New Charge for Velocity Bookings on EY

[deva22]

I've just checked (painstakingly slowly) several months of award availability (2x J) for March/April 2017 and can't find any availability at all!
Neither EY or SQ, only can book 'anytime' rewards...
Is this related does anyone think? I used to be able to find plenty of rewards availability

 

[robtemt]

I've just checked (painstakingly slowly) several months of award availability (2x J) for March/April 2017 and can't find any availability at all!
Neither EY or SQ, only can book 'anytime' rewards...
Is this related does anyone think? I used to be able to find plenty of rewards availability

April has been a bit tight with school holidays, but I imagine it depends on where you're going. We looked at a lot of dates in March, and May (as they become avail) from SYD - LHR/FCO/CDG - SYD (via AUH-DOH-SIN). SQ had plenty of flights back from Europe to Syd in March and May in J and F. Going over, we had to book SQ J and QR in J (with our QF points) to get to Europe. We found Saver fares on SQ without issue.

We also were looking into EY flights in F on the way back (from LHR), and did find availability, but within 5 days of their releasing the flights... These were all "Guest" available flights. It all seemed too hard (probably how they want it) to book EY in F, having to call Velocity to book, and the uncertainty if the flight would be available for velocity members or just EY guests. SQ was more transparent, easier to find flights, and frankly, we like their service and stopping over in SIN.

 

[yld200]

This is disappointing

All my long haul travel plans are >12 months away... putting together a small stash of velocity points for a special treat

 

[robtemt]

I think your wife will be happy with SQ...

You can also book further out with SQ than with EY (by about a month +/- a couple of days), so if you have massive OCD like I do, and plan way ahead, you'll do fine. With some bonus credit card offers and managing our spending to maximise points, we got there in no time (for points needed..).

 

[Franky]

Yikes! Glad I booked my reward tickets on EY already!

You and me both..

 

[PDog]

You and me both..

jealous! We want to travel to Europe in August 2017, so expect our Etihad flight might become Singapore...

 

[smit0847]

Slightly OT but does anyone know if I book EY connecting to SAA as a single redemption using VFF points whether it will price as one award or does it price separately for unrelated carriers?

 

[anat0l]

Slightly OT but does anyone know if I book EY connecting to SAA as a single redemption using VFF points whether it will price as one award or does it price separately for unrelated carriers?

My naive understanding is that since EY and SA share the same cost table, it should price as one award.

The guiding text at the top of the Points Tables page on the Velocity website says:

The Points prices displayed below are the minimum Points required on the most direct routes. Where a one-way trip includes multiple flights and a stopover, change in cabin class or multiple airlines, the Points price required will be higher[sup]2[/sup].

...and following subnote 2 at the bottom shows:

2. The Points price for a Reward Seat will be based on the total miles for all sectors in a one way journey, except where there is a break in the journey. Where there is a break in the journey, the Points price is calculated on a per sector basis. A break in the journey includes: (a) a stopover, which means: (i) in an Australian domestic itinerary, a break of journey at an intermediate point when onward travel does not take place on the same calendar day; and (ii) for all other itineraries, including those containing a domestic to international connecting flight, when a passenger arrives at an intermediate point and is not scheduled to depart within 24 hours of arrival; (b) a change in class of travel within the journey; or (c) a change in operating airline where the airlines are located in different Reward Seat Points tables.

Reading all that, you should be on one award. But the only way to find out is to try and book it by calling up.

 

[Pleb Status]

VFF have just sent me a 'customer survey', so I made sure I noted my 'displeasure' at this EY surcharge introduction on more than five different occasions.

They were very interested about my fly buys loyalty which could be interesting.

 

[JohnK]

VFF have just sent me a 'customer survey', so I made sure I noted my 'displeasure' at this EY surcharge introduction on more than five different occasions.

They were very interested about my fly buys loyalty which could be interesting.

I received a similar survey. I mentioned QFF and Everyday rewards and most of the questions were then directed at those 2 programs.

 

[pmdg7444]

hmm.....i hate to think of VFF's next deval idea. Upscale SQ KFF transfer ratio from 1.35:1 to 2.0:1.....:evil:

 

[mmchow]

hmm.....i hate to think of VFF's next deval idea. Upscale SQ KFF transfer ratio from 1.35:1 to 2.0:1.....:evil:

Hate to see that day come but....

 

[drewbles]

I rang VFF yesterday to try and change an EY F flight I have. Currently, I have an extended layover in AUH and was attempting to move to the earlier connection to LHR. Unfortunately it wasn't available. A few things were pointed out which were absolutely convoluted.

