Virgin Money Flyer and High Flyer points earn reduction

[N11]

i believe the card is free if your homeloan is with ANZ

 

[Oxy]

Has anyone got confirmation that they've actually killed points and SCs on the two-for-one-and-a-bit deals? It sounded like it may have been a once-off...

I've got a pair of those flights booked later this month, so I guess I'll find out. I will absolutely be kicking up a fuss if they try to pull a stunt like that though, as it is definitely not in the terms and conditions anywhere.

(I'll still be cancelling the card long-term, but would be surprised they've started screwing us over already, prior to April Fool's Day.)

I took 2-4-1 flights MEL-PER-MEL over Christmas/NY and got credited successfully, but they were booked in August before the changes were announced. I'm not sure if that makes a difference.

 

[Captain hum]

I'm about to lose a two for one, as I can't book 30 days in advance and card renewal is on 31st March . If I book random flights and then cancel, will they give me a credit?

 

[Oxy]

I'm about to lose a two for one, as I can't book 30 days in advance and card renewal is on 31st March . If I book random flights and then cancel, will they give me a credit?

I'm not sure what else they would be willing to do but put it in travel bank. Even then it would probably be split per person, I haven't canceled in a while
The Ts&Cs here http://virginmoney.com.au/downloads/credit-cards/Exclusive-reduced-flights-offer.pdf only refer to VA's current fare rules. That would at least be an $80 fee plus any service fees.

 

[xr6er]

I am thinking about cancelling my card.
Just wondering when I ring to cancel, what sought of things might they offer me to stop me from cancelling.
If I do cancel, is it likely they might contact me again in the future trying to get me to sign up again ?

 

[theevilmuppet]

I am thinking about cancelling my card.
Just wondering when I ring to cancel, what sought of things might they offer me to stop me from cancelling.
If I do cancel, is it likely they might contact me again in the future trying to get me to sign up again ?

Most excellent questions.

If you attempt to cancel, the first tactic is typically to emphasise your renewal date as to make clear that you won't need to pay another annual fee until some time in the future. I would advise stating that this is completely irrelevant as the period covered by the annual fee you have already paid no longer affords you the product you were sold and Virgin Money have altered the terms of engagement in a fashion that affords only detriment to yourself.

They will likely contact you again in the future and will most likely do so via e-mail or postal promotion - in such cases I would strongly recommend responding with a phone call indicating the disappointment you experienced with regard to the previous conduct of the company.

Like it or not Virgin Money is simply a white label exercise for Citibank Australia and is staffed entirely by people in Manila who are given a decent level of training but an extremely poor level of support when it comes to servicing any customer requests beyond simple inquiry.

The people who answer the calls are very enthusiastic to do the right thing, extremely courteous and speak English in a more refined fashion than far too many people who count English as their only tongue, however they are demonstrably completely unsupported by the company actually issuing the products that they strive to support.

 

[Cryptarcadian]

So I tried to call to cancel my card because of the changes, and said I intended to do so unless they could waive the annual fee.

They said that wasn't possible because I hadn't yet been charged an annual fee, and actually suggested I call back in a week or so (which is my card anniversary date) and then ask for a fee waiver. Or failing that, cancel the card then and get a refund on the annual fee (having not used the card). I'm a bit sceptical whether they'll honour that.

To be honest, even if I keep the card, I would cancel it the following year anyway. So I'm a bit concerned about the reports of other people losing the annual fee waiver somehow when they cancel the card. Has anyone been through that and can explain the sequence? To clarify, my situation is: my next annual fee is about to be due, just before 1 Apr.

In the worst case scenario, I've paid $129 for a $129 VA voucher, right?

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

In the worst case scenario, I've paid $129 for a $129 VA voucher, right?

Pretty much. I'm considering the same thing, however my annual fee isn't until October so I have plenty of time to use my voucher and get that out of the way.

