Velocity points now worthless in 2023 (extreme stealth devaluation)

[Bagpuss]

I mean we don't disagree at all. But that's completely separate to the point that availability is definitely not a factor of value that Vic is arguing.

That's the only point I am arguing against.. which is silly for the exact reason that it is both subjective AND not unreasonable that availability is a factor (or that there are other factors) in value.

But yeah these arguments are pointless. Whenever I say one thing people just jump in with so many unrelated things shutting me down lol, forgetting that I am a fan of velocity too.

I see devaluation in (at least) two ways

Devaluation of points = Example - It was 42,000 points to get a business rewards flight from Perth to Sydney. Now they have changed the redemption rate and it will now be 50,000 points so I have to use more points for the same thing. My points have been devalued!

Devaluation of use of points (1) = Example - Last year there would usually be 2 business class seats available for business rewards which meant me and my +1 could travel together to destinations and be able to enjoy the comforts of business class together working around availability. Now there's at most only 1 business class reward availability meaning me and my +1 need to travel on separate flights making the flight less enjoyable (some may see this as a positive, hey ! ). I / we aren't keen on flying economy as business class was part of the trip experience. Therefore, I feel the use of my points have been devalued.

Devaluation of use of points (2) = I have all these points and there's no rewards seats available! These points will get a me a toaster! Can you believe a toaster I can get off ebay for $29 and it's 150,000 points! That 150,000 could have got me Perth and back multiple times in business class! Seriously 150,000 for $29 !!! My points have be devalued!

 

[anyonebutqantas]

Even availability of domestic J is very poor. It's embarassing.

 

[jakeseven7]

Even availability of domestic J is very poor. It's embarassing.

That may have come at same time they increased fares, getting all dressed up to flog the old girl in Singapore

 

[Bagpuss]

That may have come at same time they increased fares, getting all dressed up to flog the old girl in Singapore

The old IPO comment.
Here’s some food for thought. When Virgin Australia went into administration the shareholders were all happy up until they didn’t get any money from Velocity as I think it was valued at around $1 billion ?
If / when there is an IPO it may or may not include Velocity. If the frequent flyer arm is so valuable (which Virgin raised money to buy back what it didn’t own before diving into administration) maybe Bain Captain may retain it 100%. After all there’s claims they wouldn’t fully IPO the airline at least at first.
However, the release of reward availability is surely Velocity and not Virgin Australia.

Current details for ABN 60 601 408 824 | ABN Lookup

abr.business.gov.au

Current details for ABN 36 090 670 965 | ABN Lookup

abr.business.gov.au

 

[jase05]

That may have come at same time they increased fares, getting all dressed up to flog the old girl in Singapore

Plenty of availability on QR F and J in and out of Australia when I want it and also tons of availability on QR and EY ex Asia and Europe which suits me just fine

 

[Bagpuss]

Even availability of domestic J is very poor. It's embarassing.

Really what they should do, say there’s 4 flights a day between Perth and Melbourne instead of offering 1 business class reward per flight, they should offer 2 business rewards on half the flights which equal out the same reward seats.
One way they could do it using better analytics would be allow x number of business class rewards per day per route but with a maximum per flight.

 

[anyonebutqantas]

Plenty of availability on QR F and J in and out of Australia when I want it and also tons of availability on QR and EY ex Asia and Europe which suits me just fine

Really? I haven't seen much when I've searched.

 

[jase05]

Really? I haven't seen much when I've searched.

Yep. The months I’m looking at has availability on QR J ex ADL on several dates and QR F ex PER on plenty of dates. I found plenty of options ex Asia on EY and QR

 

[Peso]

I noticed something off as well. Wanted to check HND-SIN-PER availability, but there aren't any on VFF for the whole year, instead populated by VA transits. Yet there's saver availability on some days when I search for it on SQ. Searching for the flights separately on VA website yielded the flights just fine.

Is VA doing some reverse married segment logic, or is it something I can contact VA to manually book, given that both flights are available separately?

 

[Bell21]

QR via VFF points..... ADL to Warsaw. a 2min search 10 months out.
2 J all the way n return baby. (no i didn't book, just sayin')

View attachment 322300

making me misty eyed - I did SYD-WAW recently and ATH-ADL in J on the return (VFF points on QR) - I booked it with about 3 weeks notice --- loved QR in J, esp. the spacious bar on the A380, but the lounge in Doha - wow - especially the restaurant upstairs.

