Adding passengers to VA and DL bookings after the fact for status benefits

[theevilmuppet]

Hi all,

I've booked a trip to the US, flying on VA to LAX and then DL domestically. I've selected DL over VX given they provide increased baggage allowance and superior lounge access as well as superior Velocity points earn for the majority of First/BusinessElite bookings.

A friend is weighing up whether to come along on this trip but won't be sure until after I've booked everything. With that said, I have a few questions I'm looking for help on from fellow members.

Regarding the VA legs:

• Is it possible to add new passengers to existing VA bookings? I've booked a Flexi fare and upgraded all 4 legs of MEL-LAX return (via BNE) to J with points and my friend would be looking to either book a Saver revenue or Saver Reward seat.
• If it is possible to add new passengers to existing VA bookings, can a single passenger's fare be refunded without cancelling the entire booking subject to the normal Saver/Reward fare rules?
• Is there any benefit to having my friend on the same booking as myself? I'll still have Platinum status and she'll have none (Red).

Regarding the DL legs:

• The arrangement between DL and VA shows that the benefits of Velocity Platinum translate into Gold Medallion benefits in terms of baggage allowance - does the extension of these Gold Medallion benefits to up to 8 companions on the same booking apply to Velocity Platinum travelers?
• Is it possible to add new passengers to existing DL bookings? I'll be flying in J throughout and my friend will be traveling in discount economy, however I'm not sure if different fare types can be mixed on the same booking
• If I book my friend and myself before she's confirmed she's going to come along (assuming the previous two points show benefit), can a refund be obtained for her fares should she choose to not travel?
• Do the benefits of my Velocity Platinum status apply to my friend's bookings without me checking in at the same time? For example, if she checks in to travel from LAX to LAS before I get to the airport, will she still get the benefit of the increased luggage allowance?

Thanks to all who reply.

 

[theevilmuppet]

I see there have been a fair number of views for this long list of questions I've posted. I have made inquiries with both VA and DL and will post the outcomes here when I have them.

 

[serfty]

...

Regarding the VA legs:

1. Is it possible to add new passengers to existing VA bookings? I've booked a Flexi fare and upgraded all 4 legs of MEL-LAX return (via BNE) to J with points and my friend would be looking to either book a Saver revenue or Saver Reward seat.
2. If it is possible to add new passengers to existing VA bookings, can a single passenger's fare be refunded without cancelling the entire booking subject to the normal Saver/Reward fare rules?
3. Is there any benefit to having my friend on the same booking as myself? I'll still have Platinum status and she'll have none (Red).

Regarding the DL legs:

• The arrangement between DL and VA shows that the benefits of Velocity Platinum translate into Gold Medallion benefits in terms of baggage allowance - does the extension of these Gold Medallion benefits to up to 8 companions on the same booking apply to Velocity Platinum travelers?
• Is it possible to add new passengers to existing DL bookings? I'll be flying in J throughout and my friend will be traveling in discount economy, however I'm not sure if different fare types can be mixed on the same booking
• If I book my friend and myself before she's confirmed she's going to come along (assuming the previous two points show benefit), can a refund be obtained for her fares should she choose to not travel?
• Do the benefits of my Velocity Platinum status apply to my friend's bookings without me checking in at the same time? For example, if she checks in to travel from LAX to LAS before I get to the airport, will she still get the benefit of the increased luggage allowance?

Thanks to all who reply.

1. no, not with most GDS's including that which VA uses
2. see 1. ...; yes, booking gets split and any refund depends on the fare rules
3. moot as can't be added to an existing booking

• no experience here, but I doubt it (never checked baggage on a DL flight)
• No, see 1, 2 & 3.
• Refund depends on fare rules, but booking can be split and on PAX cancelled. Not that can't be on same booking if in different fare buckets.
• Unlikely ...

 

[ftm]

For your friend at least, she should try and book the domestic US flights all on the same ticket as the VA flight, that way she will get the 2 pieces of baggage throughout the journey. For you that isn't so important because of the Platinum VA benefits, but could add up to quite a lot for her!

 

[theevilmuppet]

1. no, not with most GDS's including that which VA uses
2. see 1. ...; yes, booking gets split and any refund depends on the fare rules
3. moot as can't be added to an existing booking

• no experience here, but I doubt it (never checked baggage on a DL flight)
• No, see 1, 2 & 3.
• Refund depends on fare rules, but booking can be split and on PAX cancelled. Not that can't be on same booking if in different fare buckets.
• Unlikely ...

I've not heard back from VA as yet, however DL have come back with confirmations of your replies along with a statement that the status benefits afforded VA Platinum members do not extend to anyone other than the primary member.

I've asked for clarification on this, given Virgin say otherwise regarding Delta Comfort+ (https://www.velocityfrequentflyer.com/content/Specials/delta-comfort-terms/) and Delta say differently with regard to baggage (Checked Baggage | Delta Air Lines)

 

[theevilmuppet]

For your friend at least, she should try and book the domestic US flights all on the same ticket as the VA flight, that way she will get the 2 pieces of baggage throughout the journey. For you that isn't so important because of the Platinum VA benefits, but could add up to quite a lot for her!

I take it one would need to do this via the Virgin MCC?

 

[ftm]

Yes... Or any agent can build it that way too.

 

[theevilmuppet]

Yes... Or any agent can build it that way too.

In such cases, would the reservations simply all be on the same ticket or would they be codeshare flights as well?

Rightly or wrongly, I was under the impression that having domestic US fares on the same ticket as a VA international fare was only possible when the journey either started or finished in Australia and stopovers weren't a possibility.