Velocity Level above Platinum in the future?

[EuroFlyer]

Anyone think Virgin would ever add a level above Platinum.

Re qualified for plat after 3 months and all the status credits i get now are not of great use to me, I am pooling them to family members to get them to plat and to make use of them but they have no benefit to my status level, plus there's no lifetime status benefits with VA. Id probably fly QF more only im just bronze with them and it would take a good few flights without lounge and priority boarding etc so probably wont bother.

Just wondering peoples thoughts on the possibility of a qf style P1 or something similar in the future, and do people think that would be a good thing?
I doubt there would be but thought id ask the question.

(apologies if this question has been asked already)

 

[lukenet]

I don't think they will.. There is very little Platinum gets over Gold. Platinum was only added recently so I don't know what they would offer?
I think directing points to family is the best option..

 

[straitman]

Anyone think Virgin would ever add a level above Platinum.

Re qualified for plat after 3 months and all the status credits i get now are not of great use to me, I am pooling them to family members to get them to plat and to make use of them but they have no benefit to my status level, plus there's no lifetime status benefits with VA. Id probably fly QF more only im just bronze with them and it would take a good few flights without lounge and priority boarding etc so probably wont bother.

Just wondering peoples thoughts on the possibility of a qf style P1 or something similar in the future, and do people think that would be a good thing?

(apologies if this question has been asked already)

EuroFlyer,

Have you considered asking the Virgin rep :?:

Look at the new thread 'Ask Velocity Frequent Flyer' as you should get a response there.

 

[koonyaflyer]

I don't think they will.. There is very little Platinum gets over Gold. Platinum was only added recently so I don't know what they would offer?
I think directing points to family is the best option..

It is interesting how 2 VA Plats have differing thoughts around the value of the Status. Over Gold I get:
4 Comp upgrades per year, huge value if I use them on my longer domestic flights
Partner Platinum - my husband often travels to meet me somewhere
Additional points earn
Better Comp Status with Hilton and Hertz
increased Baggage over Gold ...use it all the time

I will always look maintain my Platinum, but this year I am now focussing on getting QF Gold / WP as well. I have 3600 SC with VA for the last 12 months, and to be honest haven't been feeling the love without another tier to move to.

 

[markis10]

I doubt there will be a level above Plat, the real ROI for airlines is often at their Gold or mid level where the benefits can change patterns to their advantage, airlines know that with Plat flyers they are going to get most of the business without doing anything extra. If people start putting their business elsewhere on hitting Plat, that may change, given QF don't do status matches this is unlikely to happen for the majority of VA Plats who don't have status with QF.

It was interesting to watch yesterday with two QF centric events on how some made their way to the events, quite a few flew with VA, before the status match campaign I doubt that would have been the case.

 

[moa999]

I would just like a reset of my Hilton status...

 

[kpc]

I would just like a reset of my Hilton status...

If you dropped back to VA Gold, and then requalified VA Plat again, will that allow you an upgrade to Hilton Diamond again?

 

[moa999]

not clear given no-one has been able to do that yet.
Certainly those who didn't requal Plat and dropped to gold, were able to activate Hilton Gold, after previously being Diamond
I don't think anyone has yet got back to Plat.

I requalled Plat (BIS), and got dumped to Hilton Silver

 

[bullerdude]

If you dropped back to VA Gold, and then requalified VA Plat again, will that allow you an upgrade to Hilton Diamond again?

Yes, if you drop and then re-earn Platinum staus you will re-gain the hilton diamond benefit.

I am very frustrated by this as I have just renewed my Plat status but will end up losing the Hilton benefit... I won't even get Hilton Gold by renewing as a Plat but If I dropped to VA Gold I would get it... VA needs to sort this out.

 

[Fifa]

It was interesting to watch yesterday with two QF centric events on how some made their way to the events, quite a few flew with VA, before the status match campaign I doubt that would have been the case.

I flew VA to SYD the day before the QF81 Farewell event. I agree with you - if VA hadn't offered the status match I would have paid the extra $ and gone with QF.
With some careful planning I will maintain VA Gold this year and hopefully into the future as I find it really handy to have options.

Regarding HHonors Diamond, I will also maintain that level this year. (Mr Fifa just LOVES mattress runs:shock
I used to primarily stay at IC Hotel Group hotels, but now it is mainly ICs to make the most of my RA status (and I have had some amazing stays) with the odd points stays at HI and CP while I am still platinum.

 

[dandandan]

I don't think it is needed, Platinum partner is basically another level and better than getting to a Qantas P1 in my opinion. I say this after I have technically re qualified for Plat in 40 days. I say technically as I am still waiting for 960 SC's to come through from partner Hawaiian and still have to complete the required sectors for which I have future flights already booked. A lifetime status would really be more ideal I think.

Anyone think Virgin would ever add a level above Platinum.

Re qualified for plat after 3 months and all the status credits i get now are not of great use to me, I am pooling them to family members to get them to plat and to make use of them but they have no benefit to my status level, plus there's no lifetime status benefits with VA. Id probably fly QF more only im just bronze with them and it would take a good few flights without lounge and priority boarding etc so probably wont bother.

Just wondering peoples thoughts on the possibility of a qf style P1 or something similar in the future, and do people think that would be a good thing?
I doubt there would be but thought id ask the question.

(apologies if this question has been asked already)

 

[kevrosmith]

Anyone think Virgin would ever add a level above Platinum.

Re qualified for plat after 3 months and all the status credits i get now are not of great use to me, I am pooling them to family members to get them to plat and to make use of them but they have no benefit to my status level, plus there's no lifetime status benefits with VA. Id probably fly QF more only im just bronze with them and it would take a good few flights without lounge and priority boarding etc so probably wont bother.

