Virgin Flying Club - switching to OneWorld

I don't know if Virgin read this site but I would love to give some feedback on my experience of the flying club that actually gets to the bean counters and decision makers.

I spend a lot of money every year with Virgin Atlantic. To give you some idea, I renewed my Gold status at the end of May and my points were reset. By July I was Gold again for the following year. I have c. 100 points now (60 points was the last point at which I got a meaningful reward). So now I am thinking why should I give Virgin any more of my business? I think I would be better to switch to BA and start earning privileges on OneWorld so that I get the best of both worlds.
So my point is, why would Virgin risk me (and others like me) going to another airline because they have decided not to reward very frequent flyers. I would have thought this is just the group that they need to remain loyal.
If you look at the BA benefits, they go on for ever (or it seems like it!).

Anyway Virgin, please give some thought to us loyal passengers who want to spend our money with you but you make it more attractive to spend it elsewhere.



Cheers

Gerry

To answer your question, V-Flyer is not officially related to VS in any way although we do know that from time to time VS staffers read forum posts.

Are all your 100 TPs earned on VS metal? If so then it's possible you may be invited to join a group that receives more personalized service. At 80TPs you should also receive your upgrade award.

[preiffer]

Was going to say - the 80TP upgrade award is a lot more meaningful for me than the 2 clubhouse passes, and can be used against any fare. I'd say that's worth something...

As slinky says, over 100TPs may get you onto a slightly different list, BUT that list doesn't work on your membership year, it's based on earning a certain number of points on VS metal within their fixed year. If you do, they might give you a call - if not, life's about choices...

Stick with VS until the 'renewal' date of around May ( a bit hit and miss) , make sure you have over 100TP and the level of service jumps to what other airlines wish they could offer.

I had 130 TP last year, service was no different.

I will take a few more flights over the coming months so I can get the upgrade vouchers.
No point in trying to get to 100 though as I would have had something different already if there was such a thing.




Cheers

Gerry

There is definately such a thing but the TP have to be all on VS (no code shares or partners).
Maybe there is an extra criteria that is commercially sensitive.

[preiffer]

AND has to fit within their own qualification year...

but the BA Gold/FC lounges at LHR are often heaving with people, and not as nice as Clubhouse anyway

i've had some poor experiences on BA, even in business class, only thing worse is probably a US airline

on the plus side, BA's rewards seat booking is just so much better than VA's, it's a lot easier to find availability and choose the flights you want, and it has multiple miles+money options

but overall, VA are just more fun

All of my spend is on flights. I have no idea what the criteria is for the 100+ service, but being such a secret is half the problem. It did not work for me last year, why would I try for it again?

The VA clubhouse is much better than BA, no question. However the BA Club seat is far superior to the VA UC seat, so it is all swings and roundabouts really.
The differentiator for a very frequent flyer like me, is what I can personally get out of it and that is where BA leads the way.

If you're an extremely frequent flyer, enough to achieve elite status with more than one airline, to me it would make sense to go for as many different gold cards or equivalent as possible. As you say, it's about what you can get out of it.

And yes, it is swings and roundabouts - personally I'm not a huge fan of the BA CW product with its 2-4-2 config on the 777s, the horrible privacy screens and the need to climb over someone in half the seats. But their website and flexibility of using Avios (if you can find availability) are definitely superior.

Out of interest, what do BA offer their most loyal FFs that VS don't? The benefits they list on their website don't look awfully different (aside, of course, from the Concorde Room pass).

[preiffer]

Depends if you're talking about BA Gold, or GGL (which is their version of VS' "secret" layer...)

I think one of the problems with 'gold' status - whatever airline - is that it is relatively easy to attain. With so many alliances and earning opps it is nowhere near as exclusive as it was 10 years ago and the more holders it has the less benefits there can be.

That is why most airlines need to have invitation levels with unpublished criteria. The whole point is to protect what they consider to be their best customers - which will no doubt be very subjective and not just based on miles flown. For example, if you are the CEO of Ford Motors then there is a good chance you will be invited even if you have never flown with them as you can make a significant impact on their business.

Therefore flying lots with one airline will not guarantee you 'invite' status with any airline but it might help get you noticed.