Virgin Australia Velocity members travelling with Delta Air Lines will soon earn more Velocity frequent flyer points on most business class, first class and Delta One fares, but could wind up with fewer points on the less-expensive tickets.
Currently, all fares at the pointy end earn a flat 1.5 Velocity Points per mile flown, while economy ranges from 1.25 Velocity Points on the higher-priced tickets through to 0.5 Velocity Points in the cheapest seats.
From June 1 2015, most passengers up the front will collect a more generous two Velocity Points per mile, or 1.75 Velocity Points on a slightly more affordable fare. But if you’re flying on the most discounted business class, first class or Delta One fares, that’s reduced to 1.25 Velocity Points per mile.
On a return Delta journey from Sydney to New York via Los Angeles, today’s haul of 29,910 Velocity Points would rise to an impressive 39,880 points on most fares, 34,895 points on A-class tickets, or would decrease to 24,925 points on G and Z-type tickets.
Back in economy the most expensive Y, B and M fares are reduced from 1.25 to 1 point per mile: delivering 19,940 Velocity Points on that return New York trip against the 24,925 points offered today.
Tickets belonging to the Q and K ‘fare buckets’ are also affected, halving in earn from one to 0.5 Velocity Points per mile, or from 19,940 Velocity Points to 9,970 points on the same routes.
Passengers travelling with Delta but booked on a Virgin Australia VA flight number (codeshare) aren’t affected by these changes and continue to earn frequent flyer points and status credits at the Virgin Australia rates.
Also read: ‘Delta One’ business class review: New York-Los Angeles
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Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
29 May 2013
Total posts 45
I wonder, Chris: do you know if this is only for tickets booked on or after 01June, or if this applies to bookings made prior to 01June as well?
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
08 May 2014
Total posts 48
I second that. I've got LAS - ATL - EZE economy flights booked for Nov.
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2424
This applies to all travel taken on Delta from June 1, regardless of the booking date – so if you're travelling up the front you may earn more points than you expected, although if you've booked one of the affected economy fare types you may wind up with fewer points.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Aug 2014
Total posts 6
Thanks for sharing Chris. Seems reasonable really all things considered. Do they make any commentary on status credits or is this only for FF points?
Simon.
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2424
Hi Simon,
Status credits are still earned at the normal business/premium/economy/discount economy rates, so no real change there – except if you're booked on an S or H fare which is being roped in with the higher-earning 'economy' group than the lower 'discount economy' crowd.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
19 Nov 2011
Total posts 243
Looks like a positive change for Velocity members.
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