Partner recognition as WP in Y

[grubbidok]

I am prohibited from travelling in anything other than Y for my work. My status renewal date is at the end of March and my travel in Y since then (domestic and numerous international trips) meant that I achieved WP renewal last week.

I feel I can pretty confidently discuss what the experience of a VA WP travelling in Y on partners is like. Beyond the generic extra luggage and sometimes lounge access (which on partners is patchy anyway), I'm not sure if there is a lot of benefit given to VA WPs in Y. I mean baggage is nice and so is the lounge but the other tangible benefits you used to get as a an elite don't seem to be there (largely preference for nicer seats). A lot of the time you often can't even get seat selection and if you do they aren't any better than someone with no status at all. Twice in the last few months I've been allocated a middle seat at the back of the plane! In Switzerland I've had to argue to not be charged for baggage that weighed 25kgs instead of 20 (they relented, but it took some convincing)!

Am I missing something - is this now the new normal everywhere? (I admit that I am comparing this to OW elite 5 years ago when things were much better in the FF game). Lounge access and the regular 'published perks', but nothing on top of that. I'm not expecting upgrades every time (or ever - I've never had one on VA or their partners), but it would be nice to not have to fret about being stuck in the middle.

What are other's experiences? And does anyone have tips for a better experience?

 

[dec540]

What airlines are your experiences on? I've found that SQ and Air NZ have both provided preferential seating for Y pax, and I was only SG, not WP.

Air NZ did require a call to get seat selection though, so maybe that's where things are falling over for you?

 

[ap_spd]

If you are a WP and travel to Europe often I think EY would be a better fit, atleast when it comes to lounge access, AUH will get you First Class lounge as opposed to gold lounge in SIN.
Partner recognition is my opinion is very poor unless you travel Air NZ.
Seat selection at the counter may work but that does depend on the airline load on the day, wouldn't count on it.

 

[Jack_OC]

I am prohibited from travelling in anything other than Y for my work. My status renewal date is at the end of March and my travel in Y since then (domestic and numerous international trips) meant that I achieved WP renewal last week.

That's impressive in 2 months!

I feel I can pretty confidently discuss what the experience of a VA WP travelling in Y on partners is like. Beyond the generic extra luggage and sometimes lounge access (which on partners is patchy anyway), I'm not sure if there is a lot of benefit given to VA WPs in Y. I mean baggage is nice and so is the lounge but the other tangible benefits you used to get as a an elite don't seem to be there (largely preference for nicer seats). A lot of the time you often can't even get seat selection and if you do they aren't any better than someone with no status at all. Twice in the last few months I've been allocated a middle seat at the back of the plane! In Switzerland I've had to argue to not be charged for baggage that weighed 25kgs instead of 20 (they relented, but it took some convincing)!

Am I missing something - is this now the new normal everywhere? (I admit that I am comparing this to OW elite 5 years ago when things were much better in the FF game). Lounge access and the regular 'published perks', but nothing on top of that. I'm not expecting upgrades every time (or ever - I've never had one on VA or their partners), but it would be nice to not have to fret about being stuck in the middle.

What are other's experiences?

IME, VA doesn't even give anything more than published perks to its own Platinum members, so not a great surprise if its partners act the same way. I think it does depend on the airline though. Delta have always given me great recognition - even stuff like CSM coming over at the start of the flight to thank me for my loyalty to VA - which has always made me laugh considering VA never gives the impression that it's in the slightest but interested in my loyalty! NZ has also been good with seat selection - but that may require a call.

As for the others - I was EY Gold for a time and they definitely gave me special treatment as a result (including an op-up from Y to J from AUH to MEL), but since I started crediting to Velocity that came to an end. That said, they give good published benefits for Velocity Platinums - in particular First Lounge access in AUH.

SQ is another one that doesn't even give its own status members much (at least KrisFlyer status members - I understand PPS is different), so again I wouldn't expect much as a Velocity Platinum.

