Falling out of love?

[Jamesl]

Hi All,

I want to ask a simple question, are more VA Velocity FF falling out of love with VA and returning 1. to QF or 2. Another airline?

I have recently made moves to align myself with QF again however don't want to let go of VA, I do not do to much traveling and if I do for work, its on a budget carrier to some destination. I have tried to always fly with VA where possible, however working in the industry it is becoming increasingly frustrating to see some of the moves made by the airline and the lack of information that comes from it aswell. One of the things that has hit the nail on the head was my recent attempt to apply for a VA aligned CC that was accessible via the CBA, however QF had a better option and have gone with that one.

What are your thoughts?

 

[Princess Fiona]

I spread my loyalties between VA and QF. QF for all international and VA for the majority of domestic. If I were to be brutally honest though I don't think VA have lived up to the early hype. Unless I'm flying J I may as well be VA Red as far as the service is concerned. As for the lounges they are light years away from the QF domestic J Lounges. I am aware that this opinion isn't universally popular here.
To cut a long story short if I were forced to choose between the two it would be an easy decision and not in VA's favour.

 

[sjtaylor]

I spread my loyalties between VA and QF. QF for all international and VA for the majority of domestic. If I were to be brutally honest though I don't think VA have lived up to the early hype. Unless I'm flying J I may as well be VA Red as far as the service is concerned. As for the lounges they are light years away from the QF domestic J Lounges. I am aware that this opinion isn't universally popular here.
To cut a long story short if I were forced to choose between the two it would be an easy decision and not in VA's favour.

I credit all my dom flying to VA.
IMHO, nothing beats fly-ahead and premium valet in Syd, plus two points per $ on the Velocity Escape Amex., $0 annual fee

 

[carwashhair]

Hi All,

I want to ask a simple question, are more VA Velocity FF falling out of love with VA and returning 1. to QF or 2. Another airline?

I have recently made moves to align myself with QF again however don't want to let go of VA, I do not do to much traveling and if I do for work, its on a budget carrier to some destination. I have tried to always fly with VA where possible, however working in the industry it is becoming increasingly frustrating to see some of the moves made by the airline and the lack of information that comes from it aswell. One of the things that has hit the nail on the head was my recent attempt to apply for a VA aligned CC that was accessible via the CBA, however QF had a better option and have gone with that one.

What are your thoughts?

Possibly OT, but can I ask - why is it seemingly more important that you have a CBA CC, which can impact on your ff program value propositions? Most on this site seem to work the other way around, I.e. pick the cards that deliver most value to a chosen program.

As for your question, I would say the romance is fading for VA as people come to grips with another good ol' cosy duopoly, both of whom are nickel and diming in a race to the bottom. There will always be ebbs and flows between the airlines and programs.

 

[Jamesl]

Possibly OT, but can I ask - why is it seemingly more important that you have a CBA CC, which can impact on your ff program value propositions? Most on this site seem to work the other way around, I.e. pick the cards that deliver most value to a chosen program.

For ease of banking, still new to that side of earning FF points, trying to keep my eggs in a single basket if that makes sense.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

I pretty much started flying frequently around the time DJ became VA so I guess I picked a side from day one.

Completely agree, Princess Fiona. Status seems to worth nothing once you board, and J is the only place where even a little bit of 'romance' is felt.

I do often get the feeling the grass might be greener, and consider switching over completely to QF, but then, each program has its issues and I'm pretty happy giving SQ lots of love at the moment. Pretty happy with the arrangement, but I guess I'm just always curious what life's like over the fence.

(as a side, I don't think I could ever swap over without a status match)

 

[777]

I can't say i was ever "in love" with VA but i do mainly fly them. They suit my needs. I'm looking for transport not a life partner.

 

[jpk]

Like the Princess says, no longer matching up to the early hype. JB needs to get some knowledgable secret shoppers/flyers out across the domestic network to see how things really are. When it comes to the on board experience, VA have NO idea about status flyers or how to make them happy. Simple stuff like platinum shadows for instance. The lounges are heaving and the food is average. I am sick of seeing and smelling toasted sandwiches in both lounges!

They do a few things well, eg: domestic points earn and that's what keeps me flying them. Typically QF out (I can rely on them more to be on time) and VA back for the flyahead (although QF have done a better job of that for me lately).

Ultimately I fear we will end up with something akin to the American domestic flying experience.

 

[Clivem]

Ultimately I fear we will end up with something akin to the American domestic flying experience.

Can we all PLEASE join in pray today.....asking ..... no begging your almighty (whomever that me be), to spare our collective souls from such a horrendous fate.........

 

[BD1959]

My QF membership year started September 1. Last year I'd reached WP by Feb and had no chance of reaching P1 so - in protest against some of the changes being pushed through - switched to VA. I reached Gold just before the end of my QF year. So, I then had the choice: continue earning of VA and push up to WP or go back to QF. QF won out because:

1. Both have consistent irrops (especially on the SYD-MEL during peak when - understandably - they seem to be consolidating flights). I want to get home as quickly as possible, I don't want to be automatically put on flights after 9pm when I was originally due to go at 6:15pm. QF do this really well, VA are rubbish and I have to go through 2 folk at the Call Centre (my bookings are through a Corporate TA so the first CSE can never help).

