Claiming Velocity points VAustralia/Etihad Codeshare

[darraghk]

Hi,
In April I booked a flight Mel to Dublin return using the V Australia website. The flight was an etihad codeshare through Abu Dhabi I was credited the points automatically to my velocity account a few days after flying. In July I made the same journey but this time booked through a travel agent. I called V Australia to make sure my velocity account number was on my booking and it was on my boarding pass when I flew. Weeks after flying no sign of the points credit I email velocity and they tell me to email the boarding passes to retro which I have done sometime ago. I don't understand why the points aren't credited automatically the second time around. I understand having to claim retro points with another airline which I have done previously when I flew with MH but having to go to retro when I book a flight with a Virgin Airline even a codeshare seems ridiculous. I am trying to hit Gold soon so it's a bit annoying to wait.
Maybe this is the way it works?

 

[notzac]

I've done this exact route just recently, and the codeshare flight AUH-DUB credited appropriately with no prodding after a week or so. Just waiting for the return flight to credit now.

 

[darraghk]

I have finally been credited the first half of my journey 5 weeks later (Velocity Gold now ).
The first time I did this trip I booked directly through the V Australia site and the points were credited a few days after the journey.
The second time was through Flight Centre and I could not find the booking using the reference in my Velocity account. I called V Australia to have my Velocity number added to the booking and had to give them the e-ticket number for them to find it.
Then I had to go through retro so they obviously don't have an automatic process for this to be checked from now on I will book direct on the V Australia site!!!!

Bit of a side question is there any idea/speculation on how many SC's will be required for Platinum?

 

[LiamR]

Bit of a side question is there any idea/speculation on how many SC's will be required for Platinum?

It's kind of the Million dollar question at the moment... (Well, for all us Gold flyers it is!)

 

[notzac]

I've done this exact route just recently, and the codeshare flight AUH-DUB credited appropriately with no prodding after a week or so. Just waiting for the return flight to credit now.

Aaaand the return flight didn't credit by itself. Slightly annoying, but I got it all sorted out with the assistance of the ever helpful Virgin Australia. Am hoping that someone at VA is trying to work out why these things don't credit properly and get someone to fix it so that they do..

Bit of a side question is there any idea/speculation on how many SC's will be required for Platinum?

My personal guess is 1000 to earn, 800 to keep.

 

[Bolthead]

Well I am currently scratching my head over this similar topic with myself. I recently took a return flight from SYD and to CDG and then FRA to SYD, I received my SYD to AUH return points but the Etihad leg still has not turned up. The odd thing is I travelled with my daughter and she received all her points including Etihad about 5 days ago. I have sent in a retro request but to date just an automated reply to say you have to wait up to 12 weeks. Luckily I have now become a Gold member just on domestic points.

 

[Mh4k]

This route is my primary points earner for Velocity (three returns SYD -> LHR connecting VA to EY in AUH this year alone), and it's very hit and miss. Maybe half the time the points credit after a few weeks. The rest of the time I raise a retro claim, get told I credited to another FF program (despite not being a member of any other program that'd be eligible for the EY flight), call Velocity and explain I have a boarding pass with my VA FF number on it, and then the points show up.

It's not a huge deal but it is annoying.

Off-topic, but related to connections onto EY in AUH - does the restriction that Gold FF's not flying business with VA must use Al Reem lounge in AUH also apply to members boarding premium economy flights? I'm flying Syd -> AUH in Premium economy in February, connecting to EY J class AUH to LHR. This will get me access to the Pearl lounge on the outbound flight but I don't really want to have to slum it in the Al Reem lounge on the way back

 

[notzac]

Off-topic, but related to connections onto EY in AUH - does the restriction that Gold FF's not flying business with VA must use Al Reem lounge in AUH also apply to members boarding premium economy flights? I'm flying Syd -> AUH in Premium economy in February, connecting to EY J class AUH to LHR. This will get me access to the Pearl lounge on the outbound flight but I don't really want to have to slum it in the Al Reem lounge on the way back

I don't honestly think EY knows where to send whY+ pax. When I went through most recently flying whY+ AUH-SYD I was told to go to the T3 lounges and was welcomed in (this right after I heard that whY+ pax were being refused entrance in to the T3 Pearl Business lounge).

I certainly hope that VA Platinum will include FLounge bennies irrespective of class of travel!

