Velocity Frequent Flyer Status Match Promotion - Closed 30 Sep 11

[MarkD]

Just checked my Velocity account. My Platinum Status match is confirmed. Just in time as I am CNS - HBA J on Saturday.

No lounge in CNS, and flying QF in J, so not quite sure where the benefit is

 

[markis10]

No lounge in CNS, and flying QF in J, so not quite sure where the benefit is

Packing the kitchen sink ??

 

[rsellens]

No lounge in CNS, and flying QF in J, so not quite sure where the benefit is

Sorry I meant J on DJ. Too used to QF still. The benefit is $1100 difference in airfare, A lot of money to pay for access to QP at 5.30 AM. Also connections much better and save 4.5 hours travelling time. Doing OW DONE next month and guaranteed QFF WP. for another year.

 

[MarkD]

I doubt it will get abused, just like I doubt the QF was really abused, time will tell, besides DJ track every visit, lots of visits with no flights would be easy to flag for a call to ask why, which is a valuable tool fromDJ when you think about it.

I think you will find it IS getting used as discussed. In BNE Yesterday, I counted at least 4 suits guzzling booze, and watching their watches closely, none even looked at the monitors for flights, but had a last \glance at the watch, and headed to the QF Terminal (Without even looking at the counter staff at the lounge, let alone a smile and thankyou).
I know for a fact that at least two of them headed to QF because I followed them out to catch my flight, and they were making a beline past through the Centre (Tiger/Jetstar etc etc) Terminal heading for QF.
Now to give the benefit of doubt maybe they were just trying the lounge, and obviously they could have had bookings in place with QF prior to matching. So I guess we should revisit this topic in about a month and see what its like then... Sady, I think it will be the same, they will flog the benefit until its not viable, then whinge and moan because its been removed.
I have used any time access when I have not been flying on the day, when I was picking up a family member and the flight was delayed, but its a rarity, probably once out of every 20-30 flights I take.

 

[Fifa]

Mine came through today - I applied last Thursday.
I have now booked a DJ flight in 2 weeks

 

[Noob]

As Markis said, Virgin are well within their right to question why so many visits yet not many flights? I would also think Virgin would be within their rights in canceling complimentary memberships that are being abused as with all T&Cs they make it clear changes can be made.

I don't think this will be a problem, at least not for the majority - I think, if anything, it is a compliment the public choose to go to a VA lounge preflight as apposed to a QF lounge, and as the status match is only very recent, many status matched people would still be booked primarily on QF flights - this would explain what you saw MarkD.

Either way, good luck to Virgin!
And get those status matches in, the offer won't be around for long!
Simply, the more people who match and spread their flying evenly, the better the two airlines have to become.

 

[oz_mark]

Virgin needed to do two things - one was to remove as many impediments in the way of trying out the DJ product, the other was to get them to actually try the product. So, from what I see, that is what they have done.

The downside, of course, is that you will get a certain number of people that will use the 'open year', but still not spend money on their services, but on the other hand you will also pick up a number of folk who will swap all or part of their expenditure across.

I suspect, down the track, any time access might get revoked, maybe for golds in the first instance. But right now, they are trying to get people to sample their wares.

 

[markis10]

I doubt DJ would be so heavy handed to cancel anything, I was suggesting they would see it as an opportunity to ask why are you not flying with us and what can we do to change that! While there is no doubt some enjoying the hospitality at present , I dont expect it to be a big problem simply because of the logistics, most airports have a good walk between the two at present making the exercise difficult. On the other hand, MKY and GLT could get interesting when the 6 pack runs out in the QPs, like it does at ROK!

 

[MarkD]

- this would explain what you saw MarkD.

.

I believe if you finish reading my post I came to the same conclusion:-|

 

[dfcatch]

Don't forget that DJ actively invited QF elites to "sample" the new Lounges up to 31 Aug.

This had nothing to do with ATA but was a straight out invitation to QF elites.

 

[markis10]

Frequent Flyer programs have been around long enough now for us to know that we need to enjoy what we have today, while we still have it, and respect the fact that something might be taken away if not used or not used properly. I will continue to use anytime access when seeing colleagues/customers off at the airport, I know in the past that has bought QF some business, now I suspect it will be DJs turn!

 

[Noob]

I believe if you finish reading my post I came to the same conclusion:-|

Well there's your problem, I didn't sorry I was in a rush

 

[gbetox]

Last year, I was matched from SG to Gold. This week, I was matched from WP to Platinum.
The review date is August 2012. Sweet!

Now, I need to use the complimentary upgrades! Buh-bye Qantas. They are always overbooked at the First Class lounge spa anyway...

 

[markis10]

Last year, I was matched from SG to Gold. This week, I was matched from WP to Platinum.
The review date is August 2012. Sweet!

Now, I need to use the complimentary upgrades! Buh-bye Qantas. They are always overbooked at the First Class lounge spa anyway...

It will be interesting to see if this is the case at the SYD Clubhouse , pure conjecture on my part that it will have a SPA! Or maybe we will get a revivals lounge?

 

[Noob]

It will be interesting to see if this is the case at the SYD Clubhouse , pure conjecture on my part that it will have a SPA! Or maybe we will get a revivals lounge?

Oh god, you're going to make me drool!

 

[QF WP]

I'm feeling the love VA. Status match obviously processed yesterday, so 4 working days from new account to Gold. 30 Aug status date, ao nice timing

 

[markis10]

I'm feeling the love VA.

I hope its mutual .

 

[Stuser]

Now not intending to berate , judge or rant (honestly ), but I see this sort of attitude toward a matched status as one that has the potential to wreck ATA for all of us. Been discussed previously, and Stuser please believe me I'm only using your post because it typifies the situation, but the ATA issues with Ansett GW have been raised recently, Qantas has removed it and now us DJ regulars have only just got it and may well lose it due to abuse by comped SG & WPs who want the facility but refuse to fly DJ..............

Ranting and berating is okay with me. I completely see your perspective.

However, I had one coffee and left. I drank the booze at the QF cave.

BUT that said, my flight with QF to NZ was already booked and paid for before the Virgin promo came along. My first flight on Virgin is tomorrow morning instead of QF, thanks TOTALLY to this promotion and my matched status. So, loving the status match and responding with appropriate love and respect to Virgin with my wallet....

 

[themaiz]

Just checked online and my match to Platinum has come through

As has my match to Gold... didn't think of checking online.

Apparently I only have 400SC/4 sectors needed by 30 Aug 2012 to maintain gold.... might even be possible. However I'm not so certain I can do 1000SC and 8 sectors to upgrade to VA WP.

Or... is that easier than it looks?

 

[notzac]

Or... is that easier than it looks?

Depends on what type of travel you do. If you can fly long haul in something other than whY - Platinum is not too hard to get.