Frequent Virgin Club closing

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

See here

http://www.frequent-virgin.co.uk/Frequent_Virgin_Club/News/We_are_Changing.c1328.aspx

 

[SEVANS2208]

Wonder what the reasons are for that? Perhaps they have too many members!

 

[Claire L]

Hmmm not so much of a closure more a change, wonder what is planned??

Claire

 

[dee slack]

oh no - in a quandry now, shall we book for Dec '07 ASAP to get our FV discount or wait in case something better is coming? Can't even remember where our FV cards are since it's been a while since we last used them - wonder if that'll cause any problems?

 

[Lizzy Lemon]

Looks like its just closing to new members but still in operation for existing ones. Bit of a bummer, I was going to join eventually, won't be able to now.

 

[Red-Snapper]

I dont read closure into any of that.

Being optomistic perhaps it paves the way for better benefits (the 10% has been eroded somewhat recently given that its available to anyone on virtually every bank holiday now).

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I pick out the words, '' As our commitment to loyal customers'' maybe nothing but I think it implies a tier system, of benefits, not just three holidays, but regular customers, if you go each year or twice a year you could get more benefits, and if you do not go for a year or so you might loose some.

Like a loyalty card, and a further push away from high street TA's trying to get more people to book online and direct.

Another option is TCD are hitting them and headline brouchure rates might need to fall, people want a straigh comparision, therefore they have to cut the 10% discount down.

 

[Red-Snapper]

Unlikely TCD is hitting Virgin - ahvent got enough planes have they ? and I have seen some posts on here recently suggesting there was little difference in price.

They do operate the tier sytem now but I always found it very unrealistic - went from 3 holidays to a huge number just to get some fairly small additional "benefits".

Hopefully as you suggest they will enhance it and make it more worthwhile for people who book every eyar with them but not necessarily 2 or 3 holidays each and every year.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I think the loyalty side and frequent use of Virgin will be the thing and if you do not travel for a while you drop back down to a lower level of benefits.

TCD are increasing in size all the time another plane could be on its way Virgin will want ot keep its customers for itself, I have always used VH but started doing bits with Dreams TA from USA, I also check the competition before booknig and they are always catching up.

 

[gismo1554]

OK so I just noticed they now do a credit card as well:
http://uk.virginmoney.com/vaa-amex/

Very odd as they are getting rid of new entrance to the flying club. I suppose they assume that the old members would be up for this (seems quite a good deal).

 

[Red-Snapper]

Not the Flying Club that is closing to new members gizmo - its the Virgin Holidays Frequent Virgin club.

 

[Laurafoster]

Yeah the Flying club is still the same as ever but they have recently changed the flying club credit card for "better benefits" so maybe there is something new planned for existing FV members. To be honest i havent found mine as useful recently - especially when virgin have all their other discounts being offered, online etc its not as good a perk as it used to be!

 

[gismo1554]

OK see this just proves that I didn't read it clearly enough. I thought it was a little odd that this was going.