Will Virgin Blue ever have a FF program?

[dajop]

Just wondering if DJ will ever have a FF program.

In my biased view as a traveller, who does take FF matters into account when making travel plans, I am surprised they haven't come up with something already.

If I were DJ, I'd be looking to enter some sort of deal with Air NZ airpoints program. Advantages - Don't to have to set up an entirely new program; NZ program doesn't offer Airbucks on all fare levels, so needn't have it on the low fares; could come to some fairly simple zone arrangement for crediting airbucks for flights (maybe that align with Qantas's three domestic zones or with NZ's), and on the the redeeming side, could be a simple payment of Airbucks out of the program to cover ordinary purchasable DJ fares (as AIrbucks works for NZ).

For NZ (and its * partners), it would be a way of having a domestic partner for redeeming and earning points to capture back some of the customers who Qantas call their own, that wouldn't need a major change in the way DJ does business.

[Jim]

Virgin Blue is shedding its reputation as a discount airline and deliberately taking on Qantas toe-to-toe.

The airline will have a new format of Blue Room lounges similar to the Qantas Club.

Virgin Blue is working hard to create a frequent flyer loyalty reward program.

http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au...5E2682,00.html

[ANDREWCX]

DJ doesn't seem to be doing that much different.... new Blue Room format doesn't come as much of a suprise. I note the article complains yet again about lack of government travel - if they want government (and business) travel they need to both be competitive on price and schedule - for example currently there are 3 DJ flights a day between CBR and MEL compared to 12 QF flights and of course no flights between CBR and SYD - typical media complaints to paint themselves as the underdog.....

TV screens, and lounges will not change the underlying issue with DJ attracting business passengers - they do not (with the possible exception of flights to and from BNE) have the frequency and schedule to make travel convenient - business travellers simply do not want to cut meetings short or waste hours because of inconvenient schedules....

Anyway - that all said there is already a third party loyalty program to earn and redeem on DJ flights. See

http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/disc...070&highlight=

[Mal]

I'm wondering whether it might be worthwhile for some to take a gamble and get a DJ Blue Room annual pass. It could turn out to be a great "investment" if the Blue Room format changes significantly to something nearly identical to the Qantas Clubs.

If they are revamping the scheme to turn it into something more like the Qantas Club, then they would likely have free snacks, comp/ heavily discounted booze and more office equipment for use. (as opposed to the current purchased meals, normal prices for booze, and limited office equipment). Maybe the scheme would be for 2 free drinks on entry or something like that.


Subsidised/free booze and snacks and computer access would have to cost a lot more than $199 per year. So the prices would have to go up, and they might want to start restricting access to only those who are on the higher tiered tickets.

The current annual $199 price gets you entry for you and a friend at any time, $50 worth of food/drink vouchers, and some other perks. More details http://www.virginblue.com.au/product...ction=Passport

Anyways, for someone in Adelaide who doesn't have Qantas Club access rights, this could definately be worth investigating... People in other capitals may also see some benefit, but only if the relauch of the Blue Room moves quickly to the other centres.

As another bonus, being a current member would help with renewal if the scheme changed locking out new members or making it harder to join...

[oz_mark]

Virgin Blue had an ad in this morning's West Australian advertising a next generation program coming soon.

Maybe they will have a program soon.....

[needaholiday]

More on this at


http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/disc...pic.php?t=1448