VA Partner Updates (July 10th 2017)

[johnnyfive]

Some program updates just dropped. Summary below with link.

• [h=5]New Chinese and Hong Kong Airline Partners[/h]

[FONT=&amp]On 6 July 2017 we welcomed four new airline partners into our program: Hainan Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Capital Airlines and Tianjin Airlines.
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• [h=5]New Delta Air Lines Points Bonus[/h]

[FONT=&amp]From 31 July 2017, Velocity Platinum, Gold and Silver members will earn even more Velocity Points when flying on Delta Air Lines or Virgin Australia operated flights (with DL flight number through the introduction of Velocity’s new Points bonus.[/FONT]​

• [h=5]Changes to Air New Zealand partnership[/h]

[FONT=&amp]When travelling on Air New Zealand operated flights within and between Australia and New Zealand. However, from 1 November 2017 Velocity members will not earn or redeem Velocity Points and Status Credits, or receive other benefits when travelling on all other Air New Zealand operated flights.
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• [h=5]Virgin America loyalty program ‘Elevate’ is dissolving[/h]

Earlier this year Virgin America announced that their loyalty program, ‘Elevate’, was dissolving. As a result, Velocity members will not earn and redeem Points on Virgin America after 30 September 2017.
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• [h=5]Singapore Airlines Premium Economy Reward Seats[/h]

[FONT=&amp]From 31 August 2017, Velocity members can use their Points to redeem Singapore Airlines [/FONT]Premium Economy Reward[FONT=&amp] Seats.

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[FONT=&amp]Full details here:
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https://www.velocityfrequentflyer.com/content/ProgramBenefits/LatestNews/airline-update/

 

[Bagpuss]

There goes the idea of flying to the US on Air New Zealand :-(

 

[serfty]

The NZ thing is expected - I'm sure the relationship would have finished completely if NZ / VA did not have a use for each others domestic network.

I like the DL change.

 

[MH_fan]

Disappointing changes with NZ but not unexpected, given their recent souring relationship and VA increasing their transpac flights. Luckily, I had booked a transpac flight with NZ recently for travel early next year which should still earn me Velocity points and SCs. Need to screenshot that thing about purchasing tickets pre July 10.

I like the DL changes though.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Disappointing changes with NZ. Luckily, I had booked a transpac flight with NZ recently for travel early next year which should still earn me Velocity points and SCs.

Will they credit though given they don't earn from 1st Nov 2017 ?
EDIT: Just clicked through and realize that they will credit.

 

[Bagpuss]

The NZ thing is expected - I'm sure the relationship would have finished completely if NZ / VA did not have a use for each others domestic network.

I like the DL change.

I like the DL change too, would be nice if SQ started this too

 

[Bagpuss]

Will they credit though given they don't earn from 1st Nov 2017 ?

Yes as per the release "[FONT=&quot]Any bookings made prior to 10 July 2017 for travel after 1 November 2017 will still be eligible for Velocity Points and Status Credit earn. "[/FONT]

 

[bad]

PF are you not in the wrong thread being P1........tut...tut :mrgreen:.......

Anyway I have sunk to below silver with VA......as not flying whatsoever! Also being a P1 I try and direct my business there to maintain status and pass on the free platinum to my partner. Sorry off Topic a Tadd.

 

[Mattg]

Those Air NZ earning changes are pretty poor.

I assume all NZ flights can still be credited to KrisFlyer?

 

[pauly7]

Really disappointing the NZ move pretty much severing the relationship - but as others have said not unexpected. Where to put my NZ points now!?

 

[Fifa]

Good timing for me as I will be gold and will have 6 x DL sectors in the US in Sep/Oct.

 

[Princess Fiona]

PF are you not in the wrong thread being P1........tut...tut :mrgreen:.......

Anyway I have sunk to below silver with VA......as not flying whatsoever! Also being a P1 I try and direct my business there to maintain status and pass on the free platinum to my partner. Sorry off Topic a Tadd.

I'm currently a Platinum about to be tinged with Gold :mrgreen:

 

[Jeffrey O'Neill]

What’s most exciting is that Velocity members can now redeem Velocity Points across all cabin classes on Singapore Airlines' flights2.

2 Singapore Airlines Reward Seats are subject to availability. Points cannot be earned on Velocity Reward Seat bookings.

I wonder if this means First clas will be bookable for Velocity members???

 

[IceMan007]

Disappointing changes with AirNZ. Was thinking about ditching Velocity and accumulating Airpoints instead before this announcement, but this made it easier to cut off Velocity. Much easier to earn points within the StarAlliance than a handful or airlines.

To clarify, Airpoints can still earn points and status points on any domestic (Australian) VA flight even after November 1st?

 

[Gianni S]

the addition of being able to redeem award flights on Singapore Airlines Prem Economy could potentially be great news depending the difference in points needed to redeem though VA vs SIA

Kind of answered my own question

Melbourne to Singapore
VA : 50,500 + applicable taxes
SIA : 45,000 KF/ 60,750 Velocity + applicable taxes

 

[Icy]

Yes, bit of a pity regarding the Air NZ changes but the DL update is welcome.

Timing is good for us though as we already have Air NZ flights in PE from Brisbane to Vancouver booked for next month along with a couple of DL transcontinental flights in first.

 

[Milboo]

I'm disappointed to see the Air NZ changes - the flights on VA to NZ are not as frequent. Also a fan of the NZ product to the US.

 

[Icy]

I'm disappointed to see the Air NZ changes - the flights on VA to NZ are not as frequent. Also a fan of the NZ product to the US.

My understanding is that Air NZ flights between Australia and NZ will still be eligible for SCs and points. It is only flights to and from the Americas that are changing.

 

[jpk]

NZ changes disappointing as I really enjoy flying with them, solid product in all classes. As said already, not unexpected given how the relationship has soured.

 

[Falcs]

My understanding is that Air NZ flights between Australia and NZ will still be eligible for SCs and points. It is only flights to and from the Americas that are changing.

Yup,

From 1 November 2017 Points can only be earned for travel on Air New Zealand operated Domestic flights within New Zealand and Air New Zealand operated Trans-Tasman flights.

They even have a dedicated page for ineligible destinations

https://www.velocityfrequentflyer.c...cificIslanddestinationsPointsEarnInelibility/