Just wondering peoples thoughts on the possibility of a qf style P1 or something similar in the future, and do people think that would be a good thing?
I doubt there would be but thought id ask the question.

(apologies if this question has been asked already)

Once you retain Platinum (800 SCs), you should be aiming for 1300 for Companion Gold and then 1800 for Companion Platinum. I guess they are the same as another person trying to attain Gold or Platinum in their own right, though you are not limited to a family member as you are with Family Pooling. https://www.velocityrewards.com.au/content/ProgramBenefits/TermsConditions/index.htm#21 Item 20.3

 

[serfty]

...
I don't think anyone has yet got back to Plat.
...

I have ... 1 week before I attained that level I became ICH SG again.

... VA needs to sort this out.

Be careful of what you wish for ...

 

[oz_mark]

VA needs to sort this out.

Sorting it out may well mean strictly enforcing the 'once off' portion of the offer.

As it stands, it is pretty clear you get the offer once as a platinum, and once as a gold.

But is there any experience to suggest you get the offer reapeatedly if youy bounce between levels?

 

[maninblack]

Anyone think Virgin would ever add a level above Platinum.

VA would also have to seriously raise their own level of service before they could even consider such a move. You have to be able to deliver before you can offer. They are still barely off their training wheels with the product they have now. They have a dodgy website, a dodgy Platinum call centre, hit and miss food and service at the pointy end, don't fly a premium product on the 738's (IFE, in seat power, seat) and they are yet to open lounges in a number of locations such as CNS. Add to this they are not really an 'international' airline of anything like the scale of QF so the big premium traffic does not roll their way.

So I reckon it's a long way off.

 

[markis10]

VA would also have to seriously raise their own level of service before they could even consider such a move. You have to be able to deliver before you can offer. They are still barely off their training wheels with the product they have now. They have a dodgy website, a dodgy Platinum call centre, hit and miss food and service at the pointy end, don't fly a premium product on the 738's (IFE, in seat power, seat) and they are yet to open lounges in a number of locations such as CNS. Add to this they are not really an 'international' airline of anything like the scale of QF so the big premium traffic does not roll their way.

So I reckon it's a long way off.

8.3 % of all international traffic versus QF at 17%, given the number 2 is at 9% (SQ) I would say their international business is well beyond attracting the "big" premium traffic, we all know its down the back of the bus that pays the bills, otherwise QF would have more than a handful of destinations with F! I would also hardly rate their transcontinental services as dodgy given the effects it's had on QF trying to catch up. I think you will also find they have in seat power, you should try them one day , or maybe that's thing that is a long way off?


Lets not forget VA mainline has been carrying more passengers than QF mainline for quite some time!

 

[Kaldemir]

8.3 % of all international traffic versus QF at 17%, given the number 2 is at 9% (SQ) I would say their international business is well beyond attracting the "big" premium traffic, we all know its down the back of the bus that pays the bills, otherwise QF would have more than a handful of destinations with F! I would also hardly rate their transcontinental services as dodgy given the effects it's had on QF trying to catch up. I think you will also find they have in seat power, you should try them one day , or maybe that's thing that is a long way off?


Lets not forget VA mainline has been carrying more passengers than QF mainline for quite some time!

what about other oneworld airlines? Pretty sure QF gets the business of their passengers domestically (and OT I think the whole point of the EK deal is to keep domestic passengers who don't fly QFi anymore). I think that's where Virgin loses out by not being in a global alliance. For example can you earn/ burn velocity points on flights within Europe? I do a fair bit of travelling within Europe and those flights go to oneworld airlines and domestically I fly QF. Would be happy to fly *A if I could credit to an Australian carrier..

 

[markis10]

what about other oneworld airlines? Pretty sure QF gets the business of their passengers domestically (and OT I think the whole point of the EK deal is to keep domestic passengers who don't fly QFi anymore). I think that's where Virgin loses out by not being in a global alliance. For example can you earn/ burn velocity points on flights within Europe? I do a fair bit of travelling within Europe and those flights go to oneworld airlines and domestically I fly QF. Would be happy to fly *A if I could credit to an Australian carrier..

Bitre bases their figures on flight number, as in marketed flight, the fact the EK/QF tie up is along the same lines as VAs alliances suggests its the way of the future, not to mention EK and IAG. Will be interesting to see how the figures change re QF vs EK ex Australia, global alliances don't seem to be all the rage.

In the meantime we have two airlines who are strong competitors offering more choice, better value, regardless of who you prefer, you could easily say we have never had it so good.

 

[Bolthead]

What's the point of having the same product as everyone else..... I think that is called socialism... (or poor marketing)

 

[maninblack]

8.3 % of all international traffic versus QF at 17%, given the number 2 is at 9% (SQ) I would say their international business is well beyond attracting the "big" premium traffic, we all know its down the back of the bus that pays the bills, otherwise QF would have more than a handful of destinations with F! I would also hardly rate their transcontinental services as dodgy given the effects it's had on QF trying to catch up. I think you will also find they have in seat power, you should try them one day , or maybe that's thing that is a long way off?


Lets not forget VA mainline has been carrying more passengers than QF mainline for quite some time!

Unfortunately I have no call to travel to Perth so can't sample that offering at the moment. Around 90% of VA seats heading out of MEL for example are to other destinations so the PER A330 service does not typify the VA offering. Similarly VA only flies 5 international aircraft with international standard business class cabins (165 seats) as compared to QF who fly about 50 aircraft of this kind with around 2000+ J/F seats.

Is the 8.3% number VA metal or are codeshares included. Are a big part of the numbers are Trans Tasman?