The "official" Velocity partnership announcement thread

[ejb]

If you have read my comments about how QF handled this on the AAF Qantas forum, you will see I'm no fan of that they did. However the AFF 5 accepted a free return flight and free lunch with DJ to discuss SOMETHING. It is DJ's money that bought the rights to the discussion and until DJ decide to release it or not, it is DJ's call and not the call of the AFF 5.

If we do not respect DJ's right to to do this, then it may very well be the last time DJ does this and I for one would suggest that is not a desired end result. So lets just wait for DJ to make the call and the announcement. At least they went public and asked for AFF members to give them face to face feedback. I have never, in my time on AFF, seen QF do that and I respect for DJ in doing what they have done.

I completely agree that is their right and I am not saying that it was wrong to invite some people along.

What I am saying is that when QF release a "in the future......" everyone seems to rip into QF for not releasing details, however with DJ it is seen as modern marketing 101 and we all should love it.

ejb

 

[david-au-2000]

You're right, Liam. "The Fantastic Four" are so passe. The AFF Five are the super breed of superheroes fighting for truth, justice and op-upgrades. "Velocity powers activate!"

 

[Velocity Frequent Flyer]

Perhaps i've misunderstood what's going on (only been half paying attention as i'm overseas).

I thought the AFFers were being invited to an "announcement" of a new partnership in the expectation that they would be part of promoting it here, on twitter and elsewhere -- presumably when the media embargo lifts which i assumed to be later today.

However i could have it back to front and they may actually be that they are being invited to some kind of focus group thing in which case you would expect them to hold their tounges.

But, inviting them to live report on attending an event they can't share the details of for days but that doesn't strike me as a good strategy.

Sorry 777 but I don't think we used the word "announcement" on June 14th, we asked for assistance by inviting five to hear about it first.
Nothing about real-time passing on of info - as much as we would like that, this was never the lunch's intention.
There isn't a media conference for the guys to be reporting from, so please just hold tight, and all will be revealed in due course.

Just hope it isn't a let-down by being a small-ish press release... I want some big news

Remember that we said that this was a "new partnership" - will depend on your viewpoint whether this is big or not.

 

[777]

When told to switch off their phones and electronic devices a typical frequent flyer argument ensued about what constituted "off", what constituted "flight mode", what was "an electronic device" and whether they could record video during take off and landing.

The argument is continuing. Meeting hasn't started as result.

 

[connieguy]

Perhaps i've misunderstood what's going on (only been half paying attention as i'm overseas).

I thought the AFFers were being invited to an "announcement" of a new partnership in the expectation that they would be part of promoting it here, on twitter and elsewhere -- presumably when the media embargo lifts which i assumed to be later today.

However i could have it back to front and they may actually be that they are being invited to some kind of focus group thing in which case you would expect them to hold their tounges.

But, inviting them to live report on attending an event they can't share the details of for days doesn't strike me as a good strategy.

Here is what DJ said:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....artnership-assistance-required-aff-30617.html

I would suggest they invited the AFF 5 to test their reactions and if necessary to tune the announcement as per the AFF 5 feedback.

 

[TonyHancock]

Any chance of the menu and wine list being released early? I'm only interested in the food and drink at this stage.

 

[yogi]

Remember that we said that this was a "new partnership" - will depend on your viewpoint whether this is big or not.

So, we might be totally off with Coles or Delta or Flybuys or etc.etc. It doesn't sound like the Velocity refresh.

The most realistic clues we have at the moment, is that it's Delta, but it maybe something totally new and unannounced, in which case, we don't really know anything about it.

 

[Noob]

Sorry 777 but I don't think we used the word "announcement" on June 14th, we asked for assistance by inviting five to hear about it first.
Nothing about real-time passing on of info - as much as we would like that, this was never the lunch's intention.
There isn't a media conference for the guys to be reporting from, so please just hold tight, and all will be revealed in due course.



Remember that we said that this was a "new partnership" - will depend on your viewpoint whether this is big or not.

I just think it is great the team at Virgin are utilising this websites member base as what it is, a fantastic resource. I hope it works really well for you, and hope to see more opportunities for members to be actively involved!

All the best.

 

[LiamR]

I think that we can't really comment or make any judgement on the way Virgin are managing this until all announcements have been made and the AFF5 are home. Just because they can't tweet to us whats happening dosen't make Virgin a bad airline.

Wait a few hours, I'm sure we will hear something.

 

[Misha]

I think we have all read lunch to be laUnch

If it is partnership and nothing but, options are:

* Coles or other store
* Airline (another one)
* Bank or other CC provider
* Alliance (wish!)
* They are considering partnering up with me to create Misha Air - why fly direct, when you can go the long way?

Hmmm.....

Enough sneaky AFFing, must do work...

 

[777]

Here is what DJ said:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....artnership-assistance-required-aff-30617.html

I would suggest they invited the AFF 5 to test their reactions and if necessary to tune the announcement as per the AFF 5 feedback.

I guess that reads pretty ambiguously to me. It says "we are set to announce a new partnership and venture" and to join them for "the pre-launch lunch for the Velocity initiative" which i took to mean much the same things as the "pre show drinks" or "pre-speech coughtails" i.e. the event immediately preceeding the announcement. I assumed there would be an embargo but the announcement would follow as they went from pre launch lunch to the "launch" at which points made in tweets and posts from AFF5 would rain in on all of us.

