Virgin Australia Velocity has just opened a new status match campaign for a range of competing airlines and their elite members from 29 different frequent flyer programs.
The status match is now open to nine OneWorld, eight Star alliance, seven SkyTeam and five independent airlines whose members are eligible to apply for the Velocity Gold match.
Velocity offers to match Qantas Elites to their Gold level for three months, followed by a challenge to retain the status for another year.
You can access Velocity landing page here for further details.
Virgin Australia invites frequent flyers from eligible programs to experience the best of Virgin Australia’s premium products and services with a 3 month Discover Gold membership. *
Whether it’s avoiding the queues with Priority Check-in, Priority Screening and Priority Boarding3 or relaxing with a cup of coffee in one of the Virgin Australia Lounges4 – you’ll enjoy a number of benefits when flying with Virgin Australia as a Discover Gold Member.
Eligible Airlines and the corresponding eligible Frequent Flyer Memberships are:
Oneworld:
Qantas Frequent Flyer: Gold, Platinum, Platinum One
American Airlines AAdvantage: Platinum, Platinum Pro, Executive Platinum
British Airways Executive Club: Silver, Gold
Cathay Pacific Marco Polo: Gold, Diamond
Fiji Airways: Tabua Club Plus
Finnair Plus: Gold, Platinum
Iberia Plus: Gold, Platinum, Singular, Infinita, Infinita Prime
Japan Airlines Mileage Bank: JMB Sapphire, JGC Premier, JMB Diamond
Malaysia Airlines Enrich: Gold, Platinum
Star Alliance:
Air China Phoenix Miles: Gold, Platinum
Air India Flying Returns: Maharajah Club, Golden Edge Club
Air New Zealand Airpoints: Gold, Elite
Asiana Club: Platinum, Diamond, Diamond Plus
Lufthansa Miles & More: Senator, HON Circle
Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus: Gold, Platinum
EVA Air Infinity MileageLands: Gold, Diamond
Scandinavian Airlines Euro Bonus: Gold, Platinum
SkyTeam:
China Airlines: Dynasty Flyer Emerald, Paragon
China Eastern: Eastern Miles Elite Status Silver, Gold
Delta Air Lines: Skymiles Gold, Platinum
Air France / KLM Dutch Airlines: Flying Blue Gold, Platinum
Vietnam Airlines: Lotusmiles Titanium, Gold, Platinum
Garuda Indonesia: Garuda Miles Gold, Platinum
Korean Air: Skypass Morning Calm Premium Club, Million Miler Club
Others:
Air Niugini: Gold Executive Club
Emirates Skywards: Gold, Platinum
LATAM Pass: Platinum, Black
Philippine Airlines Mabuhay Miles: Premier Elite, Million Miler
Royal Brunei Royal Skies: Elite Gold
Matched members have to earn 80 tier points within the three months trial membership to extend their Gold Status for a full year:
This time there is no expiration date to this campaign listed on the website by which members would have to apply. That being said, Velocity could withdraw or close the registration at any time so just because no date is listed doesn’t mean that it’ll be around forever.
Conclusion
Now members of 29 competing programs can apply for the Velocity Gold status match / challenge. I wonder how much the retention rate of matched Gold members will be following the three-month trial period.
As I mentioned the last time I covered this, Virgin Australia has run these status match campaigns in the past, although right now, they only target their direct competitor Qantas, trying to gain a foothold in the domestic market again. I remember like ten years ago, they ran a big promotion at the Westfield Mall in Sydney offering an instant match up to Platinum for members of international competitors as well and even printed the card on the spot.
These are the Discover Gold campaign Terms and Conditions:
During your Discover Gold Status trial:
- you’ll receive some member benefits connected with Gold Status;
- benefits you won’t receive include: Gold member baggage tag, a physical membership card, complimentary partner memberships, guaranteed economy Reward Seat, membership pause for parental leave;
- you’ll continue to earn Status Credits, Points and Eligible Sectors in the same way as other members; and
- your Status Credits balance will reflect the number of Status Credits, Points and Eligible Sectors you’ve earned since receiving this Discover Gold trial.
If you earn 80 Status Credits and fly at least one Eligible Sector during your 3 month Discover Gold trial, you can maintain full Gold Status for 12 months.
We’ll assess your eligibility at the end of your 3 month Discover Gold trial, and if you’re eligible, we’ll notify you and you’ll receive 12 months of full Gold status.
If you aren’t eligible for this benefit, your Status level will be assessed in accordance with the Velocity membership Terms and Conditions.
Gold membership benefit offered in accordance with these offer Terms are still able to maintain or upgrade their Status to the next Status level in accordance with the Velocity membership Terms and Conditions.
Find out more about how to maintain or upgrade your Status level. This offer is not transferable. Any Status Credits and Eligible Sectors earned in a member’s Velocity account are subject to expiry after 12 months from earn.
1 An eligible Trans-Tasman, International Short Haul flight, is a flight operated by Virgin Australia with a VA flight number. Earn rates are correct as at 28 May 2018 and are subject to change. Check the Velocity Terms and Conditions for details about earning Points.
2Status Credits cannot be earned on all fare classes. Status Credits can only be earned on eligible flights, marketed and operated by Virgin Australia and/or a Velocity airline partner. Status Credits cannot be earned on Virgin Australia operated flights sold with an Air Mauritius (MK) flight number. Status Credits accrual is based on single flight segments that consist of individual flight numbers. An itinerary that involves a change in aircraft but retains the same flight number is considered a single flight segment. An itinerary that consists of a change in flight numbers, even if the same aircraft is used for the entire itinerary, is considered two flight segments. Domestic flights booked within an International journey will accrue Status Credits at the earn level for international flights. Members travelling on upgraded fares purchased with Points or any other subsidised means of upgrades on Virgin Australia or our partner airlines will earn Status Credits based on original purchased fare class.3Priority services may not be available at all airports at all times.
4Complimentary Lounge entry is subject to the Lounge Terms and Conditions, as amended from time to time available online at virginaustralia.com/lounge.
5For details on additional baggage allowances, visit www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/plan/baggage/checked-baggage. Additional baggage allowances are applicable for Virgin Australia operated services only. For flights marketed by Virgin Australia but operated by Virgin Australia’s partner airlines, baggage allowances may differ. The complimentary baggage allowance applied will be based on a member’s Velocity status at the time of travel, rather than time of booking. For full baggage Terms and Conditions visit the Virgin Australia baggage website.
