VA removing FF numbers from boarding passes

[Bibendum]

Seems VA are going down the same path QF have just gone down with removing FF numbers from boarding passes..

not sure whywe need a physical card at partner lounges, why wouldn’t the digital one suffice..?

email below just received..

Important Service Message​

​ From 27 February 2020, we are removing Velocity Frequent Flyer membership numbers from kiosk-issued boarding passes. To access our Virgin Australia lounges, please present your digital Velocity membership card accessible from the Virgin Australia app or the Velocity Frequent Flyer app. You can download these apps from the App store or Google Play store. To access eligible partner airline lounges as a Gold or Platinum Velocity member when travelling internationally or domestically, please present your physical Velocity membership card.​

 

[Kremmen]

How annoying can Virgin get? Why do we need either their app or their card? I have over a dozen FF cards but I never carry any of them any more.

They should just print the information necessary for lounge entry (e.g. your status level) on the boarding pass, like most other carriers do.

 

[Bagpuss]

How annoying can Virgin get? Why do we need either their app or their card? I have over a dozen FF cards but I never carry any of them any more.

They should just print the information necessary for lounge entry (e.g. your status level) on the boarding pass, like most other carriers do.

Don’t think you understand. This is clamping down where a traveller prints a boarding pass using a kiosk and then passes it to another traveller in order to gain Lounge access and / or build up points and or status credits with a different person travelling.
It‘s a breach of aviation security and or falsely building airline status.
I think it’s 100% acceptable that if you want entry into a lounge you must present your boarding pass and proof of eligibility. That’s why they employee front desk staff.

 

[Kremmen]

This is clamping down where a traveller prints a boarding pass using a kiosk and then passes it to another traveller in order to gain Lounge access.

Then they could check ID and cross-check the name on the boarding pass. Having to carry your physical Velocity membership card is silly.

 

[serfty]

Then they could check ID and cross-check the name on the boarding pass. Having to carry your physical Velocity membership card is silly.

When I travel, I carry with me every physical card etc. I might need. It's a small weight imposition, but can be useful when other methods fail.

 

[pauly7]

Wait / aren’t they still printing the passengers status???

 

[Denali]

We never use our phone, always print boarding passes and I guess this is when the bag tag on my carry on is handy.

 

[Major]

I think it's a great security idea. I'm sure one of the main reasons is to reduce the amount of FF point hacking.

I am amazed by the number of paper boarding passes people leave around. With their name and FF number printed on the BP it makes it easier for hackers.

 

[Denali]

Don’t think you understand. This is clamping down where a traveller prints a boarding pass using a kiosk and then passes it to another traveller in order to gain Lounge access and / or build up points and or status credits with a different person travelling.
It‘s a breach of aviation security and or falsely building airline status.
I think it’s 100% acceptable that if you want entry into a lounge you must present your boarding pass and proof of eligibility. That’s why they employee front desk staff.

People do this?

 

[serfty]

Wait / aren’t they still printing the passengers status???

They were Sunday.

Also, the 2D barcode contained:

M1NAMExx_xx_xx_xFPNRxx_ FrmTOxFlightx nnnYSeatnnnn nnn>nnnnKKnnnnBVA nnnnnnnnnnnnnnn 0 FF NUMBERnnnn StuX

Which I think breaks down to:

M1 - PAX 1?
NAMExx_xx_xx_x e.g. NURK/FRED
F - Fare Type? (e.g. E)
PNRxx_
Frm e.g. MEL
TOx e.g. SYD
Flightx e.g. VA 0999
nnn e.g. 154
Y
Seat e.g. 003F
nnnn
nnn>nnnnKKnnnnBVA
nnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
0 Bags(?)
FF NUMBERnnnn e.g. VA 2999999999
Stus - Status eg PLT
X Economy X?

 

[TomVexille]

People do this?

Not the first time I've heard of it

 

[Stealthflyer]

People do this?

My reaction also. Surely the risk of being caught outweighs the rewards. Travelling under someone else’s name can get you both into serious trouble. Under section 376.4(2) of the Federal Criminal Code Act 1995, it is a criminal offence that carries a charge of up to 12 months imprisonment. Sure, it’s unlikely you’ll get caught, but I wouldn’t risk it. I suspect it’s also in violation of Velocity’s membership terms and conditions so you might find your membership terminated also.

 

[Stealthflyer]

If you don’t want to keep the Virgin app on your phone you can download your digital membership card to Apple Wallet (if you have an iPhone) or just take a screenshot. That’s what I do. I do it with my boarding passes too. I’ve had too many instances where I’ve got to the gate and the Virgin app freezes when I try to tap on the show boarding pass section, so it’s just easier to download to Wallet.

 

[muppet]

Don’t think you understand. This is clamping down where a traveller prints a boarding pass using a kiosk and then passes it to another traveller in order to gain Lounge access and / or build up points and or status credits with a different person travelling.
It‘s a breach of aviation security and or falsely building airline status.

can you reference this assertion?

 

[serfty]

I’ve had too many instances where I’ve got to the gate and the ... app freezes

After too many stuffups, I always try to use printed BP's.

 

[Denali]

After too many stuffups, I always try to use printed BP's.

Plus a few times Ive had to chase SCs & points and was asked to email them copy of boarding pass.

 

[Major]

After too many stuffups, I always try to use printed BP's.

So do I, and take them home to put through the shredder

 

[Must...Fly!]

Status will probably still show but the partner lounges need to record your velocity number to send to VFF for billing purposes.

Some demand a physical card and not digital so I think this is simply VFF playing it safe in that regard

 

[dajop]

Don’t think you understand. This is clamping down where a traveller prints a boarding pass using a kiosk and then passes it to another traveller in order to gain Lounge access and / or build up points and or status credits with a different person travelling.
It‘s a breach of aviation security and or falsely building airline status.
I think it’s 100% acceptable that if you want entry into a lounge you must present your boarding pass and proof of eligibility. That’s why they employee front desk staff.

Really? How is removing the FF number from the BP going to stop this. It took me about 2 secs to think of a way to get lounge access without FF number on BP under this scenario, you let them sign into you FF account on the app or give them your membership card. If doing it for status credit accrual reasons (without lounge) then will change absolutely nothing.

I suspect it has more to do with privacy than anything.

 

[serfty]

So do I, and take them home to put through the shredder

No shredding until points/SC's have posted...