Velocity Status Levels

[Steve Dyer]

I do think that a WP1 type of level would be relevant to VA. Furthermore a Plat Lounge of J lounge would be of good as well. Lifetime SC's as very relevant. Why not think out side of the box. A WP that qualifies twice over perhaps provide a family reward at no cost for 2 adults two children to any where in the country or LA to Disneyland.... I would fly more for the Disneyland family trip. For those that don't have family requirements, travel devices that are worth working for... If you have earned 2000SC in a 12mth period a MacBook Air or a top line Bose Noice Canceling headphones would be something I think most would work for.

 

[drewbles]

I do think that a WP1 type of level would be relevant to VA. Furthermore a Plat Lounge of J lounge would be of good as well. Lifetime SC's as very relevant. Why not think out side of the box. A WP that qualifies twice over perhaps provide a family reward at no cost for 2 adults two children to any where in the country or LA to Disneyland.... I would fly more for the Disneyland family trip. For those that don't have family requirements, travel devices that are worth working for... If you have earned 2000SC in a 12mth period a MacBook Air or a top line Bose Noice Canceling headphones would be something I think most would work for.

Considering a MacBook Air starts at $1099 and goes up to $1549, these are entirely unreasonable expectations.

Yes, 2000 SC's is a lot to get in a 12 month period, but that's equating to possibly 5% or so hand back. Even the most generous big value programs don't return that kind of value.

I like your thinking, but suspect it'd be more like 'congratulations! Here's a custom VA Purple iPod Shuffle!' and that's probably more realistic (as they're only $55).

Even the old top-of-the-top WP's at QF (and now P1) get benefits that cost QF a lot less than the perceived value (eg a day at the QF corporate hospitality tent for the F1, invites to QF dinners etc).

I'd go as far as to say offer more upgrades upon reaching more SC's, or offer ones that can be gifted to eligible family members, or used on any fare class (not just a flexi, and only the additional 'bonus' upgrades would be this, the 4 WP benefit ones would remain flexi only).

There are sure to be lots of things that QF don't do that VA could though

 

[rlarosa]

SC earn for LT status would be great. Would also love to be able to use points to upgrade on VA international long haul flights. And dedicated security lanes that actually are dedicated security lanes! The 'dedicated' lane at OOL yesterday was longer than the normal lane. And lastly - bring back the New York sandwich! Still the best thing I've eaten on a domestic flight

 

[Fruitcake]

Would also love to be able to use points to upgrade on VA international long haul flights.

Something like this?

Terms & Conditions | Velocity Frequent Flyer
18.3 Virgin Australia International Long Haul
18.3.1 Platinum and Gold Members are entitled to redeem Points for Flight Upgrades to Premium Economy or Business on Virgin Australia International Long Haul flights by redeeming Velocity Points at the rates set out in the table below.

However, it would be good to be able to book the upgrade online. In fact, there's a lot of things it would be nice to do online....

 

[rlarosa]

Thanks Fruitcake. That's at odds with what is on the Velocity website, and from information I have previously received from VA!

[TABLE="class: benefit-style, width: 520"]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"][TABLE="width: 519"]
[TR="class: accordion levels-heading"]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]TRAVEL BENEFITS: Before you travelxhide[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: line, bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="class: membershipRow, bgcolor: transparent"]

+​

Priority Phone Service[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: line, bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="class: membershipRow, bgcolor: transparent"]

-​

Upgrade Using Points

• You can use your Velocity Points to upgrade from a Flexi seat (fare classes Y, B, H, K, L) to a Premium or Business seat on domestic and international short haul flights marketed and operated by Virgin Australia, and Virgin Samoa.
• You can request an Upgrade Using Points up to 4 hours prior to your flight subject to Premium Reward Seat availability.
• To view the number of Points required to upgrade, click here
• To request an upgrade, please contact the Membership Contact Centre.

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

[Fruitcake]

Thanks Fruitcake. That's at odds with what is on the Velocity website, and from information I have previously received from VA!

It's relatively new (August 2012) and quite well hidden. I tried to use it just after they started offering it, and was told they are limiting it to golds and plats as a "soft launch" and not publicising it (which is why it's not mentioned in the 'upgrade using points' section of the website.) However at that point you could only request a few days before the flight, now you can call up at the time of booking (that changed in January 2013).

Personally I'd expected the soft launch period to last only a few months but, hey, this is VA, we've all learnt by now they don't rush things .

 

[rlarosa]

I'm glad I found this out. We have about 65k points each kicking around and was going to burn them going to Perth, but we're heading to LA for a wedding next year so will save them up for upgrades!

 

[drewbles]

SC earn for LT status would be great. Would also love to be able to use points to upgrade on VA international long haul flights. And dedicated security lanes that actually are dedicated security lanes! The 'dedicated' lane at OOL yesterday was longer than the normal lane. And lastly - bring back the New York sandwich! Still the best thing I've eaten on a domestic flight

If you're WP or SG you can use your points to upgrade
*edit beaten to it!*

Upgrades are not from all classes though so you'll still need to book your flexis.

Can't agree with the sandwich though. It was OK but I did pass on it several times (but hey compared to the wrap it's golden ).

 

[BrentH]

And lastly - bring back the New York sandwich! Still the best thing I've eaten on a domestic flight

It was put out of its misery for good reason.

The perfect mix of peppery pastrami, subtly bitter swiss cheese, soggy coleslaw and salty pickles on a "fall to bits" crumbly rye mixed-grain bread to be reminiscent of the taste of vomiting in one's own mouth. ($10 - credit card preferred)

The other one that was killed for good reason was the asian noodles salad. A sprinkling of carrot julienne pieces playing "needle" in a bland haystack of plain vermicelli noodles.