2. QF Plat Desk have been a dream to deal with on other issues.

3. VA Lounges. ADL is a joke - should be shut down and start again. MEL and SYD are OK, but whoever designed the toilet cubicles has never had to travel with cabin bags.

4. Totally unfathomable "snack" services. If you're going to introduce a service to counter QF, don't go half-hearted. Have tried to BYOB and get mixed messages about whether its available alongside the complimentary service. If you're going to offer BOB, ensure you are stocked for each flight (realise this isn't possible for remote destinations, but should be possible between capitals!).

I *am* going to miss the (almost) consistent Priority Boarding which VA do so much better than QF.

Regards,

BD

 

[ap_spd]

for a self funded flier, unless QF comes out with "Partner Pooling" I can not switch. Between us I have managed to reach WP. Flying needs are simple, give me some place to sit and relax (lounge) and not make me shell money to eat (lounge food, IMHO does suit the need). If partner airlines were to allow access even on shared lounges (read SQ here) I would be a happy man. But until then, VA it is. Also, QF does not fly to India where I fly each year so simple choice

 

[young_nomads]

I'm a self funded flyer also, it has taken 2 years to get to gold! I have spent lots on J for us both and i'm bitterly disappointed with J service with VA. So 2 weeks ago I joined QFF......Lets see how that goes over the next 6 months

 

[jpk]

Like the Princess says, no longer matching up to the early hype. JB needs to get some knowledgable secret shoppers/flyers out across the domestic network to see how things really are. When it comes to the on board experience, VA have NO idea about status flyers or how to make them happy. Simple stuff like platinum shadows for instance. The lounges are heaving and the food is average. I am sick of seeing and smelling toasted sandwiches in both lounges!

They do a few things well, eg: domestic points earn and that's what keeps me flying them. Typically QF out (I can rely on them more to be on time) and VA back for the flyahead (although QF have done a better job of that for me lately).

Ultimately I fear we will end up with something akin to the American domestic flying experience.

All that said, yesterday they gave me an opup for MEL-LAX to J, which was a very good experience. They know how to do that right - it's the domestic side that needs work.

 

[JohnK]

As a self funded traveller I need VA for ~15-20 flights per year.

Through the years they have promised a lot but delivered very little.

 

[ap_spd]

As a self funded traveller I need VA for ~15-20 flights per year.

Through the years they have promised a lot but delivered very little.

Hey JohnK, thats why I love the family pooling so that becomes my double SC offer nearly every time I fly and I did have a few family international trips this year so easy to maintain WP... next year could be different.

 

[Fantic125]

I'm QF WP and VA PS now flying mainly domestic in Y. For work travel the Company uses QF, for personal travel I now use VA.

IMHO, based on the 60+ flights I've done this year there is very little difference between them, both on the plane and in the Lounges.

 

[medhead]

I can't believe that a credit card was the key decision point.

As with others va don't give a damn about status of pax in economy.

I spread my loyalties between VA and QF. QF for all international and VA for the majority of domestic. If I were to be brutally honest though I don't think VA have lived up to the early hype. Unless I'm flying J I may as well be VA Red as far as the service is concerned. As for the lounges they are light years away from the QF domestic J Lounges. I am aware that this opinion isn't universally popular here.
To cut a long story short if I were forced to choose between the two it would be an easy decision and not in VA's favour.

I fail to see how you can compare a business lounge with a non business lounge. It is a fallacy to even suggest these are comparable. The lounges are supposed to be light years apart. Not sure why the dig at people who think the lounges aren't supposed I be compared in the first place.

As for the comparison if you actually look closely there are very few points of difference. The only real differences are the spirits and the premium meals. Basic food offerings are essentially the same. I'd expect a much bigger difference from a premium lounge.

I'm QF WP and VA PS now flying mainly domestic in Y. For work travel the Company uses QF, for personal travel I now use VA.

IMHO, based on the 60+ flights I've done this year there is very little difference between them, both on the plane and in the Lounges.

Exactly. Get on the bus, get off the bus.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I can't believe that a credit card was the key decision point.

As with others va don't give a damn about status of pax in economy.



I fail to see how you can compare a business lounge with a non business lounge. It is a fallacy to even suggest these are comparable. The lounges are supposed to be light years apart. Not sure why the dig at people who think the lounges aren't supposed I be compared in the first place.

As for the comparison if you actually look closely there are very few points of difference. The only real differences are the spirits and the premium meals. Basic food offerings are essentially the same. I'd expect a much bigger difference from a premium lounge.



Exactly. Get on the bus, get off the bus.

No dig at at anyone. That's not my style. I'm merely pointing out that I know there are many people who don't agree with me.
I will continue to compare the QF J Lounges with the VA Lounges as that's what I have access to as a WP on each airline.

 

[Jamesl]

I can't believe that a credit card was the key decision point.

Without trying to be rude, the CC was only part of the decision, the OP says that I work within the industry and am continually disappointed on certain points of the VA experience.

 

[Sprucegoose]

i have found when my expectations are lowest i am happiest!!!