Another QR/VA Thread

[L_MareeB]

I am new to this forum and recently acquired VA SG. I am planning a trip to DUB in Y in Aug 25 with QR and neither VA nor QR have been very helpful in answering my questions. Some of these questions have been answered in some ways in other threads, but I thought I'd put it all in here and see what people's latest experiences are. Apologies in advance for the long post (and non/wrong usage of abbreviations; I'm learning!)

I'm looking to book in the first week in Jan.

Booking VA vs QR website/app
I get that I will get most benefit from booking through VA, but have some questions before I do:

1. What's the deal with seat selection if I book Choice fare through VA?
   a) From everything I've read I'd have to pay even for standard seat selection.
   b) How do I select seats after booking with VA?
   Website says to call VA, VA says I would need to call QR. From others' experiences, this becomes an endless loop.
   I've also heard of ppl getting a QR booking code some time after booking on VA that allows them to do seat selection (paid or free) on QR website or using PNR. What are people's latest experiences with booking QR seats on VA booking?
   c) I've read some unbelievable stories about ppl's seats on QR being changed when they check-in online, even after they paid for those seats when booking. Anyone had this happen to them?
   d) If I decide to just leave seat selection until check-in, can someone confirm when this is available? I can't see anything on either website, so please direct me to that info, IYDM. Also, is there any difficulty if you'd booked through VA? And are *all* seats available for selection free of charge or only standard seats?
   
   
2. Will I get QR lounge access in SYD and DUB even though they are VA # flights, because they are QR operated?
   
   Got the above from the VA website re SG benefits. The fact that they specify VA flights operated by QR with a VA flight # between AUS and DOH almost makes it sound like QR flights with VA flight # between DOH and other destinations don't qualify. If it just said "QR operated flight", I'd assume I'd have access regardless of flight number, but that additional sentence has the effect of confusing rather than clarifying (which I assume was its intent). Sorry, I work in communications, so understand why these details matter.
   
   I'm pretty sure the answer here is yes, but would like some confirmation. And, yes, I know about collecting a voucher upon check-in.
   
   
3. Speaking about lounge access, can anyone share their (recent) experience at Dublin Airport, travelling on QR in Y on VA SG?
   Did the staff there know about the partnership or were there issues getting lounge access/priority check-in, boarding, etc.?
   Is the lounge I would/should have access to East Lounge?
   Any other info/tips about flying out of DUB?
   
   Linking two bookings
   This isn't really a FF question, but one I'm sure the brain's trust can answer.
   
   I want to avoid flying the 14-15 hour BNE-DUB leg in a 777 so much, that I've decided to fly to SYD, just so I can get the A380 for the long leg. Flying out of SYD is actually cheaper, so the cost of adding the extra flight is comparable to flying from/to BNE. Plus, more SC, eligible sectors, points, etc. A380 also means I'm less concerned if seat selection is last minute.
   
   
4. As the VA system isn't equipped to have me book this as one booking, does anyone know if VA can/would link the domestic and international segments? Naturally, I'm nervous about missing connections. I'm allowing 4 hrs in SYD when departing and over 3 hrs when returning. Might do the return leg in Flex, so I can use fly ahead if the customs/immi process goes faster than expected.
   
   Changes to VA FF
5. With the upcoming changes to VA FF, is it even worth bothering booking through VA in an attempt to keep my SG?
   Most of my questions would be sorted by booking through QR. I could even book the mid-tier Y for less than $100 extra on the outgoing leg, which would give me free standard seat selection. Even with that, the total fare still comes in slightly cheaper than VA.
   
   My review date is Dec 25, so after the changes come into effect. My best shot at retaining my status (as I fly domestically a bit for work) is to book this international flight through VA. I've even considered booking Flex for the extra SC, so I can try and get WP before October, but paying an extra $1,600 for that seems excessive (even with the extra legroom seats included).
   
   But there is a chance I could maintain SG under new rules if I book this flight through VA.

Really undecided, and hoping your feedback/experience will help make up my mind in the next few days before I book. Thanks so much for enduring my extra long post!

LMB

 

[BrianQQ]

1a & b. Seat selection is available via Virgin's contact centre for flights by VA operated by Qatar. You'll need to contact their guest centre at 13 67 89. You may be charged a fee.

For the Dublin leg, you will probably need to find the partner PNR on VA's website and then select your seat on Qatar's website. Note that you will most definitely be charged a fee, as Velocity status holders have no seat selection privileges with Qatar.

2. Answer to your question is yes. The denotation of including Virgin Australia flights operated by Qatar Airways was added to make it clear that VA international flights operated by Qatar would receive lounge access.

This was not previously the case with other VA international flights, e.g: VA77 between CNE-HND received no lounge access, even when booked in Business.

You'll receive access to the following lounges:

• SYD: Air New Zealand Lounge
• DOH:
  • Platinum & Gold Lounge North
  • Gold Lounge
• DUB: The East Lounge

4. Don't think you can link the bookings together, and I don't think VA would interline or through check bags with seperate PNRs. Something you'll need to call guest centre for.

5. Keep in mind that status credit earnings for VA operated by QR flights are different and do not follow the spend rule.

Virgin Australia

Earn Points with Virgin Australia and Partners, also earn status credit when travelling with eligible fare types. Offering include trans tasman flights, short haul and long haul flights and international long haul flights

www.velocityfrequentflyer.com

On Choice, your SYD-DOH leg would be 45SC one-way.

 

[L_MareeB]

1a & b. Seat selection is available via Virgin's contact centre for flights by VA operated by Qatar. You'll need to contact their guest centre at 13 67 89. You may be charged a fee.

For the Dublin leg, you will probably need to find the partner PNR on VA's website and then select your seat on Qatar's website. Note that you will most definitely be charged a fee, as Velocity status holders have no seat selection privileges with Qatar.

2. Answer to your question is yes. The denotation of including Virgin Australia flights operated by Qatar Airways was added to make it clear that VA international flights operated by Qatar would receive lounge access.

This was not previously the case with other VA international flights, e.g: VA77 between CNE-HND received no lounge access, even when booked in Business.

You'll receive access to the following lounges:

• SYD: Air New Zealand Lounge
• DOH:
  • Platinum & Gold Lounge North
  • Gold Lounge
• DUB: The East Lounge

4. Don't think you can link the bookings together, and I don't think VA would interline or through check bags with seperate PNRs. Something you'll need to call guest centre for.

5. Keep in mind that status credit earnings for VA operated by QR flights are different and do not follow the spend rule.

Virgin Australia

Earn Points with Virgin Australia and Partners, also earn status credit when travelling with eligible fare types. Offering include trans tasman flights, short haul and long haul flights and international long haul flights

www.velocityfrequentflyer.com

On Choice, your SYD-DOH leg would be 45SC one-way.

That was so, so awesome. Thanks very much!!