Velocity Member Survey Exclusive to Platinum and Gold Members

[DSFlyer]

Just received a survey from Virgin Australia asking opinions on varying member benefits for Platinum members. Very interesting to see some of the things they are considering including lifetime Gold and Platinum Status, an additional higher tier etc. and what the outcome will be over the coming months I guess

 

[farstar]

I got the same. I am Platinum with QFF and VFF, and really the difference between Platinum and Gold is not that great so I think they need to look at increasing the Platinum benefits for both QFF and VFF rather than making new levels. You need to fly twice as much to get Platinum over Gold but don't get double the benifits, VFF more than QFF as Virgin don't have business lounges.
Also as someone who doesn't benefit from family pooling I feel they should exclude family pooling SCs from higher levels otherwise they may be forced to set the new level higher to allow for Family pooling.

 

[grubbidok]

Interesting. Lifetime status is a no-brainer surely (are they going to find an elite that *doesn't* want it?)

I didn't receive anything, but I'm a pleb BIS Y WP, but I expect I'm the minority and most WP have some J mixed in. Wonder if they're sending to the 'higher-value' high value customers?

 

[theevilmuppet]

Interesting. Lifetime status is a no-brainer surely (are they going to find an elite that *doesn't* want it?)

I didn't receive anything, but I'm a pleb BIS Y WP, but I expect I'm the minority and most WP have some J mixed in. Wonder if they're sending to the 'higher-value' high value customers?

A good possibility, and there may be another factor.

I was bumped to Platinum before I reached 1000 SCs after some SCs were credited via Family Pooling and my SC earn since has been via either work trips in Y or trips using the Virgin Money Credit Card TWO41 benefit. Beyond that, the *vast* majority of my SCs were earned with VA partners in J (specifically, NZ, DL and VX).

Perhaps earning on VA metal (or VA codeshare) is another factor?

 

[serfty]

Got the same email as a WP; will look at today ...

...
As a valued member of the Velocity Frequent Flyer program, we would appreciate your opinions on some concepts we are working on to enhance the benefits for you, our most valuable members.

We are always looking for new ways to improve our products and service to our members and your feedback is the best way for us to design benefits that are most meaningful to you.

We know you’re busy, but would really appreciate it if you could take 15 minutes to complete this very important survey. Complete the survey by Wednesday 7th October and stay tuned for upcoming changes based on your feedback.

...

 

[MH_fan]

Lifetime status should be considered but family pooling should not contribute to it and there really needs to be a minimum percentage of the SCs earned from flying VA and not partners.

 

[MarkD]

If you have earnt SC to reach a particular level why should that not count towards lifetime SC?
The whole thing is a loyalty bonus and the fact you have kept flying them and encouraged family to fly them is playing their game. Why is the money of one person better than two if they are paying the same fares? You may get to lifetime quicker by family pooling, but to be honest they will set it very high, if they implement it and most people will not get there ever.

 

[Dylan O'Connor]

I would love lifetime gold option. Would suit me perfectly as I don't quite have the travel rotations to get to platinum.

 

[Milefest]

If they did implement lifetime gold, I wonder if past flights would count?

 

[serfty]

Here are the basic questions:

<A few generic about %'age of travel in relation to Qantas and Virgin Australia.  Followed by:>

What is the main reason why you choose to fly with Virgin Australia?

The brand
Service by Virgin Australia staff
On time performance (OTP)
Lounge access
To accumulate frequent flyer points with VFF
Convenient flight times
Competitive prices
Ability to use my tier benefits
Company policy
Other (please specify)

And what are the other reasons?

To accumulate frequent flyer points with VFF
Convenient flight times
Company policy
Service by Virgin Australia staff
The brand
On time performance (OTP)
Competitive prices
Lounge access
Other (please specify)
No other reasons

What is the main reason why you choose to fly with Qantas?

Convenient flight times
To accumulate frequent flyer points with QFF
On time performance (OTP)
Ability to use my tier benefits
Lounge access
Company policy
Competitive prices
The brand
Service by Qantas staff
Other (please specify)

And what are the other reasons?

