Platinum / Gold / Silver FF's. What communications have you had from VA..?

[Bibendum]

Hi All,

Wondering if I'm going mad or VA have deleted personal details from my profile.!

After the official transfer to the new owners & and a new marketing campaign release, I would have thought VA would have been in contact with their most Loyal FF's about returning to the sky's...

I'm on my 4th year of platinum membership & I have had nothing in terms of a targeted offer, welcome back or even a email to say the BNE lounge is open again...! Lots of emails are sale fares and extra points..

I've been flying with QF since VA grounded there fleet and I'm quite enjoying the experience thanks to the QR status match..

Is the beginning of the end for loyalty at VA..?

 

[wrldtrvllr]

Has anyone read the T&c's it's looks like not every one will get extension may be few
View attachment 235306

Interestingly I had my status "upgraded" earlier this year with a current review date of 30 March 2021. Was previously Platinum, downgraded to Gold as didn't meet requalification - I suspect I may fall into the ineligible category...

Question then is why bother sending me the promo email?

 

[PaulllM]

Hi All,

Wondering if I'm going mad or VA have deleted personal details from my profile.!

After the official transfer to the new owners & and a new marketing campaign release, I would have thought VA would have been in contact with their most Loyal FF's about returning to the sky's...

I'm on my 4th year of platinum membership & I have had nothing in terms of a targeted offer, welcome back or even a email to say the BNE lounge is open again...! Lots of emails are sale fares and extra points..

I've been flying with QF since VA grounded there fleet and I'm quite enjoying the experience thanks to the QR status match..

Is the beginning of the end for loyalty at VA..?

I'm in the same boat, I'm still waiting for the email that was sent out today especially since my review date is in January 2021

 

[AIRwin]

I'm in the same boat, I'm still waiting for the email that was sent out today especially since my review date is in January 2021

@Doctore1003 has posted a link to all the info above:

Platinum / Gold / Silver FF's. What communications have you had from VA..?

Hi All, Wondering if I'm going mad or VA have deleted personal details from my profile.! After the official transfer to the new owners & and a new marketing campaign release, I would have thought VA would have been in contact with their most Loyal FF's about returning to the sky's... I'm on...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[Jusrus]

Reporting my situation and engagement with Virgin to date.

I'm a 10 year platinum member, perhaps with one year of Gold in there. I had qualified for Gold pre-pandemic, with an anniversary date of May 2020. I received the replacement cards in the mail.

In March, I had 3 return Madrid/Melbourne flights booked via Virgin on partner airlines, as well as 13 domestic legs. I'm currently based in Madrid.

I reached out following articles here about complementary extension of memberships. Like others more recently, I received the stock response :

Velocity Status Rewards

Find out how Virgin Australia is rewarding existing Status members with Status Rewards. Find out more about our Status Match extension with our Discover Gold Program update.

experience.velocityfrequentflyer.com

I replied stating that being currently based in Madrid, unable to fly domestically, could they provide another option? Stating also I was preparing to make 2 return flight bookings from Europe in August and October 2021.

I received this response :

"I understand your difficulties of taking advantage of our Status Rewards offer especially that youre currently overseas.

I wish we could modify the requirements however we need to abide with the promotions terms and conditions which states that you need to fly at least one eligible Virgin Australia flight during the Flying Period.

We are continually reviewing our commitment to our members as travel restrictions change and we will be in touch should our current Status Rewards offer be updated."

Worth noting I also have 500,000+ points sitting with Velocity currently also.

Following these emails, I attempted to call at 9am yesterday, and again at 5pm today. After being on hold for 30 minutes, I was disconnected at their end on both occasions. Even better working around a 10 hour time difference.

I understand we are mid-pandemic. I work in the live music sector.

Am I wrong to think that this is insanely poor customer service/retention, right at the point where this airline needs to do so?

 

[Jusrus]

Also love the inaccuracy of the auto reply....

" If your matter is urgent and requires a response within the next 5 days please call us on 13 18 75. We are open from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday (Sydney Time)."

Currently 9-6pm, and from my experience, they're not in a rush to take my call.....

 

[Poss]

I had qualified for platinum on March 24th 2020. Being in Melbourne have been unable to fly until this week since that time. So on my review date of March 24th 2021, I qualify for the 12 month extension until March 24th 2022. Mind you, all of my status credits continue to drop off after 12 months earned so come my review date I will have zero and have to start all over again. With no international flight options it doesn't auger well. Those complimentary bonus status credits will proved worthless as they would be the only ones left and will drop off also. As a premium leisure traveller paying for all of my own flights and extremely loyal to VA I have received no communication from them other than the promotional fluff. It is only through these forums that I have been able to garnish most of the updates, promotions and developments. I have so many future flight credits from cancelled international flights that once they are exhausted I will have to seriously consider whether continued loyalty is a two-way street and worth pursuing in the long term. Good communication and customer service should be a tangible benefit with a minimal cost.

 

[jakeseven7]

I have so many future flight credits from cancelled international flights that once they are exhausted I will have to seriously consider whether continued loyalty is a two-way street and worth pursuing in the long term.

