The Virgin Australia Newbie Questions Thread

[admin]

This thread is specifically for new members to ask questions relating to Virgin and the Virgin Velocity Frequent Flyer program. Our more experienced members will be then be able to answer your questions.

Please note that this thread is specifically for new and/or inexperienced members, so please keep this in mind when replying to posts in this thread. In particular, please minimise the use of acronyms and explain the concepts in a way that a novice can easily understand. And please be gentle

P.S. If you're a newbie to frequent flyer programs in Australia, check out our guide

 

[MEL_Traveller]

So… apologies if this has been discussed before, if so a direction to the relevant thread would be appreciated!

I will start flying VA regularly from the end of this month and expect to earn around 450SCs a month.

What’s the best strategy to maximise this flying and the potential to earn SCs?

I was thinking to get platinum as the main benefit for me there is probably the ‘fly ahead’ option which will undoubtedly be useful on occasion.

I was then thinking to get more SCs to gift gold/platinum. I have a friend who could make good use of it.

But what happens after that? There’s no ‘P1’ status like QF right?

Do I keep earning SCs on VA, or do I start crediting to another program like Virgin Atlantic? I’ve read VS’s rules and it doesn’t look like I have to do any VS metal. Or do I simply credit to Aeroplan or something else?

On a different matter, I see you get 5 points per $1 spent on VA fares. Does that increase for gold and platinum? Or everyone gets the same 5 points per dollar?

 

[AIRwin]

On a different matter, I see you get 5 points per $1 spent on VA fares. Does that increase for gold and platinum? Or everyone gets the same 5 points per dollar?

Same base points but there is also an additional 50%/75%/100% points bonus for Silver/Gold/Platinum (except on Lite fares):

VELOCITY MEMBERSHIP STATUS Enjoy benefits that are tailored to your Velocity membership level.

As a Platinum, Gold or Silver Velocity member, Velocity member, you will receive all the benefits you expect from a world-class global frequent flyer program, plus a unique range of benefits tailored with our Platinum and Gold Velocity members in mind

experience.velocityfrequentflyer.com

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Same base points but there is also an additional 50%/75%/100% points bonus for Silver/Gold/Platinum (except on Lite fares):

VELOCITY MEMBERSHIP STATUS Enjoy benefits that are tailored to your Velocity membership level.

As a Platinum, Gold or Silver Velocity member, Velocity member, you will receive all the benefits you expect from a world-class global frequent flyer program, plus a unique range of benefits tailored with our Platinum and Gold Velocity members in mind

experience.velocityfrequentflyer.com

Thanks! I saw that but didn’t know if that was only for flying points, or also for paying fares?

if plats get 100% bonus on airfares that would add up quick.

 

[AIRwin]

I saw that but didn’t know if that was only for flying points, or also for paying fares?

There are also various points bonus on other partners - refer Tier Bonus tab:

Platinum Membership

Enjoy gold membership benefits as soon as your status credit reaches to 1000. benefits includes priority phone service, upgrademe points, advance seat selection, priority wait list and also enjoy priority check-in, virgin Australia lounge, complementary baggage allowance and rewards benefits...

experience.velocityfrequentflyer.com

Gold Membership

Enjoy gold membership benefits as soon as your status credit reaches to 400. benefits includes priority phone service, upgrademe points, advance seat selection, priority wait list and also enjoy priority check-in, virgin Australia lounge, complementary baggage allowance and rewards benefits with...

experience.velocityfrequentflyer.com

 

[flyingfan]

What’s the best strategy to maximise this flying and the potential to earn SCs?

I was thinking to get platinum as the main benefit for me there is probably the ‘fly ahead’ option which will undoubtedly be useful on occasion.

I was then thinking to get more SCs to gift gold/platinum. I have a friend who could make good use of it.

But what happens after that? There’s no ‘P1’ status like QF right?

Family pooling is great. I haven’t been able to use Fly Ahead since before COVID I think - all the golden triangle flights I do are apparently packed.

