Is there a chance that Virgin America will recognise status one day?

[Warks]

Having flown MCO-LAX yesterday and paying $25 to send one bag on board then boarding in group E (end of the line) as a SG I'd like to think we could get treated just a little better by the sister airline. The only thing I got was I managed to get row 11 (A320) which was a bit better than the last row on United (status-less) on my recent flights.

If I'd taken my oversized bag to the gate like most did I would have been offered free checking as the flight was "very full" as usual.

Check-in staff assured me I'd get the points but I'd have to pay for my bag. Currently we're seen as lowest of the low.

 

[Warks]

Oh and the only reason I got row 11 is because I jumped in early when notified of check-in online.

 

[ftm]

Included baggage would be nice, but difficult I guess when its not a true alliance.

 

[moa999]

And Virgin Group is now only the 4th largest shareholder (at 10%), so apart from the name, there is not a massive relationship anymore

 

[Isochronous]

This is why I will always be a oneworld man.

 

[blackcat20]

Having flown MCO-LAX yesterday and paying $25 to send one bag on board then boarding in group E (end of the line) as a SG I'd like to think we could get treated just a little better by the sister airline. The only thing I got was I managed to get row 11 (A320) which was a bit better than the last row on United (status-less) on my recent flights.

If I'd taken my oversized bag to the gate like most did I would have been offered free checking as the flight was "very full" as usual.

Check-in staff assured me I'd get the points but I'd have to pay for my bag. Currently we're seen as lowest of the low.

you can priority board with their elites, just wave your card at them as you waltz by.

 

[Spacetravel]

Yeah either wave your card which may have mixed results or to be more successful show your card at check-in and ask for a priority sticker as noted on this post:
Travel tip: Virgin Australia frequent flyers get priority with Virgin America - Australian Business Traveller

I've found showing my card is not always good enough for the agent to give you the sticker, they just do the priority baggage. You may actually have to ask for the sticker. I've never had any issues though when I have asked.

 

[dajop]

This is why I will always be a oneworld man.

Not always paradise though. One of the main complaints seems to be needing to pay $25 to check a bag. Oneworld does have similar scenarios - for example If flying on short -haul (paid, stand alone) fare with BA need to pay extra 15gbp for a fare that includes checked luggage - regardless of OW status.

 

[Warks]

The check-in staff member I was dealing with was about to waive the charge on seeing my card but called over her manager who said I'd get the points but would still have to pay. I should have asked then for priority boarding - I didn't realise how bad it actually was until I saw the "Group E" when I got up to the gate.

I've never seen such a ridiculous drawn-out process as the way they load planes in the US. An undignified scramble a la much of the rest of the world would probably work better than their organised chaos.

Does Delta recognise status? They are a partner aren't they?

 

[bullerdude]

Does Delta recognise status? They are a partner aren't they?

Yes, you get SkyPriority on Delta and it actually comes up in their system.

 

[Warks]

Yes, you get SkyPriority on Delta and it actually comes up in their system.

Thanks, never flown Delta. Will be using them next year though for YVR-JFK on a red-eye with the family.

 

[jpk]

I've had problems getting status recognised due to the new cards - nowhere on them do they say Virgin Australia, they just say Velocity. Delta at Minneapolis (which is a Delta hub) claimed they'd never seen one before and refused to accept it. It didn't help that the signs up only acknowledged Virgin Atlantic cardholders. Pretty sure VX would also struggle to reconcile Velocity with VA.

 

[Warks]

I've had problems getting status recognised due to the new cards - nowhere on them do they say Virgin Australia, they just say Velocity. Delta at Minneapolis (which is a Delta hub) claimed they'd never seen one before and refused to accept it. It didn't help that the signs up only acknowledged Virgin Atlantic cardholders. Pretty sure VX would also struggle to reconcile Velocity with VA.

Yes I just got my new card this week. Looks more like a credit card for some bank called 'Velocity' than any form of frequent flyer card.

 

[blackcat20]

Yeah either wave your card which may have mixed results or to be more successful show your card at check-in and ask for a priority sticker as noted on this post:
Travel tip: Virgin Australia frequent flyers get priority with Virgin America - Australian Business Traveller

I've found showing my card is not always good enough for the agent to give you the sticker, they just do the priority baggage. You may actually have to ask for the sticker. I've never had any issues though when I have asked.

All I got was attitude from the check in agent.

 

[stux]

All I got was attitude from the check in agent.

Isn't that a different scheme

 

[bass_ke]

I've done 3 delta flights in the last week with no dramas albeit in F. Boarding passes also state VA Gold pretty clearly. I guess the challenge will be DTW, MSP and SLC

 

[strtrek]

we flew MCO-LAX VX first class, I was VA Gold (now Plat) and still had to pay an extra $25 for each bag #3 (delta let you travel with 3 free)..the gentleman in delta lounge @ atlanta also didnt know the VA gold card and had to look it up.
VX also doesnt have lounge access in MCO (only delta and you need to fly delta for access).
Next time we will stick to the older but more perks Delta flights/ aircraft.

 

[kevrosmith]

I've had problems getting status recognised due to the new cards - nowhere on them do they say Virgin Australia, they just say Velocity. Delta at Minneapolis (which is a Delta hub) claimed they'd never seen one before and refused to accept it. It didn't help that the signs up only acknowledged Virgin Atlantic cardholders. Pretty sure VX would also struggle to reconcile Velocity with VA.

After a friend, and as others (I think erkpod) have reported on this site, had trouble with this, I rang Velocity and requested them to send out the membership card which isn't the cash card. The plain membership card does have both Velocity and Virgin Australia printed on it. I never had any trouble though, seeing I was flying in First on Delta. But I wanted the card with the Airline name on it as a backup regardless.

I also wondered why I don't remember having trouble with Priority boarding and baggage on VX as well, but then remembered I only flew in F with them also... it was so cheap! (Well, compared to Australian domestic J). And well worth the extra $$'s over Y considering all the benefits of luggage allowance, Fast Track security, priority boarding, the much larger seat and great service etc.

 

[strtrek]

After a friend, and as others (I think erkpod) have reported on this site, had trouble with this, I rang Velocity and requested them to send out the membership card which isn't the cash card. The plain membership card does have both Velocity and Virgin Australia printed on it. I never had any trouble though, seeing I was flying in First on Delta. But I wanted the card with the Airline name on it as a backup regardless.

I also wondered why I don't remember having trouble with Priority boarding and baggage on VX as well, but then remembered I only flew in F with them also... it was so cheap! (Well, compared to Australian domestic J). And well worth the extra $$'s over Y considering all the benefits of luggage allowance, Fast Track security, priority boarding, the much larger seat and great service etc.

we also love the VX product, but they have recently put their prices way up compared to delta first class domestically that they may have priced themselves out of the game...ie $524 delta compared to $724 VX mco-lax (plus $50 extra bags x2)...

 

[kevrosmith]

we also love the VX product, but they have recently put their prices way up compared to delta first class domestically that they may have priced themselves out of the game...ie $524 delta compared to $724 VX mco-lax (plus $50 extra bags x2)...

Oh, I didn't realise. Must admit I was thinking when I flew with them 2 years ago...