Velocity cuts points, lounge access & upgrades on some partner airlines

[Mattg]

Velocity Frequent Flyer has issued a "program update" relating to airline partners. Bizarrely, the page states "effective September 2020" even though these changes were only announced on 14 October.

Velocity Program Update – Airline Partners

experience.velocityfrequentflyer.com

In summary:

• Velocity points & status credits are no longer earned on "VA" marketed flights operated by partner airlines
• Velocity Gold & Platinum members no longer have access to Alitalia, Hainan Airlines or Hong Kong Airlines lounges
• Velocity Silver, Gold & Platinum members no longer have access to complimentary Comfort+ upgrades when flying Delta
• The ability to upgrade on Delta flights using Velocity points has been removed

Velocity is predictably blaming "COVID-19 and some government-imposed international travel restrictions" for the changes. I suspect we'll see more of these kinds of changes down the track...

 

[jakeseven7]

Oh dear It continues...

The removal of the ability to earn points on codeshares is a huge one...

I wonder if it’s temporary or long term?

 

[knagelli]

Oh dear It continues...

The removal of the ability to earn points on codeshares is a huge one...

I wonder if it’s temporary or long term?

Guess it is longterm by the looks of it and also there have been rumours about PS having a fallout with new owners.

 

[bernardblack]

I don't understand the "not on codeshare" thing if the partner is ongoing and you can still earn under the partner's code. Surely the VA marketing code is at least as valuable to VA, if not more, as just selling the partner's code?

I understand, and expect, losing Hainan, Hong Kong and Alitalia as partners.

 

[_flyer]

Surely all these changes are having a huge impact on people's willingness to book flights with VA. I flew domestic business class last week and the onboard offering was atrocious. Coupled with no lounges - I'm now very reluctant to book future flights with them. It appears Virgin Australia is swiftly moving to a low-cost carrier. I have decided to also change my credit cards from Velocity to Qantas and I'm using Flybuys for dollars off my shop, as I'm unsure of VA's direction. They need to release some positive news otherwise all their loyal members will be gone!

 

[Cddc]

As you can still earn and burn on partner airlines (except Alitalia, etc) but they are removing VA flight numbers from partner airlines, it appears they are ending interline/codeshare agreements. Perhaps VA are moving purely domestic (long term) with a view to joining an alliance in the future? Without an alliance or some interline/codeshare agreement nobody will look at VA as part of any international booking - no thanks but I will not be picking up my bags and checking in again when transferring between airlines.

 

[HS-TQE]

As you can still earn and burn on partner airlines (except Alitalia, etc) but they are removing VA flight numbers from partner airlines, it appears they are ending interline/codeshare agreements. Perhaps VA are moving purely domestic (long term) with a view to joining an alliance in the future? Without an alliance or some interline/codeshare agreement nobody will look at VA as part of any international booking - no thanks but I will not be picking up my bags and checking in again when transferring between airlines.

Considering Bain's 'Revised' plans involved further towards the (U)LCC space, any full membership of any full service global alliance is likely to off the table for the foreseeable future.

At most the Connect(-ing Partners) level may be a future possibility, which accommodates for regionals and LCCs.

Otherwise the Value Alliance with Cebu, Scoot, etc is the other option.

 

[Thibault]

I don't understand the "not on codeshare" thing if the partner is ongoing and you can still earn under the partner's code. Surely the VA marketing code is at least as valuable to VA, if not more, as just selling the partner's code?

It looks like they are moving away from codeshares but still keeping the possibility of earning points and status on the other airline primary airline code.

So, I would say that they seem to axe any international intentions and are going back to domestic only. No codeshares, only interline agreements with selected airlines.
Sad times.

 

[Scarlett]

Poor old VA are having a teenagers existential crisis: one minute they're telling their mates they are continuing as a 'value carrier' and love EDM, the next they're heading LCC and dressing as a goth and love post-punk rock (whatever that is...).
I fully expect they'll be a FSC next week and will start sponsoring Opera Australia.
Whatever the current marketing spin, I won't be making any bookings with them until they have a demonstrated and consistent product. VA platinum means nothing right now.

 

[dajop]

Velocity Silver, Gold & Platinum members no longer have access to complimentary Comfort+ upgrades when flying Delta

This is in line with recent announcement that OW status members will no longer have access to complementary Main Cabin Extra upgrades when flying AA.

