Velocity account suspended

[kingzac]

Turns out I just had this situation today. Received a notification that my account has been updated. Thought it might have been someone hacking so called straight away. Got the same spiel about my account being under investigation and someone will contact me within 30 days.
I have family pooling on with my partner, who is at my address and only ever flies with me on the same booking.
I'll give them a few days before I call back and push for an update, ridiculous that they can lock an account so quickly and give no information.

 

[knightfall88]

my suggestion to anyone on the fence about the velocity program - don't use them, they are the worst.

Recent non related experience is I purchased Velocity points during the booster sale and the transaction was successful - a week later they reneg the transaction without explanation and still haven't offered one. Other loyalty programs have their own challenges but I just hate how Velocity treats you.

 

[Mr H]

my suggestion to anyone on the fence about the velocity program - don't use them, they are the worst.

Recent non related experience is I purchased Velocity points during the booster sale and the transaction was successful - a week later they reneg the transaction without explanation and still haven't offered one. Other loyalty programs have their own challenges but I just hate how Velocity treats you.

I have used Velocity to get Krisflyer points - almost instant transaction.

I have purchased Velocity points to reach a redemption - expensive but instant.

I have used Velocity to upgrade two flights between MEL-PER - instant confirmation with nary a sign of a waitlist.

I have used Velocity to book an EY flight in J from Abu Dhabi to Muscat - instant ticketing.

Once upon a time, I had gold status with Velocity which I used to access their lounges, including speedy access in Syd, and fly forward to get on earlier flights - never a problem, and I never had to chase points.

 

[louie-m]

I still can't get into my account.

My account was suspended on 12 May and I still can't get in - so much for 30 days! I've been abroad since early June but will chase this up when I get back next week. Unimpressed....

 

[MooTime]

my suggestion to anyone on the fence about the velocity program - don't use them, they are the worst.

Recent non related experience is I purchased Velocity points during the booster sale and the transaction was successful - a week later they reneg the transaction without explanation and still haven't offered one. Other loyalty programs have their own challenges but I just hate how Velocity treats you.

not comfortable to sit on a fence.

not advisable in general to buy points, far from a good deal, my experience Velocity treats me well, issues resolved & fast, remembering velocity means fast.

 

[burmans]

Given this forum has seen complaints about just about every FF program I must admit to taking single datapoints with a grain of salt, IMO Qantas gets way more complaints than VA but then probably more QF members.

 

[33kft]

a week later they reneg the transaction without explanation and still haven't offered one

Did they also return the money you spent on the points top up, or just reversed the points credited?

 

[simmomelb]

Never had major issues here.
As others have said, generally, buying points is not a smart use of your cash with any FF program, there are far better ways to increase your points.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Never had major issues here.
As others have said, generally, buying points is not a smart use of your cash with any FF program, there are far better ways to increase your points.

‘generally’, but there are exceptions! Aeroplan, and it seems this offer from velocity were worthwhile. The annual Finnair points sale was also pretty good value, giving platinum status (OWE) and a swag of long haul flights for way less than normally feasible.

 

[Sora]

I had this happen tonight. Got the email about updated details and then locked out. Under review, I’ve not used velocity in a very long time. More than 12 months.

 

[Oppai21]

I had this happen tonight. Got the email about updated details and then locked out. Under review, I’ve not used velocity in a very long time. More than 12 months.

Have you made or received any family points transfers in the past?

 

[Sora]

In the past yes I did maybe that’s why

 

[33kft]

It almost certainly is. Someone who you sold to or bought from previously has likely continued to do so and caught some attention, and they have walked back through all the transfers previous.

There have been a few stories lately of account suspensions on ozb as well.

 

[AIRwin]

In the past yes I did maybe that’s why

Were they family?

 

[Sora]

Were they family?

Not family. But was a friend of the family, as I don’t fly virgin and had all these points I gifted them. But I saw that email and thought I’d look and my account was closed.

 

[simmomelb]

Not family. But was a friend of the family, as I don’t fly virgin and had all these points I gifted them. But I saw that email and thought I’d look and my account was closed.

Yep, that'll do it. You can't transfer or pool points to family members not living with you.
Transferring to friends doesn't fit either of these requirements (living with you and a family member).

 

[Oppai21]

Not family. But was a friend of the family, as I don’t fly virgin and had all these points I gifted them. But I saw that email and thought I’d look and my account was closed.

How long ago was that and how many did you transfer?
Seems like virgin are much harsher than Qantas. By all means confiscate the points which were transferred against the rules, but banning someone completely for a one time transfer seems a bit much.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

How long ago was that and how many did you transfer?
Seems like virgin are much harsher than Qantas. By all means confiscate the points which were transferred against the rules, but banning someone completely for a one time transfer seems a bit much.

It’s easier for the airline to ban the passenger. They don’t have to do in depth forensics on every transaction to see whether it was legitimate or not. And they get to keep the points.

There are accounts that could have dozens of transactions a year. Does someone really need to spend time going through all of them, plus corresponding with the passenger?

 

[Sora]

How long ago was that and how many did you transfer?
Seems like virgin are much harsher than Qantas. By all means confiscate the points which were transferred against the rules, but banning someone completely for a one time transfer seems a bit much.

This was a transaction. That was like 12 months back, was not a recent transaction. I don't recall how many exactly, maybe 30-50k range it wasn't a huge amount as I wasn't actively generating those types of points.

Yep, they didn't live with me and I didn't benefit in anyway from it, but yeah seems like they're proactively pursuing closures for anyone doing it.

 

[levelnine]

More likely is that the person you transferred to has recently been banned and they've gone and automatically closed the accounts of anyone who transferred points to that person (ie presume guilty until proven otherwise).