J to Hawaii

[greenfish]

Does the HA/VA code make any difference to lounge access? I seem to remember reading that there were some issues for the VA codeshare with lounge access in Sydney...

 

[Fruitcake]

That seems to have changed for the better then - I am sure originally you couldn't earn SCs - good work virgin.

In terms of family pooling then would a family of three travelling in J to HNL from SYD return net 3 x 320 SCs - being enough to requal for VA/DJ WP?

For the most part, yes. However the SCs pool, but sectors don't. Taking the flight on VA codes would earn two sectors, but you'd still need to rustle up another six sectors. (Of course sectors don't technically matter until August, but in practice all Velocity WPs must have assessment dates in late August at the earliest, so everyone will need eight sectors).

 

[dandandan]

HA are a partner airline so SC earn rate is same according to the Velocity status earn rate table. Points earn rate is different though, with HA earning less points for J travel with no Status bonus.

https://www.velocityrewards.com.au/content/Earn/StatusCredits/index.htm

I don't think you earn SCs on HA flight numbers. I am not sure about VA numbers on codeshare flights. I was looking at a similar trip to HNL for the three of us and was put off HA by the lack of earning SCs - based on the comparison of seats I would be tempted to book JQ now instead.

 

[dandandan]

Sectors are not a prob for me as I do plenty of Domestic flying.

Don't forget the qualifying sectors though will kick in from 25 august, then it becomes a points, SC and sector consideration. But if you're flying lots on VA/dj I guess it doesn't matter as much

 

[dandandan]

Sorry, I replied to the email notification of response to the thread so missed you already pasted the table Markis.

HA are a partner airline so SC earn rate is same according to the Velocity status earn rate table. Points earn rate is different though, with HA earning less points for J travel with no Status bonus.

https://www.velocityrewards.com.au/content/Earn/StatusCredits/index.htm

 

[bigjobs]

I am checking SYD - HNL return in september on the DJ website. the default on the search function is 'show all classes'. when I key in my dates and press search, it shows 'no seats available' for all dates in september ... frustrating.

i did a search from BNE to HNL and it gave me flights there and back on one date only respectively ...

 

[simongr]

Late sep is school holidays...

 

[Jurahn]

I am checking SYD - HNL return in september on the DJ website. the default on the search function is 'show all classes'. when I key in my dates and press search, it shows 'no seats available' for all dates in september ... frustrating.

i did a search from BNE to HNL and it gave me flights there and back on one date only respectively ...

Same here - just out of interest to see what fares were available, I just tried all dates in July, October and November SYD-HNL return on the VA website, and every single date for all 3 months came back as "no seats". Then tried the same thing BNE-HNL return, same result, no seats, no flights coming up at all.

ETA: I just tried doing the same thing by going through the Interactive Route Map, finding the SYD-HNL route and selecting "Book Now" and was finally able to get some flights up for Oct/Nov with fares and seats available. Went back to the VA home page and tried from there again with the same dates - and back to the "no seats" message again for the whole two months!

 

[Deewhy]

Did you try searching with "flexible dates" or specific dates? I have found that being fleixble can result in nothing available whereas specific dates do or sometimes show you the day that is available, then you start moving forward and backward thru the calendar to get what you want even if if sometimes shows you "not available".

 

[bigjobs]

Late sep is school holidays...

there is more to it than that

 

[bigjobs]

Same here - just out of interest to see what fares were available, I just tried all dates in July, October and November SYD-HNL return on the VA website, and every single date for all 3 months came back as "no seats". Then tried the same thing BNE-HNL return, same result, no seats, no flights coming up at all.

ETA: I just tried doing the same thing by going through the Interactive Route Map, finding the SYD-HNL route and selecting "Book Now" and was finally able to get some flights up for Oct/Nov with fares and seats available. Went back to the VA home page and tried from there again with the same dates - and back to the "no seats" message again for the whole two months!

tried this and it doesn't work for me ... very frustrating. DJ still have many characteristics of their old LCC days. they seem to be still working many things out.

 

[bigjobs]

Did you try searching with "flexible dates" or specific dates? I have found that being fleixble can result in nothing available whereas specific dates do or sometimes show you the day that is available, then you start moving forward and backward thru the calendar to get what you want even if if sometimes shows you "not available".

makes no difference for me.

