Will you still earn/retain Velocity status beyond 2025?

[SCM]

Well right now a VA plat gets access to the EY F lounge whereas an EY Plat doesn't unless they use one of their 5 choice benefits to get access.

Why wouldn't you though? Not like there's a lot of good benefits to choose from, it's purposely designed that way.

Anyway, I have been tossing up between going all in on EY (may be a bit too limited), or I think a better option is pivoting to SQ KF directly - much more redemption opportunities in AU, and also it would work nicely with Turkish, since they are both Star.

I'm just waiting to see how badly this will turn out.

 

[odysseus]

One observation is that Velocity's status pegging $$ to it more closely aligns with international counterparts, although still short.
For example...You will struggle to earn QR/EY/EK Gold for under $10K.

But do any of their international counterparts offer as budget experience as VA? No international lounges, limited route network, restrictions on partner airline benefits.

It's not at the same standard and offering as those/most programs, so why should pricing be comparable to them?

 

[kpc]

Im LT Gold with QF and have been QF Plat for last 13 years.

I have been Va Plat achueved with partner airlines ie Sq to Europe and back in J and family pooling but there weren't much real benefits for me so prior to the announced changes, I had already dropped Va Plat-->Gold-->Silver-->Red in June next year. The Va lounges have generally terrible food and are overcowded and all I normally get is a takeaway coffee. I still get accces to the Va lounges by means of Sq KF Gold status. I only fly Va domestically now because they are cheaper than Qf!

I will not chase status with Va...Qf Plat is a different story!

 

[pauly7]

Virgin have bungled this big time.

I think clearly for a large majority of AFF flyers yes, I also think this latest enhancement tells us something about the future direction of the new Virgin model as others have pointed out, moving further down away from Qantas, becoming less of a Qantas lite / maybe more of a Jetstar plus…. Time will tell but it’s certainly not going the other way!

 

[simmomelb]

I think clearly for a large majority of AFF flyers yes, I also think this latest enhancement tells us something about the future direction of the new Virgin model as others have pointed out, moving further down away from Qantas, becoming less of a Qantas lite / maybe more of a Jetstar plus…. Time will tell but it’s certainly not going the other way!

IMO, VA has been a "Jetstar plus" ever since VA2. If anything, these changes suggest that it intends to target higher-value passengers in the future, not lower-value passengers.

 

[levelnine]

I think clearly for a large majority of AFF flyers yes, I also think this latest enhancement tells us something about the future direction of the new Virgin model as others have pointed out, moving further down away from Qantas, becoming less of a Qantas lite / maybe more of a Jetstar plus…. Time will tell but it’s certainly not going the other way!

Why do you think these changes signal a move towards Jetstar?

I think it is the opposite. Virgin is increasing the cost of attaining status, making it closer to Qantas. Virgin is introducing lifetime status, making it closer to Qantas. Virgin is removing the cheaper customers from lounges (those spending nothing to get there), moving it away from Jetstar.

The problem Virgin has is they can't offer anything like Qantas on the international front in terms of status benefits. These changes don't do anything to redress that blindspot, and if anything make it worse.

 

[SYD]

The problem Virgin has is they can't offer anything like Qantas on the international front in terms of status benefits. These changes don't do anything to redress that blindspot, and if anything make it worse.

Yep, they could offer something more consistent if they joined a proper alliance.

But QR taking a stake will kick that decision down the road for many years - to the detriment of VFFs.

 

[levelnine]

Yep, they could offer something more consistent if they joined a proper alliance.

But QR taking a stake will kick that decision down the road for many years - to the detriment of VFFs.

This is why I have never bothered with Virgin status.

The point of status is to make travel easier. I don't want to spend 20 minutes with a front desk agent arguing about my entitlement to check an additional bag or to enter the lounge.

I'm very happy to collect their points, however, because I redeem them for business/first class travel where the entitlements follow the class of service.

 

[HS-TQE]

Yep, they could offer something more consistent if they joined a proper alliance.

But QR taking a stake will kick that decision down the road for many years - to the detriment of VFFs.

Also, the "usual suspect" (that is usually linked into "bringing VA into teh Star Alliance"), as per the AFR reports has chosen (rightfully in this case) not to put in a bid for a cornerstone stake in VA 2.0.

Instead, SQ has chosen to boost services into CNS and DRW (whilst assumably actively looking at the likes of OOL and CBR, despite failing on their earlier attempts on widebodies, esp through TR on the former) suggests that SQ are actively looking at options to reduce reliance on VA domestic feed.

 

[HS-TQE]

Why do you think these changes signal a move towards Jetstar?

I think it is the opposite. Virgin is increasing the cost of attaining status, making it closer to Qantas. Virgin is introducing lifetime status, making it closer to Qantas. Virgin is removing the cheaper customers from lounges (those spending nothing to get there), moving it away from Jetstar.

