Is Virgin America a terrible program for value?
Apr 22, 2010 | 11:35 pm
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 21,283
WN's program may not offer international F, but it does offer things business travelers may like, such as pre-boarding, companion passes, and awards that can be used to avoid expensive personal travel.
If I had to bet on what VX will do, at some point, they'll do what DJ does with Velocity (once they actually have more of a FF base and network): they'll eventually start kicking back more points and tchochtkes to their most loyal FFers.
Last edited by eponymous_coward; Apr 22, 2010 at 11:42 pm
May 3, 2010 | 1:52 pm
#32
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 5
IMHO - VX's product is worth much more than the handful of miles I'd earn on UA...
When I flew UA more, the FF program made me feel like I was being led by a carrot on a stick. They give you these miles, but when you want to redeem them there are no award seats available, or you need to pay a lot more for a ticket that gives you the (small) chance of an upgrade - well this is typically the case for us 'bottom feeders' at least.
When I flew UA more, the FF program made me feel like I was being led by a carrot on a stick. They give you these miles, but when you want to redeem them there are no award seats available, or you need to pay a lot more for a ticket that gives you the (small) chance of an upgrade - well this is typically the case for us 'bottom feeders' at least.
As it happens I get WAY more out of sticking to UA because every flight I get an upgrade to economy plus and domestically, I usually get an upgrade to first. (I also have had no problems redeeming miles, even internationally and at short notice due to bereavement - but maybe that's just my route).
I just read for the first time that if I was a Virgin Velocity Miles member I can earn on both VS and VX and redeem on VS... but it seems crazy that I have to be a member of Virgin's Australian program to do this.
If they are going to let people into the federated world via the backdoor, they might as well just create a pan-Virgin network (yes, even though they all have separate ownership... this is already happening when I can earn miles on UA and redeem on Lufthansa or Air Canada).
For me, this is why VX's program is such poor value... it doesn't consider that many (most profitable?) customers take international trips as well as domestic - and their loyalty isn't remunerated.
May 3, 2010 | 11:00 pm
#33
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Miami, FL, USA
Posts: 4,104
I had to pick up on this because I am in the same situation but with the opposite conclusion. I am UA elite who flies both domestically and regularly to LHR (which is where I rack up the UA miles). I'm SFO-based and would LOVE to fly a VS/VX combo where my miles (read:loyalty) was federated between carriers.
As it happens I get WAY more out of sticking to UA because every flight I get an upgrade to economy plus and domestically, I usually get an upgrade to first. (I also have had no problems redeeming miles, even internationally and at short notice due to bereavement - but maybe that's just my route).
I just read for the first time that if I was a Virgin Velocity Miles member I can earn on both VS and VX and redeem on VS... but it seems crazy that I have to be a member of Virgin's Australian program to do this.
If they are going to let people into the federated world via the backdoor, they might as well just create a pan-Virgin network (yes, even though they all have separate ownership... this is already happening when I can earn miles on UA and redeem on Lufthansa or Air Canada).
For me, this is why VX's program is such poor value... it doesn't consider that many (most profitable?) customers take international trips as well as domestic - and their loyalty isn't remunerated.
As it happens I get WAY more out of sticking to UA because every flight I get an upgrade to economy plus and domestically, I usually get an upgrade to first. (I also have had no problems redeeming miles, even internationally and at short notice due to bereavement - but maybe that's just my route).
I just read for the first time that if I was a Virgin Velocity Miles member I can earn on both VS and VX and redeem on VS... but it seems crazy that I have to be a member of Virgin's Australian program to do this.
If they are going to let people into the federated world via the backdoor, they might as well just create a pan-Virgin network (yes, even though they all have separate ownership... this is already happening when I can earn miles on UA and redeem on Lufthansa or Air Canada).
For me, this is why VX's program is such poor value... it doesn't consider that many (most profitable?) customers take international trips as well as domestic - and their loyalty isn't remunerated.