 

[UP4014]

Can understand why Bain want to go back to basics, it's simple, less people, less systems and using the Administration to cut the contracts they don't see as profit. Remember private equity wants to build back up and quit the business as soon as they can.

 

[madrooster]

As you can still earn and burn on partner airlines (except Alitalia, etc) but they are removing VA flight numbers from partner airlines, it appears they are ending interline/codeshare agreements. Perhaps VA are moving purely domestic (long term) with a view to joining an alliance in the future? Without an alliance or some interline/codeshare agreement nobody will look at VA as part of any international booking - no thanks but I will not be picking up my bags and checking in again when transferring between airlines.

Codeshare and interline agreements are two different agreements. It looks like VA is dropping international codeshares but will continue to maintain interline agreements for through-check purposes.

 

[Mattg]

This is in line with recent announcement that OW status members will no longer have access to complementary Main Cabin Extra upgrades when flying AA.

Yes it is, but the reasons for both changes are unrelated.

 

[jakeseven7]

I wonder which lounges Bain/VA2 are looking to close....

I would expect Syd/Bne/Mel to be the most safe..... that will probably a huge chunk of their passengers flying with their new small fleet?

 

[HS-TQE]

I wonder which lounges Bain/VA2 are looking to close....

I would expect Syd/Bne/Mel to be the most safe..... that will probably a huge chunk of their passengers flying with their new small fleet?

The third party international lounges in SYD/MEL/BNE are widely predicted to have Virgin's co-"naming" rights likely terminated (Therefore reverting to "No. 1 Lounges with Etihad" in SYD/MEL) on the assumption VA mk2 are flying little to no international flying for the foreseeable future.

 

[ozstamps]

Surely all these changes are having a huge impact on people's willingness to book flights with VA. I flew domestic business class last week and the onboard offering was atrocious.

Coupled with no lounges - I'm now very reluctant to book future flights with them. It appears Virgin Australia is swiftly moving to a low-cost carrier.

I have decided to also change my credit cards from Velocity to Qantas and I'm using Flybuys for dollars off my shop, as I'm unsure of VA's direction.

They need to release some positive news otherwise all their loyal members will be gone!

Agree 105%.

They are now officially Tiger Mark 2.

Scurrrah has been booted today, and the ex CEO of A2 milk will now guide the LCC.

No partner SC earns for flights on DL or Etihad etc we are also told today. That is the killer for me.

Went to book for SYD-ADL for 2 weeks and $199 one way cheapest.

They have got to be kidding!

BAIN may as well sell now and cut their losses -- it will all be downhill from here.

Ten year Virgin Platinum, but I am out of here unless someone in charge offers me SOME reason to stay about.

 

[serfty]

No partner SC earns for flights on DL or Etihad etc. That is the killer for me.

You can still earn SC for DL marketed flights on DL metal, EY on EY etc.

Today's announcement was for no earn on VA marketed flights operated by DL / EY / etc.

e.g. Delta:

Airline Partners

Explore Velocity's airline partners including Virgin Australia and International airline partners such as Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, United Airlines, and more. Learn how to earn Points, use Points, and earn Status Credits while travelling domestically and internationally.

experience.velocityfrequentflyer.com

 

[ozstamps]

Tiger #2 announced this today -

Velocity points & status credits are no longer earned on "VA" marketed flights operated by partner airlines

If anyone thinks for one MOMENT that $8000 Etihad Biz tickets that Virgin sold and made money on, will NOT earn points and SC, but they will continue to allow SC earn on the same flights booked direct with Etihad, that they earn ZERO on ??????

NO CHANCE .... they simply have not got around to telling us yet, and adjusting the website wording. No real chance of taking those flights so no-one loses while they edit things. .

 

[GSP]

When should we anticipate paying for Checked in Luggage...with Status giving you no favors?

 

[dajop]

When should we anticipate paying for Checked in Luggage...with Status giving you no favors?

Depends if they go for the Southwest model (free checked luggage for everyone), the UA/AA/DL model (free checked luggage for status holders only) or the Jetstar model (we know what that means). I honestly think if they pursue the Southwest model (with Velocity in tact) it would really be quite a differentiated offering vs both Qantas and Jetstar. No nonsense travel.