 

[Virgin Bart]

Pretty much. I'm considering the same thing, however my annual fee isn't until October so I have plenty of time to use my voucher and get that out of the way.

.....
And me.

 

[Dannyism]

Will flights booked using the 129 voucher get SC and points earn?

My understanding is that flights booked using the 241 are only eligible for points and SC for the person booking, not the 'secondary' person? I've had this card for nearly 3 years and never used the 241...

I've recently figured out I can keep swapping between cards for bonus points. I'm with NAB now, in a few months I'll be eligible for AMEX bonus points again. There's also a free flybuys(Etihad) 20000 points card. With most cards reducing points earn and/or bonus points, I'd encourage everyone to do the same.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

My understanding is that flights booked using the 241 are only eligible for points and SC for the person booking, not the 'secondary' person?

This is not the way it used to work. Both parties received SCs and both parties received points, but the points were calculated on 1/2 the fare each. There was a slight hiccup with this not so long back, but I'm sure that was clarified again as being correct. As to whether the $129 voucher will be SC earning or not is still to be ascertained (to the best of my knowledge).

I've recently figured out I can keep swapping between cards for bonus points.........I'd encourage everyone to do the same.

I think you may find you are not Robinson Crusoe on that score!

 

[brebbles]

My understanding is that flights booked using the 241 are only eligible for points and SC for the person booking, not the 'secondary' person? I've had this card for nearly 3 years and never used the 241...

I originally had this issue where we were only credited 1x the points and SCs using a TWO41 but upon contacting Virgin directly and through this site this was rectified and we received the 2x points/SCs

 

[Dannyism]

I think you may find you are not Robinson Crusoe on that score!

More like Rain Man haha

 

[CJEMNMAC]

To be honest, even if I keep the card, I would cancel it the following year anyway. So I'm a bit concerned about the reports of other people losing the annual fee waiver somehow when they cancel the card. Has anyone been through that and can explain the sequence? To clarify, my situation is: my next annual fee is about to be due, just before 1 Apr.

This comment about losing the fee waiver..... When waiving the fee they credit you for the coming year fee early.

My experience was.....

In anticipation of year 2 fee being charged called up say 3 months before. They then actually credited me the annual fee for year 2 but 3 months early. This is so when the fee actually gets charged on the renewal date, you have already "received" the credit for it........If you then cancel the card before the coming renewal date, they debit the account back for the fee credit they gave you.

 

[travelislife]

Well last night I booked 4 sets of return flights (I.e 8 sectors for the 2 of us) using the 2 for 1s. Then proceeded to cancel cards!

Going to miss the 2 for 1s. That couple with the Etihad status match has had me not looking at any other options other than Virgin for my personal domestic flying. Looks like it will be back to BFOD which is likely Jetstar.

 

[ozjuice]

Well last night I booked 4 sets of return flights (I.e 8 sectors for the 2 of us) using the 2 for 1s. Then proceeded to cancel cards!

Going to miss the 2 for 1s. That couple with the Etihad status match has had me not looking at any other options other than Virgin for my personal domestic flying. Looks like it will be back to BFOD which is likely Jetstar.

How did you manage to book 4 return flights for 2 on the card? My understanding was that you can only book 2 x 2 return flights. Did you have multiple cards?

 

[andye]

How did you manage to book 4 return flights for 2 on the card? My understanding was that you can only book 2 x 2 return flights. Did you have multiple cards?

I assumed 2 paid returns + 2 free

 

[travelislife]

How did you manage to book 4 return flights for 2 on the card? My understanding was that you can only book 2 x 2 return flights. Did you have multiple cards?

Yep 2 cards, mine and wife.

 

[travelislife]

I assumed 2 paid returns + 2 free

No, 4 returns. 4 'free'. 2 credit cards, wife and mine.

 

[ozjuice]

Yep 2 cards, mine and wife.

So did you find that a benefit to have 2 x cards rather than a supplementary card? I'm guessing 2 lots of bonus points for sign up?