The Velocity Status Run Master thread

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

I don't know whether this has been covered elsewhere, but VA seems to have 'enhanced' its fares, particularly connecting fares and particularly flexi fares. Seems to have happened recently and under the radar. Some previously good SC rates now > $10 per SC. Anyone else notice this?

Thanks for pointing this out. They really have raised the prices drastically. It's almost the same price to fly J OOL-MEL than it is to fly OOL-SYD-MEL on a flexi. At least saver lites are still manageable particularly if a double SC promotion comes along but those plat complimentary upgrades are looking a whole lot more expensive .

 

[a330j]

Looks like status runs on VA are a thing of the past and we are back to the old duopoly. Mel-xSYD-OOL now $530 one way in flexi for 40 SC, BNE-MEL-CBR now $686 one way for 50 SC was around $310. Business class fares just look ridiculous.

 

[Virgin Bart]

Looks like status runs on VA are a thing of the past and we are back to the old duopoly. Mel-xSYD-OOL now $530 one way in flexi for 40 SC, BNE-MEL-CBR now $686 one way for 50 SC was around $310. Business class fares just look ridiculous.

Well.. For me this means when my Platinum runs out in March that will be it. I'm a self funded leisure only traveller so that'll be it for me (others may vary of course). Not too bummed, was nice while it lasted but the prices difference between JQ/LCCi and VA/QF has been growing so much lately that I was struggling to justify the extra expense.

It won't matter to VA (and that's ok) but I won't be doing some flights which I used to do purely as status runs every year going forward.

 

[gwilli1]

I hear you VB . Being self funded also , Im going to struggle to reach Gold again this status year without the assistance of a DSC that happened like last year. I will assess things in late Feb to see if its worth chasing it by the end of April . I am hoping VA might share some love with a comp for another year if i dont manage to make it .

Well.. For me this means when my Platinum runs out in March that will be it. I'm a self funded leisure only traveller so that'll be it for me (others may vary of course). Not too bummed, was nice while it lasted but the prices difference between JQ/LCCi and VA/QF has been growing so much lately that I was struggling to justify the extra expense.

It won't matter to VA (and that's ok) but I won't be doing some flights which I used to do purely as status runs every year going forward.

 

[a330j]

Agreed. I'm also self funded. These fare increases put an end to any status runs and status will drop. Will probably focus on points now where AA/US Air provide better bang for the flying buck and only for necessary travel. The end result if I go this way will be a switch to QANTAS domestically. While Jetstar and Tiger might still have cheap fares, having used JQ before I'm not in a hurry to use them again. Like you say VB, it was good while it lasted.

 

[strtrek]

self funded SC chaser here as well.....gone are my syd-mel-ool-mel-syd for $170.......sad face indeed.....looks like its bye bye plat in 2015...

 

[hummel]

I'm SG this year having dropped from WP last year, looks like it might be silver next year!

Although sometimes easier to just fly a SQ codeshare and pick up 200SC that way... cheaper than flying J trans con!

 

[travellerqff]

PER MEL CNS was $788 return on a Flexi but now seems to be $918 on all dates.

 

[serfty]

The revised routing rules were published on the 7th of this month ...

 

[robd]

May as well delete the VA Status Run tab on the AFF spreadsheet

 

[JessicaTam]

May as well delete the VA Status Run tab on the AFF spreadsheet 

Sad but true.

 

[Quickstatus]

Dont forget that DL flights are really good for SCR, as are any US flights on other airlines eg AA for the QF SC.

last christmas we got DL 5x F return DEN-NYC return for $725 AUD each for 160 SC. Thats $3625 for 800SC pooled to one member. Adding her solo flights to and from US, that family member went from red before leaving OZ to plat arriving back from the US 1 month later



Less than $5/SC or about 50% the cost of SC flying domestic in OZ

Im yet to decide on the value of VA WP. Thus far we have used 4 comp upgrades total value $1350. 3 shadows on a SYD-CDG via SIN, 6 entries to lounge with Y tickets (lounge entries using J tickets do not count as it's a benefit of J). Priority checkin not much benefit and priority luggage not much benefit. Have needed 8 extra luggage pieces over what was allowed by Y Tickets. $560 at $70 each. Some of those 32 kg instead of 23 kg $270.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Dont forget that DL flights are really good for SCR, as are any US flights on other airlines eg AA for the QF SC.

last christmas we got DL 5x F return DEN-NYC return for $725 AUD each for 160 SC. Thats $3625 for 800SC pooled to one member. Adding her solo flights to and from US, that family member went from red before leaving OZ to plat arriving back from the US 1 month later



Less than $5/SC or about 50% the cost of SC flying domestic in OZ

Im yet to decide on the value of VA WP. Thus far we have used 4 comp upgrades total value $1350. 3 shadows on a SYD-CDG via SIN, 6 entries to lounge with Y tickets (lounge entries using J tickets do not count as it's a benefit of J). Priority checkin not much benefit and priority luggage not much benefit. Have needed 8 extra luggage pieces over what was allowed by Y Tickets. $560 at $70 each. Some of those 32 kg instead of 23 kg $270.

Kinda curious... Not too knowledgeable in VA matters, but how cheap can SC's get on VA? $2-3/SC?

 

[Quickstatus]

Kinda curious... Not too knowledgeable in VA matters, but how cheap can SC's get on VA? $2-3/SC?

See the post above and other posts above.

also the Velocity website:
calculate distance using the mileage calculator
use SC table
then do dummy booking on Virgin website to get cost of travel
and then you can get $/SC for any flight eligible for SC.

doing above : J return SYD-MEL ~ $16-17/SC

 

[Johnno101]

doing above : J return SYD-MEL ~ $16-17/SC

In answer to the question using information previously BRI-MEL-AKL in J can give you SC in the $4-5 bracket.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

I wasn't specifically asking for routes . Instead I wanted to just ask a general question as to what is the lowest $/sc in the world has anyone seen especially within the US?

 

[robd]

I wasn't specifically asking for routes . Instead I wanted to just ask a general question as to what is the lowest $/sc in the world has anyone seen especially within the US?

The best I managed on my recent trip was $4.36/sc which was HNL-OGG with HA in F.

 

[hummel]

I posted earlier but I've seen SQ flights that can get it down to around $6-6.50/sc

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Thanks guys! I wanted to see how easily I could get Plat on VA. I've found some $USD 2.17/SC. Plus I don't have to ditch the Mrs for the run.. Very interesting comparison with QF..

 

[Quickstatus]

I posted earlier but I've seen SQ flights that can get it down to around $6-6.50/sc

Last year Christmas dEN-NYC $USD4.6/SC this year it's 6.3