Value of Status

[totd]

Jama, are you saying that VA status is, in reality, useless on non-VA flights? They have a whole page dedicated to benefits on partner airlines which was the basis for my decision earlier this year to start dutifully working towards Gold (I've already booked and started to fly enough BiS miles for PS)... I mainly want the lounge access with VX & DL, but priority would be nice too. Is it worth it, or should I just abandon all hope now?

 

[Jama]

Jama, are you saying that VA status is, in reality, useless on non-VA flights? They have a whole page dedicated to benefits on partner airlines which was the basis for my decision earlier this year to start dutifully working towards Gold (I've already booked and started to fly enough BiS miles for PS)... I mainly want the lounge access with VX & DL, but priority would be nice too. Is it worth it, or should I just abandon all hope now?

No not saying it is useless, but your pretty limited when compared to say QF status when flying international. I am not in the best position to comment on the International as apart from NZ my International trips are rare. My comment is based on the numerous posts regarding this. I am sure someone more qualified will expand on this though. You might also notice that when there are status matches going, if you have QF status you will likely get matched. If you try with VA status, they laugh at you.

 

[highflyingkiwi]

I only fly International out of PNG, or domestically in NZ. There isn't many Velocity Platinum's or Gold's here as most travel Qantas/Air Nuigini. So I have been juggling with hitting Platinum on our next trip, or pooling all points to my wife who will go from Silver to Platinum (POM-BNE-SIN-BNE-AKL-BNE-POM), then pool back for me to retain Gold so that she then just soft lands next year. (We family pool 5 of us). For the past couple of weeks I have been thinking about the value of status between Gold/Platinum - and have come to the conclusion that unless you can take advantage of the local Australian domestic market - there is no real advantage for me (but Platinum for the missus might get me other extras ).

 

[totd]

Yes. I can see the benefit of Platinum for SWMBO. But it is interesting to see what perceived value Velocity has. Thanks.

 

[grubbidok]

Jama, are you saying that VA status is, in reality, useless on non-VA flights? They have a whole page dedicated to benefits on partner airlines which was the basis for my decision earlier this year to start dutifully working towards Gold (I've already booked and started to fly enough BiS miles for PS)... I mainly want the lounge access with VX & DL, but priority would be nice too. Is it worth it, or should I just abandon all hope now?

Depends where you mean by international. In the US it's quite good with DL, in fact better than many DL or Skyteam elites get. In Europe though it's abysmal. Lounge access is some places but not others (e.g. SQ arrangement doesn't extend to where they use *A lounges (e.g. CDG), as it would if VA were part of the alliance and not just SQ partner - FFS VA hurry up and join one!), and no partner for intra-European flights. On NZ as VA Gold or above you get automatic allocation to extra room sets. Get benefits on most airline partners (baggage etc). Then again. OW and *A can be a mixed bag as well, as some partners have deeper relationships than others.

I think it needs to be acknowledged that for some time now 'recognition' on international partners in terms of upgrades (freebies or the ability to do so with points) and whatnot has been diluted in alliances as well, and lounge access and reward options were really the only benefit I saw as QF Gold. I was upgraded much more often on QF as Silver too than I was as Gold (perhaps to give me a taste to hook me in). VA is a little behind but catching up. The hotel and car status is nice - don't know if the upgrade between Gold and Diamond makes these benefits worth it.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

there is no real advantage for me (but Platinum for the missus might get me other extras ).

Yeah, but don't those plat benefits wear off too?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I am interested to hear what platinum status think the difference is from gold. Will be 20 status credits off platinum and not sure will be that close again.

AnneMarie999, the one BIG advantage that may really sway your decision that has only been slightly alluded to, is a soft landing. You say you're not sure if you'll be that close again and depending on how much flying you intend for the future, the soft landing from plat to gold and finally to silver, may give you an extra year of complementary lounge access.

Of course if you'll always fly enough to retain gold, that's not such a big winner, but then you can fall back on the next big advantage of plat over gold.......turn the card over and it's a uber-chic purple! White is pure, white is clean, but purple is a warm colour! Now who was it that said that..................................

