ANA codeshare - likely benefits

[whoopsy]

With the announced code sharing between VA and ANA, I am interested to understand what this is likely to equate to for Virgin FF Members?

More over, if VA members are likely to be able to use their points to book directly on to ANA flights?

We are looking to head to Japan in 12 months (Jan 2021). We are Ex-Sydney, so a direct flight overnight would be ideal.

Currently VA only fly direct from Brisbane, and this is a morning flight so it takes up the day.

ANA currently fly 1 x daily Sydney to Tokyo, to be increased to 2 x daily on March 2020. The existing flight is overnight, which would be ideal for us if we hit up some J rewards seats.

In short, I am hoping to better understand if we are best to aim for Qantas rewards seats, Virgin rewards out of Brisbane or hold off a little and take the gamble to see if Virgin and ANA get their act together in the short term and announce what the terms of their agreement will be.

Im keen to hear your thoughts.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I think its early days yet.
Take a look at the AC and VA deal/agreement, very very limited.
On the one hand, it might be the full works, or on the other, it might be a limited partnership.
SQ and VA, they will not admit it, but their agreement is a code share one, and not a full true FF alliance.
If a person decided to fly VAd, and they want to earn SQ KF points, they would be solely disappointed, they will have their claim denied, as mine was.
Better to have an agreement, VFF and ANA, (some will not agree/like my idea), but to have it like the SQ system, where we transfer points between the 2 FF airlines.
I was really very, disappointed when I got my retro claim rejected/declined, I really thought that I could increase my SQ KF miles, by putting my SQ KF # into the VAd booking, am not sure if the class I flew with VAd did not earn under the SQ KF system, or that because the flight wasn't a true code share, that SQ KF declined it outright because of this.
Too many variables at the moment with VA and ANA, not to mention that (Air)NZ might not be too happy with this closeness, after all it was them that decided to divorce VFF.

Jan would be school holidays, if you have a lot of points with VFF, I would go via BNE and "buy the seats now" esp if the are award seats.

 

[The-Aviator]

I'm hopeful we will see an agreement more like what we have with EY, SQ, DL etc rather than something more limited. Whilst partnering on the Australia - Japan and domestic networks on either side is a good start, would be awesome if you could earn points / credits and receive lounge access etc on their European and North American routes too!

 

[FTac]

This information should be coming fairly soon, right? When’s the latest they could leave this?

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Take the AC and VAi liaison, or semi or full (as it is now and no more benefits SC earn for eg), FF agreement, on that side of things, nothing seems to be progressing.

 

[Must...Fly!]

This information should be coming fairly soon, right? When’s the latest they could leave this?

Late enough to pull out of Tokyo

Not to be negative, it is just the honest truth when it comes to Velocity.

 

[bernardblack]

Anyone got any insight as to whether this is likely to resume sometime after one or other buyer gets the keys to VA? Or is it basically dead now?

Assuming minimal/no international flying on VA metal at least for a couple of years, it would be good to retain DL/SQ/EY as options and hopefully add NH to the mix. It's also interesting to wonder whether NH could take the extra slot, or somehow support VA running it for the feed?

 

[aaronm]

Anyone got any insight as to whether this is likely to resume sometime after one or other buyer gets the keys to VA? Or is it basically dead now?

Assuming minimal/no international flying on VA metal at least for a couple of years, it would be good to retain DL/SQ/EY as options and hopefully add NH to the mix. It's also interesting to wonder whether NH could take the extra slot, or somehow support VA running it for the feed?

I don't think we'll know until a new owner is confirmed. If VA returns as domestic only it would make sense for the new management to try and continue the various partnerships as it adds substantial value for frequent flyers, as well as the obvious codeshare sales.

 

[Isochronous]

Cyrus Capital would probably be the best chance of retaining it.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

If it turns out that the new VA, or if they change their name, becomes purely an LCC with no FF partnerships, you could go and join *A.
ANA are in that alliance, as is SQ and AN.
Paws crossed that it will work out they keep their FF program, and the alliances, but in the end, all we can do now is speculate.