 

[airtraveladdict]

I don't honestly think EY knows where to send whY+ pax. When I went through most recently flying whY+ AUH-SYD I was told to go to the T3 lounges and was welcomed in (this right after I heard that whY+ pax were being refused entrance in to the T3 Pearl Business lounge).

I certainly hope that VA Platinum will include FLounge bennies irrespective of class of travel!

Ive done that journey SYD-AUH-CDG and LHR-AUH-SYD in Y+ and the connecting AUH-CDG and LHR-AUH was in Y.

Y+ doesn't allow you access to the pearl lounge, unless you are a Velocity Gold member. and i think Gold only lets you into the al reem lounge not pearl??? Funnily enough Etihad Guest Silver members can use the lounge, but that is not extended to Velocity Silver members, which i was at the time.

But the little perks you get at Sydney i.e priority boarding, priority checking, express customs/security card for Y+ is missing from Etihad.

When i got to heathrow, i had to check-in at economy at the etihad counter because i was flying economy from LHR-AUH and sit at the terminal, which is right outside the etihad lounge...sigh) LOL

And we we got to Abu Dhabi, we stayed at the airport terminal because no lounge access for Y+ and also the Etihad staff do not give Y+ pax priority boarding!

The priority boarding lane read "Diamond First, Pearl Business Passengers Only" but since V Australia only had business class, this meant only they boarded using that lane. But Etihad's staff announced on the PA that Velocity Gold members were also allowed to use that lane.

However if you were Y+ pax, you boarded in the Y queue.

It is abit of a dog's breakfast, i agree, Etihad does not know how to handle V Aus' Y+ pax.

But im stoked now, since I ticked over to Gold, i want to fly Virgin Atlantic so i can use their clubhouse at heathrow, which has a barber/hairdressers and spray tanning salon!! HAHAHA

Anyway, it took Velocity 4 weeks to credit those flights. So give them 4 weeks, after 4 weeks, send them an email because it said on the website it takes up to 4 weeks.

 

[Mh4k]

Yeah, I appreciate the connectivity to Europe that the Etihad partnership provides - but the service extended to VA passengers by EY staff isn't the best. It's a real shame VA don't have a presence at AUH and use EY staff and gates. Perhaps this will come in time.

 

[notzac]

Yeah, I appreciate the connectivity to Europe that the Etihad partnership provides - but the service extended to VA passengers by EY staff isn't the best. It's a real shame VA don't have a presence at AUH and use EY staff and gates. Perhaps this will come in time.

I haven't had any real problems with it. That said, what I would dearly love to see is priority access for Gold/Platinum's in to the gate area - waiting in a queue for 20+ minutes to get my hand luggage rechecked for liquids is a really ordinary experience - as is waiting in the whY boarding queue. All it would take is some updated gate signage to indicate who can use what queue.

 

[Mh4k]

I haven't had any real problems with it. That said, what I would dearly love to see is priority access for Gold/Platinum's in to the gate area - waiting in a queue for 20+ minutes to get my hand luggage rechecked for liquids is a really ordinary experience - as is waiting in the whY boarding queue. All it would take is some updated gate signage to indicate who can use what queue.

For flights onward from AUH to Europe it's fine - EY's planes, they can and should run the show the way they want.

But checking in for VA flights from AUH back to SYD (and presumably BNE/MEL) - it doesn't feel like a VA flight until you are onboard. Etihad Guest FF'ers get preferential treatment over Velocity FF'ers, in the form of proper priority boarding, security, etc, and I suspect are probably preferred for op-ups, as all ground staff at AUH are EY staff.

Not a huge deal in the scheme of things, but it doesn't compare to the service you get boarding a VA flight in Australia or LAX in my opinion.

 

[LiamR]

For flights onward from AUH to Europe it's fine - EY's planes, they can and should run the show the way they want.

But checking in for VA flights from AUH back to SYD (and presumably BNE/MEL) - it doesn't feel like a VA flight until you are onboard. Etihad Guest FF'ers get preferential treatment over Velocity FF'ers, in the form of proper priority boarding, security, etc, and I suspect are probably preferred for op-ups, as all ground staff at AUH are EY staff.

Not a huge deal in the scheme of things, but it doesn't compare to the service you get boarding a VA flight in Australia or LAX in my opinion.