 

[highflyingkiwi]

Yeah, but don't those plat benefits wear off too?

Only if I tell her it lasts for a year

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Only if I tell her it lasts for a year

Man I love your logic!

 

[VMC73]

Priority Check in at SYD this afternoon 4pm was busier than regular!

Bonus is row 3 since reaching Plat have always had row 3 and always been offered comp drink/nibbles etc.

 

[Fruitcake]

Bonus is row 3 since reaching Plat have always had row 3 and always been offered comp drink/nibbles etc.

That is newsworthy. So FAs have "slipped you something off the cart" other than the regular tea/coffee/water/beer?

 

[DaleS]

Being Platinum got me a return BNE-LAX upgrade to business for the price of a flexi ticket which saved me almost $4.5K. I an flying in March & I have 1 VX and a bunch of Delta flights for which I am entitled to lounge access - will see how well that works. Also will get a bunch more SC's which will keep me WP. Dom flying has got me row 3 on all but 1 flight in the last 6 months and I recently used my comp upgrades on a flight to Perth which is definitely the best value of any available upgrade. Certainly don't get any special treatment apart from a small nod on boarding. But I'm not that fussy and I'm happy that my business and leisure flying has got me from red to plat.

 

[VMC73]

That is newsworthy. So FAs have "slipped you something off the cart" other than the regular tea/coffee/water/beer?

Only once have I had to pay although I always offer and have cc at the ready as I expect to. We fly a lot to NTL as family down there and SYD and always well looked after wine/beer etc. Also flying PE to LAX hubby able to select beer from J menu (Fat Yak I think??).

 

[BrentH]

Being Platinum got me a return BNE-LAX upgrade to business for the price of a flexi ticket which saved me almost $4.5K.

Was this offered at check-in, an op-up or some other kind of upgrade?

 

[medhead]

Priority Check in at SYD this afternoon 4pm was busier than regular!

Bonus is row 3 since reaching Plat have always had row 3 and always been offered comp drink/nibbles etc.

That is newsworthy. So FAs have "slipped you something off the cart" other than the regular tea/coffee/water/beer?

Certainly newsworthy.

Only once have I had to pay although I always offer and have cc at the ready as I expect to. We fly a lot to NTL as family down there and SYD and always well looked after wine/beer etc. Also flying PE to LAX hubby able to select beer from J menu (Fat Yak I think??).

Ah so basically to get something you have to be prepared to pay and hope they recognise the status. Sort of a nice thing but a bit hit and miss for recognition.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Ah so basically to get something you have to be prepared to pay and hope they recognise the status. Sort of a nice thing but a bit hit and miss for recognition.

This use to happen frequently for me. Often use to have cash out and get the "this is complementary for you today sir", but that basically stopped more than a year ago (in fact about the same time as the last SM offer). I've not experienced it since.

 

[DaleS]

Was this offered at check-in, an op-up or some other kind of upgrade?

It's in the rules - if you buy a flexi or premium international fare you can use points to upgrade to business. I checked my dates then called the platinum line, explained what I wanted to do and the angel found the flights, I paid for them and she then took my points and upgraded me and sent me the confirmation. I lave in 3 weeks.

 

[VRC]

One Plat benefit rarely mentioned is the guaranteed seat on a fully sold flight. (Have to book before 12pm the day before and pay full flexi fare). My work travel can change very quickly and I have used this feature 3 times to get to a customer at short notice. As the flights are fully sold on each occassion received an operational op up to J, either in the lounge or at the gate.
Also as Plat I have never had any knock backs with fly forward even with the cheapest saver fare. My experience this year is 100% row 3 (90% seat next to me empty) with 3 of those flights as fly forward.
For a frequent traveller I definitely believe there is more value as Plat than Gold, now just about to try out how well the Hilton Diamond Elite works.

 

[medhead]

They do fly ahead for gold.

 

[WLG]

That is newsworthy. So FAs have "slipped you something off the cart" other than the regular tea/coffee/water/beer?

I can corroborate this, as both SG and WP and with a 100% success rate last year. In fact, I've even been given the rest of a bottle to take home with me twice (although these were probably the last flights of the day).