit intent of redeeming them for EY F apartments. I just haven't been able to find time/availability yet. It's not just another enhancement, but truly a change on the "why even bother with VA any more" level. :evil:

When I first read about this last night (on here) I rang Velocity due to the fact I have two upcoming bookings (all booked late last year) one economy and one business all EY that I need to move dates the economy one I'll be changing probably this week but the Business class not until early July (wanting to move flight to late May next year).
So with the business class flight as only be moving dates original point honored but at this stage they couldn't tell me is the new "carrier charge" that come in from 18-Jun would be waivered for bookings that were made before 18-Jun, they currently have no details regarding and just said call back later this week and they may know the answer by then (apparently the Velocity call centre team were godsmacked when they were informed of the additional charge). If worse case scenario for this booking I'd probably cancel it transfer the points to KF and book with SQ.

Also I think its been stated here but this charge for Business/First is double what Ethiad guest program introduced last year as carrier reward charge, Economy matches but the Business /first increase really, with future bookings certainly won't be redeeming for EY flights anymore.