Booking International flight on Virgin Website

[wendlle]

I need to book fares from Sydney-San Diego then from Los Angeles to Sydney but it appears I can no longer do this on the virgin website?
I know Virgin aren't flying to the USA but I assumed I could still book a United flight on their site.
Am I going to go to the United site to do this? And just add my Velocity information there?

 

[Mwenenzi]

I need to book fares from Sydney-San Diego then from Los Angeles to Sydney but it appears I can no longer do this on the virgin website?
I know Virgin aren't flying to the USA but I assumed I could still book a United flight on their site.
Am I going to go to the United site to do this? And just add my Velocity information there?

Why do you want to book from VA website? To get a VA flight number? Or just have VA ffn in the reservation?
No airline flying AU-->USA has a non stop flight to SAN. Have you looked for SYD-SFO or SYD-LAX?
You may need wait until the the VA-UA agreement is in effect

Virgin Australia takes flight with United Airlines

newsroom.virginaustralia.com

 

[wendlle]

I was under the impression that was today it was coming into effect

Yes I’m aware I will be transiting thru San Francisco I’ve done this leg before

I prefer to go via virgin website so I’m sure I get my points and status credits etc

 

[jase05]

I was under the impression that was today it was coming into effect

Yes I’m aware I will be transiting thru San Francisco I’ve done this leg before

I prefer to go via virgin website so I’m sure I get my points and status credits etc

I believe it was “commencing in April” no further dates have been mentioned so could be the end of the month or could be tomorrow

 

[HS-TQE]

They haven't put an exact date in the initial release, but the announcement should be imminent.

There should also be no new route announcements as UA are likely to concentrate on restoring their network, and probably giving SYD-IAH a second go (now with VA signed on as the codeshare partner) as that route was the weakest performer pre-COVID.

 

[wendlle]

thanks for the info

I’m happy with the prices I see today do you think if I book now it matters or not that they haven’t announced anything?
Should I be waiting for the announcement?

I want to of course make sure we get our points and SC

 

[Bagpuss]

thanks for the info

I’m happy with the prices I see today do you think if I book now it matters or not that they haven’t announced anything?
Should I be waiting for the announcement?

I want to of course make sure we get our points and SC

That's a risk you may need to weigh up.

There's the possibility that they will provide points and SC on all current bookings or from the date they announced the partnership or it will be a set date once announced.

I would bet it will be on a set date.

"
The partnership, commencing in April 2022, will include loyalty benefits and offer members Points and Status Credit earn, redemption and tier benefits when travelling on United services worldwide.

Further details about the partnership and when it will launch will be shared soon."

Virgin Australia Group and United Airlines announce a new partnership

experience.velocityfrequentflyer.com

 

[wendlle]

I decided to contact virgin and here was their response

Hi Wendy, the partnership start date with United is yet to be confirmed. Details about loyalty benefits and Points and Status Credit earnings are something that we're unable to confirm at this stage. Stay tuned as Virgin Australia and United are working hard to get this partnership up and running and we hope to have this live before the end of April 2022. Further details about the partnership and launch date will be communicated and posted on our website. For updates, you may check it here Media Centre

I’m so anxious now because the flights are a good deal but I can’t be sure I’ll get any points or SC so will just have to hope to is gets rolled out sooner rather than the end of the month

 

[Bolthead]

When I spoke to VA customer service a few weeks ago she told me that you will still have to book via the United website. (she implied even when the parntership started officially) We are planning to go to the USA in Jan 2023 and the airfares have been ridiculous at around $5K return (in Y) to SFO however just last night they dropped to $2500 which is still too expensive in my books. Hopefully when the partnership officially starts they will have some specials....

 

[Bagpuss]

I decided to contact virgin and here was their response

Hi Wendy, the partnership start date with United is yet to be confirmed. Details about loyalty benefits and Points and Status Credit earnings are something that we're unable to confirm at this stage. Stay tuned as Virgin Australia and United are working hard to get this partnership up and running and we hope to have this live before the end of April 2022. Further details about the partnership and launch date will be communicated and posted on our website. For updates, you may check it here Media Centre

I’m so anxious now because the flights are a good deal but I can’t be sure I’ll get any points or SC so will just have to hope to is gets rolled out sooner rather than the end of the month

Whats more important $$ or the points and SC ? Thats the answer to your question on if you wait or not.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Would you be happy to go with HA, if they have started flying Au - US yet.
Yes, I know you have to transit HNL then probably another transit to SAN.
There is no way to book any airline partner flights on the VA website, and even then, VA is not flying too far from the "coop" at the moment either.
No choice, its either HA or its SQ via SIN, earn the points in KF and hope that points transfers between KF and VA will come back.
Edit:
HA has flights one way from $2597 from SYD - SAN, and back, in Oct this year, not everyday though.
On the way out from Au, its a 2.xx hours transit in HNL, and on the way back, its a 23 hours transit in HNL.
Makes it easier to do a same city coming back from, in the US, with the situation as it is, if the UA and VA agreement is inked in the mean time, good, but if you need to fly to the US in Oct, its HA or as I mentioned, SQ via SIN.
If you like SQ premY, maybe its the one to go for on their A380.
SQ has prices about $2974 for Oct premY.

 

[wendlle]

I cant get flights with United return for approx $4K for my Nov Dates for our family of 4 which I personally think is a good deal (economy) but I am going to wait for the United announcement. I'm just going to take a gamble that the prices will remain similar or they will have some sort of "special" to go along with the announcement.

I am not a fan of HA and wouldn't subject myself nor my kids to more than 1 stop over.
So I've decided to wait it out and hope that it's sooner rather than later they make the announcement.

 

[AIRwin]

I'm just going to take a gamble that the prices will remain similar or they will have some sort of "special" to go along with the announcement.

I was going to suggest booking to lock in the price and cancelling with a full refund but then again you can only hold it for 24 hours at a time:

Guidance on the 24-hour reservation requirement | US Department of Transportation

Guidance on the 24-hour reservation requirement

www.transportation.gov