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#16
Moderator, Hilton Honors



Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,445
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Portland
Posts: 11,687
Why is that disappointing? VX has always said the points cost will vary along with fare. It was obvious right from the start that they are using the DJ (Virgin Blue) Velocity Rewards model.
When fares are low (and in sales) you can get really cheap awards. For that last minute purchase the awards cost a lot more (not just double).
When fares are low (and in sales) you can get really cheap awards. For that last minute purchase the awards cost a lot more (not just double).
#18
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: VX, UA 2P
Posts: 968
It's disappointing because an offering like that is not competitive with what the legacies are offering. Miles mean nothing to me if I can't use them for a $10,000 international F ticket on SQ, CX, BA, LH, VS, etc. I'm willing to put up with substandard service (and even pay more) to avoid flying coach on my once a year personal international trips.
How much is international F in VS (I don't have a clue)? $10,000 sounds high.. although SYD->SFO on UA is probably that much.. hopefully V Australia won't be ripping off it's pax that bad for transpac F.
-- Holy heck! you are right. JFK->LHR (upper class) return is over $10,000! ouch!
Last edited by nermaljcat; Feb 26, 2008 at 2:53 pm Reason: searched VS F
#19
Moderator, Hilton Honors



Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,445
It's disappointing because an offering like that is not competitive with what the legacies are offering. Miles mean nothing to me if I can't use them for a $10,000 international F ticket on SQ, CX, BA, LH, VS, etc. I'm willing to put up with substandard service (and even pay more) to avoid flying coach on my once a year personal international trips.
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Portland
Posts: 11,687
Right. I guess I was hoping VX would offer a different kind of frequent flyer program, not the same BS being offered by DJ. Linking earning to dollars spent is fine by me, but there need to be F and C awards that are reasonably attainable at the $10,000 annual spend level.
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Portland
Posts: 11,687
#23
Moderator, Hilton Honors



Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,445
I'd be extremely surprised if VX gets even close to that. One reason they go for revenue based FFP is to stop that kind of level of reward. Not good for us FTers but good for the airline. IIRC DJ earn : burn ratio is something like 8 : 1 (which is better than NZ's 10 : 1 average). As these programs are not 100% pure revenue based (in DJ's case the award cost is not a perfect function of x points per $ and in NZ's case earning is not a perfect function of y$ per airbuck), the averages can be improved on by FTers. But not to the extent of getting even close to 1 : 1 payback ratio. (On NZ I'm doing well if I can get better than 5 : 1)

