Velocity changes: Changes to status credits

[yohy?!]

Uh oh just noticed this clause (which I think is newly added):

*When you purchase a single fare with Virgin Australia, Pacific Blue or Polynesian Blue and there is a via point which does not involve a stopover, the Status Credits are awarded on the mileage from origin to destination, e.g. ABX-BNE via SYD will receive the Status Credits for the distance and fare type flown based on ABX-BNE.

https://www.velocityrewards.com.au/content/Status/HowItWorks/index.htm

 

[oz_mark]

Uh oh just noticed this clause (which I think is newly added):



https://www.velocityrewards.com.au/content/Status/HowItWorks/index.htm

It changed about two weeks ago,and was the subject of more than one post on this very thread!

 

[yohy?!]

It changed about two weeks ago,and was the subject of more than one post on this very thread!

Ah figured as much was likely, too big a deal to make it past AFFers - there goes my NTL PE run

 

[anat0l]

I can't find a post that says this, but a little bit of probing around the Velocity T&Cs (and only the T&Cs - can't find it anywhere else on the site, except the FAQs, but I haven't checked) reveals that minimum sectors must be flown in order to earn and retain Silver and Gold status.

11.19 To upgrade to or maintain a Silver or Gold Membership, you need to fly the required number of Eligible Sectors each year. The required number of Eligible Sectors you need to take before your Review Date to upgrade to or maintain Membership levels is:

11.19.1 Silver Membership - 2 Eligible Sectors; and
11.19.2 Gold Membership - 4 Eligible Sectors.
​

11.20 We will not assess your Membership Level based on the number of Eligible Sectors flown until August 2012, however, we will calculate the number of Eligible Sectors you have flown from August 2011.

And the definition of an Eligible Sector is:

Eligible Sectors means Domestic Eligible Air Travel or International Eligible Air Travel flights with Virgin Australia Group airlines each year, but does not include those types of flights listed in clause 11.17.

...where Virgin Australia Group includes: Virgin Australia, V Australia, Pacific Blue (the AU and NZ flavours) and Polynesian Blue. From the definitions, like Qantas you only need to make sure that your flight is marketed by these carriers for it to be marked as 'Eligible'.

(Clause 11.17 basically says that VRPL can change what's Eligible and what's not whenever they like, i.e. boilerplate)

Not that this is all a big deal: as it stands, it's pretty much impossible or not worthwhile to hold status with Velocity if you aren't satisfying the Eligible Sector requirement. But just in case, it should be noted... (the real 'counting' doesn't start for a couple of weeks...)

 

[Deleted member 29185]

So how could one possibly be silver or gold if they don't fly those minimal requirements?

What partner carriers count toward SCs? V Australia........who else?

 

[anat0l]

So how could one possibly be silver or gold if they don't fly those minimal requirements?

What partner carriers count toward SCs? V Australia........who else?

You can earn status credits on EY, NZ and - until the partnership is over - MH.

Technically, you could live in SYD, fly SYD-AUH-LHR return in Business or First Class EY (marketed and operated all by EY) and collect enough to be Gold. But, since you haven't got enough Eligible Sectors, you won't get your status. This is a contrived example however, and most of us will probably never be in a situation where we don't get status due to being short of Eligible Sectors.

Some more realistic scenarios (although still a bit or very contrived) where status may not be granted due to this rule include:

• Someone who flies lots of international (not on VA) and no short haul.
• A Kiwi who is convinced that Airpoints sucks as a program and prefers the earn and burn of Velocity. They may still fly plenty of NZ, though, but they'll need to do a couple of flights on Virgin Group of Australia to get status benefits. (A couple of domestic NZ flights on Pacific Blue would do the trick.)
• Members who sign up to Velocity who are not based in Australia or New Zealand.

 

[oz_mark]

So how could one possibly be silver or gold if they don't fly those minimal requirements?

What partner carriers count toward SCs? V Australia........who else?

While technically possible now, it will likely become more possible as the alliances are bedded down.

 

[777]

So how could one possibly be silver or gold if they don't fly those minimal requirements?

What partner carriers count toward SCs? V Australia........who else?

Full list:

Virgin Australia, V Australia, Pacific Blue, Polynesian Blue, Virgin America, Virgin Atlantic, Etihad Airways, Air New Zealand and Malaysia Airlines.

Expect SQ to be added in coming weeks/ months and most likely Delta.

 

[yohy?!]

(A couple of domestic NZ flights on Pacific Blue would do the trick.

