FC Points on "other" Virgin Airlines?

I tried searching previous posts to find this out but can't see it anywhere so here goes...

Am I right in reading that you can't EARN FC miles on Virgin Blue, Virgin Nigeria or Virgin Express. I looked on the Flying Club section of the VS website and dug around a bit on here and it seems to be the case but I wanted to check.

This hardly seems to be helpful in building brand-loyalty. I know that they all license the name but it seems to me that it would help each of their respective businesses to cross-promote in this way!

Thanks
SFO-Marc

P.S. I am a US resident member in case that matters!

[mcmbenjamin]

Marc:

There is no Virgin Atlantic Flying Club earning on Virgin Blue or Virgin Express. Virgin Blue has a program called Velocity that allows Velocity members to earn and spend points on Virgin Atlantic, Emirates, and Virgin Atlantic among others. Virgin Atlantic gold members are allowed to access the Virgin Blue, Blue Rooms with no charge.

Virgin Nigeria does not have a proper frequent flyer program but does have some good business class offer. They currently offer one free LOS-LGW return in business and one free domestic economy return with the purchase of a Lagos to London return in business. I do like how the city's name 'Lagos' sounds. Also Virgin Nigeria business peeps get an arrival lounge at Gatwick. That is a feature that VS does not offer.

I would like to see more Virgin airlines being able to earn miles or points on other Virgin airlines. This may come with Virgin America as VAmerica would allow connections to Virgin Atlantic and possibly Virgin Blue or a new Virgin airline flying Oceania to the USA. I also feel that creating such a 'Virgin Alliance' with a full universal frequent flyer program, shared maintenance companies, and staffing could be viewed by some as anti-competitive. Virgin Nigeria recently started service to Dubai pimp' da Airbus 340-300 which funny enough they bought from Virgin Atlantic. I imagine that both Virgin Atlantic and Nigeria possibly use the same vendors in Dubai and I would not be surprised if the station manager shares there time between VS and VK. See there schedule would work out to work both flights.

I also find it interesting to look at the constructive ownership of many Virgin companies. Makes great business sense but presents the issue of who really controls the various businesses.

thanks Benjamin,

I had pretty much the same question as Marc, I am about to take a load of internal flights and figured I would join Velocity - however it states you have to be an Austalian resident!

"You must be a resident of Australia or New Zealand to register for Velocity Rewards"

Anyone know why this is or how strictly it's applied - I'm UK based but have a Melbourne address I can use to "comply".

thanks

Andrew

[mitchja]

VS were looking into the ability to earn Flying Club miles on all DJ (Virgin Blue) flights but I dont know if it will go ahead or not.

Regards