Virgin America Introducing Status Tiers

[LiamR]

Received this email from Virgin America today, they are introducing a Gold and Silver tier to their frequent flyer program, Elevate.

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Hi there, Liam. Change can be a good thing. And with the new Elevate® Status benefits coming August 8, we’ll go ahead and say it’s a great thing. Meet Elevate Silver and Elevate Gold Status, your tickets to special treatment on the airline that makes flying good again. We’re rewarding our most loyal guests with benefits that make the Virgin America experience even better. Think more reward points, special upgrade options, and the kind of fancy perks that make you want to say “dah-ling.” [TD="width: 540"]

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	BONUS REWARD POINTS

[TD="width: 279"]BEST SEATS IN THE HOUSE[/TD]

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[TD="width: 175"]PRIORITY AIRPORT PERKS[/TD]
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[TD="width: 279"]EXCLUSIVE DEALS AND OFFERS[/TD]

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[TD="width: 540"]You can check out all the perks we have in store for Elevate Silver and Elevate Gold members here , and learn how to take your status to the next level.

Thanks again for riding with Virgin America. We like it when you take advantage of us. And now, there’s more reason than ever to keep flying.

Cheers,
Virgin America[/TD]

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I'll be watching it very closely to see if they start to align some benefits with Virgin Australia. At the moment, all you can do is earn points and status credits with VX, it'd be fantastic in the future to have features such as Priority Checkin and improved seat selection.

More information about the program, including status benefits can be read up here:

Flights from Virgin America | Virgin Flights

 

[pythonisman]

Nice.

The email there, and the second tab "fly with benefits" seems to indicate that priority check in, free baggage, better seating etc are all part of the silver/gold program...
Flights from Virgin America | Virgin Flights

 

[gwilli1]

Very Nice . VX is my choice of airline when in the US , where i can . Looks like I'm heading to Boston in February '13 , so i too will be keeping an eye on how this develops & what advantages it may bring to us Velocity members.

 

[simongr]

Great news for the Virgin network (assuming it aligns to DJ/VA) but what a horrendously cheesy email - "Dah-ling"??????

 

[pshepvic]

Geez you're up early Liam (or are you still in the US?)

I saw the email at about 6:45am and thought I'd make it to work to post this on AFF!

My questions & comments...

1. What is "Main cabin express"? I'm assuming seats further forward in the cabin...
2. Will the benefits extend to Velocity members?
3. Interesting to see that it is very similar to Velocity when first launched - 5 points per $ spent (on VX), base level is called "Red", then 20,000 points for Silver, and 50,000 points for Gold

 

[drewbles]

Pretty un-inspiring really (but not having a huge network nor having any lounges doesn't mean they can do much).

As Liam says, watching to see what tie-ups with Velocity occur. I've had some reasonable flights on VX. I still prefer AA but if they start extending some of the Gold benefits to VA Plats, i'm there (the upgrades and MCS seats appeal definitely; although AA will soon have a brand new fleet, IFE as well, and MCS type seating for OW Elites and of course, lounges with unlimited top-shelf beverages for OW Emeralds ).

 

[Deewhy]

A step in the right direction, and interesting that status is spend based.

I'm interested to see flow on effects and alignment with VA and reciprocal benefits and priveleges.

 

[drewbles]

A step in the right direction, and interesting that status is spend based.

I'm interested to see flow on effects and alignment with VA and reciprocal benefits and priveleges.

It's just that they're basing elite levels on points earn rather than introducing a separate SC type system (As opposed to other US carriers that use EQM's, EQP's and number of segments flown as metrics for it, meaning you can qualify for elite status in multiple ways).

DJ points earn on domestic flights are all based on dollar spend. It's only international where points per mile come in.

 

[docjames]

Seeing this in a positive way, it suggests

a) alignment with affiliate FF programs (Velocity etc)
b) they have enough "critical mass" in their FF program to require levels!

 

[777]

Now we need lounges - particularly at LAX!

 

[drewbles]

Now we need lounges - particularly at LAX!

VX will start using VA's lounge in T3 *shudder*

 

[LiamR]

VX will start using VA's lounge in T3 *shudder*

Build a Clubhouse please.

(With access privileges when flying on any of the three Virgin Airlines)