New to VA, change of work carrier

[Jet2727]

Hi

P1 on Qantas and very familiar with the program and have learnt a lot from this forum. Have been given a status match to platinum VA as work have changed preferred carriers. Have begun to study this forum but grateful for any tips or advice regarding the change.

I generally fly domestically to canberra, Brisbane, Perth and Sydney, upgrade fully flexible fares to Perth and back or occasionally Brisbane, fly J internationally to NZ and beyond and currently using the people mover post ankle surgery.

I have been platinum or above on Qantas for approx 7 years so this is a new world to me, and I'm a little nervous!

 

[djchuckles]

I’m on the flip side. Been VA Plat for many years and now work has switched to Qantas.

I believe the VA lounge is better than the Qantas Club, but the J lounge is better. Virgin Fly Ahead is useful if on right fare type. Also as Plat you will get Economy x for free which gives extra leg room

 

[pauly7]

I'm stuck on both sides! My opinions and tips:
You are going to find the VA lounges of course very average coming from the J lounges at QF, in my opinion they sit under the QF clubs in almost all ports and the food is very average - I don't even bother going.
J to NZ is average on VA metal unless you can jag the odd NZ wide body under a VA codeshare though with this relationship souring I can't remember if this still happens (?). Try and avoid VA metal trans Tasman. J internationally on the small number of routes VA actually fly is fine as their hard product is good, soft is acceptable even if it doesn't set the world on fire!
You are going to suffer trans con to Perth, VA is ok to get upgrades on domestically I have found but they are pulling every single one of their wide bodies off these routes and replacing with 737s, so not worth the points to upgrade anymore until their new 737 j seat is unveiled at least - fingers crossed!
In general they aren't as slick and the killer is the weak international network and patchwork international lounge access and partner agreements are a royal pain...
You will get extra leg room free domestically on VA (like row 4 on the QF 737 fleet) which is always nice too.
Those are my thoughts from someone with a foot in both camps

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

If work or you book regularly Elevate fares which can be quite pricey, you earn quite a good rate of SC earn on VA.
But if you or work have to go Getaway, on the shorter sectors, you earn very little VA SC.
John B must know about the VA SC earn on eg, MEL - SYD on Getaway, whats the point of going and giving customers only 5 VA SC per sector on the cheaper fares.
And sometimes, they are not that cheaper either with the lower VA SC earn.
Its a pity someone at VA decided, and upper management approved the lower VA SC earn.
And VA don't care about it either, as I have written to VA Spring Hill.
Only one good thing, and small one at that, is that you can buy (for Au$39 on short sectors (edit: unless you have fee waived), economy X meaning you get to be last on and first off, and sit in rows 3 to 6 on the 737.
More space to stretch your legs a bit forward, but its still 3 across like normal economy.
With lower SC earn, it will be harder to keep VA WP, and you will have to always chase int carriers in VA's liaison with a VA flight number to earn most VA mileage, whether they be (Air) NZ or SQ.

 

[djchuckles]

My first year in 4 Of not re-qualifying because of the changes. Managed about 600 SCs but was as work always books cheapest fares it’s been nearly impossible to get to the 800

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

As I mentioned, VA couldn't care less, about the lowered SC earn, not like as if they didn't know the feelings of the "customers" to put that term mildly.
Guess not enough "customers" made a fuss when it first changed the rules of SC earn earlier this year.

 

[Jet2727]

Thanks for all your replies, lots to consider. I'll probably keep flying internationally on Qantas for the meantime give my status, and I've already retain Platinum going forward even if I drop P1. Good to know about economy X.

 

[docjames]

Have you asked VA for a status match?

 

[pauly7]

Have you asked VA for a status match?

The OP has already stated they got a status match

 

[docjames]

Sorry missed that (i have issues reading on the app it appears)

 

[GDSman]

If you find yourself traveling outside your normal schedule (i.e. to HBA) you need to be prepared for no lounge - even a VA lounge is better than no lounge....