Article: Complete Guide to Velocity Status Benefits on Partner Airlines

[AFF Editor]

Complete Guide to Velocity Status Benefits on Partner Airlines is an article written by the AFF editorial team:

Complete Guide to Velocity Status Benefits on Partner Airlines

Velocity Silver, Gold & Platinum members of Virgin Australia's frequent flyer program receive selected benefits when flying partner airlines.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

You can leave a comment or discuss this topic below.

 

[bcworld]

Re lounge access when flying United:

There’s an exception in Sydney, where Velocity Gold and Platinum members flying in United Economy or Premium Economy can access the Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge. But there’s no lounge access provided in Brisbane.

This exception also exists in Melbourne. It is also probably worth mentioning that this relies upon the SQ lounge being open in alignment with UA departures...this is not always the case at all times of the year...particularly for MEL-SFO.

 

[dirtyred]

Regarding this statement "Velocity Gold and Platinum members can access Qatar Airways operated lounges, as well as third-party lounges where available. ", my experience was different last week.
Was travelling from Geneva to Doha on Qatar in business class booked using velocity points. Qatar use a 3rd party lounge at Geneva, Marhaba. At check-in they said I was not entitled to lounge access and my boarding pass was marked as "NLA". They said to try anyway. I did and was refused. The receptionist suggested its because my ticket was a reward flight. I also tried using my velocity gold card, that was not recognised.
Have raised it with Qatar since getting home, no response as yet.

 

[Bugman]

An extension of this table to show seat selection benefits of partner airlines would be pretty handy.
As an exclusively Y status pax I find this the most beneficial and worth $60-300+ per segment. Also a huge differentiator between the programs with QFF Plats getting access to extra legroom/exit rows on EK, QR & AA vs nothing as a VFF plat on QR or EY

 

[bcworld]

An extension of this table to show seat selection benefits of partner airlines would be pretty handy.
As an exclusively Y status pax I find this the most beneficial and worth $60-300+ per segment. Also a huge differentiator between the programs with QFF Plats getting access to extra legroom/exit rows on EK, QR & AA vs nothing as a VFF plat on QR or EY

Are there any such benefits though?

 

[Bugman]

Are there any such benefits though?

There certainly are with QFF...
It would feel like an oversight if there isn't with Velocity
If there aren't, then at least a table and demonstrating awareness of the issue might drive change....But it should certainly be discussed when comparing frequent flyer programs.
As mentioned I know there aren't with EY and QR....I would like to know for the other partners.
FYI this was a determining factor for me in making my most recent booking for 5pax to the USA

 

[bcworld]

There certainly are with QFF...
It would feel like an oversight if there isn't with Velocity

The article isn't about QFF. So you're going to add a column to the table which remains empty...seems a bit pointless.

 

[Bugman]

The article isn't about QFF. So you're going to add a column to the table which remains empty...seems a bit pointless.

At least mention it in the article.... Do really none of the partners open up preferred seating for Velocity status pax?

 

[bcworld]

Do really none of the partners open up preferred seating for Velocity status pax?

I've never heard of any such arrangement on any VA partner. It's a feature of OneWorld status tiers. Velocity isn't subject to blanket rules like that...benefits with each partner are pretty much case by case...I think the table demonstrates that clearly.

 

[Bugman]

It extends beyond oneworld for example to EK.
I still believe it's worth a mention

 

[Must...Fly!]

At least mention it in the article.... Do really none of the partners open up preferred seating for Velocity status pax?

Not that I am aware of.

In the past I have tried and been knocked back to get the roomier seats on EY. Despite being 6'5" I usually won't pay, and just suck it up. I did succeed once on board, but that was a crew that wasn't totally across the rules, I think. The EY system will differentiate between an EY Plat and a VA Plat - even the tablet/phone used to process seating upgrades on board is smart enough to know you aren't entitled to the same things.

 

[Bugman]

Not that I am aware of.

In the past I have tried and been knocked back to get the roomier seats on EY. Despite being 6'5" I usually won't pay, and just suck it up. I did succeed once on board, but that was a crew that wasn't totally across the rules, I think. The EY system will differentiate between an EY Plat and a VA Plat - even the tablet/phone used to process seating upgrades on board is smart enough to know you aren't entitled to the same things.

Yup, had the same experience, the one person that was able to help though was the lounge attendant in AUH.

 

[RooFlyer]

At check-in they said I was not entitled to lounge access and my boarding pass was marked as "NLA". They said to try anyway.

Certain types of QR business class don’t have lounge access. I wonder if your reward ticket happened to book into that?

 

[marks]

What's holding Virgin back from just being a Star Alliance member?

 

[HS-TQE]

What's holding Virgin back from just being a Star Alliance member?

The Cost. Current owners aren't willing to spend the CapEx required on joining and ongoing membership fees (plus the one-off expenses on Computer upgrades and Signage Replacements).

Also, as the current owners announced they'll be spending their major CapEx project ($110 million) on refitting VA's cabin to the new Low Cost Carrier-like slimline Y seats with USB ports, plus the ongoing staff contracts/renegotiations, it leaves little CapEx for elsewhere.

 

[SYD]

I've never heard of any such arrangement on any VA partner. It's a feature of OneWorld status tiers. Velocity isn't subject to blanket rules like that...benefits with each partner are pretty much case by case...I think the table demonstrates that clearly.

Pretty sure NZ used to give preferred seating selection for VA WP/SG before that ended. I was travelling back and fourth a bit just prior to the agreement and then during.

Probably worth checking what’s included in the new partnership.

 

[SYD]

No real loss if/when HA exits the VFF eco-system.

AS Alaska to acquire HA Hawaiian

Details still emerging. Would need to get past USA regulatory hurdles. Separate brands to continue, but 1 FPP and HA part of Oneworld. That's good for Oneworld flyers in this part of the world. HA is a ff partner of VA. Assume that will change to QF. Or maybe both like QR is to VA & QF...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

But will be a valuable gain to QFF / OW travellers.

 

[anyonebutqantas]

The Cost. Current owners aren't willing to spend the CapEx required on joining and ongoing membership fees (plus the one-off expenses on Computer upgrades and Signage Replacements).

Also, as the current owners announced they'll be spending their major CapEx project ($110 million) on refitting VA's cabin to the new Low Cost Carrier-like slimline Y seats with USB ports, plus the ongoing staff contracts/renegotiations, it leaves little CapEx for elsewhere.

Making Y seats even narrower? What a joke

 

[TMP]

Making Y seats even narrower? What a joke

No, the pitch/width is staying the same. The seat back is more slimline - allows an extra row I believe.

 

[AFF Editor]

We've updated our list of Velocity status benefits on VA's partner airlines:

Complete Guide to Velocity Status Benefits on Partner Airlines

Velocity Silver, Gold & Platinum members of Virgin Australia's frequent flyer program receive selected benefits when flying partner airlines.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

Of note, Etihad has recently removed priority boarding & extra baggage allowance for Velocity Silver members. Etihad also removed priority baggage for Velocity Gold members.

If you'd like to learn more about Velocity's airline partnerships, and you're an AFF Gold or Platinum member, don't miss the next AFF Webinar on 18 September!

Australian Frequent Flyer Webinars - Australian Frequent Flyer

Our informative live webinars cover a wide range of topics of interest to frequent flyers, point collectors and anyone that wants to get more out of their

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au