Currently VA Platinum. Have been Platinum for 3 years. Will not meet re-qualification status credits for Plat or Gold this year as I have been travelling more with QF & TG in the last 9 months.
2 months after review date I will land about 800 status credits with VA within 4 weeks
Have heard that Velocity only downgrade one tier at a time? Is that correct? Gold would be OK - just trying to preserve Lounge Access in the USA and no bag fees with Delta
What's the chances? Any suggestions would be appreciated
Yes, you will be downgraded one tier at a time if you have insufficient status credits. In your case, you will drop from Platinum to Gold. This tiered downgrade practice is commonly known as a "soft landing" among many frequent flyer programs.
In fact, it features in Virgin's program T&C's:
22.6.1 If the total number of Status Credits earned and Eligible Sectors
flown at a Member's Review Date does not meet the criteria in clause
22.1.4 to maintain their current Membership Level, then the Member's
Membership Level will be downgraded to the Membership Level below their
current Membership Level.
I've had my status renewed as platinum in the past and they waived the requalification rules as a goodwill gesture for my continued loyalty even though I didn't have the required flights.
I'm in the same boat - despite going on an around the world work trip in business class I couldn't make it work on any VA airlines (costs were way too high) so did a bunch of Star Alliance airlines instead. So instead I am now a SilverKris flyer and soon-to-be-Gold VA member.. sigh. No more economyX seats for me...
I am not sure what you mean by 2 months after review date you will have 800sc within 4 weeks.
Earlier this year I was in slightly different situation I had 800+ SC just no segments flown. When I called VA they indicated there once off, once only 1 month grace period to make up SC or flights. I am not sure if this is a published benefit but worth a go.
Currently VA Platinum. Have been Platinum for 3 years. Will not meet re-qualification status credits for Plat or Gold this year as I have been travelling more with QF & TG in the last 9 months.
2 months after review date I will land about 800 status credits with VA within 4 weeks
Have heard that Velocity only downgrade one tier at a time? Is that correct? Gold would be OK - just trying to preserve Lounge Access in the USA and no bag fees with Delta
What's the chances? Any suggestions would be appreciated
I had a similar situation and rang the Velocity people to discuss it, without hesitation they reviewed my account and came back to me to say they wouldn't be downgrading me from Platinum. Exceptional customer service, the kind of two way loyalty that you don't see much anymore. I couldn't be happier with them and have spent a tonne of money already this year with VA to repay them. I recommend you give them a quick call.
Just to give you all the outcome. Whilst I was OK with the 'soft landing' to Gold, I did end up being short SC's at my review date this year to retain Platinum.
I did call Velocity. They were extremely helpful, reviewed my account and after a short wait, they came back and offered to renew my Platinum status. I am not sure what they reviewed but I do have a fair bit of international travel in my profile booked over the next 1.5 months that will give me around 1000 SC's straight up.
I've got to say - I am really impressed that they recognised my past and future loyalty and didn't let a matter of ~30 days stand in the way of that. The service was exceptional
BJ01
BJ01
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 07 Dec 2015
Total posts 57
Currently VA Platinum. Have been Platinum for 3 years. Will not meet re-qualification status credits for Plat or Gold this year as I have been travelling more with QF & TG in the last 9 months.
ausJCP
ausJCP
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 28 Aug 2014
Total posts 132
Yes, you will be downgraded one tier at a time if you have insufficient status credits. In your case, you will drop from Platinum to Gold. This tiered downgrade practice is commonly known as a "soft landing" among many frequent flyer programs.
In fact, it features in Virgin's program T&C's:
22.6.1 If the total number of Status Credits earned and Eligible Sectors flown at a Member's Review Date does not meet the criteria in clause 22.1.4 to maintain their current Membership Level, then the Member's Membership Level will be downgraded to the Membership Level below their current Membership Level.
Happy flying! :-)
mviy
mviy
Member since 05 May 2016
Total posts 322
QF does soft landings as well, which is handy if your flying patterns switch back to mostly Virgin.
mhotchin
mhotchin
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards - Platinum
Member since 18 Jun 2015
Total posts 36
It could be worth emailing velocity?
Valerio
Valerio
Velocity
Member since 23 Feb 2016
Total posts 12
I'm in the same boat - despite going on an around the world work trip in business class I couldn't make it work on any VA airlines (costs were way too high) so did a bunch of Star Alliance airlines instead. So instead I am now a SilverKris flyer and soon-to-be-Gold VA member.. sigh. No more economyX seats for me...
BJ01
BJ01
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 07 Dec 2015
Total posts 57
Thanks everyone for your advice, appreciate it!
Matt_01
Matt_01
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 23 Feb 2016
Total posts 63
I am not sure what you mean by 2 months after review date you will have 800sc within 4 weeks.
arwsales
arwsales
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 18 May 2015
Total posts 2
I had a similar situation and rang the Velocity people to discuss it, without hesitation they reviewed my account and came back to me to say they wouldn't be downgrading me from Platinum. Exceptional customer service, the kind of two way loyalty that you don't see much anymore. I couldn't be happier with them and have spent a tonne of money already this year with VA to repay them. I recommend you give them a quick call.
BJ01
BJ01
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 07 Dec 2015
Total posts 57
Just to give you all the outcome. Whilst I was OK with the 'soft landing' to Gold, I did end up being short SC's at my review date this year to retain Platinum.
I did call Velocity. They were extremely helpful, reviewed my account and after a short wait, they came back and offered to renew my Platinum status. I am not sure what they reviewed but I do have a fair bit of international travel in my profile booked over the next 1.5 months that will give me around 1000 SC's straight up.