I totally agree with what you are saying, thre are a lot of gaps with the parner agreement associated with Etihad, compared with the way the OneWorld system works. Currently there is no difference outside Virgin being a Platinunm. No FLounge access at EY, no extra baggage, no extra guest into the J Lounges, they still have a lot of work to do when it comes to alliances IMO.

 

[notzac]

But checking in for VA flights from AUH back to SYD (and presumably BNE/MEL) - it doesn't feel like a VA flight until you are onboard. Etihad Guest FF'ers get preferential treatment over Velocity FF'ers, in the form of proper priority boarding, security, etc, and I suspect are probably preferred for op-ups, as all ground staff at AUH are EY staff.

Bingo - this is exactly what I was referring to.

I totally agree with what you are saying, thre are a lot of gaps with the parner agreement associated with Etihad, compared with the way the OneWorld system works. Currently there is no difference outside Virgin being a Platinunm. No FLounge access at EY, no extra baggage, no extra guest into the J Lounges, they still have a lot of work to do when it comes to alliances IMO.

No FLounge access for Platinum is something I've already complained about, seeing as it's offered to the equivalent tier in the EY Guest program (Gold Elite).

 

[markis10]

Bingo - this is exactly what I was referring to.



No FLounge access for Platinum is something I've already complained about, seeing as it's offered to the equivalent tier in the EY Guest program (Gold Elite).

If Virgin get F lounges then I am sure the situation will change, at the moment EY have every right to restrict access given it's not a benefit that has a reciprocal costs to DJ for EY guests.

 

[airtraveladdict]

I don't honestly think EY knows where to send whY+ pax. When I went through most recently flying whY+ AUH-SYD I was told to go to the T3 lounges and was welcomed in (this right after I heard that whY+ pax were being refused entrance in to the T3 Pearl Business lounge).

I certainly hope that VA Platinum will include FLounge bennies irrespective of class of travel!

Well ive just checked the Velocity Website and Gold and Plat benefits for lounge access on Etihad seems to be same *sigh*

It seems unless you are travelling in Business and have a gold/plat card, you won't be allowed into the pearl lounge. which is an Ah Duh! moment since business class will get you into the lounge anyway.

Gold/Plat Velocity travelling on Y or Y+ seems to access the al reem lounge. which i haven't read the reviews.

"Al Reem Lounge. You and a guest on presentation of membership card and boarding pass for same day travel with Etihad in Coral Economy Class."
"All Etihad Pearl Business Class Lounges and worldwide Etihad Partner Lounges, You and a guest on presentation of membership card and boarding pass for same day travel with V Australia or Etihad when travelling in Pearl Business Class."

So Gold won't get you into business lounge unless you are travelling in business class. WTF....

Funnily enough Etihad Guest Silver members can use the business lounge, but that is not extended to Velocity Silver or GOLD or Platinum members.

"Etihad Silver Guest Benefits. Regardless of your class of travel whenever you travel with Etihad Airways you can enjoy the luxury of our exclusive Pearl Business class lounge before your flight"

So Etihad Silver (which is easy to reach) can access the Pearl Business lounge but VA's Gold and Plats can't.

So its abit of a shame that Etihad treats VA pax's Gold/Platinum Velocity like this, because i don't see Qantas' partners looking down on Qantas gold or platinum members. in fact Qantas Plats get access to the coveted First Class lounges!!

I think VA needs to redefine their agreement with Etihad about a number of things including this lounge access. Because we have given VA our loyalty.

Another inconsistency i like to point out, if you are travelling on a Premium or Business "saver" fare, that is you fly premium/business from sydney to abu dhabi and from abu dhabi to europe you fly economy, then you are allowed the 32kg baggage allowance.

however when you are on the returning journey, economy from eu to abu dhabi and premium/business to sydney, etihad will limit you to 23kg and if you go over its $US50 a kg, even though theoritically this is a one-ticket flight because they are codesharing.

i dont know if any flyers here are aware of that, but i just thought id let you know.

 

[airtraveladdict]

Originally Posted by notzacI haven't had any real problems with it. That said, what I would dearly love to see is priority access for Gold/Platinum's in to the gate area - waiting in a queue for 20+ minutes to get my hand luggage rechecked for liquids is a really ordinary experience - as is waiting in the whY boarding queue. All it would take is some updated gate signage to indicate who can use what queue.