Competitive prices
Convenient flight times
The brand
Company policy
Service by Qantas staff
To accumulate frequent flyer points with VFF
Ability to use my tier benefits
On time performance (OTP)
Other (please specify)
No other reasons

Other than the Velocity Frequent Flyer program, which of the below loyalty programs are you a member of…?

Qantas Frequent Flyer (QFF)
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
Emirates Skywards
Air New Zealand Airpoints
Cathay Pacific Marco Polo
Other (Please Specify)
None of these

What is your QFF tier?

Platinum 1
Platinum
Lifetime Gold
Gold
Lifetime Silver
Silver
Bronze
Unsure

Thank you for answering all the questions so far. The following questions relate to your domestic business purpose trips. Please answer all the questions in this context. 

Which of the following best describes how your flights are booked (for domestic business)?

I book myself directly with the airline
I book myself through the company's travel booking portal
Someone in the organisation books for me (e.g. EA, PA, Corporate Travel)
Client books for me
Other (please specify)

When choosing which airline to fly with for domestic business purposes, do you have?

Full autonomy, there are no policies in place I can choose whichever airline
Some autonomy, there's some policies in place but the choice is ultimately mine
No autonomy, there's a company policy that I adhere to
Other (please specify)

And when choosing the fare type (i.e. saver vs. flexi) for the same purpose, do you have?

Full autonomy, choose whichever fare type
Reasonable autonomy, book what is required within reason
Less autonomy, cheapest fare of the day
No autonomy, saver fare only - no exceptions
Other (please specify)

Thinking about flying for business purposes with Virgin Australia, would you say you are flying more, about the same or less than 12 months ago?

More
About the same
Less

What are some of the reasons why you are flying less with Virgin Australia compared to 12 months ago?

Please select all that apply
Change of role (position)
Flying with other airlines more
Changes to project / assignment
Personal reasons
Change of job (company)
Company cutting travel costs
Other work reasons (please specify)
Other (please specify)

And when purchasing fares with Virgin Australia, would you say you are purchasing Flexi Fares more, about the same or less than 12 months ago?

More
About the same
Less
I don't purchase Flexi Fares

Thanks for sharing all that. In this next section, we would like to obtain your feedback on the current program as a Velocity PLATINUM member. We are keen to hear your thoughts on the current Velocity program and how it compares to others. Your feedback will assist us with designing a better program for you and our valued members. 

How important is it to you to maintain your PLATINUM status with Velocity Frequent Flyer...?

Please use a scale where 0 is Not at all important and 10 is Extremely Important

How important is it to you to maintain your Platinum status with Qantas Frequent Flyer (QFF)?

Please use a scale where 0 is Not at all important and 10 is Extremely Important

Overall, how would you rate your satisfaction with the benefits offered to you by...?

Please use a scale where 0 is Not at all important and 10 is Extremely Important

Velocity Frequent Flyer [0-10]
Qantas Frequent Flyer [0-10]

Based on your experience or perceptions, compared to Qantas Frequent Flyer, would you say Velocity Frequent Flyer is...?

Better than Qantas Frequent Flyer
No different to Qantas Frequent Flyer
Worse than Qantas Frequent Flyer

The following section is very important as we would like to run some ideas and concepts we've been working on by you. As a valued member of the Velocity Frequent Flyer program, we strive to design and introduce benefits to our members that are truly relevant and meaningful, and now is the time for you to tell us what you think.

The questions in this section attempt to understand how appealing you find various benefits we could introduce for Velocity Platinum members. You will be shown a number of key benefits each time, and asked to rank one benefit as the most appealing and likely to encourage you to strive for / maintain Platinum status and one benefit as the least appealing and enticing to encourage you to strive for / maintain Platinum status.

Which of the following is the MOST appealing, and which is the LEAST appealing in enticing you to strive for/maintain Platinum status?