SYD check-in and lounge can be a zoo all too often.

I’m closing in on being able to gift platinum and after that that’s it, no P1, no lifetime status. Not that I’ve benefited from P1 recently besides first row of Y. Haven’t cared to try to extract partner benefits overseas lately so LT status not really swaying me right now.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks airwin!

 

[Dan_]

With that much flying, you might end up with an invite to Beyond

 

[MEL_Traveller]

With that much flying, you might end up with an invite to Beyond

I doubt it! It’s all cheapie $299 fares! And I have zero influence :’(

 

[nige_perth]

Hi All,

Firstly apologies for a simple question, if someone can point me in the right direction.

How long do Status credit take arrive in to one account?

Thanks in advance

 

[flyingfan]

How long do Status credit take arrive in to one account?

For VA metal, IME within a day. Has taken between a couple of hours to a few days.

 

[nige_perth]

For VA metal, IME within a day. Has taken between a couple of hours to a few days.

Thanks, my flight was on Saturday so guessing possibly a extra day or so.

 

[kerfuffle]

Thanks, my flight was on Saturday so guessing possibly a extra day or so.

There was also an outage over the weekend where no one could access their Velocity account as they were working on something in the background.

 

[SydneySwan]

I have never purchased a fully-refundable Virgin fare - I am thinking business B C or J fare - but what is Virgin policy regarding the credit card payment fee if you need to cancel? Around 1% on 4 return flights SYD - PER is north of $100 so I would rather be fully informed prior to booking.

 

[kazhere]

How do I find out if they serve a meal on my Perth to Melbourne flight? When I look at the menu on the website it only shows food you can purchase

 

[MEL_Traveller]

How do I find out if they serve a meal on my Perth to Melbourne flight? When I look at the menu on the website it only shows food you can purchase

Meals are complimentary in business class. For the main cabin tea, coffee and water are free. Everything else is buy-on-board.

 

[kazhere]

Meals are complimentary in business class. For the main cabin tea, coffee and water are free. Everything else is buy-on-board.

Thanks! Time to get creative with traveling snacks

 

[sudoer]

Does anyone have recent experience on how long SQ flights should take to credit to VA?

I recall it being 1-2 days some years ago, but a flight I took 6 days ago still hasn't credited. I'm anxious as I made the mistake of booking while logged into my SQ account, so my KF number was attached to the booking initially.

I asked at check-in to change this to my VA number, which they did, but my reprinted boarding pass read "VA KFEG". I questioned this, they said the VA number added for mileage accrual and KF number for status benefits. I called SQ from the lounge to confirm the VA number was listed and was assured it had been. Still no SC in either KF or VA accounts but would sure love for those SC to post!

 

[jase05]

Does anyone have recent experience on how long SQ flights should take to credit to VA?

I recall it being 1-2 days some years ago, but a flight I took 6 days ago still hasn't credited. I'm anxious as I made the mistake of booking while logged into my SQ account, so my KF number was attached to the booking initially.

I asked at check-in to change this to my VA number, which they did, but my reprinted boarding pass read "VA KFEG". I questioned this, they said the VA number added for mileage accrual and KF number for status benefits. I called SQ from the lounge to confirm the VA number was listed and was assured it had been. Still no SC in either KF or VA accounts but would sure love for those SC to post!

Have flown on 2 award and 2 revenue SQ flights recently and all had VA PT on the boarding pass. Both credited within 24hrs with SGN-SIN already credited when I checked whilst in the Taxi on way to hotel in Singapore

 

[sudoer]

Have flown on 2 award and 2 revenue SQ flights recently and all had VA PT on the boarding pass. Both credited within 24hrs with SGN-SIN already credited when I checked whilst in the Taxi on way to hotel in Singapore

Wow, alright, I'm guessing they won't post and I'll need to lodge a missing points claim. At least the fact the SC haven't credited in my KF account gives me hope of a successful claim.