I've probably spent way too long working in festivals, events, functions, and do where the "pre networking" bit happens immediately before an announcement or a show so i [incorrectly it seems?] read it as that. The fact that this thread (set up for today) is called "The "official" Velocity partnership announcement thread" led me to believe it would involve... an announcement.

Anyhow, after all that i'm still confused as to whether the "official announcement thread" set up for today's events will involve an announcement or not.

 

[Noob]

I think we have all read lunch to be laUnch

If it is partnership and nothing but, options are:

* Coles or other store
* Airline (another one)
* Bank or other CC provider
* Alliance (wish!)
* They are considering partnering up with me to create Misha Air - why fly direct, when you can go the long way?

Hmmm.....

Enough sneaky AFFing, must do work...

Kind of like the original Kangaroo route? Sydney to London in 30 stops! You could use a Metroliner, or maybe a saab-340!

 

[malmacdowall]

Calamari was great, t bone even better ... Now for desert with the new partner....

BTW sitting next to the GM of velocity rewards... Any questions? ... Platinum is coming , it is big and it will be thus year.... But that's all he'll say....
Back to the meeting...

 

[connieguy]

I completely agree that is their right and I am not saying that it was wrong to invite some people along.

What I am saying is that when QF release a "in the future......" everyone seems to rip into QF for not releasing details, however with DJ it is seen as modern marketing 101 and we all should love it.

ejb

I have no issue with QF saying "Wait for WP1 benefits" as long as they understand that may cost them WP who will now split their spend between DJ and QF.

What I objected was QF, if effect, reducing the cost of every tier / cabin relationship except for WPs who do a lot of -Y travel by increasing their tier points bonus. I see my effective loss of bonus tier points as against every other tier / cabin relationship as keeping my cost of earning 3,250 QF SCs last year constant while reducing the cost to Silvers and Golds who fly -Y and who fly 1/12 to 1/6 the butt in seat miles I do.

So very different kettle of fish with DJ who have so far looked after all their tiers equally. Because of that I'm working to rearrange my flights to go with DJ and obtain DJ Gold as quickly as I can.

 

[TonyHancock]

Calamari was great, t bone even better ... Now for desert with the new partner....

BTW sitting next to the GM of velocity rewards... Any questions? ... Platinum is coming , it is big and it will be thus year.... But that's all he'll say....
Back to the meeting...

Still loving it. I hope the t bone wasn't Neil Perry inspired.

What is the GM of velocity rewards view of status matching? I'm prepared to beg!

 

[777]

Calamari was great, t bone even better ... Now for desert with the new partner....

BTW sitting next to the GM of velocity rewards... Any questions? ... Platinum is coming , it is big and it will be thus year.... But that's all he'll say....
Back to the meeting...

What does the new partner like to eat? Groceries? Airline food? Regional cuisine of some kind? Or do you think the're the type who likes more entertainment or perhaps communication over food?

 

[connieguy]

What does the new partner like to eat? Groceries? Airline food? Regional cuisine of some kind? Or do you think the're the type who likes more entertainment or perhaps communication over food?

First letter? Sounds like?

 

[ejb]

I have no issue with QF saying "Wait for WP1 benefits" as long as they understand that may cost them WP who will now split their spend between DJ and QF.

What I objected was QF, if effect, reducing the cost of every tier / cabin relationship except for WPs who do a lot of -Y travel by increasing their tier points bonus. I see my effective loss of bonus tier points as against every other tier / cabin relationship as keeping my cost of earning 3,250 QF SCs last year constant while reducing the cost to Silvers and Golds who fly -Y and who fly 1/12 to 1/6 the butt in seat miles I do.

So very different kettle of fish with DJ who have so far looked after all their tiers equally. Because of that I'm working to rearrange my flights to go with DJ and obtain DJ Gold as quickly as I can.

So you will not wait for WP1 benefits but you are swapping to DJ who are yet to announce their tiers.

This is exactly what I was talking about. You are jumping from QF because they are yet to announce WP1 benefits but you are moving to DJ who are yet to announce their Platinum level.

DJ will offer great benefits to lure frequent flyers but how long they last (the benefits not the airline) remains to be seen.

ejb

 

[david-au-2000]

I think the food is a clue. Calamari, steak, desert. Maybe they are partnering with a SQuid which is also taking a STAKE in Virgin Australia and introducing first-class 'sweets' or SUITES? Or maybe I just need a Bex and a good lie down.

 

[Velocity Frequent Flyer]

The fact that this thread (set up for today) is called "The "official" Velocity partnership announcement thread" led me to believe it would involve... an announcement.

Anyhow, after all that i'm still confused as to whether the "official announcement thread" set up for today's events will involve an announcement or not.

And a thread not set up by us, but by StevePER prior to receiving any information!

Calamari was great, t bone even better ... Now for desert with the new partner....

BTW sitting next to the GM of velocity rewards... Any questions? ... Platinum is coming , it is big and it will be thus year.... But that's all he'll say....
Back to the meeting...

Oi! Phone off!!!