Should VA have a membership status for FF's above platinum?

[dfcatch]

Tart! OK, that wasn't called for.

Everyone has their price JohnK.....

Mine just happens to start with "J" or "F"..... ($ is so last year)

 

[Clivem]

I am currently at 2400 SCs with 4 months (and a J return to LAX to come) into my year. MrsF ticked over 5500 SCs last year.

Large numbers IainF .....especially MrsF That has got to be a serious bit of seat time -all be it 'nice seat' time I would imagine ....

 

[jpk]

Tell me if I'm wrong; but you're bringing up this thread because you don't feel the love any more. VA isn't communicating on a level that satisfies the reasons why you're flying and you're a bit bored of the same routine. VA simply needs to use the analytics it has on you (they are paying a ****load in license fees for BI) to determine what really motivates you, what you love about the experience, what you hate and so on. No amount of BS focus groups, feedback marketing or surveys will ever be able to figure this out. Perhaps it's as simple as remembering your name when scanning your BP at the gate, or pro-actively reserving the seat next to you because you love a shadow and quietly letting you know that was done for you.

Unfortunately, consumers don't know what they want. You can't trust them to tell you because it's more often than not totally wrong.

Tell VA you're not feeling loved and see what happens... they won't know what to do.

In the meantime I would go fly QF for a while... it's like a girl on the side. Fun for a while and you may end up leaving your wife - but hopefully she figures out that all you ever wanted was a compliment every morning before work. Simple... but most corporations are too short sighted to understand long term implications of not investing into the right tools and I'm not sure a new level of status is the best long term solution.

Best comment I have read on AFF in a while. Captures my thoughts and the situation perfectly.

 

[R36snowbound]

HAHAHAHAHAHA

I've been a P1 since day 1 back in 2011 (now in 4th calendar year as P1) and have never had a free upgrade on QF in what like 150-200 flights since then. As such, QF has almost entirely dropped off my radar. Upgrades is what makes me smile...what make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside..... not a first host or a complimentary bottle of wine or a ticket to an event.

Tell me if I'm wrong; but you're bringing up this thread because you don't feel the love any more. VA isn't communicating on a level that satisfies the reasons why you're flying and you're a bit bored of the same routine. VA simply needs to use the analytics it has on you (they are paying a ****load in license fees for BI) to determine what really motivates you, what you love about the experience, what you hate and so on. No amount of BS focus groups, feedback marketing or surveys will ever be able to figure this out. Perhaps it's as simple as remembering your name when scanning your BP at the gate, or pro-actively reserving the seat next to you because you love a shadow and quietly letting you know that was done for you.

Unfortunately, consumers don't know what they want. You can't trust them to tell you because it's more often than not totally wrong.

Tell VA you're not feeling loved and see what happens... they won't know what to do.

In the meantime I would go fly QF for a while... it's like a girl on the side. Fun for a while and you may end up leaving your wife - but hopefully she figures out that all you ever wanted was a compliment every morning before work. Simple... but most corporations are too short sighted to understand long term implications of not investing into the right tools and I'm not sure a new level of status is the best long term solution.

Hi trippin_the_rift,

You seemed to sum up the situation reasonably well and apologies about the incorrect information regarding platinum 1. A colleague from work is P1 and has recieved a number of upgrades from QF, he was telling me he gets the upgrades because he is P1 status with QF.

Most business rank their customers, either officially or unoffically. My grip is simply that as my custom with VA has increased, the benefits / appreciation that seem to be shown in return has not kept pace. Everybody seems to agree that the point of difference between VA gold and VA platinum needs to be greater.
VA has set the guidelines for platinum requalification. If a customer acheives requalification in less than 6 months when VA guidelines say "our best customers on average will achieve this in a 12 month cycle", then surely VA can show a bit of additional appreciation.

I Wonder is SC could be converted into additional points once you have requalified?

 

[Clivem]

i wonder is sc could be converted into additional points once you have requalified?

I LIKE your idea here r36snowbound ...... BINGO !

 

[aus_flyer]

I've never understood why VA doesn't offer any sort of Loyalty Bonus like Qantas does (8000, 8000, 8000, 8000, 50000*)

*Not technically a Loyalty Bonus, but still a benefit of accumulated status credits

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Hi trippin_the_rift,

You seemed to sum up the situation reasonably well and apologies about the incorrect information regarding platinum 1. A colleague from work is P1 and has recieved a number of upgrades from QF, he was telling me he gets the upgrades because he is P1 status with QF.

