Virgin Australia and Qatar Announce Strategic Partnership

[aaa99]

Just saw this on the Velocity page. Must be new?



Virgin Australia Group and Qatar Airways are excited to announce a new partnership which will see more destinations for customers, benefits for Velocity Frequent Flyer members as well as access to many more one-stop connections to over 140 Qatar Airways destinations worldwide.

QSuites using Velocity points sounds pretty good. I wonder what will happen with the EY partnership.

 

[serfty]

Just received an email:

---

Virgin Australia is thrilled to announce a new strategic partnership with Qatar Airways commencing later this year.

Like Virgin Australia, Qatar Airways are known for their fantastic customer service and joining forces allows Virgin Australia to significantly expand their footprint and service offering into the Middle East, Europe, Africa and beyond, opening hundreds more ways that you and your team can seamlessly travel the world.

The partnership will provide your business access to 140 worldwide destinations on Qatar Airways’ network through over 600 flights per week, significantly expanding Virgin Australia’s global network to include new destinations and connecting points never before offered by the airline. Qatar currently operates daily flights into Australia through Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth and three weekly flights into Adelaide, continuing onto New Zealand.

The partnership also includes reciprocal loyalty benefits so you and your team can earn and redeem Velocity Points and Status Credits when flying Qatar. Plus, eligible members will receive additional Velocity Status benefits such as:
• complimentary lounge access,
• complimentary extra baggage allowance,
• priority check-in,
• priority boarding, and
• priority baggage delivery
Upon commencement of the partnership, Velocity Points will be able to be redeemed to book Economy, Business and First-Class seats on Qatar, including the airline’s renowned Q-Suite (available on select flights).

Virgin Australia is committed to expanding the Velocity Frequent Flyer program to provide more value and better access to the world. Qatar will join the airline’s long list of international airline partners, including Virgin Atlantic, Air Canada, Etihad Airways, Hawaiian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways and United Airlines.​

...

 

[Must...Fly!]

Wow, this is seriously out of left field.

 

[AIRwin]

Link to FAQs:

Virgin Australia Group Announces Partnership with Qatar Airways

experience.velocityfrequentflyer.com

 

[andye]

Wow. That adds another layer of complexity to best FF program strategy.
But in a good way
Can't knock alliances with the top two international airlines

 

[Must...Fly!]

Interesting the e-mail specifically also references Etihad.

I'm wondering if QR will replace EY?

The original EY partnership was inked in 2010 for 10 years, until 30 Dec 2020 with a mid point review. In 2015 it was approved to continue through to the end.

Was there some kind of new agreement, or COVID related amnesty on extending preexisting agreements from the ACCC/Government?

 

[AIRwin]

Similar arrangement with AB previously (I'm referring to Air Berlin, not the CEO of QR) which was also a oneworld member?

 

[antycbr]

They did an excellent job of keeping this one quiet!

 

[serfty]

They did an excellent job of keeping this one quiet!

No doubt - even if there has been a rumour, most would be so incredulous about it the rumor would stop in its tracks due to lack of credence.

I reckon those with both (matched) QR and VA status are feeling pretty good!

 

[Mwenenzi]

VA media--> Virgin Australia announces partnership with Qatar Airways

The strategic partnership will also include reciprocal loyalty benefits allowing Qatar Airways Privilege Club members to earn and redeem Avios when flying on Virgin Australia, with similar benefits for Velocity members when travelling on Qatar Airways’ services. Privilege Club and Velocity members will also enjoy a wide range of other unique benefits, depending on status tier, which may include complimentary lounge access, complimentary extra baggage allowance, priority check-in, priority boarding and priority baggage delivery when flying respectively on Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways. Qatar Airways Privilege Club recently enhanced its programme through its partnership with Avios, significantly expanding accrual and redemption opportunities for its members.

Interesting considering QR is in OneWorld (QF, BA, AA etc)
QR own part of IAG. IAG own BA, IB, EI and others. And all use avios as the ff currency, including QR now. And can be transferred to each ffp (subject to t&c's). So good for BAEC members in AU

 

[dairyfloss]

I find it very odd given the existing OW network in Australia that they have access to is bigger than VAs... but perhaps they will get a greater share of the revenue/profit share with VA, and so push VA over QF on certain connections and codeshares

 

[VPS]

Oh - I have Virgin Platinum and Qatar Platinum - win win - very interesting

 

[SimonD]

Tough decision using VA points to Europe now, SQ or QR?

 

[antycbr]

Tough decision using VA points to Europe now, SQ or QR?

Hopefully the surcharges are less than EY...

This will seriously increase the value of Velocity as a FF program in my opinion if they can get the redemption rates and surcharges right

 

[mel-world]

Now, that's what I call good news from VA

 

[Bagpuss]

Interesting from a number of aspects.

If I recall correctly Akbar Al Baker claimed Virgin Australia was good airline but a bad business
It will raise lots of questions on which airline is going to drop away. Etihad or Singapore Airlines or both

Interesting Qantas isn't opposed to this .. But I think there is friction between Qantas and Qatar.

One thing for sure ... Interesting times ahead!

 

[roby]

No different from NZ choosing QF over VA. CEO's ego plays a big part. They enjoy pissing Alan and John off respectively.

 

[antycbr]

Interesting from a number of aspects.

If I recall correctly Akbar Al Baker claimed Virgin Australia was good airline but a bad business
It will raise lots of questions on which airline is going to drop away. Etihad or Singapore Airlines or both

Interesting Qantas isn't opposed to this .. But I think there is friction between Qantas and Qatar.

One thing for sure ... Interesting times ahead!

Singapore covers too much of SE Asia and indirectly North Asia, it would leave a huge hole.

 

[AIRwin]

Wonder if this was the cause/effect of the QR status match?

 

[Edge]

I am glad I didn't transfer all my velocity points to another program now!