UPDATED: Tier Point Guide v2.01

[RichardMannion]

This is the updated version of the Tier Points Guide, I am very sorry for any confusion that may have arisen by my previous version. Most elements were correct, but some were not after consulting again with an 'expert' at VS this evening. I am hoping that it is completely correct now and am having it confirmed by the relevant team at VS - until I state for sure please use this guide as that, a guide - its not set in stone!

The underlying thing to remember that even though it takes me multiple paragraphs to explain, the programme is designed in the best interest of the customers. Its not a set 12 months like some airlines, your TP balance doesn't reset when you hit Silver like another airline that VS partner with, and its not confined to the Gregorian calendar year (Jan to Dec) like some US programmes. VS should be applauded for trying to be as flexible and innovative as they are with the Flying Club Programme.

Thanks,
Richard

Moved to http://www.v-flyer.com/faq.asp?faq=#6

[Nottingham Nick]

Wow:)

Thanks for that, Richard.

It does make perfect sense when explained like that.

Nick

[Decker]

'nuff respec'! Did you have access to the algorithm guys?

[RichardMannion]

Err no - it was just a lot of head scratching for both VS staff and me. Fortunately I get to speak to some very talented and knowledgeable VS staff when I call up . It can get very complicated at times - the easy way round it is to make sure you easily requalify for Ag or Au in advance and then you know you are safe!

As a heads-up for all - The moderator team here is working on a FAQ at the moment for a number of subject like this (ironically I started writing a document of them a long time ago, long before any incarnation of V-Flyer but it was just too much of a task for me to complete single handed). I have deliberately posted this topic here today as there seems to be a number of questions relating to TP's at the moment.

Please don't ever be scared to ask any questions either - if you don't follow anything or are lost - ask - one of us will be more than happy to help!

Likewise, if there is anything you would really like to see on the site then please ask. I remember writing the fare class sheet a few years ago, and didn't think anyone else would be too interested in something like that - how wrong was I! [:0]

Thanks,
Richard

Richard

Absolutely perfect - thanks

Cheers

Michael

Glad I didn't try to read that on Monday morning with the hangover from hell[xx(].Thanks Richard alot clearer than in VS T&Cs.

Richard, Your advice please. My silver card is valid until dec 04.
i currently have 6 TP but i am flying PE LGW-MCO dec25 - jan 02 .
i will have 9 TP on 31 dec But 3 more on 2 jan .What are my chances of retaing silver ?
TIA
Manilo

[RichardMannion]

Deleted as wrong info supplied [V]

[RichardMannion]

quote:Originally posted by RichardMannion

quote:Originally posted by manilo
Richard, Your advice please. My silver card is valid until dec 04.
i currently have 6 TP but i am flying PE LGW-MCO dec25 - jan 02 .
i will have 9 TP on 31 dec But 3 more on 2 jan .What are my chances of retaing silver ?
TIA
Manilo

Strictly speaking you just fall short, best thing you can do is speak to Flying Club direct and let them give your definitve renewal date (actual day) as we all know one month is a long time!

Have those 6 existing Tier points been earned after January this year? If not, they will disappear anyway under the 12 month rule.

Thanks,
Richard

No actually you are going to miss out, please read my updated guide to Tier Points as there was some confusion over the 'membership year'.

Sorry in advance for the confusion,
Richard

Wow thats some guide youve put researched and put together Richard. Thanks, I found it very usefull.

i wish virgin would explane it that way in the guide
thank's for that rich good work

Coincidentally I spoke with FC on Sunday re my tier point situation. Back in June 03 I planned summer hols and a buisiness trip to fall in what I thought was my next 'membership year'. In not understanding the process, I have 'lost' 9 TP but this is not likely to be critical in maintaining AU at my next renewal next summer. Now that I understand the relationship between card expiry date and membership year (thank you Richard) I won't make the mistake again!

In earlier posts, I have suggested that it would be helpful if personal accounts had the membership year defined on the VS FC website.

cheers
GO

i got gold last oct checked by tier points and i have 34 so when oct comes up will they all zero down? or just 30 the 30 to retain gold?

also if they do and i take a kul-sin return adding 10 more tier to my account before oct would they disapear? hope not or would be a waste, they should go on to the next period?

HELP, FLYING CLUB ARE A BIT VAGUE ON THE MATTER

On the virgin website if you look at the updated press package it talks about FC tiers. It actually says on page 32 that silver status 'will never be downgraded'

[RichardMannion]

quote:Originally posted by jonathan2122
i got gold last oct checked by tier points and i have 34 so when oct comes up will they all zero down? or just 30 the 30 to retain gold?

also if they do and i take a kul-sin return adding 10 more tier to my account before oct would they disapear? hope not or would be a waste, they should go on to the next period?

HELP, FLYING CLUB ARE A BIT VAGUE ON THE MATTER

Sorry, When it comes to gold renewal - all will zero down.

