Originally Posted by Hellboy666

Hi all,

I am about to be given Velocity Platinum Status from VA as part of a status match (to my Qantas status).

Congrats

When reading through the status Benefits for Velocity - just have a few detail questions that maybe one of you is able to answer?

UpgradeMe Platinum Member offer: 4 complimentary upgrades on Domestic, Trans Tasman and International Short Haul flights.
Does this really mean international short flights, e.g. not valid for flights to US or Europe? (I would consider those as long haul flights). And if so, anyone knows the distance/flight time until when it is a short haul flight?
And if so, US flights could only get upgraded with points?

Correct, you can upgrade all Domestic and flights to NZ, Fiji, Bali, PNG. To check to see if you can you can upgrade do a search for Business Saver awards. If one is available then you can use the Comp one. You have to be on a Freedom fare though. And VA metal only.
Points are needed on upgrades to US and Hong Kong.

Fly ahead: Means I can switch to an earlier flight. Will it incur any charges? E.g. if the earlier flight would be sold at a higher price?
There are no extra charges BUT you have to have booked an Elevate, Freedom or Business fare. You cannot change if you have booked a Getaway (although I had a nice lounge agent do it for me a month or so ago).

Then, once I get the 800SC to retain Platinum Status, will this immediatelykick in as renewal or once the initial Status period has ended?
E.g. if I get 800SC in September, will it then be 12 months from September, or 12 months from May 2018 (as I will get Platinum this month)?

For renewal, it will stay the same (it is different if you are moving between the tiers). On your account it will say "acheived" and the SCs will continue to accrue until you your renewal date then when your date hits it will revert to 0. It us a bit of a bone of contention here on FT, those SCs between acheiving and renewing are just simply lost.

Lastly, looks like Virgin Status has no similar thing like Oneworld Emerald to get access to First Class lounges, is that correct? And no lifetime status as Qantas would offer?

There is status above Platinum but that is invitation only.
No there is no lifetime miles, AFAIK.

Thanks all in advance

Cheers