Virgin Australia Discover Gold (Status Match)

[Kangol]

Oh! Thanks everyone. Yes that makes sense. Rolling cycle seems fair enough. But not as fair as the Qantas system where you are guaranteed to get your next level of status for over one year, haha.

 

[MooTime]

Oh! Thanks everyone. Yes that makes sense. Rolling cycle seems fair enough. But not as fair as the Qantas system where you are guaranteed to get your next level of status for over one year, haha.

But with VA if you got your status renewal goal before anniversary date, the next year is still from extension date so isn't it same same?

 

[serfty]

But with VA if you got your status renewal goal before anniversary date, the next year is still from extension date so isn't it same same?

The main difference is in Qualifying up a level. If you are QFF PS and your QFF "Year" ends 31st July, earning QFF SG in February 2021 will give that SG status until end of July 2022, whereas Velocity PS who has a review date of July 31st qualifying SG in February would have it for 365 days from the date in February they so qualified.

Once qualified a level then QFF and Velocity are similar in anniversary dates for requalifying.

 

[straitman]

Yes, family pooling, shopping are some of the ways you can accumulate 80 SC

I'm not sure if family pooling will work. I read the FAQ for status extension before I responded. It might still be possible, but I'm not sure. Can someone confirm?

Did anyone answer this or did I miss it?

 

[serfty]

Did anyone answer this or did I miss it?

I am not sure if you question has been answered but do note the following:

Q: As an approved Discover Gold member, what do I have to do to reach full Gold Status?
A: If you earn 80 Status Credits and fly at least one Eligible Sector during your 3 month Discover Gold trial, you’ll be eligible for full Gold Status. We’ll assess your eligibility at the end of your 3 month Discover Gold trial, and if you’re eligible, we’ll notify you and you’ll receive 12 months of full Gold status. We’ll check your eligibility automatically at the end of your Discover Gold Status trial and let you know.

I would suggest pooled / FlyBuy SC's would qualify as part of the earned 80 SC. You do still need to take at least one flight* (Eligible sector)..

Velocity Status Rewards

Find out how Virgin Australia is rewarding existing Status members with Status Rewards. Find out more about our Status Match extension with our Discover Gold Program update.

experience.velocityfrequentflyer.com

 

[ferntree]

This is strange. I received email from Virgin today confirming Discover Gold status started today, with link to my velocity account. This said I need 80 status credits and 1 eligible sector by March 28 to confirm status going forward - this is as I understood to be the case.

However, on the Velocity App on my phone, a virtual Gold Card has appeared - this says I need another 400 status credits and 4 eligible sectors by March 28 2021. Surely this can't be right?

I was going to phone Virgin for clarification, but message says because of covid disruptions nobody should phone unless flying in next 48 hours.

Can anyone shed any light on this please? Thanks.

 

[serfty]

However, on the Velocity App on my phone, a virtual Gold Card has appeared - this says I need another 400 status credits and 4 eligible sectors by March 28 2021. Surely this can't be right?

That's pretty normal going by those who experienced "Pilot Gold".

Computer "says" stock standard stuff.

You have been set up with SG with a review date of March 28th - you won't need 400 SC's.

I suspect your review period in the days after 28th of March will be when your status will be extended should you complete the challenge.

 

[ferntree]

Thank you!

 

[albatross710]

I am not sure if you question has been answered but do note the following:

Thanks for the clarification. I did enrol Mrs Albatross and have everything setup incl Flybuys funnel.

Was likely going to have a cost of about $600 to meet the challenge, In the end though I decided not to do the VA challenge. Marginal benefit in times of low domestic travel especially with QF extension(s)

 

[Silvia]

I oddly applied (QF plat) and got declined straight away

 

[Mattg]

I oddly applied (QF plat) and got declined straight away

Did they give a reason?

 

[Silvia]

No, just plain rejected. I was really wanting to give VA a go, but I guess I’ll stick with QF if they don’t want my business

 

[jakeseven7]

No, just plain rejected. I was really wanting to give VA a go, but I guess I’ll stick with QF if they don’t want my business

Do you give away your home address in the process? I’ve heard some rumours about...

 

[straitman]

Do you give away your home address in the process? I’ve heard some rumours about...

What sort of rumours?

I only gave them my postal address.

 

[Ade]

Do you give away your home address in the process? I’ve heard some rumours about...

I didn't provide my address anywhere explicitly when I submitted my EoI. I just submitted it. I assume they will pick the address from my VFF profile?

