status bonus points on partner airlines and general VA points earn for a kiwi

[NZflygirl]

I'm an NZ resident but across the ditch a lot. I'm just requesting some clarification for a VA newbie.

I was under the impression only VA and EY metal earned bonus points (I think due to advertising), but on closer inspection .... If I book an NZ or SQ flight from the VA website..... Then I can earn status bonus points?? Ie codeshares? I think I've made my first velocity mistake and booked via the NZ website - I didn't think I'd get extra points so I figured I'd at least get the flight on my NZ app! (Still waiting for the android app). Booking via NZ then switching the FF number in the lounge will only get you base points right?

My only other easy way of earning points is pumping gas and maybe some Agoda but I am trying to build free nights with hotels.com. I've switched Hilton from QF to VA due to more points (although my stays never credited to QF I'm magically hoping they will to VA). But I am thinking Hilton will be one of my lower priority programs.

I'm not sure about the cars as you get some reasonable deals via the hotel websites esp IHG and saving $$ is a more tangible benefit to me than earning points I only think I might use in future.

I use the Qantas cash card as it seems easy. No inactivity fee. I am debating the VA one but already need to rationalise cards. The earn is less on the VA card than QF because I'm an NZ resident.

Doubt I'll be booking lots of restaurants but will check the VA website when I do head out - but that one's hard to remember.

I'm not sure what to aim for for a healthy VA points balance but maybe enough for 2 free domestic one way economy flights and a couple of one way TT upgrades to J. The TT upgrades require a Flexi ticket? But domestic requires only a saver? (But more points?)

And yes I'm aware Aussies could earn that with a single credit card sign up!! I looked into NZ credit cards but there's only AMEX really which would require more research before a sign up.

Any other suggestions for earning VA points for a non resident? Just trying to maximise.

 

[williamsf1]

I'm an NZ resident but across the ditch a lot. I'm just requesting some clarification for a VA newbie.

I was under the impression only VA and EY metal earned bonus points (I think due to advertising), but on closer inspection .... If I book an NZ or SQ flight from the VA website..... Then I can earn status bonus points?? Ie codeshares? I think I've made my first velocity mistake and booked via the NZ website - I didn't think I'd get extra points so I figured I'd at least get the flight on my NZ app! (Still waiting for the android app). Booking via NZ then switching the FF number in the lounge will only get you base points right?

My only other easy way of earning points is pumping gas and maybe some Agoda but I am trying to build free nights with hotels.com. I've switched Hilton from QF to VA due to more points (although my stays never credited to QF I'm magically hoping they will to VA). But I am thinking Hilton will be one of my lower priority programs.

I'm not sure about the cars as you get some reasonable deals via the hotel websites esp IHG and saving $$ is a more tangible benefit to me than earning points I only think I might use in future.

I use the Qantas cash card as it seems easy. No inactivity fee. I am debating the VA one but already need to rationalise cards. The earn is less on the VA card than QF because I'm an NZ resident.

Doubt I'll be booking lots of restaurants but will check the VA website when I do head out - but that one's hard to remember.

I'm not sure what to aim for for a healthy VA points balance but maybe enough for 2 free domestic one way economy flights and a couple of one way TT upgrades to J. The TT upgrades require a Flexi ticket? But domestic requires only a saver? (But more points?)

And yes I'm aware Aussies could earn that with a single credit card sign up!! I looked into NZ credit cards but there's only AMEX really which would require more research before a sign up.

Any other suggestions for earning VA points for a non resident? Just trying to maximise.

As long as the NZ and SQ flights are booked with a VA flight number (ie codeshare) you will earned based on the VA earn rates including any bonus. You still will earn points and status with flights with a NZ or SQ flight number but no bonus points.


Switching the number in the lounge( I assume after you have checked in) will be too late, If you want to earn Velocity points you need your Velocity number in the booking at the start ( or at least before you check in). I assume you are doing this to use the status benefits of one airline and credit to another?

Re your Hilton issue - have you linked your QF or VA number to your HH account ? you need to do this to earn VA or QF points

I am sure others on here can answer the rest of your questions

 

[johnnyfive]

I'm an NZ resident but across the ditch a lot. I'm just requesting some clarification for a VA newbie.

I was under the impression only VA and EY metal earned bonus points (I think due to advertising), but on closer inspection .... If I book an NZ or SQ flight from the VA website..... Then I can earn status bonus points?? Ie codeshares? I think I've made my first velocity mistake and booked via the NZ website - I didn't think I'd get extra points so I figured I'd at least get the flight on my NZ app! (Still waiting for the android app). Booking via NZ then switching the FF number in the lounge will only get you base points right?

Welcome! That is correct. It's all about the marketing carrier not the operating one. You will only get base points for flights with NZ numbers, but if you purchase a ticket with VA numbers you'll get bonus points too.
https://www.velocityfrequentflyer.com/content/Earn/Airlines/PointsEarn/

 

[NZflygirl]

As long as the NZ and SQ flights are booked with a VA flight number (ie codeshare) you will earned based on the VA earn rates including any bonus. You still will earn points and status with flights with a NZ or SQ flight number but no bonus points.


Switching the number in the lounge( I assume after you have checked in) will be too late, If you want to earn Velocity points you need your Velocity number in the booking at the start ( or at least before you check in). I assume you are doing this to use the status benefits of one airline and credit to another?

Re your Hilton issue - have you linked your QF or VA number to your HH account ? you need to do this to earn VA or QF points

I am sure others on here can answer the rest of your questions

Good! I was beginning to think I'd never get any points in this programme!!

ive had an NZ ticket from Akl-Syd-CBR and was able to switch the VA domestic portion of the trip to VA in the lounge and still been credited points so I think switching in the lounge is ok. I'm about to switch an NZ flight to VA earn next week. It was cheaper buying the flights round trip on NZ than doing one ways, but the earn on that particular NZ flight is less than the VA earn for sc so I'm swapping it. A future MEL flight I've booked the flights over on NZ which was the mistake but the flights out are on VA ticketing as it was cheaper (same plane though)!

Because I thought I wouldn't earn bonus points on the NZ flight over (nor was it cheaper on the VA site), I literally based my decision to buy an NZ ticket on the fact NZ had an app so I could easily look up the flight! I have android so no app for me and the iPhone is a 4 which Apple dropped from iOS 8 update which is required for the VA app and there is no iPad app for VA so.... VA lost a sale from me and I lose some bonus points over an app!! I have NZ/VA lounge access via the NZ programme so yeah, the app was the tipping factor.

ReHH yes I linked it on the HH website but I think the clerk did that prior as it was already in. I hate chasing points....I just want to fly or stay and have them credit without follow up. One thing NZ does very well.

Thanks for the clarification.