Points + Pay Gotcha (H fare bucket doesn't count as an eligible sector for status)

[MichaelD]

Just a little unexpected gotcha with a recent award flight...

Haven't seen this mentioned in other threads, but a Virgin Points + Pay award flight not only doesn't earn FF points or SCs, but it also doesn't count as an "eligible sector" for status requalification.

Referring to Virgin's Ts & Cs;

Eligible Sector means a flight journey from an origin to a destination:

(a) that has been flown;
(b) that has been purchased using cash or credit;
(c) that has not been purchased in whole or in part using Points; and
(d) where Virgin Australia is the marketing carrier (This means that the flight number starts with a DJ or VA prefix).
​

 

[markis10]

Re: Points + Pay Gotcha (H fare bucket doesn't count as an eligible sector for status

It's probably not mentioned because its the norm, no points mean no other benefits such as being classed as a qualifying sector.

 

[anat0l]

Re: Points + Pay Gotcha (H fare bucket doesn't count as an eligible sector for status

I suppose some people have gotten a bit too used to QF's ASAs, of which count as 'eligible flights' for the purposes of getting the 4 [sup]~[/sup]s required to retain any status level.

For avoidance of doubt, the situation is somewhat similar at QF in that any Classic Awards with QF do not count as a [sup]~[/sup] flight.

 

[MichaelD]

Re: Points + Pay Gotcha (H fare bucket doesn't count as an eligible sector for status

I suppose some people have gotten a bit too used to QF's ASAs, of which count as 'eligible flights' for the purposes of getting the 4 [SUP]~[/SUP]s required to retain any status level.

For avoidance of doubt, the situation is somewhat similar at QF in that any Classic Awards with QF do not count as a [SUP]~[/SUP] flight.

Indeed. I can't recall the last time I took a "classic" award with Qantas - I tend to recoil in horror at the "waste" of points for a classic award vs a JASA or FASA.

Clearly for my purposes, Virgin points + pay is not a suitable use of points - I am much happier with Flexi + Points Upgrade. These do, of course, count as eligible sectors.

 

[Moopere]

Re: Points + Pay Gotcha (H fare bucket doesn't count as an eligible sector for status

I am much happier with Flexi + Points Upgrade. These do, of course, count as eligible sectors.

Weird isn't it? Pay points first then add cash = no bennies whatsoever, pay cash first then upgrade using points and you get returned benefits .... such subtlety.

 

[serfty]

Re: Points + Pay Gotcha (H fare bucket doesn't count as an eligible sector for status

Having taken over a dozen P&P flights in the last year or so which have all posted as "not eligible", I can't really state it is a 'gotcha'.

This was mentioned here: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ay-good-velocity-option-31024.html#post463798

And compared with Upgrading Flexi's here: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....emptions-changes-points-38027.html#post583303

 

[froggerADL]

Re: Points + Pay Gotcha (H fare bucket doesn't count as an eligible sector for status

It's probably not mentioned because its the norm, no points mean no other benefits such as being classed as a qualifying sector.

While it is the norm for airlines, it certainly isn't for hotel loyalty programs. My Hilton reward nights count for both nights and stays, whether points + pay or just points.

 

[markis10]

Re: Points + Pay Gotcha (H fare bucket doesn't count as an eligible sector for status

While it is the norm for airlines, it certainly isn't for hotel loyalty programs. My Hilton reward nights count for both nights and stays, whether points + pay or just points.

That's a new development for hotels including the Hilton (and sadly not IHG yet), just like QF JASAs, the tide is turning, however in both sectors it's still the exception.

The more points get seen as a cash equivalent, the more it will change, but we will probably pay for it in burn costs just like ASAs.

 

[serfty]

Re: Points + Pay Gotcha (H fare bucket doesn't count as an eligible sector for status

HHonors have provided Stay/Night/base credit in relation to ViP status on award stays since Jan 1, 2003 - hardly new.

 

[markis10]

Re: Points + Pay Gotcha (H fare bucket doesn't count as an eligible sector for status

HHonors have provided Stay/Night/base credit in relation to ViP status on award stays since Jan 1, 2003 - hardly new.

My bad, for some reason I thought it was recent, must have been confused with SPG!