The Velocity Status Run Master thread

[Deskorpio]

Yes, go the Hilton. I read the recommendation on Point Hacks and I’m glad I did. The breakfasts are a bit hit and miss in Australia and you only get a continental breakfast (the Curio in Sydney is particularly disappointing), but in Asia it’s terrific. I stayed at the Millenium Hilton in Bangkok a month back and got access to the full buffet extravaganza that caters for tastes around the world. Plus unlike Australia, the on-demand espresso coffee was included. It’s definitely worth signing up to.

Another vote for HHonors. Great for upgrades and complimentary bfast, especially in the US when the additional bfast is quite pricey. I wish we got to renew the Hilton Gold each yr We retain Velocity Gold

 

[abefroman]

Another vote for HHonors. Great for upgrades and complimentary bfast, especially in the US when the additional bfast is quite pricey. I wish we got to renew the Hilton Gold each yr We retain Velocity Gold

Another vote for HHonors as well. I enjoy the benefits of the programme when I travel to the US and metros here in Australia.

This year my visit to the US will include more family members and more accommodation. I am sure Hilton will treat us well.

 

[Dannyism]

When can we speculatively expect the next VA double status credits promo ?

 

[SeaWolf]

When can we speculatively expect the next VA double status credits promo ?

Last year there was one in Feb.

Velocity Double Status Credits offer 1/2/19 [Book by Feb 12, Travel by Dec 28, 2019]

Thank lord. Been waiting years for this lol. Offer starts this Friday. Activate and book by 12 February 2019 to Get double Velocity status credits when you travel on a Virign Australia marketed and operated flight before 28 December 2019...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[knagelli]

When can we speculatively expect the next VA double status credits promo ?

Early/Mid Feb

 

[odysseus]

We'll see but I wouldn't be surprised if there isn't one in Feb. The previous year's August one also didn't happen last year, so may have switched to a 6 month cycle - or may just not be consistent now.

 

[Stealthflyer]

We'll see but I wouldn't be surprised if there isn't one in Feb. The previous year's August one also didn't happen last year, so may have switched to a 6 month cycle - or may just not be consistent now.

Consistency would probably just encourage more people to hold off booking throughout January in anticipation of a DSC promotion. However, Virgin seems to be having back to back bonus promotions and sales of some sort of late, so who knows.

 

[mitchd]

Bit of a newbie to all of this but wanted to present something I've been cooking up for comment.

ITA Matrix can occasionally show fares such as OOL-SYD-MEL-AKL Business Saver for under $600. Have been able to change out OOL for BNE, AKL for CHC etc and get similar things. Only issue has been to find fare for sale anywhere.

Finally managed to get cheapoair to show such a ticket for $572. All legs in business saver makes it good for 180SC by my calculations, good for $3.18/SC. (calc based on one way, haven't figured out return route)

Problem is - ITA Matrix shows many combinations of this with multiple dates, shorter stopover times between legs. Very difficult to get many of these to actually show up in cheapoair, skyscanner, expedia or anything. Frustratingly the route doesn't show up at all on VA website.

Anyone have any experience with this? Is it just a fact of life that excellent status runs have to be booked through third parties like this?

 

[Mattg]

Bit of a newbie to all of this but wanted to present something I've been cooking up for comment.

ITA Matrix can occasionally show fares such as OOL-SYD-MEL-AKL Business Saver for under $600. Have been able to change out OOL for BNE, AKL for CHC etc and get similar things. Only issue has been to find fare for sale anywhere.

Finally managed to get cheapoair to show such a ticket for $572. All legs in business saver makes it good for 180SC by my calculations, good for $3.18/SC. (calc based on one way, haven't figured out return route)

Problem is - ITA Matrix shows many combinations of this with multiple dates, shorter stopover times between legs. Very difficult to get many of these to actually show up in cheapoair, skyscanner, expedia or anything. Frustratingly the route doesn't show up at all on VA website.

Anyone have any experience with this? Is it just a fact of life that excellent status runs have to be booked through third parties like this?

A good travel agent should be able to book this if you send them the ITA Matrix screenshots. (And I mean a good one, not Flight Centre.)

