VA Beyond Tier to replace the club

[ferntree]

This, from Exeutive Traveller, 1st April:

"As previously reported, the new elite VIP tier – which will include former Cub lounges at Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane – is expected to adopt a more commercial footing as a drawcard for companies with a high travel spend, to help Virgin better compete against Qantas for the business and corporate market.

The relaunch will also include "new premium loyalty benefits” alongside a fresh and more clearly-defined set of membership criteria.

While the program’s new name remains under wraps, it’s worth noting that Virgin Australia recently filed trademark applications for both Virgin Australia Beyond and Virgin Australia Business Flyer."

 

[jakeseven7]

This, from Exeutive Traveller, 1st April:

"As previously reported, the new elite VIP tier – which will include former Cub lounges at Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane – is expected to adopt a more commercial footing as a drawcard for companies with a high travel spend, to help Virgin better compete against Qantas for the business and corporate market.

The relaunch will also include "new premium loyalty benefits” alongside a fresh and more clearly-defined set of membership criteria.

While the program’s new name remains under wraps, it’s worth noting that Virgin Australia recently filed trademark applications for both Virgin Australia Beyond and Virgin Australia Business Flyer."

Personally, I would prefer Bain/VA2 would prioritise and concentrate on reopening closed 'standard' VA lounges that were shuttered during the collapse or even open new 'standard' ones in other airports like even just one little one in poor old Tassie . They don't have to be anything fancy, just so you can get out of the terminal with some basic amenities to work, like a regional lounge approach even.

I think its a mistake to assume all the high value spend decision makers only fly between the golden triangle. Whilst a lot may, they definitely fly outside of this too.

It is a selfish ask I appreciate because I'm sure I won't qualify for any club lounges as I'm sure many on here won't either.

 

[Harrison_133]

While the program’s new name remains under wraps, it’s worth noting that Virgin Australia recently filed trademark applications for both Virgin Australia Beyond and Virgin Australia Business Flyer."

And the new name is Virgin Australia Business Flyer…

Virgin Australia Business Flyer | Virgin Australia

Our new business program has landed to supercharge Velocity Rewards for you and your business. Earn Velocity Points for you and your business, save on our low fares and more.

www.virginaustralia.com

 

[samh004]

And the new name is Virgin Australia Business Flyer…

Virgin Australia Business Flyer | Virgin Australia

Our new business program has landed to supercharge Velocity Rewards for you and your business. Earn Velocity Points for you and your business, save on our low fares and more.

www.virginaustralia.com

This is just the equivalent of Qantas Aquire Business Rewards. This isn't the new tier that unlocks access to better lounges.

 

[ferntree]

If Virgin are seriously interested in growing their share of the business market then the first thing they will need to do is to reopen premium entry at BNE and SYD, and the premium lounge exit at MEL.

Leisure travellers who perhaps go for a holiday once or twice a year will maybe put up at long lines and delays at security, but the business traveller (who is more likely to be a regular traveller) will not. They need to have confidence that they can move swiftly thru the airport, not have to get to the airport at least two hours before takeoff.

You can offer all the perqs and bait in the world, but without this they will miss their mark.

 

[twinaisle]

Executive Traveller: Virgin Australia will once again woo VIP flyers with the launch of its new Beyond tier and the opening of elite Beyond lounges in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane on Wednesday April 20.

The name reveals follows Virgin Australia's commitment to rebooting a premium loyalty program last year:

Virgin Australia commits to premium loyalty program and lounges

Virgin Australia Group Chief Commercial Officer, Dave Emerson, has today announced the re-opening of premium Club lounges in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, by the end of March 2022.

newsroom.virginaustralia.com

 

[aus_flyer]

Well this is very disappointing! I guess I’ll keep my P1 with Qantas…

 

[serfty]

Well this is very disappointing! I guess I’ll keep my P1 with Qantas…

WP for both Velocity and QFF does the job for me.