Thanks,
Richard

[Pete]

Jonathan,

If you think about it, if you've already earnt Gold in time for your renewal in October, then any TPs you earn between now and then will have expired before they need to be counted in the renewal the year after (ie, in October 2005, any tier points you earn in August 2004 will not count), so they zero your TPs on renewal so you start with a clean slate.

Pix

ade99,
I was interested in the point you brought up, as I'm in danger of losing my Silver Card status this year. It'll be interesting to see what happens, because as you said, P.32 does indeed state, and I quote "Flying Club Silver is a status that will never be downgraded"
Can anyone else clarify this further...

[RichardMannion]

Hi,

I'll help clarify it for you - the document you are reading is out of date and as such is now wrong.

Before the overhaul of Flying Club tier points a couple of years ago now, Silver was indeed for life but then Virgin changed the terms of the programme as they are entitled to to make it for the better. For a long time I and a number of other then Silver customers stated that Silver is a 'premium' tier int he program and like all of its peers, should have to be requalified. Back in those day, a single one way flight in Upper Class was enough to get you to Silver and then that was it, you had Silver. Now this meant that there were people out there that rarely flew VS that had a mid-tier of memebership, whilst there were people like me and many others that flew a few times a year as regular customers but not in the premium cabins, so were out of reach of Gold - yet we were all Silver card holders. I remember being quoted a figure of over 60,000 'stale' Silver members that had not taken a single flight in a year, hardly loyal or regular customers - so the terms for Silver were changed; which was a good thing, along with the rule introduction for checking passengers in, as I grew tired of being a good customer back then that couldn't quite make Gold that found PE queues getting somewhat longer and longer, as more people qualified for Silver but were not of the 'frequent' mid-tier profile. One J flight, and then 2 years later next VS flight checkign in whole family and friends at PE. By changing the programme to make requalification necessary for Ag, it allowed VS to offer more to AG customers in the way of benefits.

This next comment is not meant to be rude or arrogant, but if you are in danger of not requalifying for Sivler, then you are not really the frequent Virgin Atlantic customer. 10 TP is relatively easy to attain in a 13 month period.

Thanks,
Richard

Yeah, I understand your point, I would normally expect to retain Silver every year . . .just.
However this year I had to forego my usual March Florida jaunt 'cos the wife wanted the bl**dy bathroom doing up. What the hell was she thinking about. [V]
Anyhow got a LGW-MCO trip coming up in September, but this was booked for me by a friend who is Cabin Crew. Normally when she has booked our flights, we qualify for TP and mileage, now I have read somewhere that these flights no longer qualify, hence the struggle. I'm just hoping that because these flights have been booked for a couple of months that the fares will still be eligible for the TP and mileage.

[RichardMannion]

Ahh yes the 'mates' bookings that should not earn TP's or FC miles that have been, just like some MpM bookings.

The database team have sharpened up the system in the last quarter, and now helps prevent points being given out when they should not be.

Hope your bathroom is nice though...

Thanks,
Richard

Nice......but not as nice as a week in Florida!!! [:(!]

Richard, I understand your point. But the press kit says it was updated in June 2004. Andypov, give it a go I think you can probably get yer bathroom and ya silver card!!!

[HighFlyer]

Can i query something guys ...

My expiry date on my FC Card says '11/04' So i take it that my renwal date could be anytime in November, but i have up to 30/11/04 for that 'year' ?

I will have no probs with my tier points this year, but next year i am planning a trip in CPT/JBG in Nov, so if i do fly there before 30/11/05 then that flight will be included in the 2005 year? Is this how it works? (i thought that might be counted as 2006)

Now that i have a November expiry date will it always be November? Does this 13 month thingy stay at 13 months from the joining date(i.e, mine would have been October?)

Sorry if i am confusing anyone, this confuses me enough!!

I hear that the VA website will be adding a tier points calculator so when that goes live i guess it mill make things easier.

Look forward to hearing from you!

[RichardMannion]

quote:Originally posted by HighFlyer
Can i query something guys ...

My expiry date on my FC Card says '11/04' So i take it that my renwal date could be anytime in November, but i have up to 30/11/04 for that 'year' ?

I will have no probs with my tier points this year, but next year i am planning a trip in CPT/JBG in Nov, so if i do fly there before 30/11/05 then that flight will be included in the 2005 year? Is this how it works? (i thought that might be counted as 2006)

Now that i have a November expiry date will it always be November? Does this 13 month thingy stay at 13 months from the joining date(i.e, mine would have been October?)

Sorry if i am confusing anyone, this confuses me enough!!

I hear that the VA website will be adding a tier points calculator so when that goes live i guess it mill make things easier.

Look forward to hearing from you!

If your card says 11/04, you actually have until the end of October 04 to requalify. Any flights in Nov will be for the next year.

Yes there is a calculator coming out very shortly.

Does this make sense?

Thanks,
Richard

[HighFlyer]

Thanks, that makes sense now! So i have until end of October for my 'year', the points i get when i go to South Africa will go towards next year! Sorted!

I wish they would put the actual TPS expiry date on the card, that would make far more sense!

Anyway, thats certainly helped me understand it. Thanks