Most business rank their customers, either officially or unoffically. My grip is simply that as my custom with VA has increased, the benefits / appreciation that seem to be shown in return has not kept pace. Everybody seems to agree that the point of difference between VA gold and VA platinum needs to be greater.
VA has set the guidelines for platinum requalification. If a customer acheives requalification in less than 6 months when VA guidelines say "our best customers on average will achieve this in a 12 month cycle", then surely VA can show a bit of additional appreciation.

I Wonder is SC could be converted into additional points once you have requalified?

SC have no cost to Virgin but points would.

Perhaps allow you to cash in on future qualification years - maybe up to 10 years worth in the bank.
Then once you have 10 years in the bank they do something big for you..... Virgin Global Club Elites or something... a worldwide club of Virgin Atlantic/America/Australia flyers who have spent more than $xx_xx_XX with the airline over a YY period. With a bit more effort I could come up with something more refined

 

[erkpod]

SC have no cost to Virgin but points would.

Perhaps allow you to cash in on future qualification years - maybe up to 10 years worth in the bank.
Then once you have 10 years in the bank they do something big for you..... Virgin Global Club Elites or something... a worldwide club of Virgin Atlantic/America/Australia flyers who have spent more than $xx_xx_XX with the airline over a YY period. With a bit more effort I could come up with something more refined

I disagree with the SC have no value statement. It's BIS & SC that give you the ability to climb the ladder. You could have 2 million points but no SC & still be red.

 

[woodborer]

I disagree with the SC have no value statement. It's BIS & SC that give you the ability to climb the ladder. You could have 2 million points but no SC & still be red.

There is a significant and important difference between saying "SC have no cost to Virgin" and "SC have no value". I think you have missed that distinction.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Most of my thoughts have already been posted so I'll keep it short.....all I really want from VA is good service.

Last year I both requalled for this year and got partner plat for my wife within 2 months. I'm not sure if that's some kind of record (doubt it) but it certainly was for me. That was in March last year and I'm still perched on 2400SCs. VA has lost a lot of my flying despite me actually enjoying flying with them. As far as keeping their pre-existing status members happy, they suck in my book but before I'm accosted by the multitude of Johnny-cough-lately VA fanbois, I'll say I still do like VA but they lost my loyalty at the same time.

Lifetime benefits are not an attraction (let me look for all those Ansett points....they must be around here somewhere......just under 1mill IIRC). I've stopped whining about the continual escalation in fares............just stop devaluing the product further. Stop freebie status. Give real status members ATA. Give real status nice perks like the odd OpUp (as you did for a while). Let us continue to have fly ahead. By all means stop the sponging but keep the benefits for those who do actually earn them.

 

[medhead]

Are they still giving free status?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Are they still giving free status?

Good point, I should have said I'd prefer they don't re-explore wholesale SMing in the future.

 

[moa999]

I think Va had only done one status match and then selected corporate contract matches. The only other non-FF earn appears to be some small credit card sc bonuses.

That said in the last four years as Plat on both QF and VA have only had domestic upgrades on QF (2 of about 40). Albeit VS was very generous in recognising my VA status on PE flights.

The comp ups on VA are useful although the continual price hikes on Flexi is making it less valuable

 

[JohnK]

Albeit VS was very generous in recognising my VA status on PE flights.

On Velocity bookings?

I did not think it was possible to use Velocity number for VS bookings or that you would get any recognition.

 

[moa999]

VS is a partner
http://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/experience/airline-partners/virgin-atlantic/
Paid fare on VS stock, which is generally cheaper than codeshare. PE earning also is favourable versus QF.

Got red beeps both ways. The VS lounge in HKG is also very nice for an outstation with alacarte dining

 

[JohnK]

I knew VS is a partner of VA but I did not think that VA status would have any bearing on VS flights.

 

[serfty]

I knew VS is a partner of VA but I did not think that VA status would have any bearing on VS flights.

Gold/Platinum Membership | Velocity Frequent Flyer

Virgin Atlantic

• Priority Check-in through the Upper Class counter
• Priority Boarding (where available)
• Priority Screening at London, Heathrow (where available)
• Lounge Access

 

[markis10]

Got red beeps both ways. The VS lounge in HKG is also very nice for an outstation with alacarte dining

Agree, except for the shower facilities.

 

[ap_spd]

sorry, but what does a red beep indicate ?

 

[JohnK]

sorry, but what does a red beep indicate ?

Generally that a new boarding pass is required. More than likely in a higher class cabin.