 

[jakeseven7]

Well this is very disappointing! I guess I’ll keep my P1 with Qantas…

With respect you may not be their target market anyway?

 

[jase05]

A little disappointing there isn’t a higher tier but they look after us pretty well now and hopefully I can make the Business flyer program work for me

 

[vantage03]

Some invitations (via e-mail) for VA Beyond went out to existing members of The Club tonight. No concrete info on the programme was given, but will be available soon.

 

[ThePointyEnd]

If Virgin are seriously interested in growing their share of the business market then the first thing they will need to do is to reopen premium entry at BNE and SYD, and the premium lounge exit at MEL.

Leisure travellers who perhaps go for a holiday once or twice a year will maybe put up at long lines and delays at security, but the business traveller (who is more likely to be a regular traveller) will not. They need to have confidence that they can move swiftly thru the airport, not have to get to the airport at least two hours before takeoff.

You can offer all the perqs and bait in the world, but without this they will miss their mark.

I couldn't agree more. The lack of the premium entry is a real bummer. Not enough to make Qantas attractive, but even so :-(

 

[Stealthflyer]

Personally, I would prefer Bain/VA2 would prioritise and concentrate on reopening closed 'standard' VA lounges that were shuttered during the collapse or even open new 'standard' ones in other airports like even just one little one in poor old Tassie . They don't have to be anything fancy, just so you can get out of the terminal with some basic amenities to work, like a regional lounge approach even.

I think its a mistake to assume all the high value spend decision makers only fly between the golden triangle. Whilst a lot may, they definitely fly outside of this too.

It is a selfish ask I appreciate because I'm sure I won't qualify for any club lounges as I'm sure many on here won't either.

I’d kill for a HBA lounge. At peak periods the terminal is heaving. I’m surprised it doesn’t violate COVID capacity restrictions to be honest.

It would be nice to sit and have a drink in peace with a flimsy wall between me and the masses.

 

[ferntree]

I’d kill for a HBA lounge. At peak periods the terminal is heaving. I’m surprised it doesn’t violate COVID capacity restrictions to be honest.

Me too, and I strongly suspect that it does violate covid restrictions at present. Not going to happen though.

 

[Stealthflyer]

Me too, and I strongly suspect that it does violate covid restrictions at present. Not going to happen though.

I like to dream

 

[jakeseven7]

I’d kill for a HBA lounge. At peak periods the terminal is heaving. I’m surprised it doesn’t violate COVID capacity restrictions to be honest.

It would be nice to sit and have a drink in peace with a flimsy wall between me and the masses.

But there is a Virgin VIP lounge, it’s behind the doors marked emergency exit alarms will sound, next to baggage hall. Invite only . Try and blag your way in next time perhaps

 

[Stealthflyer]

But there is a Virgin VIP lounge, it’s behind the doors marked emergency exit alarms will sound, next to baggage hall. Invite only . Try and blag your way in next time perhaps

As a nobody, I don’t think I could do a DYKWIA act with a straight face. I work with too many narcissistic DYKWIAers.

How strange that VA has a VIP lounge but not a regular one. I feel a bit bitter now.

 

[TMP]

But there is a Virgin VIP lounge, it’s behind the doors marked emergency exit alarms will sound, next to baggage hall. Invite only . Try and blag your way in next time perhaps

I don't know why moderators allow this comment to persist across multiple threads, lest someone actually falls for it and creates a security incident...

 

[Stealthflyer]

I don't know why moderators allow this comment to persist across multiple threads, lest someone actually falls for it and creates a security incident...

Was it meant to be a joke?

 

[jakeseven7]

I don't know why moderators allow this comment to persist across multiple threads, lest someone actually falls for it and creates a security incident...

Because it was a joke originally started by a moderator years and years and years ago when Virgin Blue first announced the HBA lounge.

It’s urban myth AFF legend.

And there is no such emergency door at all anyway in the area described . You’d have to take a sledgehammer to the asbestos walls at HBA to get through .