First experience with South African Airways as Velocity Platinum

[medhead]

I'd just put in another claim.

That would probably be auto rejected on the basis of the claim already made. Calling is the next step.

 

[Mattg]

I just called Velocity Frequent Flyer. After 17 minutes on hold, I was told that there was a problem with their system and I should call back tomorrow. Seriously?

I've never had such issues getting flights with Qantas partners (oneworld and non-oneworld) to credit.

 

[24601]

Pleased to report that both my South African flights from June have been credited correctly. I flew JNB-CPT return in J, booked before the partnership was announced. Was only able to get VFF number attached to one of the legs at time of travel and put in a retro claim for the other. All points and SC from the claim have turned up. All good, and I'm happy with that.

 

[Mattg]

I just called Velocity Frequent Flyer. After 17 minutes on hold, I was told that there was a problem with their system and I should call back tomorrow. Seriously?

I've never had such issues getting flights with Qantas partners (oneworld and non-oneworld) to credit.

I'm pleased to say that my points/SCs finally posted yesterday. A measly 20 SCs & 401 points, but better than nothing.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

I'm pleased to say that my points/SCs finally posted yesterday. A measly 20 SCs & 401 points, but better than nothing.

That's for both sectors I take it?

 

[Mattg]

That's for both sectors I take it?

Yes. 108 points & 10 SCs for HDS/JNB, and 293 points & 10 SCs for JNB/LVI.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Yes. 108 points & 10 SCs for HDS/JNB, and 293 points & 10 SCs for JNB/LVI.

No matter the Alliance, travelling in Y within Africa isn't a great way of earning points it must be said.

 

[pblackie]

Has anyone with Gold or Platinum status managed to select seats without paying for them on SAA domestic flights and does anyone know if Status helps with seat allocation at check in. I have a few SAA domestic flights coming up and would be good to know.

 

[im.daniel]

Has anyone with Gold or Platinum status managed to select seats without paying for them on SAA domestic flights and does anyone know if Status helps with seat allocation at check in. I have a few SAA domestic flights coming up and would be good to know.

Not on a recent CPT-JNB booking with VA status or *G unfortunately.

 

[SimonD]

I had a client travelling last week with SA and I was able to allocate her domestic flights after ticketing, and this was only a Red Velocity member. This was through a GDS, rather than Manage My Booking on SAA.com so YMMV.

 

[HeavyElectricity]

Another quick data point... whilst I'm sitting in the SA domestic lounge... VA plat here. When 'managing' my SA booking (made using their website), Velocity was shown as an option, but it wouldn't ever save the value I entered. When doing online check in, Velocity wasn't shown as a frequent flyer programme to select from. When I arrived at JNB international, I went to the SA domestic transfer desk to check in my luggage (separate domestic ticket). I then asked them to add my number, but they said there was no agreement with Velocity and it was only Star Alliance partners. I tried to get access to the domestic lounge and was welcomed upon showing my card. I asked for my number to be added to the ticket, but they were sceptical I'd earn any points, saying it was a lounge access agreement only with Velocity. But they did it anyway.

 

[HeavyElectricity]

Well, the lounge staff at JNB domestic 'force adding' my Velocity number to the booking seems to have worked




I'll have to try to get them to add it again to the next booking in a couple of days.

 

[cssaus]

My daughter, a VA Platinum member, just flew SYD to JNB via PER on an SA ticket. As she family pools to me, the points and SC's were credited to my account 3 days after her flight. Before she departed she made a point of calling up SA and ensuring her VA FF # was in her booking.

I'll wait and see how things go with her return flights.

 

[SYD]

Well, the lounge staff at JNB domestic 'force adding' my Velocity number to the booking seems to have worked

View attachment 85066


I'll have to try to get them to add it again to the next booking in a couple of days.

Do you recall if it was VA FF#? Sitting at the CPT lounge. Checkin couldn't do it, but still managed to get it right for one of two of us. Lounge agent has put in our numbers with VS (Virgin Atlantic)... Looking at QF MMB, I have two numbers, partner three VS, VA and QF for JNB-SYD....

 

[im.daniel]

Do you recall if it was VA FF#? Sitting at the CPT lounge. Checkin couldn't do it, but still managed to get it right for one of two of us. Lounge agent has put in our numbers with VS (Virgin Atlantic)... Looking at QF MMB, I have two numbers, partner three VS, VA and QF for JNB-SYD....

It should be VA and not VS. FF # should be: "VA 1234xx_xx_". Status isn't reflected on the boarding pass.

 

[pblackie]

Do you recall if it was VA FF#? Sitting at the CPT lounge. Checkin couldn't do it, but still managed to get it right for one of two of us. Lounge agent has put in our numbers with VS (Virgin Atlantic)... Looking at QF MMB, I have two numbers, partner three VS, VA and QF for JNB-SYD....

All of our flights I got the lounge to add our numbers with the VA code. Still had to fight for the points and credits when we got back as we bid for upgrades and SAA processed the flights as redemptions. got there in the end when we supplied the etickets

 

[HeavyElectricity]

Yes, can confirm that 'VA' is the code required for the frequent flyer number. The lounge agents asked me what the code was, and I told them VA.

 

[SYD]

Yes, can confirm that 'VA' is the code required for the frequent flyer number. The lounge agents asked me what the code was, and I told them VA.

Mixed SA/QF is a dogs breakfast.

i went back to the lounge angel to fix the VS error and she sort of made things worse by loosing QFF altogether and not able to change back!

i resorted to calling QF to fix!

Currently have J BPs CPT-JNB on SA with VA FF. We'll double check QFF #s on arrival in JNB...

At least luggage has been checked through.

A pity BA didn't have J seats on this sector. At lot easier working within the same alliance or FF partners.

 

[SYD]

Mixed SA/QF is a dogs breakfast.

i went back to the lounge angel to fix the VS error and she sort of made things worse by loosing QFF altogether and not able to change back!

i resorted to calling QF to fix!

Currently have J BPs CPT-JNB on SA with VA FF. We'll double check QFF #s on arrival in JNB...

At least luggage has been checked through.

A pity BA didn't have J seats on this sector. At lot easier working within the same alliance or FF partners.

All good in the end. Went to QF departure gate to have new BPs printed with QF FF#s. The VA #s stuck on the SA leg and posted yesterday - faster than a VA domestic flight!

Anyway, CPT-JNB in J was not a bad earner (60SCs x2 Family Pooling). Only cost about $150ea on top of SYD-JNB (QF J return). Also, SA flight was on an A340-200 on its way to an international sector, so a very roomy domestic hop.