"Virgin Australia's 'soft landing' for Velocity frequent flyers"

[SteveJohnson]

At the risk of being hollered at because "this isn't news!" (LOL), I don't think this is actually something that Virgin has ever fully stated or 'gone on record' with this, but they have confirmed the "soft landing" for Velocity, so Platinums who have not racked up the status credits to keep Platinum will become Gold. I appreciate this is something that most people on AFF expected and many would say they "knew" already but I'm sharing it anyway.

Virgin Australia's 'soft landing' for Velocity frequent flyers - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

 

[k3nnis]

I'm going to soft land into RED lol

 

[serfty]

At the risk of being hollered at because "this isn't news!" (LOL), I don't think this is actually something that Virgin has ever fully stated or 'gone on record' with this, but they have confirmed the "soft landing" for Velocity, so Platinums who have not racked up the status credits to keep Platinum will become Gold. I appreciate this is something that most people on AFF expected and many would say they "knew" already but I'm sharing it anyway.

Virgin Australia's 'soft landing' for Velocity frequent flyers - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

It should have been obvious to most from the T&C's but there have not been too many anecdotes ...

I am very interested in how it's handled for downgrades.

My expiry is next month, but I will have had two eligible flights (and 6 award flights). The T&C's indicate "soft landing" with no reference to eligible sectors:

...
Eligible Sector means a flight journey from an origin to a destination:

(a) that has been flown;
(b) that has been purchased using cash or credit;
(c) that has not been purchased in whole or in part using Points; and
(d) where Virgin Australia is the marketing carrier (This means that the flight number starts with a DJ or VA prefix).
​

...

6.20 To upgrade to, or maintain, a Silver, Gold or Platinum Membership, you need to fly the required number of Eligible Sectors each year and earn the number of Status Credits set out in clause 7.14 each year. The required number of Eligible Sectors you need to fly before your Review Date to upgrade to, or maintain Membership Levels are:

6.20.1 Silver Membership - two Eligible Sectors;
6.20.2 Gold Membership - four Eligible Sectors; and
6.20.3 Platinum Membership - eight Eligible Sectors.

​

...

Downgrading a Membership Level

7.12 If the total number of Status Credits earned at your Review Date does not meet the criteria in clause 7.14 to maintain the same Membership Level, then, your Membership Level will be downgraded to the Membership Level below your current Membership Level.

The only reference to eligible sectors is in relation to Qualification and re-qualification.

Clause 7.14 & 7:15 only refer to the number of SC's and eligible sectors required to maintain/attain a membership level.

 

[markis10]

It was announced by Virgin a year ago (almost to the day) LOL

Yes, soft landing are apart of our program!

 

[SteveJohnson]

Fair enough, although it's news to me because I wasn't even on AFF a year ago, but I think this is another example of what is 'not news' to some people on AFF being news to people outside of AFF, but I take your point Markis10 and graciously give you that point.

 

[pauly7]

Fair enough, although it's news to me because I wasn't even on AFF a year ago, but I think this is another example of what is 'not news' to some people on AFF being news to people outside of AFF, but I take your point Markis10 and graciously give you that point.

Agreed and I don't think markis10 meant to come across as abrupt as it looks written.

I think you will find a HEAP of people actually experiencing the soft landings around this time for a month or so as many many members on here will be dropping down from Plat to Gold on DJ after the status match expires.

I personally will be able to tell you firsthand in 8 days for sure

 

[Deleted member 29185]

It was announced by Virgin a year ago (almost to the day) LOL

Yes, soft landing are apart of our program!

Although if one were to accept the pure text we may still be confused..........

Is the real meaning of VFFs statement "Yes, soft landing are apart of our program!" (sic):

a) "Yes, soft landings are a part of our program!" (possible corrected English) or
b) "Yes, soft landings are apart from our program" (possible corrected English)

At least now SteveJohnson has given us the definitive answer.......untill VA "enhance" ** that policy! :mrgreen:

(** alternate superficial advertorial meaning (loosely attributed to QF but increasingly to VA) rather than the Oxford Dictionary meaning)

EDIT.......said entirely in jest, as I enjoy stirring!