- If the earlier flight is available, a $60 change fee is applicable (that's fine, knew about that).
- If the earlier flight is available, we'll effectively cancel the booking but maintain the PNR meaning that:
* You will be refunded any taxes, fees, and charges you originally paid within three to five business days
* We will re-deposit the points into your account
* We will withdraw points from your account
* We will hold the original first segment whilst doing this, and then submit a request for the seat on the new sector
* Your fare will then be re-calculated for taxes, fees and charges and you will need to supply a CC number to pay them.

Net result should be just $60, but if taxes have changed, you may win/lose.

One thing that was read out to me when I enquired if post 18th changes would incur the $150USD per segment charges..
"You will not be charged for date/time changes. You will only be charged the new fee if you change cabins up or down or change routing"

So, it would appear that existing bookings can be changed (up to 24 hours prior to ticketed departure time) on current rules without incuring the $150USD per segment fee after 18th June if just making date/time changes.

 

[Kilo]

I've had a couple of similarly confusing calls to VFF.
One thing that stands out to me is that have very little detail about the EY fee changes at this stage.

 

[drewbles]

I've had a couple of similarly confusing calls to VFF.
One thing that stands out to me is that have very little detail about the EY fee changes at this stage.

I disagree. The agent I spoke to said "let me check the memo about the new change" and read word for word from it. Seemed pretty clear.

 

[Kilo]

I disagree. The agent I spoke to said "let me check the memo about the new change" and read word for word from it. Seemed pretty clear.

I spoke to 2 different agents and they seemed very unsure. In fact one of them said 'We don't know what is happening with those fees at this stage'
Maybe the memo hadn't been sent at that point.

It is good news if bookings can be changed after the 18th without triggering the new fees. I may just make an EY J booking for our family and change dates or cancel at a later point.

 

[Jeffrey O'Neill]

one has to wonder what's going on in the background. maybe EY is antsy that virgin has been kissy kissy outside the relationship with a chinese suitor?

love to be a fly on the wall when you get the egos from SQ / EY / NZ / bumping against a CEO who's still feeling jilted from QF and now you're bring in an outsider into the mix.

not sure what SQs reaction will be, but the amount of velocity points being converted to SQ will likely see them laughing all the way to the bank.

Considering you can add a stopover in singapore for $100 USD an SQ reward can be rather good value, allowing you to hop around asia a bit too before heading onward to your final destination.

 

[bcworld]

one has to wonder what's going on in the background.

My feeling is that this must be EY initiated based on how little notice Velocity is giving of this.

It feels a bit like Alaska's sudden no notice increase in the cost EK awards...although clearly VA doesn't have the issue that AS had with a fleet of bloggers widely publicising miles hacking methods specifically for premium EK awards.

Still, regardless of whether its VA or EY...Velocity get's no more votes from me in the Freddies etc!

 

[trippin_the_rift]

My feeling is that this must be EY initiated based on how little notice Velocity is giving of this.

It feels a bit like Alaska's sudden no notice increase in the cost EK awards...although clearly VA doesn't have the issue that AS had with a fleet of bloggers widely publicising miles hacking methods specifically for premium EK awards.

Still, regardless of whether its VA or EY...Velocity get's no more votes from me in the Freddies etc!

I think you're right re: Etihad driven change.

This highlights one MAJOR downside of not having a proper alliance in place. Partnerships mean anyone can make changes at any point.
In Oneworld for example - there is no price or availability discrimination. One airline can't charge another a different price or restrict availability for the same seat. It's very open and transparent.

No doubt VA added their opportunistic fee into the new amount as a way to generate more revenue - and - discourage Etihad redemptions over their own metal at the same time. Also by adding it as a fee it allows them to continue promoting redemptions requiring less points than the competition - despite now being the most expensive overall option in a premium cabin out of any airline on the route.

VA needs to get creative with how they look to generate new revenue moving forward. Charging members more is not the answer.

 

[Danger]

This highlights one MAJOR downside of not having a proper alliance in place. Partnerships mean anyone can make changes at any point.
In Oneworld for example - there is no price or availability discrimination. One airline can't charge another a different price or restrict availability for the same seat. It's very open and transparent.

I agree being in an alliance makes it harder to impose something like this but I think there are several examples where membership to one has still lead to different treatment. I certainly see different availability of frequent flyer seats between what QF offers and what AA offers. Then there's oneworld Emeralds being excluded from QR's First lounge. I'm sure there are a couple more but my point is I think the alliance thing is no longer what it's cracked up to be.