 

[Kangol]

I got a "please provide proof of your status" reply, although I uploaded a screenshot of my digital QFF card in the first place.
Might be an issue with the system and uploading attachments...

Provided them the same screenshot again and will wait and see.

 

[straitman]

I got a "please provide proof of your status" reply, although I uploaded a screenshot of my digital QFF card in the first place.
Might be an issue with the system and uploading attachments...

Provided them the same screenshot again and will wait and see.

Teir system has a limited number of file types that it accepts. I wonder if that's an issue?

 

[RedSMS]

Hey guys, silly me, have just read about this (I am QFF GOLD)

I have taken a screenshot of my digital QFF membership and a photograph of my card (Which shows Jul 2020 expiry obviously.)

I have a few questions:

1. Is it too late for me to do this and be accepted?

• You must nominate the date on which you would like your Discover Gold Status trial to start. This date needs to be at least 7 days from today and no later than 4 January 2021.

2. As shown above, It isn't allowing me to select today's date (The soonest date I can pick is monday 11th Jan.) What should I do about this? Is their a number I can ring?

• Please provide evidence of your Eligible Frequent Flyer Membership by uploading a colour image of the loyalty side of your membership card. Please upload your card image as a JPG or PNG file.

3. Should I upload my digital card or my physical card?

• Please nominate the day prior to any planned travel.

4. Where do you do this?

5. What is the success rate?

6. Which email address do I use? Do I use the one I have linked with my VA account or my QFF Account?

Nb
I have been able to submit my request and have attached the photo of my physical card and have given the email address connected with my QFF account.


Thanks in advance!

 

[RedSMS]

Do you honestly think that when international travel even has a sniff of reopening Virgin won't have announced their international partners?
Do you think that's a real possibility? Really?
Airlines will be falling over themselves to gain any sort of revenue.

Let's be serious some posters here applying velocity gold cos they just want something for free & then only to bag & criticize everything about it.
Why some ppl put themselves thru this I have no idea.

Looks as though my attempt to register for the DISCOVER GOLD status match today was all in vein!
5 minutes ago i was thinking "I wish I had found out about this earlier, I would have applied straight away."

I would like to put in my 2 cents as to why it isn't the case of wanting something for free (I actually sent an email to VA regarding why I would like the trial opportunity)

Good Afternoon,

I am a Red Velocity Frequent Flyer with Virgin Australia, but a Gold Qantas Frequent Flyer member.

I would really like to apply for the DISCOVER GOLD promotion that you have running until the end of today.

would like to apply for a 3 month trial of Gold Velocity Status for the following reasons:

1. I have flown both internationally and domestically on Qantas with a high degree of frequency over the years. I have flown (in their most recently configured) A330's and Boeing 787 Dreamliners and the "pre" refurbished A330s, A380s and Boeing 747s - internationally in their Economy, Premium Economy and Business Class cabins and domestically in both economy and business cabins. I would like to make the following comments and comparisons from QF to VA regarding my most recent experiences with each carrier:



a. When thinking about the difference between the experience I had when booking the flights, I thought that the VA booking experience was more engaging and the process felt refreshing. Clearly, VA had more options for my journey that QF still doesn't offer at this point in time, EconomyX being one example. When booking a flight with Qantas, you need to add extra legroom as a request when selecting a seat (If that seat is still available.) EconomyX is not just "extra legroom" but in my mind a superior product that Qantas doesn't provide. QF's extra legroom seats are not toward the front of the cabin and Furthermore, Qantas does not issue additional points for the selection of an extra legroom seat, nor do they offer anything else but the extra legroom seat further back in the cabin.

Also, I like the fact that VA offers 3 fare types in your economy cabins thus creating more variety which leads to either a cheaper flight or more suitable to the passengers needs.


b. At the airport - Despite lacking the credentials to gain entry into the Virgin Lounge at Melbourne Airport, the experience I had at the gate from a customer service point of view was considerably better than that which QF offers. The gate staff and cabin crew were more polite despite the fact that I did not have elite status with VA at the time. The last time I travelled Qantas domestically, the fact that I have Gold Status made no difference to the experience at the gate when boarding the aircraft as they were rushing to get all the pax on board (I have found this to be a fairly common occurrence.). Their gate staff and cabin crew were less polite. Furthermore, I really liked the fact that VA offered a variety of complimentary newspapers/magazines for ALL pax to read.

