Virgin Australia: GOLD Status match offer – take that Qantas!

In answer to the Qantas all-out attempt to steal loyal top notch passengers from Virgin Australia, the reborn airline has come back with its own Discover Gold offer to Qantas premium frequent flyers.

You need to get onto this before 21 December 2020!

Is it as good as it sounds – not a straight match, but it’s still pretty good.

“We’re pleased to welcome Qantas members to Velocity who are interested in taking advantage of cheaper fares, award-winning cabin crew, and great rewards for ongoing loyalty. We look forward to welcoming them on board this summer season.”

Jayne Hrdlicka, Virgin Australia Group CEO – said cheekily.

Status Match – trial membership

If you are a Qantas Gold or Platinum member, then VA will give you a three-month Velocity Discover Gold Status trial membership. This gives you lounge access, priority boarding, preferential seating, bigger luggage allowance and bonus points when flying with Virgin Australia. These advantages also apply to your companion.

You want to make this into a 12 month Gold Membership for you and a companion? Easy! You just need to do the following:

• Be a Qantas Gold or Platinum member
• Fill in and Expression of Interest form
• Deadline is 21 December 2020
• Take 1 flight
• Earn 80 Status credits within the 3 month trial period

How many flights to get 80 Status credits?

Well if there is a rub – here it is. Have a look at the chart below.

I’m going to use Sydney to Melbourne as an example, because it is the most frequent route, and one of the shortest capital city domestic pairs.

You will earn only 14 status credits at the lowest fare (Getaway) on a return trip Sydney to Melbourne – that’s 7 status credits per sector. This more than doubles to 15 for the next fare category (Elevate), with 25 for Freedom, and 50 for a Business Saver fare, or 55 for full Business. So to get your 80 credits, you need to complete between a single return trip Sydney to Melbourne in Business at the Saver rate, or 11 sectors (6 return trips) at the lowest Getaway fare within the first 3 months.

However, on top of earning your status credits yourself on flights, you can use the VA family pooling feature to combine yours with family members.

Benefits of Virgin Australia Gold status

This is roughly equivalent to Qantas Gold, but with some differences. You will get:

• Virgin Australia Domestic Lounge access including for a guest and up to 3 children
• Priority check-in & screening at domestic airports – where available
• Complimentary baggage
• Preferential seating
• ‘Fly ahead’ access (on earlier flights where available)

Status extension of existing premium Velocity members

If you already have Velocity Gold or Platinum status, then Virgin will extend it for a year, or until 31 March 2022. All you need to do is take 1 eligible flight on Virgin Australia before 28 March 2021.

“With less flying this year we know it’s been difficult for our most loyal Velocity members to keep their status and so we’ll continue to reward their loyalty by offering another Status extension and generous rewards when they fly with us. We want to thank them for the support during the year, and now that borders are reopening and we’re doing more flying, we can’t wait to see them in the skies soon.”

Jayne Hrdlicka, Virgin Australia Group CEO.

Other incentives

As a Velocity Gold or Platinum member you will get 5,000 bonus points if you take 2 flights with Virgin Australia before 28 March 2021. Virgin is also being generous by offering Economy X upgrades to Velocity Gold members and Business Class upgrades to Platinum members if they take a minimum of 3 eligible flights before 28 March 2021.

Lounge openings

Virgin only has their Brisbane lounge open currently, but they have announced the dates for the opening of some lounges (and the closure of others) although some promises are a little vague:

• Brisbane – OPEN NOW
• Melbourne – 15 December
• Sydney – 15 December
• Gold Coast – opening soon
• Perth – opening soon
• Adelaide – opening soon

2PAXfly Takeout

This is another timely reminder to wear your seatbelt when seated. Holding you close to your seat will protect you from the sort of injuries sustained on this flight, when unsecured passengers flew to the ceiling of the aircraft, and then came crashing down once the ‘drop’ ceased.

The hope will be that this is an anomaly – a ‘freak accident’ in casual parlance. If it is a systemic error either mechanical or electronic, then this is a larger concern for the airlines that fly Boeing Dreamliner 787 aircraft. Let’s hope it isn’t. If it is, it will pile on the woes to Boeing’s existing stack.

I’m on it – while you have been reading this, I have sent off my Expression of Interest!