Sometimes you can try copying and pasting the ITA Matrix itinerary into a website called Book with Matrix, but I tried to do that for a OOL-CBR-MEL-AKL itinerary and it simply didn't work. (The OTA price was way higher than ITA Matrix showed.) I did have limited success with finding OTAs that will do it through Skyscanner, however.

Not all status runs must be booked through third parties, but they can be harder to book if there's a direct/shorter connection available. Obviously the airline wants you to book (or assumes you want to book) the shorter connection. The popular HBA-MEL-BNE-DUD run is readily available on the VA website because this is actually one of the shortest routes between Hobart and Dunedin.

 

[daft009]

I'm hanging out for the Feb DSC promo..hoping to crack gold for the first time..maybe

 

[mitchd]

A good travel agent should be able to book this if you send them the ITA Matrix screenshots. (And I mean a good one, not Flight Centre.)

Sometimes you can try copying and pasting the ITA Matrix itinerary into a website called Book with Matrix, but I tried to do that for a OOL-CBR-MEL-AKL itinerary and it simply didn't work. (The OTA price was way higher than ITA Matrix showed.) I did have limited success with finding OTAs that will do it through Skyscanner, however.

Not all status runs must be booked through third parties, but they can be harder to book if there's a direct/shorter connection available. Obviously the airline wants you to book (or assumes you want to book) the shorter connection. The popular HBA-MEL-BNE-DUD run is readily available on the VA website because this is actually one of the shortest routes between Hobart and Dunedin.

Thanks for the explanation, that makes sense.

I found a handy script somewhere deep in these forums that saves the step of having to copy/paste the itinerary and embeds links into ITA Matrix. I’ll come back and edit the link into my comment later for other people searching in the future. (Edit to add: Link to ITA Matrix Powertools script from flyertalk member(s))

If I do choose to book through a third party are there any common pitfalls I should watch out for? I assume the downside is that any changes needed will need to be organised through them and not Virgin directly (like any travel agent). The main website that seems capable of booking these legs is BYOJet found through the script. Which at least charges me in AUD which is less “red flaggy” than others

 

[Mattg]

I'm hanging out for the Feb DSC promo..hoping to crack gold for the first time..maybe

It should be pointed out that this talk of a February DSC offer is pure speculation. Nobody knows (outside of Velocity) whether this will actually happen.

If I do choose to book through a third party are there any common pitfalls I should watch out for? I assume the downside is that any changes needed will need to be organised through them and not Virgin directly (like any travel agent). The main website that seems capable of booking these legs is BYOJet found through the script. Which at least charges me in AUD which is less “red flaggy” than others

As you say, it should be fine as long as you don't need to cancel/make changes. (Keep in mind that some changes are not your fault, such as airline schedule changes.) If you do need to make a change, it could be difficult to get in touch with the OTA and you may be up for fees.

The other main risk is the OTA going out of business before the airline gets paid. A lot of people got stung by the Bestjet collapse a couple of years ago.

That said, if byojet is the only place to book at the price you want, you might as well do it.

 

[daft009]

It should be pointed out that this talk of a February DSC offer is pure speculation. Nobody knows (outside of Velocity) whether this will actually happen.

I realise that.. fingers crossed it happens

 

[Denali]

I booked flights for hubby today so Im sure the offer will be announced tomorrow

 

[ward_FF]

Anyone praying for Double Status Credit offer...?

 

[knagelli]

Anyone praying for Double Status Credit offer...?

I have three trips to book , waiting for DSC offer . Will wait till end of week and proceed for booking with heavy heart for normal credits.

 

[Stealthflyer]

I have three trips to book , waiting for DSC offer . Will wait till end of week and proceed for booking with heavy heart for normal credits.

Don’t hold your breath. I just got a double points offer ending 1 March. They don’t usually run multiple bonus points/credits at once.

 

[knagelli]

Don’t hold your breath. I just got a double points offer ending 1 March. They don’t usually run multiple bonus points/credits at once.
View attachment 206706

Received similar offer , however does not include any of the destinations that I want to book.

 

[ward_FF]

Received similar offer , however does not include any of the destinations that I want to book.

I spoke too soon.... not that appealing with the limitations...

 

[jase05]

Received similar offer , however does not include any of the destinations that I want to book.

I only got an offer for double points between ADL and MEL