For flights onward from AUH to Europe it's fine - EY's planes, they can and should run the show the way they want.

But checking in for VA flights from AUH back to SYD (and presumably BNE/MEL) - it doesn't feel like a VA flight until you are onboard. Etihad Guest FF'ers get preferential treatment over Velocity FF'ers, in the form of proper priority boarding, security, etc, and I suspect are probably preferred for op-ups, as all ground staff at AUH are EY staff.

Not a huge deal in the scheme of things, but it doesn't compare to the service you get boarding a VA flight in Australia or LAX in my opinion.

That was my experience also, that "priority security" check for liquids was done by Etihad and they only afforded this priviledge to their FF guests on gold or pearl and diamond passengers.

But how hard is it to print a new A4 size card to tape around a metal pole that read "Business Class Passengers, Velocity Gold, Platinum Members Queue" honestly.. how many copies do they need, ill go to officeworks and make print 1000 copies.

But i suspect its etihad looking down upon VA FF members.

It is abit of a slap in the face for Velocity Gold and now Platinum members, 1. we dont get access to the pearl business lounge even though etihad silver guests can. 2. all the perks are limited to Australia.

I think VA is not allowed to use its own ground staff for boarding, maybe abu dhabi airport prohibits it??? but Virgin Atlantic and Qantas has contractors do to the job around the world, you check into a qantas flight at JFK and its american airlines staff with qantas badges on.

anyway there is alot of catch up for VA to do, but they are going the right away i guess.

But etihad and abu dhabi airport needs to wake up, their airline and airport is not exactly amazing that people are stampeding to it, in fact now with the Singapore airlines and Virgin Atlantic partnership, you can fly to europe and avoid etihad and abu dhabi altogether. but it would mean we dont fly in a VA bird, which i love. V Australia has an outstanding service, its a shame they cant stretch it to EU and we have to fly with etihad....

 

[777]

It is abit of a slap in the face for Velocity Gold and now Platinum members, 1. we dont get access to the pearl business lounge even though etihad silver guests can.

As i understood the latest changes all Etihad Gold and Silver members also don't get access to the Pearl Business Lounge in AUH either. That doesn't just apply to VA - all non Business passengers except Etihad Gold Eliters (Including VA Golds and Plats) are relegated to the Al Reem lounge or whatever it's called until they can expand their lounges.

I will be flying EY in Y next week so i will report back on how much love i get as a VA plat (assuming the card arrives before then).

 

[airtraveladdict]

As i understood the latest changes all Etihad Gold and Silver members also don't get access to the Pearl Business Lounge in AUH either. That doesn't just apply to VA - all non Business passengers except Etihad Gold Eliters (Including VA Golds and Plats) are relegated to the Al Reem lounge or whatever it's called until they can expand their lounges.

I will be flying EY in Y next week so i will report back on how much love i get as a VA plat (assuming the card arrives before then).

Thanks 777, yes i have just found the announcement, from july 01 silver and gold are out of the pearl lounge. the pearl lounge was getting really busy because silver guests were allowed in as well. and silver is easy to obtain with etihad as i understand it.

but it seems they will be invited back, "We are developing additional space at Abu Dhabi International Airport and look forward to inviting back Gold and Silver Guests travelling in Coral Economy to our own lounges when these facilities become available."

Still you would be abit peeved if you were a plat Velocity holder and can't use the pearl or diamond first class lounge in Abu Dhabi or in London.

And i hate comparing it to qantas but if you were a qantas plat holder, the sky is the limit and the oneworld (airport lounges) is your oyster.

Yes 777 , please update us. I did a trip report for airliners when i was in Y+ but i was silver velocity at the time, so no perks LOL

 

[darraghk]

The etihad staff also seem very unclear of what a Velocity FF is entitled to. I was silver on my last trip with them and was over the 23kg baggage limit. I had to argue and speak to several staff to get the extra 10kg entitled to me. This makes me think I should have claimed the points with them I would have made Gold a lot quicker than I did with Velocity. Virgin need to sort this out. The pre flight security check areas are also a nightmare in AUH everyone squashed in standing the toilets outside the area. Security staff all walked off with a massive queue and left one guy with one scanner behind to process everyone. Customer service zero. It's been that way every time I have transited through there.