A bag drop service at the Sydney and Brisbane Lounge Premium Entry
A dedicated concierge service to text you when there are delays or disruptions
Nominate a family member to also receive Platinum status benefits
Additional benefits unlocked as you exceed the number of status points required to maintain Platinum
Table service in the lounge
Access to additional reward seat availability online

A bag drop service at the Sydney and Brisbane Lounge Premium Entry
A dedicated concierge service to text you when there are delays or disruptions
Nominate a family member to also receive Platinum status benefits
Additional benefits unlocked as you exceed the number of status points required to maintain Platinum
Table service in the lounge
Access to additional reward seat availability online

A bag drop service at the Sydney and Brisbane Lounge Premium Entry
A dedicated concierge service to text you when there are delays or disruptions
Nominate a family member to also receive Platinum status benefits
Additional benefits unlocked as you exceed the number of status points required to maintain Platinum
Table service in the lounge
Access to additional reward seat availability online

Free coffee for a year at a coffee shop of your choice
A dedicated concierge to look after all of your needs, from hotel to theatre bookings
Table service in the lounge
Leave hand luggage with lounge staff and have it pre-loaded onto your flight
Complimentary valet parking passes
The ability to order meals in the lounge

Guaranteed international lounge access on VA partner and alliance airlines
The ability to order meals in the lounge
Platinum status passes to gift to someone for their flight
A bag drop service at the Sydney and Brisbane Lounge Premium Entry
Build a personal profile to better recognise and pre-empt your needs
The ability to achieve Gold or Platinum lifetime status

A dedicated concierge service to text you when there are delays or disruptions
Invitations to special events hosted by Virgin Australia
An arrival drink served to you in the lounge
Your checked baggage delivered to your hotel
Platinum status passes to gift to someone for their flight
Complimentary taxi service to the airport

If space allows, leave the seat next to me free
Surprise upgrades to Business Class when there is space available
Fly ahead to an earlier available flight
Access to additional reward seat availability online
A family cinema pass for the lifetime of your Platinum status
Complimentary food and beverages from the retail cart all day, everyday

A priority taxi queue at the airport
Table service in the lounge
An additional 5kg ‘wiggle room’ for your checked baggage allowance
A bag drop service at the Sydney and Brisbane Lounge Premium Entry
Guaranteed international lounge access on VA partner and alliance airlines
A family cinema pass for the lifetime of your Platinum status

The ability to order meals in the lounge
Build a personal profile to better recognise and pre-empt your needs
Invitations to special events hosted by Virgin Australia
Nominate a family member to also receive Platinum status benefits
Exclusive discounts, offers and special treatment at restaurants and bars
International first class lounge access with VA partner airlines where available

Complimentary food and beverages from the retail cart all day, everyday
Guaranteed international lounge access on VA partner and alliance airlines
If space allows, leave the seat next to me free
An arrival drink served to you in the lounge
Invitations to special events hosted by Virgin Australia
Leave hand luggage with lounge staff and have it pre-loaded onto your flight

Two complimentary domestic Business Class upgrades from Saver fares
Complimentary valet parking passes
Nominate a family member to also receive Platinum status benefits
The ability to achieve Gold or Platinum lifetime status
A priority taxi queue at the airport
Fly ahead to an earlier available flight

Additional benefits unlocked as you exceed the number of status points required to maintain Platinum
International first class lounge access with VA partner airlines where available
Exclusive discounts, offers and special treatment at restaurants and bars
An additional 5kg ‘wiggle room’ for your checked baggage allowance
A dedicated area within the lounge
Leave hand luggage with lounge staff and have it pre-loaded onto your flight

Complimentary taxi service to the airport
A family cinema pass for the lifetime of your Platinum status
An additional 5kg ‘wiggle room’ for your checked baggage allowance
Build a personal profile to better recognise and pre-empt your needs
Free coffee for a year at a coffee shop of your choice
A dedicated area within the lounge

A dedicated concierge to look after all of your needs, from hotel to theatre bookings
Exclusive discounts, offers and special treatment at restaurants and bars
Your checked baggage delivered to your hotel
Platinum status passes to gift to someone for their flight
International first class lounge access with VA partner airlines where available
Surprise upgrades to Business Class when there is space available

Fly ahead to an earlier available flight
Additional benefits unlocked as you exceed the number of status points required to maintain Platinum
Free coffee for a year at a coffee shop of your choice
Platinum status passes to gift to someone for their flight
Leave hand luggage with lounge staff and have it pre-loaded onto your flight
Two complimentary domestic Business Class upgrades from Saver fares

Thinking about these benefits you have selected, please select the top 7 benefits that would have an impact on your likelihood to fly exclusively with Virgin Australia? 

