What changes do you want to see to Virgin Australia/Velocity?

[sydstar]

Earlier on today I was looking at my profile on the Velocity website and it got me thinking, with all the 'changes' mooted by DJ over the coming months, of which Velocity was one, what changes would you like to see to the program?

Fortunately, I know we have 'Virgin Blue' and 'Crazy Dave' as well as others who work for DJ perousing the forums, so I'm sure any input could at least potentially raise an eyebrow

NOTE - I have no connection to DJ, just am interested to see what others think of the program, particualrly in relation to QFF

For me:
* Choose an earning method - $ spend (DJ) OR miles (VA)- Keep it simple!! - I prefer miles, with perhaps a minimum points guarantee and cabin bonus (I like the QFF model in this regard) - Also 0.25 points/mile for some VA classes - is that really reasonable? - should at least be 1:1 on the 'home' program carrier
* Streamline points earn across all Virgin carriers - I know 'partner' airlines, (EY, MH etc) may have 'different' rates, and thats OK, but for the 'Virgin' carriers, don't penalise DJ members with poor earning rates for flights on VS, VX
* Lifetime status after certain threshold (as per QFF)
*Benefits for lounge members - no QF style 'enhancements' - maybe 'paid' equivalent of silver + lounge access
* FlyBuys - Tap into the Coles network, use a barcode on the 'Virgin' card with points earnt at Coles group going straight into Velocity without hassles of linking that WW and QFF seem to have

IMO, Virgin is at a critical point. With recent announcements of changes, and the latest round of QF 'enhancements', Virgin has the potential to gain a decent share of both corporate and leisure travellers; however, a decent FF scheme is pivotal to this. As someone studying marketing, an old mantra shines through - 'keep it simple, keep the customer happy, and they shall return!'

My $0.02 worth - feel free to disagree

 

[dk4]

* Streamline points earn across all Virgin carriers - I know 'partner' airlines, (EY, MH etc) may have 'different' rates, and thats OK, but for the 'Virgin' carriers, don't penalise DJ members with poor earning rates for flights on VS, VX

IMO, EY, DL, NZ + TBA-asian are far more strategically important than the likes of VS or VX. (The other Virgin brands are bit players to VAA's (Virgin Blue's) strategy, i.e. nice to haves, but not really necessary.)

Aligning every aspect of their service across Etihad, Delta and AirNZ (+Asian Carrier), as if it were VAA's(without any anomalies), is absolutely paramount.

 

[notzac]

I think a lot of this has already come up in the "Dear John" thread, but here's what I want to see:

• Earning based on miles flown .. something similar to AA, rather than yet another carbon copy of QF, BA or something similar.
• Earning rates either the same or very similar across all airline partners .. make it so that I can just book stuff and credit it to Velocity without thinking about what I'm going to earn (yep, I know this isn't going to happen).
• Moar generous (premium cabin) redemptions. QF have set the bar for stinginess, something less like that would be nice!
• Upgrade certificates. Please?
• A really, really, really good site for locating and booking award flights. There should be exactly no reason for me to have to call to redeem (whether on VA or on a partner carrier), ever.

That would be a nice start!

 

[Misha]

What else is there to say?

Obviously some consistency in regards to the earning table. On their site over the past month - Etihad have been stated as having no bonus for silver or gold members, and today again there is?!?!

I think the flagship carriers of VA, DJ, etc apart from being one company should all earn the same rate (based on kilometres - just to stick it to the imperial system ) and allow the partner airlines to have variations.

Though I would most likely never achieve it, I agree Lifetime membership/benefits should be a goal for FFs: this will ensure longevity of loyalty to the Virgin brand (and great exposure to associated entities like Virgin Health and Money, blah blah blah).

A new website where booking is easier across the group. Don't like how DJ booking when selecting international destinations sends you to VA site, where you start the process again.

Agree as well that Velocity members should have a dedicated website where we can redeem our flights, nothing worse than calling that line. They are friendly, but don't really know a lot due to the requirement to transfer you to MH or wherever.

Apart from the Coles option, I would ideally like to see Velocity partner up with Woolworths too as an alternate option for Woolies customers (yes I know I am dreaming).

Really, nothing new to add to above posts, except I think there should be a Diamond or Platinum (pick whatever name you like) level above Gold that offers increased benefits. Perhaps upgrades (free) when available to business seats for Plat, PE for Gold, Exit Rows, etc to Silver...

