VA2.0 International Partners

[Notyourbag]

This bit intrigued me



And separately I was just about to apply for a QF AMEX Ultimate offer which expires tonight. I wonder if holding off for what comes next month might be better. Hmm!

Let's hope it's not something out of left field like an exclusive tie up with Air Koryo

 

[RAM]

Which is probably why Bain and SQ/Velocity are trying to negotiate the resumption of the program at a 'sustainable' rate, if not in favour of Bain!

Considering the previous Velocity/Krisflyer program was a reported money drain in favour of SQ, which would've only been acceptable back when SQ had a stake in VA.

Playing Devil's Advocate - VA II could play hardball since SIA is very keen on getting its hands on cash yesterday.

Evidenced by the Krisflyer 15% bonus points for transfers from many bank schemes. Only the second time offered IIRC.

With fingers crossed - perhaps VA II is aiming for a lower, not higher exchange rate such as 4 VFF for 3 KF points instead of effectively 3 for 2.

 

[RAM]

On the other hand - good time if you have Krisflyer points to lock in your redemptions for the next year - before they're opened up to 'partners'.

 

[henrus]

Playing Devil's Advocate - VA II could play hardball since SIA is very keen on getting its hands on cash yesterday.

I think everyone is over thinking it. SQ is simply not releasing redemption flights to any partners.

On a different note, has anyone seen the redemption table? I wonder if it's the same or has changed?

 

[aaronm]

Ability to redeem on SQ is less important to me than ability to earn. SQ status earn is pretty key to my ability to retain Plat status.

 

[TMP]

On first read and face value, this is a pretty good outcome overall for VA FFs

 

[bernardblack]

I think everyone is over thinking it. SQ is simply not releasing redemption flights to any partners.

On a different note, has anyone seen the redemption table? I wonder if it's the same or has changed?

Someone linked to a press release in another thread and it had sample redemption costs. They looked consistent with the past (at least for J, which is what interests me): SYD-LAX on DL 95500, SYD-FCO on EY 139000.

There was one that said SYD-LHR on EY 121000, but since that's less than SYD-FCO and further distance, that might be a typo; perhaps they meant SQ when it comes back?

Post automatically merged: Oct 27, 2021

On first read and face value, this is a pretty good outcome overall for VA FFs

On the whole, yes.

Would like to see SQ locked-in although it sounds like they're coming.

Really want NH.

And the exclusion for AU<>YVR redemptions on AC really cuts the value of that partnership. Is that something DL is enforcing or...?

 

[http_x92]

Pretty new to the Velocity game... So how it works for SQ I assume is that one can soon transfer from Velocity to Krisflyer. Then book a SQ ticket using the Krisflyer points (a Saver fare) but choose Velocity as the program to earn status on in the booking. So that way we earn Velocity Status credits? Or would it be better to have Krisflyer as the program to earn status on?

 

[henrus]

Pretty new to the Velocity game... So how it works for SQ I assume is that one can soon transfer from Velocity to Krisflyer

Possibly in the future however no one knows if/when it may be possible.

In short before the administration period it was possible to transfer velocity points to krisflyer miles (and vice versa) at a rate of 1.55 to 1. When the administration occurred this ability was paused and no one knows if it'll return.

Then book a SQ ticket using the Krisflyer points (a Saver fare) but choose Velocity as the program to earn status on in the booking. So that way we earn Velocity Status credits?

You can't earn VA status credits when using a SQ ticket booked using miles/points.

would it be better to have Krisflyer as the program to earn status on?

This really depends on where you fly the most (either domestic AU or international SQ).

Let's use Sydney to London return (via Singapore as the example route). If you booked the cheapest SQ economy fares you'd end up with 10,674 velocity points and 140 status credits. It takes 500 status credits to get VA gold and 400 to maintain gold so you'd need to make roughly 4 trips to get VA gold (technically 3.5 but you get the idea). Also noting that VA requires you to fly 4 VA flights per year.

The same trip would also earn 10,674 krisflyer miles however as they don't use status credits you'd also earn 10,674 elite miles. Krisflyer elite gold is 50,000 miles so you'd have to make 5x return trips.