c. When thinking about the look and feel of the 737-800, (both used by VA and QF) I felt that the VA cabin was more spacious (I did have an EconomyX seat.) The interior cabin of QF's B737-800s feel old and in need of revamp. I find that your cabins are brighter and I really love the colour scheme and choice of cabin lighting.

d. My favourite destination for a getaway in Australia is Port Douglas. As you know, Port Douglas is approximately 90 minutes from CNS and I prefer to arrive into CNS as early as possible to make the most of my getaway. Whilst both carriers have the one direct flight (MEL-CNS ret) per day (weekends up to two), the VA flight ex Melbourne arrives 2.5 hours earlier into CNS. I would love the opportunity to make the most out of my favourite domestic journey, however, and as you know I am more inclined to book with QF as it helps maintain my loyalty with them.

e. elite loyalty programs -

I would like the opportunity to experience your Gold Status because I believe that your loyalty program offers more than Qantas Gold. Firstly, I believe that your program offers more opportunities to upgrade a selected flight to a higher cabin. Qantas' Gold Frequent Flyer Programme does not have the equivalent of "UpgradeMe points," which provides those who fly frequently with VA more opportunities for improved comfort. (I hope to be one of those in the future!)

Qantas Gold does not offer the "Fly Ahead" feature that VA offers to their Gold members and above. My home airport is Melbourne, and as it is quite far from the city (and no rail link) I prefer to arrive at the airport at least an hour before the baggage drop closes (T-2 hours from departure for Qantas Gold on domestic flights.) This would be of huge benefit for me.

Whilst Qantas permits family and close friends to transfer points to each other, they cap it at a certain amount of transfers per year. Virgin has had the "family pooling" regardless of status level, which gives the travelling public a much better opportunity to lower the cost of their flights.

Lastly, despite the fact that VA is not a Star Alliance member, many of your partner airlines are Star Alliance members. When I broke with tradition and travelled Air NZ to Chicago ex MEL via AKL and LAX in 2018 and returned home ex New York (Newark EWR) via LAX and AKL, the transfer experience was seamless. Star Alliance has an app that tells you exactly where your bags are at any given time and this gave me considerable peace of mind. When you fly QF/One World, you have to wait until you reach the baggage carousel to breathe a sigh of relief I'm also a huge fan of Singapore Airlines, I believe their premium cabins are far superior to that which QF offers, and flying internationally (especially to asia, the middle east and europe) would be instantly more rewarding if I had the opportunity to be granted eligibility for your Discover Gold status match program, as VA partners with SQ internationally, and also connects with the Krisflyer program.

2..As a Qantas Frequent Flyer, I do my grocery shopping with Woolworths and have my orders delivered. I am very unhappy with their recent service as they are always late with their deliveries and my most recent experience with the delivery driver was the worst customer experience from them I've had to date. The gentleman was incredibly rude to me because he didn't want to help carry my groceries to my apartment. Subsequently, I called to make a complaint and their offer of apology was tokenistic. --- I would like to try Coles equivalent of Woolworths' delivery unlimited (a subscription based service where you pay a monthly fee of $19 and no subsequent delivery fees on grocery orders over $50.

Earlier I mentioned that I was unable to satisfy the following condition : "You must nominate the date on which you would like your Discover Gold Status trial to start. This date needs to be at least 7 days from today and no later than 4 January 2021."

However, I was able to successfully apply for the status match.

Had I known about this earlier I would have immediately applied for the match.

Despite the fact that I applied for the status match and subsequent trial, I would like to attach both my digital Qantas Gold Membership as well as a photograph of my physical card (it doesn't specify which must be provided on the form.

Please don't hesitate to ask me to provide further details such as my flight booking history with Qantas/ Oneworld. I would only be too happy to provide it to you.

Thanks so much for reading my email, I know it was very long; so thanks for your patience.

I look forward to your response.

Kindest Regards,

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Obviously I am sucking up as much as I can and here and I am (undoubtedly) wrong on many of the comparisons I made between QF Gold and VA Gold, but, if given an express track to VA Gold I would book a flight on QF (to maintain Gold until end of JUL 2022, then I would book away with VA and decide for myself which one I would rather pursue.

I'm still (like every fairly frequent flyer in Aus) waiting for the day that we have a domestic *A carrier!

I will probably cop flack for this post, but I can deal with it.

 

[straitman]

For what it is worth I simply sent a copy of my digital card.