Virgin Australia Velocity Platinum Club

[ward_FF]

Hi All,

There might be a similar thread which admin can move if they deem appropriate.

I believe there is a similar thread in the Qantas community (mostly for Lifetime statuses) but as were all on here because we get a thrill out of flying, gaining status, collecting points, finding the best deals etc.. Its good to celebrate little achievements and wins..

So....

Today after a couple of years as a Velocity Gold Member, still 4 status points away I received my boarding pass from Mildura to Melbourne today, Gold changed to PLATINUM....

I was quite chuffed, I knew todays flight would make it official, but got the slightly early status change....

Overall I don't think it is a huge change from Gold, but regardless something I have been scheming my way to with the help of double status points offers, fly buys monthly status points and this community. The big game changer for me was when the points changed from 5 to 7 points for getaway and 10 to 15 points for Elevate as most of my flights are real short flights MEL> ADL etc... and its mainly corporate bookings with best fare of the day policy...

Anyway share your way to top (for Velocity anyway) and maybe share some tips and tricks....

PS it took 67 sectors to get to platinum (plus the fly buys points)

 

[dandandan]

Hi All,

There might be a similar thread which admin can move if they deem appropriate.

I believe there is a similar thread in the Qantas community (mostly for Lifetime statuses) but as were all on here because we get a thrill out of flying, gaining status, collecting points, finding the best deals etc.. Its good to celebrate little achievements and wins..

So....

Today after a couple of years as a Velocity Gold Member, still 4 status points away I received my boarding pass from Mildura to Melbourne today, Gold changed to PLATINUM....

I was quite chuffed, I knew todays flight would make it official, but got the slightly early status change....

Overall I don't think it is a huge change from Gold, but regardless something I have been scheming my way to with the help of double status points offers, fly buys monthly status points and this community. The big game changer for me was when the points changed from 5 to 7 points for getaway and 10 to 15 points for Elevate as most of my flights are real short flights MEL> ADL etc... and its mainly corporate bookings with best fare of the day policy...

Anyway share your way to top (for Velocity anyway) and maybe share some tips and tricks....

PS it took 67 sectors to get to platinum (plus the fly buys points)

67 Sectors! top effort.

 

[serfty]

PS it took 67 sectors to get to platinum

Even with the flybuys SC's - that is a lot of air time.

Well done!

 

[freebo]

- Make sure you use your free J upgrades, I actually had 2 unused last year due to bad planning
- Make sure you take advantage of the free Economy X
- I heard some rows are also kept for Plat but maybe someone else can confirm
- Try to score an upgrade on a USA flight if you take them, this is absolutely the BEST use of points

Welcome to the club!

 

[Bagpuss]

- Make sure you take advantage of the free Economy X
- I heard some rows are also kept for Plat but maybe someone else can confirm

I think the free Economy X gets underrated. I didn't think too much of it, then I was doing a dummy booking without being logged in and noticed the cost of Economy X seats. It is definitely a good perk.

No rows are kept for plat's. It was row 3 until Economy X was introduced.

 

[Bagpuss]

It's key to understand the perks and using them.

@freebo has listed the main ones but there is also:

- Higher bonus points on eligible fares
- VA will try to accomodate A330 flights so if a domestic flight has changed from A330 to B737 they will move you to another A330 flight
- Comp Economy to Economy+ upgrades on Delta. Though sometimes it makes sense to just buy Economy+.
- One or two better lounges accessible. (Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong)

For me, I've always got platinum "free". I've never had to do status runs (yet) and normally retain with 6 months. Though I do plan my main trips around my review date, though an upcoming wedding I have no control over.... I mean how rude of them not to check with the date with me first, it's 2 weeks too early! Hahaha

 

[freebo]

- Comp Economy to Economy+ upgrades on Delta. Though sometimes it makes sense to just buy Economy+.

How does one apply for these? I have a trip coming up next week BNE-LAX-LAS & back with Delta on the US dom flights.

 

[Muppet501st]

It's key to understand the perks and using them.