Krisflyer gold is slightly better due to the wider star alliance benefits however VA does have it's unique partners. Where SQ really falls over is domestic flights operated by Virgin. If you buy a VA ticket for a BNE-SYD flight you can earn points and status credits on VA whereas on Krisflyer you only earn the miles (and not the elite miles required to claim the status ladder).

 

[HS-TQE]

Pretty new to the Velocity game... So how it works for SQ I assume is that one can soon transfer from Velocity to Krisflyer. Then book a SQ ticket using the Krisflyer points (a Saver fare) but choose Velocity as the program to earn status on in the booking. So that way we earn Velocity Status credits? Or would it be better to have Krisflyer as the program to earn status on?

The Velocity/Krisflyer Transfer program isn't officially confirmed yet but it's been only confirmed that Bain and Singapore/Velocity are in negotiations to resume the program.

It's been suggested that if the transfer program does resume, it will likely be at a devalued rate than the mentioned pre-COVID rate as Bain will want to make the transfer program sustainable (If not have the benefits of the transfer program go in their favour instead of Singapore/Krisflyer)

 

[jakeseven7]

The Velocity/Krisflyer Transfer program isn't officially confirmed yet but it's been only confirmed that Bain and Singapore/Velocity are in negotiations to resume the program.

It's been suggested that if the transfer program does resume, it will likely be at a devalued rate than the mentioned pre-COVID rate as Bain will want to make the transfer program sustainable (If not have the benefits of the transfer program go in their favour instead of Singapore/Krisflyer)

All we can do is wait I guess.

I hope Velocity / Bain/VA2 have negotiated better access to premium awards on Etihad and Singapore than before. And now they aren’t flying international on their own metal in any significant way - would be great to see better access to Delta inventory as well. Fingers crossed.

 

[antycbr]

Let's hope it's not something out of left field like an exclusive tie up with Air Koryo

This made me laugh as for some reason I could imagine a direct Pyongyang-Perth.

Would give the FIFOs somewhere to go other than Broome…

(Just kidding everyone)

 

[Mr H]

Feeling a lot happier about this now and for my 400k I left in Velocity after sending the majority of my points to Krisflyer before the halt.

Same.

18 months ago, there was a rush on toasters and giftcards. I was a lone voice in saying I did not want to cash out - I would rather have the slim chance of future flights in premium cabins than money off groceries or more electronic cough that I did not need. And for the past 18 months I have not been pursuing Velocity points with that much vigour, but I have accumulated 230k points and 270k Flybuys that I can tip into Velocity. So, like you, I feel vindicated.

 

[MooTime]

Same.

18 months ago, there was a rush on toasters and giftcards. I was a lone voice in saying I did not want to cash out - I would rather have the slim chance of future flights in premium cabins than money off groceries or more electronic cough that I did not need. And for the past 18 months I have not been pursuing Velocity points with that much vigour, but I have accumulated 230k points and 270k Flybuys that I can tip into Velocity. So, like you, I feel vindicated.

Same here also, wasn't interested in transferring to SQ.

Have 600k+ velocity pts & that with using some, minimal during the year. 250k in flybuys & have transferred some to velocity for the MILLION Point comp.

Very happy & pretty much expected the international partners they ann yesterday.
I mean it's in all airlines best interests to try to capture as many flyers as possible, so partner up, nice work Virgin & Velocity.

I do envisage very minimal reward seats on partner airlines for time being. By mid-year there'll be ample, back to pre-covid norm IMO.

 

[RAM]

Same here also, wasn't interested in transferring to SQ.

Have 600k+ velocity pts & that with using some, minimal during the year. 250k in flybuys & have transferred some to velocity for the MILLION Point comp.

Very happy & pretty much expected the international partners they ann yesterday.
I mean it's in all airlines best interests to try to capture as many flyers as possible, so partner up, nice work Virgin & Velocity.

I do envisage very minimal reward seats on partner airlines for time being. By mid-year there'll be ample, back to pre-covid norm IMO.

I dislike promotions like the 'million point' one as they are gold for the particular company & a ripoff for customers (normally).

Compare them to a 10% or 15% transfer bonus for every transfer - the cost to the company for a one-off large prize is typically between 1/10th to 1/5000th that of providing a bonus on every transfer. The relative ripoff depends on the size of the harvestable base (number of customers & expected take-up %). The larger the harvest then the worse the reward.