And does anyone have tips for a better experience?

Go back to QF if that's an option.

 

[grubbidok]

Go back to QF if that's an option.

Definitely thinking about it!

Had an issue with VA that wouldn't happen at any other airline that I've been trying to resolve. Two months after my initial request have just been sent an irritating form letter from Virgin reminding me of how much they value high standards of customer service and my loyalty to the brand before going on to say "computer says no"

At this point it's the dread of flying with AA instead of DL and avoiding EK that's keeping my loyalty more than VA itself!

 

[CPMaverick]

As a VA WP, I just paid $300 for economy bulkhead seats MEL-LAX return. That is on a $1000 fare.

So if VA charges it's top elites 30% more for better economy seats on their own planes, I don't expect much better treatment on partners, unfortunately.

 

[serfty]

Yes, until the introduction of YX, status PAX had been receiving a discount on those forward row - that is now gone.

I did consider a booking for the $1k on last nights happy hour sale but bailed out of the purchase due to the fee.

 

[Mr Pumblechook]

So if VA charges it's top elites 30% more for better economy seats on their own planes, I don't expect much better treatment on partners, unfortunately.

As Jack said before, if you want to be treated well as a VA WP, fly DL or NZ =P

 

[im.daniel]

I have found partner recognition on EY as VA WP to be excellent. I'd say on 75% of my EY Y flights, I was personally welcomed, asked if I needed anything before the flight. I would also be asked my choice of meal prior to take off as well. Towards the end of the flight, they'd say a quick hello and hand me a fast track pass for AUH.

Online seat selection for EY isn't the greatest, unless you book well in advance, but I have found that at check in or at the lounge, they will be more than happy to accommodate you.

 

[Jack_OC]

At this point it's the dread of flying with AA instead of DL and avoiding EK that's keeping my loyalty more than VA itself!

I believe you still get free Main Cabin Extra seats with AA, even as a QF Gold (at least I did in January this year). BTW, not having flown with DL for over a year, what is the story with their the new Comfort + process (now a separate fare class). I understand DL status pax now have to "request an upgrade" and can't select a specific seat, but I'm not sure how that works as a Velocity Platinum? Perhaps you have recent experience with that and maybe it's not an issue, but if it is, that would certainly start to bridge the gap between AA and DL.

Another concern with Velocity is what happens when Virgin America ceases to exist, once the Alaska Airlines takeover is complete? VX was my favourite US-based airline, although obviously it only ever had a limited route network.

As for wanting to avoid EK - that's not particularly difficult given the number of QF/OW partner airlines, plus the advent of the MEL-PER-LHR QF flights (although I wouldn't fancy PER-LHR in Y, to be honest!).

 

[CPMaverick]

As Jack said before, if you want to be treated well as a VA WP, fly DL or NZ =P

I have DL status and Star Gold status so don't have much opportunity to try this out.

 

[Mr Pumblechook]

I have DL status and Star Gold status so don't have much opportunity to try this out.

Sorry by that I only meant that in my experience DL and NZ treat VA WPs a lot better than VA itself.

 

[grubbidok]

Sorry by that I only meant that in my experience DL and NZ treat VA WPs a lot better than VA itself.

This extends to the way that DL treats VA elites in terms of its international Comfort+ product on DL metal than VA does for its own elites for its Economy X product on international VA metal (even though Economy X was based on Comfort+)!

 

[scwappy]

I have found partner recognition on EY as VA WP to be excellent. I'd say on 75% of my EY Y flights, I was personally welcomed, asked if I needed anything before the flight. I would also be asked my choice of meal prior to take off as well. Towards the end of the flight, they'd say a quick hello and hand me a fast track pass for AUH.

Online seat selection for EY isn't the greatest, unless you book well in advance, but I have found that at check in or at the lounge, they will be more than happy to accommodate you.

That was my experience also. I felt like a VIP.

