Velocity CEO Interview

[Airbumps]

Did a quick search but didn’t see a mention of it and not sure if we’re allowed to post links to pointshack…. But there’s an interesting interview with Velocity CEO Nick Rohrlach here Under new CEO Nick Rohrlach, Velocity Frequent Flyer is just warming up

Some interesting stuff discussed, but I took note of the cold water he seemed to pour on *A membership, stating what’s more important is “giving customers a choice”. That said he does acknowledge a number of the shortcomings in the current partner arrangement particuarly the ad hoc nature of some of the benefits.

 

[oz_mark]

Virgin and Velocity have been pretty consistently pouring cold water on *A membership for years.

 

[Airbumps]

Yeah agreed. its just kind of frustrating when the CEO acknowledges that there are fundamental issues with their current approach (indeed the approach they have been taking for years) yet doesnt show any interest in a solution so many customers would love to see.

 

[Saab34]

I would prefer they spend the next few years addressing the programs shortcomings and revisit that in a few years.

They need to fix the IT side first. Website is terrible. The airlines website is just as bad.

 

[Airbumps]

I would prefer they spend the next few years addressing the programs shortcomings and revisit that in a few years.

They need to fix the IT side first. Website is terrible. The airlines website is just as bad.

Well if you read the article you’ll see he kind of acknowledges that too.

 

[SeaWolf]

I don't think *A is particularly interested in adding more airlines. They haven't added an airline since 2014.
Either *A doesn't want to add more or it's no longer an attractive proposition for the airlines considering joining.

 

[HS-TQE]

The rumoured (alleged) $10million per year for *A llkely may put Bain off putting an application form for VA.
Unless if UA or another *A partner are willing to subsidise for them, which I can't see happening in the short term until after the speculated partial VA float in mid 2023.

 

[HS-TQE]

Yet there is one small change. Given Etihad’s reduced Australian footprint, we can understand why Virgin Australia won’t be resuming a codeshare on Etihad Airways flights. Although when booking flights directly with Etihad, Velocity members can continue to earn Velocity Points and Status Credits.

It’ll also remain possible to book Etihad flights using Velocity Points. While there are some tweaks to Velocity’s redemption rates from 5 October 2022, these changes impact multiple partner airlines – not just Etihad.

I guess that's a goodbye to VA-side promotions such as extra status credits on EY then (any future promotions likely to be from the EY side). But with only flying daily to SYD and MEL it's understandable why QR replaced EY as the major partner.

As I've said previously, ZL is always there for a 2nd Australian partner for EY. Getting VA's former major partners (or seconds) is always a good pick up for ZL

 

[AIRwin]

‘The man who knew too much’: Virgin’s loyalty boss on the airline’s battle with Qantas

amp.smh.com.au