Complimentary taxi service to the airport
A bag drop service at the Sydney and Brisbane Lounge Premium Entry
Table service in the lounge
Two complimentary domestic Business Class upgrades from Saver fares
Additional benefits unlocked as you exceed the number of status points required to maintain Platinum
Guaranteed international lounge access on VA partner and alliance airlines
The ability to achieve Gold or Platinum lifetime status
Fly ahead to an earlier available flight
International first class lounge access with VA partner airlines where available


Still thinking about these benefits, which top 3 would be the most suitable to be reserved for members above the Platinum tier (enough to earn double the status credit points)?

Complimentary taxi service to the airport
A bag drop service at the Sydney and Brisbane Lounge Premium Entry
Table service in the lounge
Two complimentary domestic Business Class upgrades from Saver fares
Additional benefits unlocked as you exceed the number of status points required to maintain Platinum
Guaranteed international lounge access on VA partner and alliance airlines
The ability to achieve Gold or Platinum lifetime status
Fly ahead to an earlier available flight
International first class lounge access with VA partner airlines where available

Thinking about all the most appealing benefits you have selected, how appealing would a new tier above the current Platinum tier be if these benefits were offered?

Extremely appealing
Somewhat appealing
Neither appealing nor unappealing
Somewhat unappealing
Extremely unappealing

On days when you are travelling, occasionally you may arrive at the airport well before your scheduled flight. In times like this, Virgin Australia may be able to put you on an earlier flight if you request it. How much earlier (than your scheduled flight) would you expect Virgin Australia be able to accommodate you?

1 hour earlier than booked flight
2 hours earlier than booked flight
3 hours earlier than booked flight
Other (please specify)

Would you be willing for Velocity Frequent Flyer to receive your individual responses from this survey to store with your personal information to be used for program development and providing you with relevant offers, in accordance with the Velocity Frequent Flyer terms and conditions?

Yes, I give permission for you to provide VFF with my individual responses
No, I would prefer for my response to remain anonymous
<other categorising stuff>

 

[theevilmuppet]

Does anyone have any suspicions as to the criteria that VA have used in selecting members for this survey?

 

[esseeeayeenn]

No email here despite Platinum status.

 

[Denali]

No email and hubby and I are gold and platinum.

 

[danielt25]

I voted for the complimentary taxis to airport and the ability to block seats. Fly ahead is very useful for me but no incentive for Platinum as it's also available for gold

 

[davidsilver]

Does anyone have any suspicions as to the criteria that VA have used in selecting members for this survey?

What would be your suspicion?

I received email about lunch time today

 

[Milefest]

Complimentary taxis seems too good to be true, they'll probably end up giving plats a dedicated hotdog lane in the lounge.

 

[kevrosmith]

I received this. My votes went for:

Nominate a family member to also receive Platinum status benefits
Additional benefits unlocked as you exceed the number of status points required to maintain Platinum
Platinum status passes to gift to someone for their flight
The ability to achieve Gold or Platinum lifetime status
If space allows, leave the seat next to me free
Surprise upgrades to Business Class when there is space available
Access to additional reward seat availability online

Some of the others were a good idea, while some I'd take if they offered, but probably wouldn't be of much value to me.

Surely they knew that once they sent the email out without a confidentiality agreement, they were basically handing QFF their business strategy planning...?

 

[davidsilver]

I didn't think there was anything in that survey that QFF would be worried about

 

[theevilmuppet]

What would be your suspicion?

I received email about lunch time today

I'd suspect that it would be targeted more at members who fly mainly Flexi/J on VA metal and/or those who have status with other programs (particularly QF VFF).

 

[Milefest]

I'd suspect that it would be targeted more at members who fly mainly Flexi/J on VA metal and/or those who have status with other programs (particularly QF VFF).

Probably also those who have "Market Research" selected in their preferences.