Virgin’s Velocity takes swipe at Qantas’ Frequent Flyer overhaul on billboard outside Sydney Airport
Virgin’s loyalty program Velocity is attempting to capitalise on the news and feedback around Qantas’ overhaul of its Frequent Flyer program, by posting a billboard right outside Sydney Airport’s domestic terminal.
Qantas recently announced what it called the biggest overhaul in the program’s 32-year history. And now, Velocity’s billboard declares “Huge news. Nothing’s changed”, in a bid to highlight its own consistency and have a dig at the uncertainty around Qantas.
A Virgin spokesperson told Mumbrella the campaign was created by its incumbent creative agency CHE Proximity, which was also behind its award-winning Earnbassador campaign. The billboard is planned to run for one week.
The spokesperson also said Velocity “continues to be the best-value airline loyalty program in Australia”, with no joining fee, the best reward seat availability, the most pointed earned per dollar spent, the lowest number of points required for flight redemption and seat upgrades, and lower related fees and charges.
Qantas, has now in turn hit back, with a spokesperson telling Mumbrella: “Fair point. Some things haven’t changed. Qantas still has the number one frequent flyer program. We still have the biggest and best ways to earn. And we are still the only Australian airline that flies to Europe, Africa, South America and half of Asia (or most of the globe). But the changes we have made have certainly been huge news for our members.”
It’s cute but is this just ego advertising? I would think Virgin have much bigger problems to sort out given their recent performance, route cut backs etc. We haven’t heard anything interesting from them on what they are doing for a while
User ID not verified.
Pathetic effort. what happened to taking the high road? Juvenile and not good for the brand. Not clever, not in the Virgin tone of voice and honestly bad form. To take a pot shot like that you really need to be sure your own backyard is very clean.
User ID not verified.
Hey Unsure of ROI,
You’re obviously not a Qantas FF member. Good stuff Virgin.
User ID not verified.
Well it worked for ScoMo and Clive.
User ID not verified.
Yes I’m glad Virgin our this out. Qantas devalued the QFF product.
Pushing the carrot ? higher for premium redemption is not a way to get people to be more addicted to Qantas points.
Economy awards availability has never been a problem so Qantas banging on their chest about more seats, is silly talk.
Glad I got to redeem seats before this change kicks in..
User ID not verified.