Restricting Velocity membership
Aug 30, 2016, 3:16 pm
#16
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: Amtrak Guest Rewards (SE), Virgin America Elevate, Hyatt Gold Passport (Platinum), VIA Preference
Posts: 3,134
As someone in that boat, I can: Kangaroo award availability, particularly outside of Y, is painfully difficult to come by on a partner basis (rather than "natively"). They're not in-alliance, which knocks out that avenue of status-earning (e.g. while I can earn SQ miles on VA, they don't count towards status). SkyPesos is also a program that I avoid like the plague post-devaluation...and nobody else seems to get much access to their seats.
More to the point...this is really the only case I've heard of where an airline of significant size restricts FF membership.
More to the point...this is really the only case I've heard of where an airline of significant size restricts FF membership.
Aug 30, 2016, 3:49 pm
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,994
Sep 2, 2016, 6:24 pm
#18
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: Lifetime *G (MP), Lifetime PE (Bonvoy)
Posts: 1,465
I'm not sure why this is such a problem. Find a multinational corporation, use their office address in the country where you need residence, register for electronic communications and Bob's your uncle. Most airline Apps hold a representation of your card; there's absolutely no need for any physical media. I do it all the time. My registered postcode for watching the UK's Channel 4 via my Roku is SW1A 1AA (Google will tell you who lives there)
Sep 3, 2016, 3:42 am
#19
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 51
I'm not sure why this is such a problem. Find a multinational corporation, use their office address in the country where you need residence, register for electronic communications and Bob's your uncle. Most airline Apps hold a representation of your card; there's absolutely no need for any physical media. I do it all the time. My registered postcode for watching the UK's Channel 4 via my Roku is SW1A 1AA (Google will tell you who lives there)
Sep 3, 2016, 3:48 pm
#21
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: Lifetime *G (MP), Lifetime PE (Bonvoy)
Posts: 1,465
This wouldn't work with a Velocity membership - a physical card is sent out to the address on the account whenever when you move up to the next status level and/or when your status is reviewed (which happens every 12 months), and as far as I know there's no way to "opt out" of receiving the card.
Feb 27, 2019, 3:09 am
#22
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 969
Thinking of flying with VA in a few months and thought "why not sign up for its FFP (Velocity)", only to find I am persona non grata as I don't live in the few places it accepts members from. Shame because its prices are very attractive and I was considering using VA beyond the upcoming trip. At least QF still likes me.
Feb 27, 2019, 11:21 am
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,022
Thinking of flying with VA in a few months and thought "why not sign up for its FFP (Velocity)", only to find I am persona non grata as I don't live in the few places it accepts members from. Shame because its prices are very attractive and I was considering using VA beyond the upcoming trip. At least QF still likes me.
As for QF "liking you" its not a good reason to fly QF or join the (poor) QF ffp.
Feb 27, 2019, 12:17 pm
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,994
Also, VA fly HKG to/from SYD/MEL.
Earlier this year I earned 30 SC for ~AUD180 on a deep discount return fare HKG-BKK.
Feb 27, 2019, 8:34 pm
#25
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: Lifetime *G (MP), Lifetime PE (Bonvoy)
Posts: 1,465
This wouldn't work with a Velocity membership - a physical card is sent out to the address on the account whenever when you move up to the next status level and/or when your status is reviewed (which happens every 12 months), and as far as I know there's no way to "opt out" of receiving the card.
Feb 27, 2019, 8:37 pm
#26
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: Lifetime *G (MP), Lifetime PE (Bonvoy)
Posts: 1,465
Feb 28, 2019, 3:13 am
#27
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: NSW, Australia
Programs: VA Platinum, UA Gold, Qantas Silver
Posts: 20
I received a physical new gold card a couple of weeks ago and expect a new platinum one shortly. I use it every week when I buy diesel at BP. I also don't feel like I could get into Delta Sky Clubs without an actual card.
Last edited by MoabRox; Feb 28, 2019 at 3:14 am Reason: Typo
Feb 28, 2019, 8:02 am
#28
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: Bonvoy :Ambassador , ALL :Diamond, Skywards :Silver, Krisflyer :Silver
Posts: 2,808
I kept my Velocity membership after I left Australia.
Other than the "non expiry" of points (you need to do at least one transaction withing 24 month period) and I can transfer points from my Australian credit card, I dont see other benefit.
I got plenty of Status Credit ... enough to get Gold and sometimes Platinum, yet since I rarely fly using Virgin Australia's own metal, I never have enough Sectors to get the status.
Btw, my registered address in Australia is still accessible by me.
Other than the "non expiry" of points (you need to do at least one transaction withing 24 month period) and I can transfer points from my Australian credit card, I dont see other benefit.
I got plenty of Status Credit ... enough to get Gold and sometimes Platinum, yet since I rarely fly using Virgin Australia's own metal, I never have enough Sectors to get the status.
Btw, my registered address in Australia is still accessible by me.
Feb 28, 2019, 12:12 pm
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,994
So codeshares can work.
Feb 28, 2019, 11:26 pm
#30
Join Date: May 2006
Location: GA
Programs: VA-PLT, QF-GLD, DL-GM, UA-ex1K, AA-exPLT, HH-DM, IHG-PLT, MR-GLD
Posts: 8,242
Your point may make it easier for someone traveling to Australia from a city that VA doesn't service, but it won't help anyone who is traveling outside Oz.
Last edited by CPMaverick; Mar 1, 2019 at 12:29 am