Changes to Elevate

I got the inside scoop recently from VX at the party to celebrate the launch of SFO-PDX, without giving too much away (you can message me if you like) here's some juicy details:

VX will be changing to a status lead program, I'll leave you to imagine what colour the top two tiers will be

In short, they'll not be going down the route of United and upgrading top elites when space is available and in my opinion this is a good thing. Just fly with United in the US and you'll see why, for example, there were 42 people on standby for a first class upgrade on my flight yesterday...how many seats left available in first? 1!

It'll take some ironing out to establish what retrospective entitlements the top level of each Virgin FF program will have with each airline, so don't expect them to be recognised straight away by VX but rest assured that they will.

Thank you for the insight, so VA, VX, and VS are likely aligning their FF schemes as a precursor or other to a more formal mutual recognition. That would be great news.

Separately I saw today that VX has applied to the DOT for code sharing with VA, and I see that as a precursor to code sharing with VS down the line.

It totally makes sense to me to bring these three airlines much closer together, from a traveller perspective but also because it has to make good business sense.

y)

Yes, you're right code sharing with VA is on it's way and will be followed by one with VS.

It was interesting talking to one of the VX employees who said that Elevate's set up, being more of a currency than miles flown, had made it really difficult in working out what to pay for tickets from VS though they got there eventually.

Sounds interesting! Did you get to know what sort of benefits would come with higher tiers? Or what sort of recognition they hope to give to VS Golds?

The usual benefits such as priority security and boarding and miles earning capacity, they'll certainly be recognising VS Au's but it might not be immediate.

Message me if you want what's required to get status with VS, I'm not hiding anything or breaking any confidentiality with them but I want them to have the opportunity to make their big announcement.

One thing, don't expect a VX lounge network.

Matching up the schedules so you can make sensible connections would be the biggest benefit I think.

One thing, don't expect a VX lounge network.

I was told that at LAX there would be a Virgin lounge by the summer ...

One thing, don't expect a VX lounge network.

I was told that at LAX there would be a Virgin lounge by the summer ...

Yep, for Virgin Australia I think. VX don't see it as a benefit/priority.

[preiffer]

Let's be honest - given the state of most domestic US lounges, it's not like they really have to "compete" on that front.

Quite often, the main terminal is more comfortable with better facilities...

Let's be honest - given the state of most domestic US lounges, it's not like they really have to "compete" on that front.

Quite often, the main terminal is more comfortable with better facilities...

Indeed, you're quite right. I travel domestically a bunch and I don't tend to have enough time at the airport to warrant lounge use, VX are well aware that this is the same for many pax. Typically people will avoid long connections and VX don't have many connections anyway.

One thing, don't expect a VX lounge network.

I was told that at LAX there would be a Virgin lounge by the summer ...

Yep, for Virgin Australia I think. VX don't see it as a benefit/priority.

I was told by VX, let's see what happens.

Let's be honest - given the state of most domestic US lounges, it's not like they really have to "compete" on that front.

Quite often, the main terminal is more comfortable with better facilities...

Indeed, you're quite right. I travel domestically a bunch and I don't tend to have enough time at the airport to warrant lounge use, VX are well aware that this is the same for many pax. Typically people will avoid long connections and VX don't have many connections anyway.

Two ways to disagree with this, first sit in the VS clubhouse at SFO and notice still, even now in a different terminal, how many people come in and out while flying on VX flights. Second have you been in LAX T3? It's hardly a premium experience and in the evening bank of flights to the East coast its a mess and a scrum. If VX wants to continue to attract high fare passengers it doesn't work. Perhaps the lounge will be for VA, with paid admission for VX passengers, or even now FF schemes are being aligned, free entry for FC Au's.

As for travelling domestically, I have a large team in the US who do it a lot, they spend a lot of time at airports because they can't always plan to arrive with time, or often flights are delayed. Lounges are vital for space and peace to be productive.

Indeed, we'll have to wait and see - but I was told by the head of guest loyalty and head of marketing that they'll not be having any lounges. Yes, you're totally right about LAX - will VA be staying there once the new TBIT opens? It's certainly a little odd with VA arriving into T5 and departing T3 - VX go into T2 for their Cancun arrivals.

Indeed, we'll have to wait and see - but I was told by the head of guest loyalty and head of marketing that they'll not be having any lounges. Yes, you're totally right about LAX - will VA be staying there once the new TBIT opens? It's certainly a little odd with VA arriving into T5 and departing T3 - VX go into T2 for their Cancun arrivals.

As you observe, T3 doesn't have immigration and customs, so they have to arrive at different terminals, but it is a bit of a mess for Virgin airlines to operate across three terminals ...

Exactly. I watch in anticipation. Either that, or I'll ask my friend who's in airfield ops at LAX and seems to know everything that goes on there.

WRT to aligment on benefits for FC Au, I was pleasantly surprised to be given access to VA lounges in Sydney and Brisbane earlier this year due to my FC Au card, even though I was on an economy ticket. They had to look it up on their laminated "Cards that get you in" sheet, but it was there.

[honey lamb]

WRT to aligment on benefits for FC Au, I was pleasantly surprised to be given access to VA lounges in Sydney and Brisbane earlier this year due to my FC Au card, even though I was on an economy ticket. They had to look it up on their laminated "Cards that get you in" sheet, but it was there.

Which is more than happened to me with Virgin Blue a few years ago. I could have gained access to the lounge if I was directly off the VS200 but wasn't able to do so after a few days in Sydney. It really irked me at the time

I should add to the lounge debate, that the chap at VX that I spoke to said this when it came to lounges: "it's important to remember we're a low cost carrier, because of the experience people confuse us with full service!"

He has a point, perhaps if/when they make a profit....who knows.