New VA Fare Structure

[bean]

...but you get more status credits........

lol yeah great...

You would think the numpties would realise that people willing to pay for business class either don't care about status points or already have so many that its not a primary concern.

So instead of getting $6k revenue out of me they will now get zero. Nice work. And I cant imagine there are too many others out there willing to spend $2.5k to sit up the front of a 73...$2k was already a stretch of the friendship as it was.

 

[newmarket]

This thread seems to have turned into a DYKWIA.

Just sayin'

 

[bean]

This thread seems to have turned into a DYKWIA.

Just sayin'

How is venting my frustration at a 30% increase in a anonymous forum being a DYKWIA? Normally people demanding special treatment due to some perceived superiority is reserved for the DYKWIA, not someone complaining about cost and value.

 

[Edge]

The whole thing seems like something that was put forward by a McKinsey or a BCG and presented to senior VA / Velocity executives with lots of fancy charts articulating how much this would add to the bottom line. But, as usual, they forgot about the customers.

 

[hummel]

On Brisbane to Sydney the Getaway fare is $99 and the Elevate is $179. That's ridiculous.

FWIW I was looking at MEL-OOL yesterday.

$138 saver

$141 (with promo code) elevate.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

FWIW I was looking at MEL-OOL yesterday.

$138 saver

$141 (with promo code) elevate.

Remember that to capitalise on the extra SCs, the flight has to be next year. If you are looking for this year, it's the same SCs as previous but dearer, so still a price rise. As I recall, it wasn't so long ago that a MEL-OOL on a disc. code could be bought for around the $79 mark, so the price hike (albeit not all in one hit) has been considerable (almost 80% increase).

However moving forward, VA may still have some good deals and I'll be looking for them and buying them if I find them. For me, it's now all about buying the fare that suits me whether it's on VA or JQ or QF or heaven forbid, TT and forget the dwindling value of status!

 

[hummel]

Remember that to capitalise on the extra SCs, the flight has to be next year. If you are looking for this year, it's the same SCs as previous but dearer, so still a price rise. As I recall, it wasn't so long ago that a MEL-OOL on a disc. code could be bought for around the $79 mark, so the price hike (albeit not all in one hit) has been considerable (almost 80% increase).

However moving forward, VA may still have some good deals and I'll be looking for them and buying them if I find them. For me, it's now all about buying the fare that suits me whether it's on VA or JQ or QF or heaven forbid, TT and forget the dwindling value of status!

Ok I didn't realise that. It is for this year...

But...they are selling new fares but you don't get the benefits yet? I must admit I haven't looked into it really as VA just annoys me too much with their website.

 

[Mogul]

I have been gold or platinum on VA ever since platinum was introduced. Most of my flying is Sydney to Melbourne or Sydney to Perth. I always fly on the cheapest fare to Melbourne and generally flexi's to Perth and upgrade using points. Family pooling has helped in some years maintaining status as well.

With the change to SC earn on the cheapest flights I am now seriously questioning whether or not it is still worth it. The extra $30 or $40 per flight to Melbourne and return will buy more food and drinks on the concourse than what I would eat and drink in the lounge. The other reason for questioning maintaining status is our eldest son is now 12 and according to VA's website is now classed as an adult for lounge entry, at least QF allow kids up to 18.

As far as priority boarding, check in etc I'm not really fussed as at the end of the day the plane still arrives at the same time.

This year my review date is in 3 weeks and I'm a few SC's short of requlifying for Gold and was looking at a long weekend with the wife and kids on the Gold Coast in the next few weeks to maintain Gold but with these changes have decided not to bother. VA have just lost 4 return tickets from Sydney to the Gold Coast. I know it is only a few hundred dollars but spread this over a lot of disgruntled frequent flyers and it definitely adds up.

I have always flown VA and overall have had good experiences, but maybe it's time to see if the grass is greener over the side if not then nothing has been lost in trying.

 

[Pleb Status]

I think some are forgetting in their value calculations that it is only 400/800SC to retain SG/WP on VA and 600/1200SC to retain SG/WP on QF (50% more SC required and no family pooling on QF}.

 

[Mogul]

I think some are forgetting in their value calculations that it is only 400/800SC to retain SG/WP on VA and 600/1200SC to retain SG/WP on QF (50% more SC required and no family pooling on QF}.

I'm actually questioning whether or not maintaining status is actually worth it. It is really only a benefit on about half my flights as the other half are upgrades to J.

Now if VA had lifetime status benefits that would change the equation again.

 

[Lord_Lenny]

I think some are forgetting in their value calculations that it is only 400/800SC to retain SG/WP on VA and 600/1200SC to retain SG/WP on QF (50% more SC required and no family pooling on QF}.

True, and this is forefront in my mind when I look at how the program benefits my wife and I, however if a customer feels that they aren't getting value from that lower threshold and don't need family pooling (and there appear to be a lot of people like that on these boards) then is it really going to matter to them? I think not.

