Virgin Australia launches 'coronavirus status extension' plan

[AIRwin]

I would jump on a "status pause" of some sort.

Baby?

 

[exceladdict]

Baby?

I appreciate my airline status but probably not enough to have a child!

 

[Saab34]

It would be in their best interest to pause rather than having all these members lapse. Otherwise I will sink down to probably silver or red. And I will most likely end up flying Jetstar around the traps. The damage will be long term also.

Pausing really does not cost them anything. Pause for a period maximum of 2 years then soon as the member does a flight it reactivates or something.

 

[Stealthflyer]

It would be in their best interest to pause rather than having all these members lapse. Otherwise I will sink down to probably silver or red. And I will most likely end up flying Jetstar around the traps. The damage will be long term also.

Pausing really does not cost them anything. Pause for a period maximum of 2 years then soon as the member does a flight it reactivates or something.

The problem with a pause is that it may deter those on pause mode from flying with VA in the short term. If I knew I was only going to take one or two flights this year and my benefits were on pause, I would seriously consider the price and offerings of the other airlines where normally I probably wouldn’t as much. If the pause was reactivated by one flight it would be an even greater deterrent to flying VA. They’re much better off extending to all and keeping their most loyal customers happy, even if the customers are temporarily not flying. Those customers are going to be really important for recovery.

 

[bussyboy]

Before covid hit i was just trying to chase some status after a November 2019 trip to USA, was 75sc short of silver and that's all expired now.

With my qff anniversary month in July, I'm probably gonna chase that instead once travel restrictions ease. Where's the double status offers!!

 

[QF WP]

Hmm, looking to book my first flights in a year - but to an intrastate Qld destination with only 1 flight a day (in AM). Sorry, no need (or desire) for me to overnight in EMD. I'll take QF back . But at least that'll give me my 1 flight to renew Platinum

 

[AIRwin]

Hmm, looking to book my first flights in a year - but to an intrastate Qld destination with only 1 flight a day (in AM).

EMD is operated by QQ - is it eligible for the purposes of the status extension?
An Eligible Flight is a Virgin Australia marketed and operated flight with a “VA” flight number that you have flown during the Flying Period (we assess this on an individual member basis) and that is not a Reward Seat. Codeshare services marketed or operated by partner airlines are not eligible for this offer.

 

[QF WP]

Ah, had missed that, thanks for pointing out @AIRwin. Well still have ADL and PER upcoming (hopefully before 31/3), so likely to crack a couple of sectors with VA (depending on catering).

 

[Stevo.1702]

I assume an SQ ticketed flight (SQ flight number) on a domestic VA operated flight won't qualify either?

 

[QF WP]

Yes it won't be eligible, according to the quote above from @AIRwin

 

[MH_fan]

I'm a little confused about my situation. I re-qualified for platinum in Feb (prior to COVID shutting down flights) last year where my anniversary was in September 2020 so do I automatically get an extension to September 2022 since I earned my platinum status to September 2021? Or do I have to take a flight with them before the end of March to get my platinum status extended to March 2022?

 

[Bagpuss]

I'm a little confused about my situation. I re-qualified for platinum in Feb (prior to COVID shutting down flights) last year where my anniversary was in September 2020 so do I automatically get an extension to September 2022 since I earned my platinum status to September 2021? Or do I have to take a flight with them before the end of March to get my platinum status extended to March 2022?

You already have an extension until September 2022.
However, your requalification status will start in September 2021 as credits and sectors are only valid for 12 months. (IE flying in June 2021 isn't going to help towards maintaining status.)

I'm in this category as well as there is a potential that taking a flight before 31st March to extend out until March 2022 makes sense in some scenarios. Though I think it will be a few years until things go back to normal with having to forfil the requirements to attain status, especially with no or limited international options with closed borders.

 

[serfty]

I'm a little confused about my situation. I re-qualified for platinum in Feb (prior to COVID shutting down flights) last year where my anniversary was in September 2020 so do I automatically get an extension to September 2022 since I earned my platinum status to September 2021? Or do I have to take a flight with them before the end of March to get my platinum status extended to March 2022?

I'm in a slightly different situation, having requalified in January 2020 before my May 2020 review date. I reached out to Velocity and was advised my status would be extended until May 2022 as I had requalified before moy 2020 review date.

Here is an excerpt from the emailed conformation I received:

As discussed over the phone, this is to acknowledge that with your flying activity for the benefit perio<xx> May 2019 to 2020, you maintained your Platinum Status.
...

Your current Platinum benefit period is from <xx> May 2020 to 2021 and regardless of the Status Credits and Eligible Sectors you will earn within your benefit period, your Platinum status will be extended until <xx> May 2022.

Note that this was done BEFORE the status extension that is the topic of this thread was initiated.

I was advised the status extension would not be apparent until my review period begins in May 2021.

 

[lobo76]

It all seemed so simple when they announced it !

Yea even from Melbourne I can't see any chance of getting the 800 to keep status.
I've already had to cancel 2 flights because of outbreaks and border closures.

 

[flydoc]

Status extension and bonuses promo has been quietly amended today.
Requirement for extension is now only to book an eligible flight by 28 March (or 30 May? - blurb and T&Cs differ, who knows which is correct) for travel by 22 Feb 2022.

12 Month Status extension​

Simply book 1 eligible flight* by 30 May 2021.

Your Status locked in until 31 March 2022. Exclusions apply. See Terms and Conditions.


“We had previously rewarded existing eligible Gold and Platinum Velocity members (you) with a Status extension, Points bonus and Gold and Platinum benefits (Status Rewards) in accordance with these offer Terms. We have now provided you with more possibilities to access these Status Rewards, by only requiring you to book an Eligible Flight by 28 March 2021 to be able to access the Status extension, and by extending the eligibility date for the Points bonus and the Gold and Platinum benefits to 30 May 2021.”

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

 

[Carrots]

That’s bloody convenient.
The first flights I’d booked in almost 12mths were canned due to Melbourne’s little siesta last month so was a little worried, but alas not now.

 

[ols]

Well, I've done my three flights.
Went to check in for flight 4 tomorrow
Should be able to get free upgrade to economy x as gold.
They want $55.
WTF

 

[serfty]

They want $55.

You may need to call ...

 

[ols]

I will in the morning.
Thought they just might have it available automatically.

 

[lobo76]

Status extension and bonuses promo has been quietly amended today.
Requirement for extension is now only to book an eligible flight by 28 March (or 30 May? - blurb and T&Cs differ, who knows which is correct) for travel by 22 Feb 2022.

12 Month Status extension​

Simply book 1 eligible flight* by 30 May 2021.

Your Status locked in until 31 March 2022. Exclusions apply. See Terms and Conditions.


“We had previously rewarded existing eligible Gold and Platinum Velocity members (you) with a Status extension, Points bonus and Gold and Platinum benefits (Status Rewards) in accordance with these offer Terms. We have now provided you with more possibilities to access these Status Rewards, by only requiring you to book an Eligible Flight by 28 March 2021 to be able to access the Status extension, and by extending the eligibility date for the Points bonus and the Gold and Platinum benefits to 30 May 2021.”

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

I'm a bit confused by this - my review date is Feb 2022. I got a 1 year extension but I can't see any way I could possibly get enough SCs to maintain in the next 11 months the way things are. I usually get mine by a biz fare to Europe.

I've already flown 2 eligible flights and received my 5000 bonus points. I'll be flying again before May to unlock the 4 biz upgrades.
So does this help me with any status extension beyond Feb 2022?