Velocity Award Flight Redemptions to have Carrier Surcharges from Jan 1st 2019
Oct 16, 2018, 7:09 pm
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,991
Velocity Award Flight Redemptions to have Carrier Surcharges from Jan 1st 2019
https://www.velocityfrequentflyer.co.../PointsTables/
Ouch! The lack of these was a clear differentiator ...
Ouch! The lack of these was a clear differentiator ...
Oct 16, 2018, 8:53 pm
#2
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: ATL
Programs: Bonvoy Ambassador, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, AA EXP, UA Silver, former DL DM
Posts: 2,001
In addition, VA is reducing the conversion rate of Velocity points to SQ KrisFlyer points from 1:1.35 to 1:1.55 - also in effect from January 1, 2019.
Together, these changes represent a major devaluation of the Velocity redemption proposition.
Together, these changes represent a major devaluation of the Velocity redemption proposition.
Oct 16, 2018, 9:08 pm
#3
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: OOL
Programs: VA Plat, QF LTS, UA MM, Hilton Diamond, Rydges Black, ,Le-Club Gold
Posts: 3,659
Ugly devaluations like this come in threes, what will the third one be? What's the betting it will become harder to earn status with higher thresholds and/or curbs on family pooling.
Oct 17, 2018, 6:49 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Perth, WA, Australia
Programs: QF Gold, VA Plat, IHG Plat Amb, LCAH Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,845
If you've been anywhere near a petrol bowser lately, you'd know what's going on with prices there. I'm sure the airlines are facing similar on their jet fuel.
Wouldn't be surprised if Qantas moves theirs up as well. But who knows, they don't seem big on disclosure....
Wouldn't be surprised if Qantas moves theirs up as well. But who knows, they don't seem big on disclosure....
Oct 17, 2018, 7:30 pm
#7
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,147
Just received the following in an email :
Important Service Message
Changes to the Velocity Program on New Zealand Routes
Air New Zealand will depart the Velocity Frequent Flyer program as an Airline Partner on 28 October 2018.
Velocity members travelling on Air New Zealand flights booked prior to 6 April 2018, for travel after this date will still be eligible for Velocity Points and Status Credit earn up until the end of April 2019.
Velocity members will still continue to earn Velocity Points and Status Credits on the Virgin Australia network between Australia and New Zealand.
Carrier Charges on Virgin Australia-Operated Flights
A carrier charge will be payable on Reward Seats booked on or after 1 January 2019 on Virgin Australia operated flights; and Delta Air Lines marketed and operated flights between Sydney and Los Angeles.
For Domestic travel1, a carrier charge of $3.50 for Economy or $5.50 for Business Class will apply. For flights between Australia and New Zealand, the charge will be $3.50 for Economy or $5.50 for Business Class. Short-haul international flights incur a carrier charge of $25.00 for Economy or $50.00 for Business Class. Flights between Australia and Hong Kong will incur a carrier charge of $35.00 for Economy or $50.00 for Business Class. Flights between Sydney and Los Angeles (including marketed and operated by Delta Airlines) will incur a carrier charge of $60.00 for Economy, $145.00 for Premium Economy, or $230.00 for Business Class2.
Carrier charges are quoted in Australian dollars, and payable per person, per sector. For example, the carrier charge on a return economy Reward Seat from Adelaide via Melbourne or Sydney to Hong Kong will be AUD$77.
Important Service Message
Changes to the Velocity Program on New Zealand Routes
Air New Zealand will depart the Velocity Frequent Flyer program as an Airline Partner on 28 October 2018.
Velocity members travelling on Air New Zealand flights booked prior to 6 April 2018, for travel after this date will still be eligible for Velocity Points and Status Credit earn up until the end of April 2019.
Velocity members will still continue to earn Velocity Points and Status Credits on the Virgin Australia network between Australia and New Zealand.
Carrier Charges on Virgin Australia-Operated Flights
A carrier charge will be payable on Reward Seats booked on or after 1 January 2019 on Virgin Australia operated flights; and Delta Air Lines marketed and operated flights between Sydney and Los Angeles.
For Domestic travel1, a carrier charge of $3.50 for Economy or $5.50 for Business Class will apply. For flights between Australia and New Zealand, the charge will be $3.50 for Economy or $5.50 for Business Class. Short-haul international flights incur a carrier charge of $25.00 for Economy or $50.00 for Business Class. Flights between Australia and Hong Kong will incur a carrier charge of $35.00 for Economy or $50.00 for Business Class. Flights between Sydney and Los Angeles (including marketed and operated by Delta Airlines) will incur a carrier charge of $60.00 for Economy, $145.00 for Premium Economy, or $230.00 for Business Class2.
Carrier charges are quoted in Australian dollars, and payable per person, per sector. For example, the carrier charge on a return economy Reward Seat from Adelaide via Melbourne or Sydney to Hong Kong will be AUD$77.
Oct 18, 2018, 7:59 am
#8
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Perth, WA, Australia
Programs: QF Gold, VA Plat, IHG Plat Amb, LCAH Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,845
One thing to note is that the $3.50 is exclusive of GST (and they nicely used an example of ADL-SYD-HKG where the domestic component doesn't attract GST)
Oct 18, 2018, 10:02 am
#9
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,147
If correct, that's a huge oversight on their behalf. Advertising prices that like on a consumer website without GST is not legal...
Oct 19, 2018, 4:56 am
#10
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Perth, WA, Australia
Programs: QF Gold, VA Plat, IHG Plat Amb, LCAH Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,845
Oct 19, 2018, 9:31 am
#11
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,147
At an absolute minimum they should be stating that GST is not included for the domestic charge.
Oct 19, 2018, 7:35 pm
#12
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Perth, WA, Australia
Programs: QF Gold, VA Plat, IHG Plat Amb, LCAH Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,845
If they are advertising ADL-SYD as a standalone domestic fare, then GST will be included.
Oct 23, 2018, 9:19 pm
#13
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: Lifetime *G (MP), Lifetime PE (Bonvoy)
Posts: 1,465
Remind me, when was the last time airline fuel surcharges dropped when petrol prices fell?
Oct 24, 2018, 7:25 am
#14
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
Petrol wasn't 0 dollars per liter when award tickets had 0 dollar surcharges.
This has nothing to do with the price of petrol. Award tickets are capacity limited so they are a minor cost, if any, to the airlines. It's a money grab, plain and simple. But I blame QF more than VA...
This has nothing to do with the price of petrol. Award tickets are capacity limited so they are a minor cost, if any, to the airlines. It's a money grab, plain and simple. But I blame QF more than VA...
Oct 26, 2018, 10:44 pm
#15
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Perth, WA, Australia
Programs: QF Gold, VA Plat, IHG Plat Amb, LCAH Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,845
Petrol wasn't 0 dollars per liter when award tickets had 0 dollar surcharges.
This has nothing to do with the price of petrol. Award tickets are capacity limited so they are a minor cost, if any, to the airlines. It's a money grab, plain and simple. But I blame QF more than VA...
This has nothing to do with the price of petrol. Award tickets are capacity limited so they are a minor cost, if any, to the airlines. It's a money grab, plain and simple. But I blame QF more than VA...