Apart from that - change the name from Velocity to a clear Frequent Flyer Programme moniker.

Probably nothing amazingly original here, but I assume most DJ customers would like to see similar things.

Meh.

 

[lkennedy]

Use point to upgrade to Premium Economy and Business. This is the main reason I book Qantas flights still.

 

[Travel Guru]

Perhaps upgrades (free) when available to business seats for Plat, PE for Gold, Exit Rows, etc to Silver...

I'm thinking perhaps you should have saved your "(yes I know i'm dreaming)" for after this suggestion.

No airline in their right mind would offer that as a listed benefit, not unless they're trying to kill off premium class flying all together, makes no commercial sense whatsoever to give away FOC on a regular basis what you're trying to get pax to pay top dollar for.

Still, it's nice to dream, though I prefer to dream about Gulfstream's not free upgrades to Business :mrgreen::mrgreen:

TG

 

[ff-jr]

*In-store earning would certainly be a great addition, and it's something they could extend beyond the Fly Buys partnership. Perhaps including one of the major department stores (Myer or DJ) and other select retailers (entertainment, electronics, clothing etc - e.g. JB Hi Fi, ) to extend beyond the ShopAndEarn store.

*Also, a thorough rehaul of the ShopAndEarn store. There's no denying that it needs some heavy handed improvement. There is so much potential just sitting in limbo.

*Personally, I'd also like the option to buy points, and possibly status (i.e. if I fall a few thousand points short of renewal or possibly even reaching the next level up, being given the option to purchase it).

*Partnership with Virgin Active. I'll be moving to Sydney by the end of the year and I've done my research - Fitness First is cheaper and has many more locations, but I'd be *that* much more inclined to join VA if there were points to claim. I know they're separate companies under the Virgin umbrella, but I've always appreciated the relationship between the brands (and it could off-shoot into a cool advertising campaign i.e. "You've just worked hard, why not play hard?" and vice-versa, but that's just my imagination running away with me!).

 

[serfty]

...
No airline in their right mind would offer that as a listed benefit, not unless they're trying to kill off premium class flying all together, makes no commercial sense whatsoever to give away FOC on a regular basis what you're trying to get pax to pay top dollar for. ...

You are correct ...


... but this is exactly what USA carriers (like AA, UA) do with their domestic fights.

 

[Saab34]

The way Velocity is used on VX flights is how it should be on DJ flights. VAus earn rates are just a joke.

For example. Recently I purchased some LAX-BOS/JFK flights for $103 on VX. That will get me around 1300 points per leg. DJ flights would only earn me 500 points for that spend. Not to mention there is double points on offer for VS/VX flights which is even better.

So on my upcoming trip I will fly 15,000 miles on VX earning 15000 points under the bonus offer. For a spend of $600 thats pretty darn good. Thats 12,000 more points compared to DJ.

 

[Misha]

I'm thinking perhaps you should have saved your "(yes I know i'm dreaming)" for after this suggestion.

No airline in their right mind would offer that as a listed benefit, not unless they're trying to kill off premium class flying all together, makes no commercial sense whatsoever to give away FOC on a regular basis what you're trying to get pax to pay top dollar for.

Still, it's nice to dream, though I prefer to dream about Gulfstream's not free upgrades to Business :mrgreen::mrgreen:

TG

I did think it was highly unlikely, but it does happen elsewhere

I am sure my mind focuses more on what I want to see than what I expect to see.

Ideally I could flash my DJGold card at Coles and go straight to the front of the queue once Flybuys is in - but somehow I don't see that happening either

 

[Keith009]

The ability to use points to upgrade is number 1 on my wishlist.

 

[Boof1]

I'd like to see points upgrades on VA flights from Y to PE and J, also the redemption system for domestic flights needs a solid workover, example: 144000 points for J class from SYD to PER one way when you can get return PE MEL-LAX for the same points on VA. That is really sad...

I don't mind the any seat redemption system and please keep it but can you please also have some classic awards for the Domestic J (& PE while it lasts) at a reasonable point value.

Also while they are at it, lets standardise the point earning on at least the DJ, PB, and VA flights. It is a nonsense that some are $$ and some are miles and makes it quite difficult to maintain status, which is something that DJ should be encouraging with its freq. flyers.