 

[ChrisFlyer]

I personally will be able to tell you firsthand in 8 days for sure

Can confirm that my partner was given a soft landing from SG to PS after only accruing 50SCs on VA about a week ago

 

[medhead]

Fair enough, although it's news to me because I wasn't even on AFF a year ago, but I think this is another example of what is 'not news' to some people on AFF being news to people outside of AFF, but I take your point Markis10 and graciously give you that point.

This actually being something factual, with an official statement to support it, it could not be considered "not news" on AFF or elsewhere. Of course, you don't need to be on AFF to read the T&C that clearly say soft landings exist.

 

[JohnK]

It was announced by Virgin a year ago (almost to the day) LOL

Just like Anytime Lounge Access was announced by Virgin a year ago.

We saw what happened to that announcement recently....

 

[pauly7]

Just like Anytime Lounge Access was announced by Virgin a year ago.

We saw what happened to that announcement recently....

Well hopefully DJ don't enhance soft landings in the next 8 days

They do love an enhancement though... I hope you haven't jinxed us John!!!

 

[oz_mark]

Just like Anytime Lounge Access was announced by Virgin a year ago.

We saw what happened to that announcement recently....

Soft landings are actually written into the T&Cs of the program. Anytime Access wasn't.

 

[Fruitcake]

Soft landings are actually written into the T&Cs of the program. Anytime Access wasn't.

That is true, but it was clearly and explicitly highlighted as a member benefit elsewhere on the website! Presumably they'll now learn that unpublished benefits should remain completely unpublished.

 

[pauly7]

I see AusBT has leapt on the story, no doubt DJ are getting a lot of queries as most of the status matched from last year fall down the food chain!

http://t.co/McPjEYoH

 

[markis10]

I see AusBT has leapt on the story, no doubt DJ are getting a lot of queries as most of the status matched from last year fall down the food chain!

Virgin Australia's 'soft landing' for Velocity frequent flyers - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

Did you miss the first post which said as much????

 

[drewbles]

I see AusBT has leapt on the story, no doubt DJ are getting a lot of queries as most of the status matched from last year fall down the food chain!

Virgin Australia's 'soft landing' for Velocity frequent flyers - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

Don't you mean "has read AFF"

 

[JohnK]

Well hopefully DJ don't enhance soft landings in the next 8 days

They do love an enhancement though... I hope you haven't jinxed us John!!!

Lets hope not! Far too many have suffered!

Soft landings are actually written into the T&Cs of the program. Anytime Access wasn't.

I thought Anytime Access was written in terms and conditions somewhere. Too confusing.

 

[SteveJohnson]

Don't you mean "has read AFF"

Of course, we all know that AFF is the world's only source of information about airlines so this MUST be where every journalist comes to get their ideas for stories. Heaven forbid that someone emailed AusBT to ask them or even that an AusBT journalist did the status-match and now their renewal date is coming up and they were wondering what happens and decided to put that into a story? Oh no, surely not. AFF is indeed the source of all news!

Seriously I get tired of the narky negative AusBT attitude in so many threads, I might spend more time participating in AFF if there was not such a negative attitude from certain people often creeping into threads at every opportunity.

 

[drewbles]

Of course, we all know that AFF is the world's only source of information about airlines so this MUST be where every journalist comes to get their ideas for stories. Heaven forbid that someone emailed AusBT to ask them or even that an AusBT journalist did the status-match and now their renewal date is coming up and they were wondering what happens and decided to put that into a story? Oh no, surely not. AFF is indeed the source of all news!

Hardly!
They also use this invaluable resource:
The Lazy Journalists Plane Story Generator

They couldn't do without that!

(and sarcasm duly noted )

 

[SteveJohnson]

A cheap and easy shot but I'll give you that its a funny link!