Catering is a big area of improvement for VA. Luke Mangan really isn't doing well for you guys - in the lounge, or in the air.

 

[EuroFlyer]

I think they need to consider recognition of platinum and greater differentiation from gold first.

Agree with you there

 

[LiamR]

Now that VFF is back on board, it might be nice to understand if Velocity will consider a QF P1 type status level for those of us that earn quickly the re-qualify SC, then the rest of the year is pretty much a waste.... What would we all like to see fi this was a "perfect world"

I'm always confused as to why people think that just because Virgin has been moving upmarket over the past few years, it means has to replicate Qantas. I know the planes basically look the same (White body with red/white tail), but that does not mean the airline is the same!

Just because Qantas has built J/Plat lounges, does not mean Virgin have to.
Just because Qantas has a P1 tier, does not mean Virgin have to.

They are their own airline, let them make their own, unique decisions!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

They are their own airline, let them make their own, unique decisions!

Which they have been doing with some tinkering around the edges (successfully with the like of family pooling and reward SC earn, but unsuccessfully with say, ATA).

I guess the big reality for them though, is that the punters WILL be comparing them to QF, or more to the point, comparing VA value to QF value. Things like a dedicated J lounge does pique the interest of the big $ spenders (ie highest level status or paid J flyers) which is apparantly just the people VA are trying to lure across.

So VA has standard lounges with standard (some would suggest sub-standard) food and beveridge, which are being outgrown very quickly, whilst QF has tiered lounges with tiered standards of F&B right up to F lounge at a world recognised standard. VA fees are roughly the same so they do have to compete. Moreover, the "unique" VA incentives mentioned above also make it so much easier for the "not so frequent flyers" to access status levels and hence lounges placing them under greater pressure with capacity constraints. So for lounges, I'd be thinking VA has to do something over the status quo and it must surely be a priority.

As much as I hate to suggest it, but family pooling, reward SCs and anytime access (when it existed), which are/were the top differentiators for VA so far, are a primary cause for the need for some of the issues talked of here on this thread, like a) more difference between gold and plat, b) overcrowded lounges, c) the percieved need for another status tier. As much as it pains me to suggest it (I'm only plat now because of family pooling and reward SCs), but if anything, I'd be thinking VAs upper echelon would be monitoring the effect of family pooling especially as it may be costing them more than they think (by way of problems with numbers). Perhaps numbers = profits. If so, good. The golden/platinum handcuffs may still work wonders for them and us plat. poolers are safe for now!

 

[grubbidok]

VA has a lot to go catching up to treating their current tiers as well as other airlines before they build new tiers. TBH I'd just be happy atm if they had decent reciprocal access and benefits with their partners. SQ, EY and NZ agreements are great but it's no good touting lounge access for VA members if half the airports these airlines go to have shared lounges that VA members aren't allowed into. For SG members on VA coded flights to not to even have access to showers on stopovers to Europe is disgraceful.

As much as VA push the benefits of 'going their own way' status members are always better off in an airline that's in an alliance. Currently there are way too many holes where being VA elite offers you no advantage over having no status. For example - what's even the point of VA elite being loyal in Europe? Despite the fact there's no European partner, even flying in with VA or partners gets you no benefits. For all the benefits I'll get in CDG on my upcoming trip, I may as well have flown Tiger.

 

[777]

VA has a lot to go catching up to treating their current tiers as well as other airlines before they build new tiers. TBH I'd just be happy atm if they had decent reciprocal access and benefits with their partners. SQ, EY and NZ agreements are great but it's no good touting lounge access for VA members if half the airports these airlines go to have shared lounges that VA members aren't allowed into. For SG members on VA coded flights to not to even have access to showers on stopovers to Europe is disgraceful.

Fyi EY give you access to all contract lounges.

 

[Velocity Frequent Flyer]

Now that you're back with us (welcome back, by the way!), and understanding the commercial sensitivities in loyalty programs, are you able to give us any information or perhaps time frames as to actual enhancements in the Velocity program? I mean real added value not QF-esque enhancements (say things like lifetime status or maybe loyalty type bonuses/upgrade credits, etc etc; not saying you're copying QF, just mentioning some things that we would consider real bonuses)?

Understand Sabre is taking up most of your time too but hey, it never hurts to ask

Hi drewbles, we will be sharing what we can, when we can. As well as provide more support here in AFF when new features are added to the program!

 

[Jama]

I requali'd platinum in less than 6 months and am now in the position where any SC's I earn for the next 6 months are wasted - something definitely needs to be done to encourage me to continue flying with Virgin for the next 6 months vs. a competitor where i can put use/value to the SC's

Perhaps SC's earned after requal should go towards the next requal rather than being expired. I agree otherwise your better off flying another airline once you requalify given those SC's are wasted. Yes they can be used to qualify your partner but most travel together so having individual status isn't relevant.

 

[smit0847]

I think that in the absence of of a WP1 type level, an additional 4 free upgrades for every additional 800 SCs earnt after requalifying WP each year would be a very fair yet attractive benefit.

 

[Jama]

I think a lifetime membership program would be better than adding more status levels. Along with tweaking Platinum benefits. If another level is added it won't be long before we will be hearing we need yet another level. It wasn't that long ago we only had Gold.

 

[VMC73]

If they are going to to have a higher tier I hope that we would be given notice, I requalified in January with review date not till mid August so am pooling to the kids.

 

[grubbidok]

Fyi EY give you access to all contract lounges.

Woops. I stand corrected, didn't even know that was a thing. I don't really like the UAE stopover (EY or EK) so my airline to Europe has generally been SQ. The Krisflyer lounge at Changi seems to be the lounge you have when you're not having a lounge.

Guess I'm still just rooting for VA to hurry up and join an alliance