We as a business flew probably about 50% VA1 pre-pandemic and have been having a real nightmare getting hold of anyone to sort out some pretty basic problems we have been having with all the credits / vouchers / flights we have. Talking in the 10's of thousands, so not a small amount.

We are coming to the realisation that yes loyalty to VA1 was two way, but Bain/VA2 is 'starting afresh' it is a completely new company really. All of our old contacts have either quit, been made redundant or a couple are still there but clearly trying to get out as well.

It makes it really hard because we were used to a certain level of service in the old days and although everything 'looks' the same with VA2, it clearly is not going to be....

 

[_flyer]

I just completed a survey that was sent from VFF. I have completely lost interest in the VFF program which is probably a good thing. It will save me time chasing points with VFF and I can focus on QF instead. I'm WP with VA but recently received a status challenge with QF. Happy to make the change given the uncertainty of VA.

 

[Budbrian]

I had qualified for platinum on March 24th 2020. Being in Melbourne have been unable to fly until this week since that time. So on my review date of March 24th 2021, I qualify for the 12 month extension until March 24th 2022. Mind you, all of my status credits continue to drop off after 12 months earned so come my review date I will have zero and have to start all over again. With no international flight options it doesn't auger well. Those complimentary bonus status credits will proved worthless as they would be the only ones left and will drop off also. As a premium leisure traveller paying for all of my own flights and extremely loyal to VA I have received no communication from them other than the promotional fluff. It is only through these forums that I have been able to garnish most of the updates, promotions and developments. I have so many future flight credits from cancelled international flights that once they are exhausted I will have to seriously consider whether continued loyalty is a two-way street and worth pursuing in the long term. Good communication and customer service should be a tangible benefit with a minimal cost.

Your situation reflects mine to a tee. Except I am in Perth, border closed till a week or so ago. only able to do a Broome flight.
I had enough status credits to become Plat end March, with a few flights booked, but were unable to do them. Now all the status credits have disappeared. Yes we all understand Virgin went into administration but Velocity didn’t. We should of all had our Accounts frozen, or our status credits frozen, as a lot is us could not fly. The bonus SC’s have all but disappeared!
I have applied for the QF match.

 

[Jusrus]

On the Qantas status match - I don't think this is going to help me personally (though I would/will be moving carriers once I can get back on a plane) as again, being in Europe currently, I believe I'd need to accumulate the points/credits on QF metal?

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Unless we hear more about the liaison between VA and SQ, if points swap does come back, if they make it sweeter in the VA and SQ linkage than before, or as it was prior to Covid/voluntary administration, probably QF would be the way to go, seeing that BA/EK and some others like AY as well as CX, the OW alliance airline is the one to go for.
Not so bad if VA decides to join ST, then you would have a way to come back, via the US, pain in the b** I know, getting ETSA etc, but its an option if VA joins ST with its airlines alliance.
But with VA as we can see, going solo for the time being, maybe burning points with VA when you get back to Aust is the best way.
Tick the use points box in booking your VA trips, on the VA website, you use the most points here, and you don't earn SC on it, it might show them something in their system if you do this.
**At least I didn't get any VFF points or SC when I did a booking once, with the box on the first page of the VA booking on their website.**
And yes, I did fly the sector, and zero and zero was on my VFF statement after that flight date.

 

[Mattg]

On the Qantas status match - I don't think this is going to help me personally (though I would/will be moving carriers once I can get back on a plane) as again, being in Europe currently, I believe I'd need to accumulate the points/credits on QF metal?

I don't believe that is a requirement for this particular match. You could theoretically earn the QF status credits on Oneworld partner airlines.

 

[auflier]

suddenly VA joins Star, then everyone goes nuts

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Squiggles are no longer shown on our QFF statements.
Think it's still a need of 4 flights on QF metal/flight number plus amount of QF SC earnt on OW flights to retain status, ...
Maybe wait and see what VA3 puts out publicly in next few months before you decide.
JH did say SQ was important to VA (or words to that effect), but only she can make changes/improvements/en(c)hancements

 

[Nimo]

I am exactly in the same situation after being loyal with VA for long what I get ZERO - Not even one email & call except this promotion email which I don't qualify as I my Platinum was extended to 2021...It's frustrating I should have invested in QFF rather than VA

I had qualified for platinum on March 24th 2020. Being in Melbourne have been unable to fly until this week since that time. So on my review date of March 24th 2021, I qualify for the 12 month extension until March 24th 2022. Mind you, all of my status credits continue to drop off after 12 months earned so come my review date I will have zero and have to start all over again. With no international flight options it doesn't auger well. Those complimentary bonus status credits will proved worthless as they would be the only ones left and will drop off also. As a premium leisure traveller paying for all of my own flights and extremely loyal to VA I have received no communication from them other than the promotional fluff. It is only through these forums that I have been able to garnish most of the updates, promotions and developments. I have so many future flight credits from cancelled international flights that once they are exhausted I will have to seriously consider whether continued loyalty is a two-way street and worth pursuing in the long term. Good communication and

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Looks like VA3 is extending status, slowly by the looks of it.
I got my VFF PS extended for another 12 months, Dec was my review month, joined in 2005.
Just got an email confirming it.