@freebo has listed the main ones but there is also:

- Higher bonus points on eligible fares
- VA will try to accomodate A330 flights so if a domestic flight has changed from A330 to B737 they will move you to another A330 flight
- Comp Economy to Economy+ upgrades on Delta. Though sometimes it makes sense to just buy Economy+.
- One or two better lounges accessible. (Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong)

For me, I've always got platinum "free". I've never had to do status runs (yet) and normally retain with 6 months. Though I do plan my main trips around my review date, though an upcoming wedding I have no control over.... I mean how rude of them not to check with the date with me first, it's 2 weeks too early! Hahaha

Arrivals access @LHR when traveling in on VS is another- used it this year, great to have a shower/massage and english breakfast after the redeye from HKG.
Im in the same boat- my work travel is only within Qld and i make WP withing 6months. The last 2 years have ive easily made enough to gift WP, with the help of the adjustment of the SC scale- as most of my flights used to earn only 10sc, now 15.

 

[Bagpuss]

How does one apply for these? I have a trip coming up next week BNE-LAX-LAS & back with Delta on the US dom flights.

Delta will automatically upgrade at the gate.

 

[Ausbt]

67 sectors

Respect. I've had a couple of years like that in my 8 years as a Plat. I'm on the slow-down now, hoping for soft-landings over the next two years as very little domestic for me moving forward, but there has been rarely a time when I'm not seated 3A or 3F. It's a great benefit. Enjoy, along with points boost and a few other little things.

 

[ward_FF]

Respect. I've had a couple of years like that in my 8 years as a Plat. I'm on the slow-down now, hoping for soft-landings over the next two years as very little domestic for me moving forward, but there has been rarely a time when I'm not seated 3A or 3F. It's a great benefit. Enjoy, along with points boost and a few other little things.

Thanks, yeah a lot of the flights 95% of them are MEL > ADL and MEL > MILDURA and couple of MEL > SYD... Other than that it does stray too much away from that...

I am saving/transfer just before devaluation for Business Class Star Alliance RTW through Kris Flyer for end of next year... just about there with the points so the extra bonus points will certainly help achieve this quicker....

Thanks for all the comments...

Please anyone else that has just got Platinum Status share your story its great to hear how everyone goes about it!

 

[ward_FF]

Even with the flybuys SC's - that is a lot of air time.

Well done!

Thanks Serfty.... its enjoyable, yet a long way to the top....

 

[jase05]

90% of Dom flights with VA in J, mainly ADL-SYD,MEL,CBR. A couple of flight to HKG in J and a few on SQ and HU.

 

[CPMaverick]

Delta will automatically upgrade at the gate.

Perhaps they will, but the official way to get on the upgrade list on Delta is to request an upgrade on Delta.com. There's a checkbox and a request button when you view your itinerary there. However you do need to be careful; Delta considers a middle seat in Comfort+ to be an 'upgrade' over a window or aisle in regular economy. So I don't typically request the upgrade unless it's close-in and there are desirable seats available.

Note that if it is a VA codeshare flight, you won't have an option to upgrade, although you can ask at the gate.

 

[AIRwin]

Please anyone else that has just got Platinum Status share your story its great to hear how everyone goes about it!

I reached Platinum last year on a day trip to HKG flying BNE-MEL-HKG-SYD-BNE in business class - back when VA operated overnight from MEL... And it was on my birthday!

 

[ward_FF]

I reached Platinum last year on a day trip to HKG flying BNE-MEL-HKG-SYD-BNE in business class - back when VA operated overnight from MEL... And it was on my birthday!

That smells like a status run..... Good way to celebrate your birthday!

 

[AIRwin]

That smells like a status run..... Good way to celebrate your birthday!

Yes but I almost didn't make it on the flight due to issues checking in with my ticket for some reason... I was actually happy to receive a full refund if they couldn't resolve it as I was suffering from a bad cold then. In the end, they cancelled my original ticket, rebooked me both ways on two separate bookings and off I went!

 

[cqtiger]

I will click over to platinum for the first time on Friday. The return flight on monday ( if credited in time) should be platinum so I am expecting the red carpet treatment

 

[eric2011]

I will click over to platinum for the first time on Friday. The return flight on monday ( if credited in time) should be platinum so I am expecting the red carpet treatment

Oh dear....I think you will have another disappointment in your life

 

[cqtiger]

My expectations for red carpet treatment are low. The flight being on time will suffice.