Unless it's possible to codeshare on an NZ flight without a TT connection it'd be long wait for a PB Domestic flight!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Full list:

Virgin Australia, V Australia, Pacific Blue, Polynesian Blue, Virgin America, Virgin Atlantic, Etihad Airways, Air New Zealand and Malaysia Airlines.

Expect SQ to be added in coming weeks/ months and most likely Delta.

Thanks 777, I shouldn't have been so lazy and looked it up myself

 

[nlagalle]

Full list: Virgin Australia, V Australia, Pacific Blue, Polynesian Blue, Virgin America, Virgin Atlantic, Etihad Airways, Air New Zealand and Malaysia Airlines.Expect SQ to be added in coming weeks/ months and most likely Delta.

I thought you also earnt SC's with Skywest? Or am I wrong?

 

[anat0l]

I thought you also earnt SC's with Skywest? Or am I wrong?

The Velocity website doesn't make this clear (i.e. from the SC earn table, you can't see a mention of Skywest).

My assumption is that if the flight is marketed by Virgin Australia (or similar) but operated by Skywest, then you'll earn SCs.

 

[malmacdowall]

*When you purchase a single fare with Virgin Australia, Pacific Blue or Polynesian Blue and there is a via point which does not involve a stopover, the Status Credits are awarded on the mileage from origin to destination, e.g. ABX-BNE via SYD will receive the Status Credits for the distance and fare type flown based on ABX-BNE.

So on a related topic..... What would the POINTS in the above example be earned on?
ABX-SYD-BNE (747 miles)
or
ABX-BNE? (700 miles)

As it doesn't specifically clarify this in the velocity website.

 

[oz_mark]

*When you purchase a single fare with Virgin Australia, Pacific Blue or Polynesian Blue and there is a via point which does not involve a stopover, the Status Credits are awarded on the mileage from origin to destination, e.g. ABX-BNE via SYD will receive the Status Credits for the distance and fare type flown based on ABX-BNE.

So on a related topic..... What would the POINTS in the above example be earned on?
ABX-SYD-BNE (747 miles)
or
ABX-BNE? (700 miles)

As it doesn't specifically clarify this in the velocity website.

On Virgin Australia, which I assume will be the carrier, it will depend on how much you paid, and your status.

 

[medhead]

So on a related topic..... What would the POINTS in the above example be earned on?
ABX-SYD-BNE (747 miles)
or
ABX-BNE? (700 miles)

As it doesn't specifically clarify this in the velocity website.

the website clearly states that you earn 5 points per $ of base fare + any status bonus. The flights involved are irrelevant.

 

[malmacdowall]

On Virgin Australia, which I assume will be the carrier, it will depend on how much you paid.

True... Bad example of what I'm trying to find out.....

Had a similar issue with MEL - BNE - NAN flights booked through Virgin Australia website but BNE - NAN operated by Pacific blue...

Maybe I should have posted the question here as it really applies to those who understood the SC change but like me cant find any reference to how it relates to POINTS....

Heres the link to the other thread... http://www.australianfrequentflyer....a-velocity/points-earn-mel-bne-nan-31595.html

 

[xtoss]

Full list:

Virgin Australia, V Australia, Pacific Blue, Polynesian Blue, Virgin America, Virgin Atlantic, Etihad Airways, Air New Zealand and Malaysia Airlines.

Expect SQ to be added in coming weeks/ months and most likely Delta.

I hope so, all their booking systems don't even give you Virgin america options anymore (looking at February next year)

I can book them seprately but some connecitons are only delta.

I have two trips to the states early next year and hoping Delta gets added in for my connections I need to make (Virgin America won't go to Toronto)

 

[pshepvic]

(Virgin America won't go to Toronto)

What happened to Toronto? I could have sworn that VX were flying there (or planned to)?

But when I looked on their site, I noticed something else very odd... Airline Partners | Virgin America

AIRLINE PARTNERS






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[notmensa]

Looks like Virgin America pulled out of Toronto in January -
Virgin America to drop Toronto, shift flights to Dallas - USATODAY.com

 

[777]

Tried to book a VA -> Virgin America flight to Toronto for June. They closed the route in April(ish). I believe they have the authority to connect via Delta but it has not yet come online.

From today's Velocity member email it does seem like Virgin America are being downgraded:

Velocity Program Changes as of 15 August 2011

Virgin America and Malaysia Airlines
Please be advised that the Points bonus available for Silver and Gold Velocity members when flying with Virgin America and Malaysia Airlines will be removed. Silver members will continue to earn 20% bonus Points and Gold members 40% bonus Points for flights flown up until this date.

Still a partner but no bonus. I assume this is to accomodate Delta - who currently offer no status credit earn. It's a shame because i'm a big VX fan.