Virgin Australia Velocity - Velocity (newbie) questions




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oranjemakker
Aug 30, 11, 3:01 pm
hi all,

Talk on the Air New Zealand forum has driven me to have a look here! On the face of it velocity seems like an excellent programme. I just had a few questions about it.

I earn most of my points on Air NZ through mid to high six figure annual credit card spend (business costs).

Yet, to give an example even if I were to spend say $750,000, this would give me approx 8,300 airpoints, enough for only one round trip to London on business on the heavily restricted business awards, and a one way to Asia, if I am am lucky enough to find capacity. Using airpoints on unrestricted basis (i.e. dollar for dollar) i cant even buy a single round trip in business to europe.

From a quick glance at Velocity, there seems to be a standard earning rate on Aus cards of 1.5 miles per $$ spend, is that right? that would give 1.2million miles.

If I have read the charts right, thats enough for nearly four return business class trips to europe (125,000 x 8 = 1.25m). have i got this right?

A couple of other questions:
- are there any NZ cards that offer good earning rates on velocity?
- the mileage table on the Velocity rewards website does not allow distance to be calculated for flights from NZ to Europe... are these counted towards a single reward (ie.g. Christchurch to london as one flight, one reward)
- how difficult is it to find capacity on some of the business reward flights?
- is there any way to buy "any seat" rewards for a higher mileage, i.e. anytime?
- do credit card points count towards earning status at all? (on air nz some of credit card spend accrues to status)

thanks!


cityflyer369
Aug 30, 11, 6:02 pm
1. I agree about your points calculation.
2. A complete list of credit cards can be found in the "earn" section of the velocity website.
3. Yes, you can buy anytime award seats for higher mileage.
4. No, credit card points do not count towards status.

futaris
Aug 30, 11, 7:25 pm
You can check availability online to Europe on the velocityrewards.com.au site. Generally there is 2 or 3 business seats available on Etihad from BNE or MEL to Europe. Availability using Virgin Atlantic can only be done over the phone.

Singapore Airlines should be a partner sometime soon.

http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/virgin-australia-velocity/ey-rewards-now-bookable-32204.html


oranjemakker
Aug 30, 11, 8:47 pm
2. A complete list of credit cards can be found in the "earn" section of the velocity website.
.

Thanks cityflyer... the website seems to refer only to Australian issued credit cards? I was wondering whether there were any New Zealand cards available?

futaris
Aug 30, 11, 8:56 pm
American Express (https://www212.americanexpress.com/dsmlive/dsm/int/nz/en/personal/chooseacard/allcards_pr.do?vgnextoid=141e79487e65b210VgnVCM100 000defaad94RCRD) (with Membership Rewards (http://www.americanexpress.com/newzealand/personal/cards/rewards/transferpartners.shtml)) in NZ:

Gold Card:
1 NZD = 1 point = 0.5 Velocity Point

Platinum Card:
1 NZD = 2 points = 1 Velocity Point

oranjemakker
Aug 30, 11, 9:24 pm
American Express (https://www212.americanexpress.com/dsmlive/dsm/int/nz/en/personal/chooseacard/allcards_pr.do?vgnextoid=141e79487e65b210VgnVCM100 000defaad94RCRD) (with Membership Rewards (http://www.americanexpress.com/newzealand/personal/cards/rewards/transferpartners.shtml)) in NZ:

Gold Card:
1 NZD = 1 point = 0.5 Velocity Point

Platinum Card:
1 NZD = 2 points = 1 Velocity Point

Thanks, i just got the same info from the (rather clueless) lady at the velocity helpdesk. So no Visa/Mastercard in NZ. thats a shame so until that happens unfortunately the programme wont work for me. Hopefully they will bring on more partners, after all, many of their Aus partners have operations in NZ.

cityflyer369
Aug 31, 11, 1:00 am
If Velocity does not work out for you because they do not have a NZ Visa/Mastercard, I would strongly suggest that you switch to a different FFP. At least in Australia, banks offer credit cards with which you can collect points with some Asian airlines (such as MH, SQ , CX). Airpoints is rather mean when it comes to spending points (except for upgrades). You are likely to find better value elsewhere. If you choose a *A airline such as SQ, for example, you can even use your points for travelling with your national airline, if you prefer to do so.

belfordrocks
Aug 31, 11, 4:54 am
American Express (https://www212.americanexpress.com/dsmlive/dsm/int/nz/en/personal/chooseacard/allcards_pr.do?vgnextoid=141e79487e65b210VgnVCM100 000defaad94RCRD) (with Membership Rewards (http://www.americanexpress.com/newzealand/personal/cards/rewards/transferpartners.shtml)) in NZ:

Gold Card:
1 NZD = 1 point = 0.5 Velocity Point

Platinum Card:
1 NZD = 2 points = 1 Velocity Point

Still, for NZ Membership Rewards KrisFlyer is a better transfer partner IMO- wider range of routes vs VA and better award pricing too.

oxfordjames
Sep 8, 11, 2:05 pm
You can check availability online to Europe on the velocityrewards.com.au site. Generally there is 2 or 3 business seats available on Etihad from BNE or MEL to Europe. Availability using Virgin Atlantic can only be done over the phone.

Singapore Airlines should be a partner sometime soon.

http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/virgin-australia-velocity/ey-rewards-now-bookable-32204.html

Virgin Atlantic's partners availability comes out of the same booking class as available to VS's Flyingclub members, I imagine velocity has the same access!

If your trying to plan a trip on you can sign up for a flyingclub account then you'll be able to see all availability on a monthly calendar, comes in handy with planning, a little hassle to sign up but saves long phone calls researching dates etc..

I always do this then phone the partner airline and book the seats.



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