 

[levelnine]

QR via VFF points..... ADL to Warsaw. a 2min search 10 months out.
2 J all the way n return baby. (no i didn't book, just sayin')

If only VFF charged AA-like taxes! Over $1400AUD is criminal!!

 

[MooTime]

If only VFF charged AA-like taxes! Over $1400AUD is criminal!!

View attachment 327003

yes IF only, valid point, but hardly criminal. there's a few airlines that charge arm & a leg in taxes / surcharge.

some complain no rewards, point out there are & then some complain about surcharge, oh well.

I prefer the positive outlook, at least I can fly Qatar J on reward seats to Europe with VFF, alas QFF.

 

[levelnine]

I prefer the positive outlook, at least I can fly Qatar J on reward seats to Europe with VFF, alas QFF.

Oh yes, it doesn't bother me personally as I collect AA/BA/CX. I just feel sorry for Australian-only points collectors. They get screwed either way — either no availability or high surcharges. There really needs to be way more competition in the Australian travel rewards space.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

If only VFF charged AA-like taxes! Over $1400AUD is criminal!!

Well… they do! Exactly the same ‘tax’.

Carrier surcharges on the other hand

Airlines should be forced to label them ‘carrier profit’ rather than try and hide them under ‘tax’.

 

[Bunnyman]

Lot of commenters above stating booking QR J few weeks out. But what if we want to book 330 days in advance?

I’m struggling to find any QR or SQ J availability next year in my “mock runs” (Mar-Jun l, MEL or SYD to either of FCO ATH CDG LHR). Plan to book for Sep 2024 and not interested in EY J atm.

 

[Scr77]

Lot of commenters above stating booking QR J few weeks out. But what if we want to book 330 days in advance?

I’m struggling to find any QR or SQ J availability next year in my “mock runs” (Mar-Jun l, MEL or SYD to either of FCO ATH CDG LHR). Plan to book for Sep 2024 and not interested in EY J atm.

Book something. Book it as seperate tickets each way. Then keep checking for better options as you get closer.

 

[Bunnyman]

Book something. Book it as seperate tickets each way. Then keep checking for better options as you get closer.

Hi Scr77, thanks for the response. Won't that cost more though? Like 139k if booked together instead of 65k + 104k (169k) per person?

I might be cutting close and don't have lot of spare points by October (when I have to book for September). 2 pax - 278k

 

[Scr77]

Hi Scr77, thanks for the response. Won't that cost more though? Like 139k if booked together instead of 65k + 104k (169k) per person?

I might be cutting close and don't have lot of spare points by October (when I have to book for September). 2 pax - 278

Rewards bookings are cancellable for a fee. You were referencing the availability of QR at the last minute. What I was saying is, book something that you can live with. Then keep an eye on something better. Don’t been too hard on EY J. I have flights with them in a week, but that didn’t stop me finding awesome opportunities in the meantime. I’m Currently in SQ suites.

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

Rewards bookings are cancellable for a fee. You were referencing the availability of QR at the last minute. What I was saying is, book something that you can live with. Then keep an eye on something better. Don’t been too hard on EY J. I have flights with them in a week, but that didn’t stop me finding awesome opportunities in the meantime. I’m Currently in SQ suites.

Note that if you use VA's automated cancellation program then it will charge you 7,500 points for the cancellation. If you'd prefer to use cash (generally $60 fee) then you need to call and request.
Did this with my recent US trip with UA rewards - booked BNE-SFO in Y and LAX-MEL-SYD return on separate bookings. When J availability came up on each leg, cancelled and rebooked accordingly.

 

[MooTime]

Note that if you use VA's automated cancellation program then it will charge you 7,500 points for the cancellation. If you'd prefer to use cash (generally $60 fee) then you need to call and request.
Did this with my recent US trip with UA rewards - booked BNE-SFO in Y and LAX-MEL-SYD return on separate bookings. When J availability came up on each leg, cancelled and rebooked accordingly.

Just a side note, A few months ago cancelled 2x Y UA reward tickets and didn't pay a fee. Not sure why or how.
Via velocity points on the phone.