Status points also need a massive look at. My pet peeve is this: Being Velocity Red, I spent nearly $2400 on PE to LAX and got Silver as the flight miles were just about 20,000 (via SYD). Spend the same $2400 going to Perth in J and you get 12000 status credits, some 8000 short of silver. I know that one is miles and one is $$ but really it is a silly system.

At least make the point earning and status earning uniform, in fact I really can't see why DJ cannot work with NZ, EY, DL, and MH and get the whole points and status uniform across all partners within the DJ group program. Then at least I can fly with any of them and know what points I'm getting without needing a scientific calculator (and I'm someone who enjoys working it out, imagine if a pax didn't enjoy it)

Thanks in advance of what I hope are some great changes coming.

Cheers,

Boof

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I like to see a stop to the 'thieving' of points if a redemption booking is later cancelled - and a more liberal approach to minor changes to redemption bookings when they are changed if necessary.

This morning I changed a redemption booking on SQ ex MNL on may 10 from 16:50 to 18:50 flight - cost - a big fat ZERO.

Cost of any change with Velocity is $150 is it not?

 

[Mogul]

At the end of the day any FF program is more of a marketing exercise on behalf of the airlines rather than a freebie to their customers.

The easier they are to earn (eg. coles partnership, etc) the less they will be worth. I for one wouldn't like to see a further dilution of the value of my current points.

Points should be based on $$$ spent and not distance flown.

 

[sydstar]

My Other recent thought with velocity has to do with 'the lounge' membership. For the cost of a yearly subscription, with only 6 lounges...

Compare this to the cost of QP, particularly in a corporate scheme. DJ should look at adopting a similar approach to the QP AA/BA 'partner' model, where QP member gets AA lounge access when on AA metal.

Bring this approach to 'partner' airlines - EY, DL, NZ etc. I find the current situation where VA pax in Y with Lounge membership having no access rights unbelievable.

 

[markis10]

My Other recent thought with velocity has to do with 'the lounge' membership. For the cost of a yearly subscription, with only 6 lounges...

Compare this to the cost of QP, particularly in a corporate scheme. DJ should look at adopting a similar approach to the QP AA/BA 'partner' model, where QP member gets AA lounge access when on AA metal.

Bring this approach to 'partner' airlines - EY, DL, NZ etc. I find the current situation where VA pax in Y with Lounge membership having no access rights unbelievable.

DJ have already announced a 50% increase in lounges, and have clearly outlined their intention to share their FF program including lounge access with NZ, so things are looking very good:

 

[dajop]

I'Status points also need a massive look at. My pet peeve is this: Being Velocity Red, I spent nearly $2400 on PE to LAX and got Silver as the flight miles were just about 20,000 (via SYD). Spend the same $2400 going to Perth in J and you get 12000 status credits, some 8000 short of silver. I know that one is miles and one is $$ but really it is a silly system.

Not too different to the competition really. PER-SYD-LAX return on QF gets 260 SCs - just 40 short of silver. Compared to PER-SYD return in J - only 160, still 140 short of silver. I guess though you're not likely to get a $2400 retn fare in PE on QF . So what you've described is really a bonus.

Any system will have it's loopholes. Some can get to Platinum on Qantas spending around $4k on YUP (first class) fares on AA in the US - whilst someone else may $24.5k on SYD-MEL flexi saver fares on Qantas......

 

[Jeffrey O'Neill]

1) Points for upgrades

2) Earning points + sc when using points + pay.

3) Online booking with partner airlines

 

[harriaj]

1) Points for upgrade.

2) Standardisation of points across airlines and partners. Make it points per mile or points per dollar spent. Just pick one and stick with it. Also, reduce the number of categories for points earn. If I want to fly to Europe in Y, it seems to be in my interests to actively avoid a VA codeshare on an EY flight and just look for an EY flight. I would go straight to Silver on the back of one Europe return trip on EY, as opposed to potentially having to make three more of the same trips to make the same points on a VA codeshare. Sunstar320 is right, the VA earn rates are a bit inconsistent.

3) Link up with Coles FlyBuys. However, as Mogul says I wouldn't like my points devalued as a result. If that's the way it works out then perhaps think again. But as a DJ shareholder, if it is good for the bottom line, then go ahead!

 

[pauly7]

What changes do you want to see to Velocity?

You are correct ...


... but this is exactly what USA carriers (like AA, UA) do with their domestic fights.

Yes they do and aren't they all glowing with financial health and offer great product... I'm sure DJ would be well advised to follow in their footsteps