I'm not saying I'm happy with the changes, far from it, but it doesn't appear like there is any kind of objective 'this is good' or 'this is bad' they are affecting flyers individually based on their own circumstances. Some self-funded flyers will benefit from the increased SC some (or most) won't. A lot of BFOTD business flyer's will be hit by this due to their corporate travel policy - but then what's the alternative?? QF may not always be an allowable option within the company travel policy.

Personally, maintaining at least Gold status will matter to me, as I then use it to my advantage on SQ - I don't have the ability to buy J and I don't fly overseas anywhere near enough to hit Krisflyer Gold on my own, but Velocity Gold is realistic to maintain as we can family pool and maintain gold with a return economy trip to Europe.

If we didn't travel overseas then I wouldn't see much benefit from status flying up and down the east coast. I already don't really, the main benefit for me was FlyAhead and a beer and snack in the lounge on the way home - remove them and I will survive. The key feature for me is the partner recognition on SQ.

It's horses for courses, most of us are not happy with the changes, but for a variety of different reasons.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Ok I didn't realise that. It is for this year...

But...they are selling new fares but you don't get the benefits yet? I must admit I haven't looked into it really as VA just annoys me too much with their website.

Yes that is correct. They are already charging you more, but are not going to give the extra benefit until after 31/1/16 (I think that's the date).

 

[hummel]

Yes that is correct. They are already charging you more, but are not going to give the extra benefit until after 31/1/16 (I think that's the date).

lol VA at it's best isn't it.

 

[Milefest]

I think some are forgetting in their value calculations that it is only 400/800SC to retain SG/WP on VA and 600/1200SC to retain SG/WP on QF (50% more SC required and no family pooling on QF}.

I normally fly in the golden triangle on VA's cheapest fare. I will now have to fly 160 times a year as opposed to 80 to retain platinum (which is not going to happen), that's 40 more flights than if I was flying on QF...

 

[JohnK]

I normally fly in the golden triangle on VA's cheapest fare. I will now have to fly 160 times a year as opposed to 80 to retain platinum (which is not going to happen), that's 40 more flights than if I was flying on QF...

VA's cheapest airfare is only a few $$ less than Qantas and will now earn less SCs and less points too.

Unless you are stuck on Virgin I don't see the point. For me 4 VA flights/year should be enough for now.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

VA's cheapest airfare is only a few $$ less than Qantas and will now earn less SCs and less points too.

Unless you are stuck on Virgin I don't see the point. For me 4 VA flights/year should be enough for now.

Somewhat ironically it seems the one area in which the former low cost carrier VA really outshines the long term full service airline QF is in transcontinental business class.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Somewhat ironically it seems the one area in which the former low cost carrier VA really outshines the long term full service airline QF is in transcontinental business class.

Is that due to the chance of getting a suite is higher on VA ?
The 737 is woeful for anything other than short hops and I think the new QF J suite is outstanding, at least on a par with VA.
Catering is line ball IMO, Champagne VA is a clear winner.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Is that due to the chance of getting a suite is higher on VA ?
The 737 is woeful for anything other than short hops and I think the new QF J suite is outstanding, at least on a par with VA.
Catering is line ball IMO, Champagne VA is a clear winner.

A combination of factors.
Yes it is easier to avoid a narrow body aircraft and I definitely agree with your comments about the 737s.
I tend to think of business on a 737 as being a premium economy product at a business price.
The champagne is a big winner for me. Especially being offered champagne on boarding.
Instead of the horribly sweet sparkling red cordial from Maggie Beer which QF has been offering lately.
I am not a fan of the Grant Burge sparkling either. I find it extremely acidic. So much so that I have had to take antacids to enjoy the subsequent meal.
And to be honest I am a little annoyed that QF continue to insist on offering domestic sparkling wine in premium cabins and lounges.
On a relatively long domestic flight I find the VA suites slightly more comfortable than the QF suites though I agree they are a very similar quality product.
Both the hard products are fabulous. But the content on the new QF IFE systems is absolutely woeful. Makes VA's limited offering look good!
I have found the food and beverage offering marginally better on VA so far. On recent flights I found the service more personal and more attentive.
Although the service on my recent QF 737 flights between PER & ADL was also outstanding.
So maybe that is just a question of the crew on the day.
I will report back again in a fortnight after the domestic (PER-BNE BNE-PER) QF A330 sectors of my upcoming holiday in Nouméa!

 

[Milefest]

Unless you are stuck on Virgin I don't see the point. For me 4 VA flights/year should be enough for now.

I don't have many flights coming up for the next couple of months but it looks like I may have to start the grind back to QF platinum. I did miss the dedicated J lounges.

 

[Bolthead]

FWIW I was looking at MEL-OOL yesterday.

$138 saver

$141 (with promo code) elevate.

My normal route is SYD-OOL

The normal price before the new structure was $99 with specials at $79 (and many prices in between)

The normal price after 30th January 2017 is $89 with specials TBD. (hopefully $69 but I doubt it)

Although now that I have had another look it appears that the terminology 'normal price' doesn't quite make sense but I am sure you've got the gist. It's all over the place like a dogs breakfast.