With the current Velocity offer, with around 7 million active VFF accounts then if only 1/4 take up this promotion the expected payoff is around 0.5 a velocity point per customer who transfers - regardless of how many points they transfer.

The 'three card trick' of getting 'extra entries' the more you transfer does not provide any additional benefit to a customer in reality. That is not the perception though.

Using the old 15% bonus offer - a single transfer of 1,000 points would provide you with 150 additional VFF points vs expected payoff for thie 'million points' of 0.5 VFF points.

Caveat Emptor!

 

[antycbr]

I dislike promotions like the 'million point' one as they are gold for the particular company & a ripoff for customers (normally).

Compare them to a 10% or 15% transfer bonus for every transfer - the cost to the company for a one-off large prize is typically between 1/10th to 1/5000th that of providing a bonus on every transfer. The relative ripoff depends on the size of the harvestable base (number of customers & expected take-up %). The larger the harvest then the worse the reward.

With the current Velocity offer, with around 7 million active VFF accounts then if only 1/4 take up this promotion the expected payoff is around 0.5 a velocity point per customer who transfers - regardless of how many points they transfer.

The 'three card trick' of getting 'extra entries' the more you transfer does not provide any additional benefit to a customer in reality. That is not the perception though.

Using the old 15% bonus offer - a single transfer of 1,000 points would provide you with 150 additional VFF points vs expected payoff for thie 'million points' of 0.5 VFF points.

Caveat Emptor!

Yep totally agree with this and it's typical of VA.

Example: VA-X and win is cheap as a competition for VA, vs QF giving 1000 points/SCs/JQ or QF voucher which has a real value.

Of course as entry is free to both I entered both...

 

[MooTime]

I also play tatts on a weekly basis.

I don't care what is costs VA or QF or Royal Children's Hospital for the prize.
I'm only concerned what's in it for me, potentially.

Both QF & VA giving away flights essential, 1 extra flyer means diddly squat for both, It's all complete PR.

 

[odysseus]

Yep totally agree with this and it's typical of VA.

Example: VA-X and win is cheap as a competition for VA, vs QF giving 1000 points/SCs/JQ or QF voucher which has a real value.

Of course as entry is free to both I entered both...

Funnily enough, I saw the opposite. VA's comp is giving away multiple prizes of real value, instead of just token amounts that Qantas were giving, no more than a sale, or a single flight of SCs. Big deal. Behaviour change is about a worthwhile incentive.

The only argument is really over the total value (prize pool) in each - but then as QFF has more members, of course you'd expect it to be giving away more in absolute points just to be equal overall. If more members shared the same point pool, they'll be getting less individually.

In the scheme of things, I suspect they're both giving away comparable levels of points each. Which means in the end, the only difference is distribution; fewer getting more valuable rewards, or many getting token gifts.

 

[odysseus]

I also play tatts on a weekly basis.

I don't care what is costs VA or QF or Royal Children's Hospital for the prize.
I'm only concerned what's in it for me, potentially.

Both QF & VA giving away flights essential, 1 extra flyer means diddly squat for both, It's all complete PR.

Exactly, and in this case, VA's incentive was both substantially more appealing, and the cost more appropriate. QF require personal, private details just to get a token gift. VA don't ask for anything to enter, offers more attractive prizes and only if you win you give details, which is obviously more than worth it.

 

[Mattg]

So, are Hainan Airlines/Tianjin/Capital Airlines still Velocity partners? They are still listed as airline partners on the Velocity website:

Explore Velocity Partners

Discover our extensive network of global program partners and learn how to earn and redeem Velocity Points with them. Learn more about our airline, credit cards, banking, insurance, holiday, travel, car, hotels ,shopping, wine, dine and everyday partners now.

experience.velocityfrequentflyer.com

But there is no mention of them in VA's announcement about reopening partner airline reward bookings:

Virgin Australia Group ramps up international travel

More partnerships and more destinations will be revealed in the coming months. In the meantime, Velocity members are encouraged to get in early to book their Reward Seats due to the limited availability on offer until partner airlines increase their network and services as travel demand returns.

newsroom.virginaustralia.com