 

[Bagpuss]

I have found partner recognition on EY as VA WP to be excellent. I'd say on 75% of my EY Y flights, I was personally welcomed, asked if I needed anything before the flight. I would also be asked my choice of meal prior to take off as well. Towards the end of the flight, they'd say a quick hello and hand me a fast track pass for AUH.

Online seat selection for EY isn't the greatest, unless you book well in advance, but I have found that at check in or at the lounge, they will be more than happy to accommodate you.

I have also experienced the same. Probably a bit more "above and beyond" between PER and AUH.

 

[AnthFlyer]

I was recently given a surprise upgrade to Business, at the gate, on an Etihad flight from Abu Dhabi to Kathmandu. "Because you are Platinum, Sir".

 

[AnthFlyer]

I am prohibited from travelling in anything other than Y for my work. My status renewal date is at the end of March and my travel in Y since then (domestic and numerous international trips) meant that I achieved WP renewal last week.

I feel I can pretty confidently discuss what the experience of a VA WP travelling in Y on partners is like. Beyond the generic extra luggage and sometimes lounge access (which on partners is patchy anyway), I'm not sure if there is a lot of benefit given to VA WPs in Y. I mean baggage is nice and so is the lounge but the other tangible benefits you used to get as a an elite don't seem to be there (largely preference for nicer seats). A lot of the time you often can't even get seat selection and if you do they aren't any better than someone with no status at all. Twice in the last few months I've been allocated a middle seat at the back of the plane! In Switzerland I've had to argue to not be charged for baggage that weighed 25kgs instead of 20 (they relented, but it took some convincing)!

Am I missing something - is this now the new normal everywhere? (I admit that I am comparing this to OW elite 5 years ago when things were much better in the FF game). Lounge access and the regular 'published perks', but nothing on top of that. I'm not expecting upgrades every time (or ever - I've never had one on VA or their partners), but it would be nice to not have to fret about being stuck in the middle.

What are other's experiences? And does anyone have tips for a better experience?

On both Etihad and Air NZ I have been personally approached and looked after by cabin staff. It's a little embarrassing on a packed flight but much appreciated. I'm WP VA.

 

[Tassieoptom]

On both Etihad and Air NZ I have been personally approached and looked after by cabin staff. It's a little embarrassing on a packed flight but much appreciated. I'm WP VA.

Can confirm the same with SQ and Air NZ. On the plane approached and greeted by name on both, and given wine from business in SQ, and a Bose Noise/cancel headset on Air NZ. Also priority checkin and boarding for both. Only downside is the coughpy lounge in Changi for virgin WP., and sporadic lounge access throughout airports in Asia. Can not comment about Europe except for no lounge in CDG.

 

[grubbidok]

Can confirm the same with SQ and Air NZ. On the plane approached and greeted by name on both, and given wine from business in SQ, and a Bose Noise/cancel headset on Air NZ. Also priority checkin and boarding for both. Only downside is the coughpy lounge in Changi for virgin WP., and sporadic lounge access throughout airports in Asia. Can not comment about Europe except for no lounge in CDG.

Special treatment on SQ?? You must be *super* platinum! I fly to Europe on them at least three times per year with some Asia thrown in and haven't had anything - from what I hear this is pretty standard even with their own elites. Tell us your secrets!

 

[Tassieoptom]

Special treatment on SQ?? You must be *super* platinum! I fly to Europe on them at least three times per year with some Asia thrown in and haven't had anything - from what I hear this is pretty standard even with their own elites. Tell us your secrets!

Lol, just luck, mind you it is certainly not on every flight. Last year had 2 trips MEL-SIN-CDG, one with my wife as well the other alone, as well as another MEL-SIN-KIX also with my wife(all in Y) So not flying often enough to count. I must say the male cabin crew seem to be more attentive, and offer extras on SQ. I can also say they are more attentive on Red Eye flights if you do not sleep much. In reality i was treated much more WP in Air NZ, but am happy over all with SQ. But do feel they are not at the same level as 6 or 10 years ago, so slipping.