 

[maninblack]

Went on expertflyer and checked a large number of random dates over the next 6 months. VA is showing J0 C0 D0 I0 for all dates SYD-HNL. HNL-SYD shows most dates as J0 C0 D0 I0 but occassional dates come up as J9 C9 D9 I9 and never any number in between 0 and 9. Clearly a glitch which should only take VA about 6 months to fix. I wonder if anyone in management down at VA HQ has picked up on the fact that they are no longer getting any J revenue on this route whereas they were a few weeks ago. I also wonder if JB knows how the airline is being run I think he better take a good hard look (at himself)

 

[Jurahn]

Did you try searching with "flexible dates" or specific dates? I have found that being fleixble can result in nothing available whereas specific dates do or sometimes show you the day that is available, then you start moving forward and backward thru the calendar to get what you want even if if sometimes shows you "not available".

Makes no difference for me either - I tried with both flexible and specific dates, and still "no seats" for all dates. As mentioned, the only way I could get any flights up at all was going via the Interactive Route Map. And even then, same at the OP, the only seats that show are economy, J doesn't appear at all.

 

[dandandan]

I checked flight availability through velocity award booking and flights are available to book in Economy and J, something definitely wrong with normal flight search process on their website, very poor form in my opinion.

Makes no difference for me either - I tried with both flexible and specific dates, and still "no seats" for all dates. As mentioned, the only way I could get any flights up at all was going via the Interactive Route Map. And even then, same at the OP, the only seats that show are economy, J doesn't appear at all.

 

[bigjobs]

still no change today ... get all the same results. have deleted cookies and web form data, with no difference being made.

just left this message for them via a feedback form:

"I have been trying for the last few days to book a flight SYD - HNL in J Class in the month of Sept 2012. Regardless of dates I choose or trying to book via the standard booking engine or interactive route maps, I cannot find any seats at all during the month of september. I have had other people try also on different computers and they get the same result. I have deleted cookies and this makes no difference. I have tried specific dates and the flexible with days option - to no avail. this is very frustrating. I have decided I will just book with QF. my strong suggestion would be to sort out your website issues. This is simply one challenge I have had booking flights via your website. most others I can manage to work around, this one I can't though."

 

[Fruitcake]

Whilst I agree you shouldn't blindly support businesses who can't get it together (even if you could get a ticket, for example, by calling them), paying $11660 return (prices I see consistently through September) for J on a QF 767 when HA offers J on a new A330 for $3820 seems rather "keen"!

 

[eastwest101]

bigjobs - I just tried to repeat your problem and sure enough from SYD or from BNE it is No Seats city for all of Sept. I can only assume that all the Hawaiian Airlines flights are not loaded into the DJ website.

Rather than booking QF would it suit you to book on the Hawaiian Airlines site instead? As it seems you earn SC and points now according to the other posters.

I had also forgotten how awful the Virgin Australia web site was - thanks for reminding me.

 

[dandandan]

I rang Virgin about the problem and they acknowledged there was a problem and said that you could book over the phone with them for no extra charges. You can still get a Virgin ticketed flight if you book through a travel agent website such as bestflights.com.au and the Virgin ticketed price on the HA operated flight is cheaper than the HA ticketed price.

Agree with Fruitcake on QF J prices.

Whilst I agree you shouldn't blindly support businesses who can't get it together (even if you could get a ticket, for example, by calling them), paying $11660 return (prices I see consistently through September) for J on a QF 767 when HA offers J on a new A330 for $3820 seems rather "keen"!

 

[bigjobs]

Whilst I agree you shouldn't blindly support businesses who can't get it together (even if you could get a ticket, for example, by calling them), paying $11660 return (prices I see consistently through September) for J on a QF 767 when HA offers J on a new A330 for $3820 seems rather "keen"!

sssshhhh ... in poker it would be called bluffing. I'm just trying to razz them. I agree with you. I'll just book via HA website. I just have a bee in my bonnet about it. DJ are stuck between their old LCC 'mentality' and wanting to be a 'full service' carrier.

my point is, you don't have to scratch too deeply to find it's a lot of window dressing at the moment. they will get it right eventually I am sure, I hope they do - QF need a kick in the teeth.