Who isn't Gold with Velocity these days?

[haydensydney]

Is it just me, or has the number of Velocity Golds increased dramatically? I'm not only talking about AFF users, but at work and in my circle of friends, it seems that heaps of people are qualifying for Gold (myself included). All it seems to take is 1 x C/J trip to Europe + one or two domestic flights and before you know it - you've joined the (not so?) exclusive Gold club.

Does this reflect the change in earning status credits? I haven't thought about analysing the old vs new status credit earning systems - so thought I'd throw it out to the professionals in case someone has put the work in already? Also, I recall the old system was notoriously difficult to get status on: so perhaps this is making it more fair?

Presumably us golds will be firmly put in our place once plat comes out - in the meantime, I will enjoy the benefits whilst they lasts

 

[DJ 1D]

My son, who just turned 4 yrs old, just received his Silver in the mail today. One return J ticket to LAX.

We're guessing he'll be Gold by the next school holidays...

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Well I'm not....yet.

It is definitely the new earn rates for SCs and the rolling 12 months earn period. Under the old system, you had to spend $9k for Gold (domestically). Under the new system, I think it can be as low as about $3k now.

Under the old, I had resigned myself to the fact I'd only ever be silver, now I should make gold late next week.

 

[Mogul]

I'm not either yet, but will be in 3 weeks.

I wonder how many Gold's and Silver's there are out there.

 

[ozmille]

Maybe someone who is good at making those poll threads can create one... (I don't mind giving it a go but am not sure about the functionality)

 

[nlagalle]

Is it just me, or has the number of Velocity Golds increased dramatically? I'm not only talking about AFF users, but at work and in my circle of friends, it seems that heaps of people are qualifying for Gold (myself included). All it seems to take is 1 x C/J trip to Europe + one or two domestic flights and before you know it - you've joined the (not so?) exclusive Gold club.

Does this reflect the change in earning status credits? I haven't thought about analysing the old vs new status credit earning systems - so thought I'd throw it out to the professionals in case someone has put the work in already? Also, I recall the old system was notoriously difficult to get status on: so perhaps this is making it more fair?

Presumably us golds will be firmly put in our place once plat comes out - in the meantime, I will enjoy the benefits whilst they lasts

I'm not anywhere near it! by the sound of it the VA lounges might become somewhat crowded soon!!

 

[ozmille]

I'm not anywhere near it! by the sound of it the VA lounges might become somewhat crowded soon!!

Will that result in a quieter QP and J-lounge?

 

[Justinf]

My wife, who rarely flies, is Silver due to a Y+ trip we took to NYC in Feb.
I qualified for Gold on the weekend on the back of that plus a few domestic flights and a Y+ trip MEL-PER-MEL. I won't be able to keep Gold so I will enjoy it for the 12 months I have it.

 

[AaronBradford]

I'm a lowly Red atm ... don't fly too often. Will qualify for Silver in November after a Europe trip.

 

[oz_mark]

I'm not. Yet. But plotting it!

 

[antycbr]

I do wonder if the qualification requirements for Gold are a tad too low and may be increased over time as Virgin attracts more disaffected former QF elites. Particularly as you can earn a relatively high tier through one international trip. I expect they will start enforcing minimum sectors as well.

Not complaining though, I was comped Gold in November last year, am on 376 requalification SC and have another 160SC booked already, a lot of them flexible fares which are obviously higher yielding to VA.

Year to date QF status credits 0.

 

[ema]

I'm not, but I will be when Etihad get around to giving me my SC. Thanks to the rolling credits mainly. But Gold is the new Silver as they've taken away some of the silver perks.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

But Gold is the new Silver as they've taken away some of the silver perks.

What silver perks have disappeared?

 

[simongr]

I am not and not likely to be either - but I am very glad more people are moving off QF and onto DJ here's hoping for quieter lounges over at the QP J Lounge

 

[pauly7]

Will that result in a quieter QP and J-lounge?

I thought that as well but my gut feel is that they are probably just trading up their existing user base.

Certainly nothing in either QF or VA's numbers suggest VA has taken any share or significant pax away from QF yet but of course they haven't really done much yet to effect such a change.

Give it a few years....

Also remember VA are handing out Gold to alot of people automatically from corporate plans to accelerate to status match offers.

 

[Jama]

I am finally going to make it. Could never quite get there. I am travelling more though in addition to the changes. I will be glad to have gold in hand before they change the requirements again. Would have been there already 2 years ago when I took a long haul Emirates flight but I made a mistake and the points got allocated to Emirates FF instead of Velocity. So I now have all these wasted points that will never get used (my flying is domestic) and Emirates don't allow transfers not to mention the SC's I missed at the time.

I fully understand the concerns over overcrowding but I am happy to see my travel recognised and I am a paid lounge member anyway..

Regards, J

 

[VA FF]

I am finally going to make it. Could never quite get there. I am travelling more though in addition to the changes. I will be glad to have gold in hand before they change the requirements again. Would have been there already 2 years ago when I took a long haul Emirates flight but I made a mistake and the points got allocated to Emirates FF instead of Velocity. So I now have all these wasted points that will never get used (my flying is domestic) and Emirates don't allow transfers not to mention the SC's I missed at the time.

I fully understand the concerns over overcrowding but I am happy to see my travel recognised and I am a paid lounge member anyway..

Regards, J

When flying international on code share partners, Air NZ, Etihad, Delta etc, do you get points and SC's for these flights also?? Most of my flying is domestic so am not sure..

 

[Major]

I am finally going to make it. Could never quite get there. I am travelling more though in addition to the changes. I will be glad to have gold in hand before they change the requirements again. Would have been there already 2 years ago when I took a long haul Emirates flight but I made a mistake and the points got allocated to Emirates FF instead of Velocity. So I now have all these wasted points that will never get used (my flying is domestic) and Emirates don't allow transfers not to mention the SC's I missed at the time.

I fully understand the concerns over overcrowding but I am happy to see my travel recognised and I am a paid lounge member anyway..

Regards, J

Use your points to spend a few days in NZ. Don't waste them.

 

[notzac]

When flying international on code share partners, Air NZ, Etihad, Delta etc, do you get points and SC's for these flights also?? Most of my flying is domestic so am not sure..

Points and Status Credits are earnt when flying with the following airlines: Virgin Australia, V Australia, Pacific Blue, Polynesian Blue, Virgin Atlantic, Virgin America, Etihad Airways, Air New Zealand** and Malaysia Airlines.

** Pacific Island flights aren't eligible

Presumably Delta and Singapore Airlines are coming soon.

 

[JohnK]

I am not Virgin Gold and not likely to be for a long time unless Virign is offering a status match again and I want to requesdt it. And if it is difficult for me to get Virgin Gold then Virgin Platinum is totally out of the question. So is there any point in trying?

Quiet happy to sit on QF Platinum with all Oneworld benefits, for now, and hopefully will have Lifetime Gold in 2-3 years....