Considering the changes' impact on their FFs who mostly fly Long-Haul international on partners (and rarely on VA metal). This also suggests that VA is primarily concentrating on their target market, regular Domestic Flyers, as a primary Domestic Carrier. The upgrades are more focused on their core market, their regular Domestic customers, rather than their International Partner customers.

VA's leisure based Short International subsidiary (to Bali, Fiji, Pacific Island, etc) and their WA-based FIFO subsidiary (where both have limited to no lounge access) are supplemental revenues to their other primary revenues as a Mainline Domestic carrier.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

But do any of their international counterparts offer as budget experience as VA? No international lounges, limited route network, restrictions on partner airline benefits.

It's not at the same standard and offering as those/most programs, so why should pricing be comparable to them?

Think reverse. How will QR Platinums feel if VA Platinums can enter DOH F ?

For the same reason, I think QF Platinums might soon feel the pinch on EK.

 

[justinbrett]

Think reverse. How will QR Platinums feel if VA Platinums can enter DOH F ?

Or BA/IB Gold for that matter (which is WP equivalent)

For the same reason, I think QF Platinums might soon feel the pinch on EK.

Why? It’s a two sided alliance, one that goes far beyond VA/QR. Considering EK F is also a frequent flyer lounge (it doesn’t have a separate lounge like QR) I can’t see any changes happening.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Or BA/IB Gold for that matter (which is WP equivalent)


Why? It’s a two sided alliance, one that goes far beyond VA/QR. Considering EK F is also a frequent flyer lounge (it doesn’t have a separate lounge like QR) I can’t see any changes happening.

Bookmark this post.
DXB is only getting more crowded.

EK Plat is more akin to QF Plat1 regarding effort/cost to attain.

 

[justinbrett]

Bookmark this post.
DXB is only getting more crowded.

EK Plat is more akin to QF Plat1 regarding effort/cost to attain.

Sure, they’re moving to DWC. Problem solved.

Maybe EK will build separate lounges for FF but until then I can’t see them blowing up their close alliance with QF.

 

[jakeseven7]

This is why I have never bothered with Virgin status.

The point of status is to make travel easier. I don't want to spend 20 minutes with a front desk agent arguing about my entitlement to check an additional bag or to enter the lounge.
service.

Yes agree - this has been a pain with all incarnations of VA.

I’m also seriously unimpressed with their new hard product (the MAX). Seriously the seat design / padding was like the plane had been flying for 20 years not 20 days - so hard and uncomfortable, like they’d forgotten to put cushioning in it. I wonder if it will soften in time once a few thousand overweight Aussies have sat on them!

 

[amp-qld]

My wife and I are retired and travel a lot, nearly all international and on lots of different airlines to some out of the way places. We hadn't realised that my wife was getting close to Velocity Gold until they sent her an email that said she was on 394 status credits, just 6 short of gold. However, she only had two eligible sectors and we'd already booked our next couple of flights with points so no more eligible sectors coming. No problem, I thought - a quick trip to Sydney and back. However, the credits are now rapidly disappearing as a lot were from a trip to Egypt and back in October/November last year. So close and yet so far.

 

[ToffeeDog]

I got myself a HSBC Star Alliance card earlier this year and chose Canadian Airlines.
So far used that to enjoy Virgin Lounges in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. Just need to spend $60k p/a with the card and no real need to chase VA Status. Also planning to use SG and LH lounges in Europe next year, so international partnerships are not a concern.

 

[Goldtraveller59]

I'm currently a Gold FF with VA. I've so far managed to retain it. Doing at least 2 Business class trips a yr to Asia, & using FF points seems to have helped a little. But I doubt I'll reach Platinum status .
So Gold it is at least for now

 

[Flyingwombat]

One thing I have to disagree about is the food comment. The food in VA lounges is way better than Qantas Club. Recent trips to Hobart, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane have confirmed that.

I've currently got UA Gold so can get into VA lounges. My partner almost has VA Silver again after family pooling with me and a few trips by themself. But not worth worrying about. I hit VA Platinum ages ago after some SQ business travel but now back down all the way to red.

I just lost my QF Gold so back to LT Silver for me with 2 years of QC banked. I'm not going to renew QC due to the awful overcrowding and horrible food. In Melbourne and Hobart you are better off out in the terminal.

I was excited about VA LT Gold but then saw the requirement for all the flying on VA. Most of my status since 2013 has been in EY and SQ... oh well, I'd fallen out of love with VA a while ago anyway and this just reinforces my lack of affection!

 

[Mattg]

One thing I have to disagree about is the food comment. The food in VA lounges is way better than Qantas Club. Recent trips to Hobart, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane have confirmed that.

The food in the VA lounges can be quite good at times, although the menu rarely changes.

Do you drink wine, though?