Just logged in to my VA account and seen I have been given gold status even though I only have 495 status credits! Very happy but doesn't make much difference to me as my next virgin flight is in a couple of weeks and flying with my mrs who is already gold so would be accessing gold perks anyway and would reach the 500SC mark with that flight anyway.
That's great of VA to do that, makes you think they actually keep an eye on their frequent flyers, I had a long break over Xmas a couple of years ago with an operation and extended leave, was on 595 points with QF, all 3 months every email would remind me only 5 points to go to retain Gold!
Yep and it means instead of 15 wasted status credits from my next flight I will get 20 counting towards retaining gold (I have no chance of getting platinum)
Does not work that way - status points to retain start at your next anniversary.
Yep and it means instead of 15 wasted status credits from my next flight I will get 20 counting towards retaining gold (I have no chance of getting platinum)
Same thing happened to me with Cathay Pacific. I think sometimes if they see Gold-level activity, they decide to upgrade you early. You still have to fly enough within the next 12 months if you want to maintain Gold, so it just brings that forward as far as the airline is concerned.
Of course it's also beneficial for the airline, as you start your membership earlier, potentially to have less flights to use it on, and it also expires earlier than if they just left it.
I'm going to be around 990 SC at end of October, relying on FlyBuys to get me up to Platinum hopefully by December (so I can use my status around Dec/Jan holidays 2017/18 and 2018/19).
But if they upgrade me early in October, it means I wouldn't be able to use it Dec 2018/Jan 2019 holidays.
Had the exact same issue previously when I was upgraded to platinum with only 985 SC because I had to claim missing points/status.
I recommend being vigilant about tracking your status credits in future and only letting Velocity know about missing points/status when you wish to be upgraded (which may come even when you're just short).
Generally fly only business class except short haul BNE-SYD. Does not matter how many status credits as I get lounge access through the ticket. This applies to any FF program. From experience Virgin FF has a better customer relationship than Qantas but is limited overseas.
Just received my gold velocity card in the mail today after receiving advice that I was being upgraded for 3 month trial about a week ago. Have been an velocity member for about 12 years but have only flown virgin recently domestically with another domestic booked later this month
I am 14 status credits away from retaining Gold (one SYD-MELB flight), and my Gold status expires in a month. Sadly doesn't look like I have any more work travel scheduled next month, so may go back to Silver.
Has anyone been in a similar situation, contacted Virgin, and been offered Gold for another year, given such a low threshold is required to retain status?
Thanks
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Bumped up to Velocity Gold early!
Spaniel
Spaniel
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 12 Apr 2017
Total posts 28
Just logged in to my VA account and seen I have been given gold status even though I only have 495 status credits! Very happy but doesn't make much difference to me as my next virgin flight is in a couple of weeks and flying with my mrs who is already gold so would be accessing gold perks anyway and would reach the 500SC mark with that flight anyway.
Sibelius
Sibelius
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 06 Aug 2017
Total posts 181
It happened to me when I first attained Silver. I had 246 status credits at the time -- just short of the required 250.
GBRGB
GBRGB
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 21 Jan 2014
Total posts 292
That's great of VA to do that, makes you think they actually keep an eye on their frequent flyers, I had a long break over Xmas a couple of years ago with an operation and extended leave, was on 595 points with QF, all 3 months every email would remind me only 5 points to go to retain Gold!
Spaniel
Spaniel
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 12 Apr 2017
Total posts 28
Yep and it means instead of 15 wasted status credits from my next flight I will get 20 counting towards retaining gold (I have no chance of getting platinum)
AnthonyvB
AnthonyvB
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards Plantium
Member since 19 Jun 2013
Total posts 82
MRYJDrake
MRYJDrake
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
Member since 31 Oct 2016
Total posts 206
Maybe they saw the upcoming flight and thought "Ah well, he'll get there anyway, we might as well give him the perk".
lionelhutz
lionelhutz
Member since 20 Jun 2014
Total posts 38
Same thing happened to me with Cathay Pacific. I think sometimes if they see Gold-level activity, they decide to upgrade you early. You still have to fly enough within the next 12 months if you want to maintain Gold, so it just brings that forward as far as the airline is concerned.
Happytraveler00
Happytraveler00
Member since 22 Dec 2016
Total posts 33
NQPsych2U
NQPsych2U
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 11 May 2017
Total posts 10
I understand completely.
Had the exact same issue previously when I was upgraded to platinum with only 985 SC because I had to claim missing points/status.
I recommend being vigilant about tracking your status credits in future and only letting Velocity know about missing points/status when you wish to be upgraded (which may come even when you're just short).
nix584
nix584
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 10 Jan 2012
Total posts 108
boris45
boris45
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 23 Feb 2017
Total posts 15
champotraveller
champotraveller
Jetstar Airways - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 08 Mar 2017
Total posts 4
Just received my gold velocity card in the mail today after receiving advice that I was being upgraded for 3 month trial about a week ago. Have been an velocity member for about 12 years but have only flown virgin recently domestically with another domestic booked later this month
MURRIE
MURRIE
Member since 24 Jan 2017
Total posts 5
I am 14 status credits away from retaining Gold (one SYD-MELB flight), and my Gold status expires in a month. Sadly doesn't look like I have any more work travel scheduled next month, so may go back to Silver.
Has anyone been in a similar situation, contacted Virgin, and been offered Gold for another year, given such a low threshold is required to retain status?
Thanks