Velocity has announced a raft of changes to member benefits when travelling with airline partners.
These changes see the continued watering down of benefits for elite members. The developments follow on from unfortunate revelations that Virgin Australia crew are taking sick leave after being forced to serve business class passengers two minute noodles.
We’ve listed out the key changes below:
Removal of partner airline lounge access
Velocity Platinum and Gold members will no longer be able to access the Alitalia, Hainan Airlines and Hong Kong Airlines lounges. Velocity Platinum and Gold members can continue to access all other eligible Velocity airline partner lounges.
No points or status credit earn on partner flights with a VA flight number
Velocity members will no longer be able to earn Velocity Points, Status Credits or a Tier Bonus on partner airline operated flights when flying with a Virgin Australia (VA) flight number. Retrospective claims for missing Points and status credits must be submitted by 14 April 2021.
Velocity members will continue to earn Points and Status Credits when travelling on partner airlines. Velocity members will also continue to earn Tier Bonus when travelling on Virgin Australia, Delta Air Lines and Etihad Airways.
Removal of complimentary upgrades on Delta Airlines
Velocity Platinum, Gold and Silver members are no longer eligible for complimentary upgrades to Delta Comfort+ and Velocity members will no longer be able to Upgrade with Points on Delta operated flights booked with a VA flight number.
Velocity states that members will continue to receive frequent flyer benefits including earning and redeeming Points when flying on Delta. Lounge access will also be available to eligible members.
More information about these changes is available via the Velocity media centre.
Conclusion
These detrimental changes are further indications that new Virgin Australia owner, Bain Capital, plans to take the carrier down-market. And, with the departure of current Virgin Australia CEO Paul Scurrah said to be imminent, Virgin Australia’s future positioning in the market remains uncertain. Will you be impacted by these changes?
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