Velocity Status Match Offer
Aug 27, 2011, 6:45 am
#31
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: AKL
Programs: A3, AA, AF, AS, BA, SQ, UA, US, IHG, SPG
Posts: 352
If you really think the alliance was for the best interest of CONSUMERS, you are really bloody innocent.
Increasing choice? How? Both DJ and NZ are already in the TT market. If anything there has been a DECREASE in choice in NZ domestic market as DJ pulled out last year.
The DJ/NZ alliance is all about reducing the losses/increasing profitability for both airlines, without running foul of AU's competition watchdog (NZ's has no teeth or doesn't want to bite). NZ uses DJ to counter Jetstar while NZ be the opponent of QF. Instead of NZ setting up a LCC or DJ going upscale or joining a global alliance itself, this TT alliance achieves a lot for a very little.
Of course DJ won't take away (yes status-matching is poaching) NZ's "best" customers and vice versa. QF/JQ are the common enemy and their customers are the prime target of this status-matching operation.
Why would anyone want to be Airpoints elites unless they live in the provinces or bound by corporate travel policies, is beyond me. Almost every other Star Alliance FFP is better than NZ's, both earning and burning.
Increasing choice? How? Both DJ and NZ are already in the TT market. If anything there has been a DECREASE in choice in NZ domestic market as DJ pulled out last year.
The DJ/NZ alliance is all about reducing the losses/increasing profitability for both airlines, without running foul of AU's competition watchdog (NZ's has no teeth or doesn't want to bite). NZ uses DJ to counter Jetstar while NZ be the opponent of QF. Instead of NZ setting up a LCC or DJ going upscale or joining a global alliance itself, this TT alliance achieves a lot for a very little.
Of course DJ won't take away (yes status-matching is poaching) NZ's "best" customers and vice versa. QF/JQ are the common enemy and their customers are the prime target of this status-matching operation.
Why would anyone want to be Airpoints elites unless they live in the provinces or bound by corporate travel policies, is beyond me. Almost every other Star Alliance FFP is better than NZ's, both earning and burning.
It is not poaching. The Tasman Alliance was set up (I thought) as being in the best interets of the consumer and the airlines. We now have a choice on TT to fly with DJ or NZ. What DJ are doing today is saying that they have agreat program,a better and more attractive program than other airlines so come to us - especially the high status players. By denying NZ Airpoints members the same oportuiny surely flies in the face of the Alliance - how can it be in the consumers interest to only allow certain classes of people to join Velocity. That appears to be a reduction in competiton and services for the consumer, not an increase in choice.
Aug 27, 2011, 10:29 am
#32
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: GLA
Programs: AF/KL FB Plat 4L, VA Vel Silver, BA EC, LH M&M
Posts: 1,825
Airpoints has its advantages, too. Pretty good on longhaul upgrades, for example. But if you're just after *A Gold and loads of points for free flights, you should go elsewhere. But it's definitely not worse than "almost every other *A program" (have a look at Asian FFPs). Everybody has to choose the program that suits them best. Lets leave the whinging to the poms.
Last edited by cityflyer369; Aug 27, 2011 at 10:37 am
Aug 28, 2011, 3:16 am
#33
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Bargara Australia
Programs: VA, SQ, IHG, HH,ALL, Europcar
Posts: 1,530
Sent in our Garuda Silver status see what we get.
My understanding is that this is about attracting FF from QF who are their main competitor.
So NZ to the islands no biggie for VA
My understanding is that this is about attracting FF from QF who are their main competitor.
So NZ to the islands no biggie for VA
Aug 28, 2011, 3:48 am
#34
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: VA Platinum, QF Lifetime silver (ex plat :(), Accor Gold, IHG Ambassador, PC Platinum, Starwood Gold
Posts: 809
Aug 28, 2011, 5:25 am
#35
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: VA Gold, UA, SPG Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Ambassador
Posts: 3,644
Any word on how long the granted status would be for, ie is it until end 2012?
Also if you are matching a USA airline status, that is done in miles ie 25K is silver, 50K flown is usually gold etc , how does VA's status levels line up?
Thanks to anyone who knows the answers and posts them here
Also if you are matching a USA airline status, that is done in miles ie 25K is silver, 50K flown is usually gold etc , how does VA's status levels line up?
Thanks to anyone who knows the answers and posts them here
Aug 28, 2011, 5:29 am
#36
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Melbourne, Mostly
Programs: VA Plat, TK E, HH Dia, IHG Gold
Posts: 487
Can't really answer the second part but the answer to this is that it will be valide for 12 months from the date your status with VA goes through plus (probably) a one month grace period - although all partners may not acknowledge the grace period. So, if it's 1st September 2011 it will be valid til 1st October 2012.
Aug 28, 2011, 7:48 am
#37
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: GLA
Programs: AF/KL FB Plat 4L, VA Vel Silver, BA EC, LH M&M
Posts: 1,825
Aug 28, 2011, 3:40 pm
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,995
Any word on how long the granted status would be for, ie is it until end 2012?
Also if you are matching a USA airline status, that is done in miles ie 25K is silver, 50K flown is usually gold etc , how does VA's status levels line up?
Thanks to anyone who knows the answers and posts them here
Also if you are matching a USA airline status, that is done in miles ie 25K is silver, 50K flown is usually gold etc , how does VA's status levels line up?
Thanks to anyone who knows the answers and posts them here
Aug 28, 2011, 8:29 pm
#39
Company Representative - Virgin Australia
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Australia
Programs: Velocity Frequent Flyer
Posts: 35
Yes
Our alliance partners, AirNZ and Etihad have a codeshare arrangement too so best you investigate what benefits are open to you as a Air NZ gold?
Aug 28, 2011, 8:52 pm
#40
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: VA Platinum, QF Lifetime silver (ex plat :(), Accor Gold, IHG Ambassador, PC Platinum, Starwood Gold
Posts: 809
Aug 31, 2011, 6:35 pm
#44
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Thatcham, UK or Adelaide Australia
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Plat OZ Diamond SK Diamond BA Blue
Posts: 3,323