Flying Club Membership

Does anyone know how long the average FC member remains Gold (consecutively) and how many FC Gold members exist in VS?

I was also curious to know how long our members have been with VS FC and if possible also Gold too? Since we are the most loyal bunch to the Virgin Brand ('[:)]')

Well, I've been Au since 1999 - but I know there are many that have been for longer.

The total number of Aus is complicated by offers like Amex Centurian which gives it to people gratis and various corporate schemes. So the total may be quite high, but, often when I fly I notice on the manifest there can be relatively few on each individual plane ...

[Nottingham Nick]

This question has been asked before. Virgin consider this information commercially sensitive and don't release figures.

Nick

It's a bit like American Express who told everyone that the number of Centurion (Black cards) in circulation was a state secret. But then they told advertisers how many of the Black card magazines were issued, to get them interested. Now at one magazine per card holder, that's err... How many cards?

Pity that there's not a Gold card magazine - otherwise it would be easy....

I agree that this would be comercially sensitive. I also was amazed how many AU holders there were in PE and Y on my flight to Boston on Wednesday. I lost count how many in both cabins.

Slinky,

Does this mean you are one of the lucky few with Gold for Life? I was recently told by FC, that its a consecutive 10 year requirement only nowadays. On this side topic i did ask if Tier points were a factor, with FC replying no!

[Nottingham Nick]

quote:Originally posted by jetsetkid
Does this mean you are one of the lucky few with Gold for Life? I was recently told by FC, that its a consecutive 10 year requirement only nowadays. .....

Interesting. [;)] I have never heard of that before. Do you know the name of the person who told you that, or have you seen it in writing anywhere?


Nick

[RichardMannion]

quote:Originally posted by jetsetkid
Slinky,

Does this mean you are one of the lucky few with Gold for Life? I was recently told by FC, that its a consecutive 10 year requirement only nowadays. On this side topic i did ask if Tier points were a factor, with FC replying no!


There are some members that have been Gold for a very long time, wya before event the swapover from Freeway to Flying Club! [:)] Not that many Gold for Life people, it has been discussed in the past.

I've been a member since March 1999, and Gold since 2001 - remember that FC has changed a bit over the years, with the entry bar removed, and the tier points rejigged a few times.

With the expiry of miles changed and only needing 'activity' once per 36 months, then people will stay in FC for a long time. As the others have said, the info on exact numbers is commercially sensitive - I know roughly how many UK golds there are and it's not as many as you may think, the recent branch out to Centurion will be increasing the number in the wild....

[RichardMannion]

quote:Originally posted by PeterStansfield
It's a bit like American Express who told everyone that the number of Centurion (Black cards) in circulation was a state secret. But then they told advertisers how many of the Black card magazines were issued, to get them interested. Now at one magazine per card holder, that's err... How many cards?

Pity that there's not a Gold card magazine - otherwise it would be easy....


Now come on Peter, we know that AmEx and 'stupidity' are synonymous. I seem to recall a figure of ~17,500 in the UK.

This lovely information on Gold for Life was told to me when i called FC AU in the clubhouse last week as i had a serious issue on my previous flight itinerary that in turn had prompted me to contact the executive customer relations line when I got home. This led to discussions about AU benefits thatled the Customer Relations Exec to inform me that VS will no longer be accepting AMEX Centurion cardholders as FC AU members. If there is anyone lucky enough to have this card to either affirm or deny this...would be interesting to know of why and when the change of heart.

[Nottingham Nick]

I haven't got a cent card, but the deal to give VS Au status to is fairly new. It seems strange if VS are ditching it almost as soon as it starts.

No doubt one of the Titanium brigade will be able to shed some light on this soon. [;)]

Nick

[RichardMannion]

I think the Exec Relations person was on a wind-up - AmEx Centurions are still getting VS AU, it's one of the 'main' new benefits. The money that VS get from AmEx is not chicken-feed and will certainly be helping out.

Thanks,
Richard

Having had a Centurion for a few years now I have never been given the opportunity to receive FC Gold status !!!!!

Have had to obtain Silver through flights and have never quite tipped into the Gold elite, at one point did need 4 points to achieve it but didn't. Sliver Status is OK though

I can also confirm that FC informed me that they do not accept Centurion for Clubhouse access, Now wondering why I pay so much the card in the first place. [n]

[Decker]

Well Flashboy when you're renewed with the new Ti card you'll be given an application form for FC Au... mind you the fee has increased to 1800 too as discussed elsewhere...

[RichardMannion]

quote:Originally posted by Flashboy
Having had a Centurion for a few years now I have never been given the opportunity to receive FC Gold status !!!!!

Have had to obtain Silver through flights and have never quite tipped into the Gold elite, at one point did need 4 points to achieve it but didn't. Sliver Status is OK though

I can also confirm that FC informed me that they do not accept Centurion for Clubhouse access, Now wondering why I pay so much the card in the first place. [n]


It is a new benefit for the refreshed product that is currently being rolled out.

I received a form yesterday from Centurion to enroll for VS Gold and a the other hotel/car benefits - so I don't think it's going away.

quote:Originally posted by ukcobra
I also was amazed how many AU holders there were in PE and Y on my flight to Boston on Wednesday. I lost count how many in both cabins.


I would hold much water with the PAX list - I am often listed on the manifest as Silver or nothing at all ! Speaking to a FSM about this on a recent flight and he pointed out that mine, and many other FC numbers were missing, so there is no way they could tell that I was a Gold/Silver/Red or anything thing else - not that it really matters to me but seems a bt strange.

Hackneyguy

[Decker]

8 seconds.. pwned!

[Decker]

We did once ask an FSM how many Aus there were on the flight and were told 40 something. When we queried this she corrected it to be FC members...

Decker, this tracks with what I've seen on a recent flight where the FSM came over to greet me upstairs as a frequent passenger. I was the only one she approached on this trip through the upstairs cabin. Anecdotal, but does suggest that not many golds fly the routes after all.

[RichardMannion]

It varies by route I think, and time of year. Sometimes it has been just Sarah and I as Au on the plane (particularly LGW routes), where IAD, SFO, LAX and JFK have usually seen a few Golds. I remember a member of crew telling me they once had 130+ Ag and Au members on a flight to NRT.

Failing that, when the Bitches travel there is a high number of Au members.... [:w]

quote:Originally posted by RichardMannion
It varies by route I think, and time of year. Sometimes it has been just Sarah and I as Au on the plane (particularly LGW routes), where IAD, SFO, LAX and JFK have usually seen a few Golds. I remember a member of crew telling me they once had 130+ Ag and Au members on a flight to NRT.

Failing that, when the Bitches travel there is a high number of Au members.... [:w]


try VS19 in 14 May 09 [y]

Was going to say, no shortage on the party bus! I did SFO, but on a Saturday, which tends to be a bit quieter, Thursday or Friday you will indeed find a lot more. You can tell the number of golds by how early the lounge gets busy at SFO .....