Points refused for last minute carrier change

[danban]

Hello
My family flew QATAR Melbourne-->Europe-->Melbourne over the summer break.
Virgin is refusing to give anyone points/status for the DOHA-->CPH leg, because QATAR swapped in a FINNAIR plane at the last minute for their own operational reasons (I assume World Cup commitments with their own planes?)

Is this something that is worth pursuing/has a chance of success.
It seems unfair that I bought a ticket with a carrier that is in a partnership with Virgin and I flew on their flight number. At the time of purchase the booking was fully eligible for points. I made the purchase on that assumption.

Then randomly 6 months later something changes and I am no longer entitled to points.
Any suggestions on how to pursue this are much appreciated.
I was platinum at the time of the flights. Just downgraded to Gold.

thanks
Daniel

 

[RooFlyer]

In Australia, the words to use would be "Original Routing Credit" <Deleted - mis-read query> Did the Finnair flight still have a QR flight #? If so, a much better case.

Edit: <Deleted - mis read query>

AY and QR did a deal which was mutually beneficial. AY had planes to spare as its routing to Asia was impacted by Russian airspace not being available, and QR was short of planes because of their dispute with Airbus. And yes, then there was the world cup.

 

[dajop]

And if Original Routing Credit doesn't work, do you have a Qantas FF account? *Might* be much easier to retro claim there than continue to pursue with Velocity, depending on the fare class.

 

[danban]

In Australia, the words to use would be "Original Routing Credit" but I have no idea if QR would recognise that or even if they could, given that notwithstanding the booking, you actually flew on a non VA partner. Did the Finnair flight still have a QR flight #? If so, a much better case.

Not saying that you shouldn't get the credit, but I can envisage such being beyond the not-very-good QR call centre, especially if the AY flight didn't have a QR code. I'd use e-mail to pursue, if you can.

AY and QR did a deal which was mutually beneficial. AY had planes to spare as its routing to Asia was impacted by Russian airspace not being available, and QR was short of planes because of their dispute with Airbus. And yes, then there was the world cup.

Thankyou.
So do you think that I should be pursuing this with QATAR directly rather than with Virgin?
Daniel

 

[RooFlyer]

So do you think that I should be pursuing this with QATAR directly rather than with Virgin?

Sorry, my brain fade. Yes, you need to go back to Virgin. Ask them for 'original routing credit' for the QR flight. BUT if the boarding passes on the QR (became AY) flight had an AY flight number (I know you said it was QR, but just to be clear), it may be more difficult than if you can show them a BP with a QR flight number.

 

[danban]

Sorry, my brain fade. Yes, you need to go back to Virgin. Ask them for 'original routing credit' for the QR flight. BUT if the boarding passes on the QR (became AY) flight had an AY flight number (I know you said it was QR, but just to be clear), it may be more difficult than if you can show them a BP with a QR flight number.

I have this document from QATAR, as I have lost the actual physical boarding passes.
It was a QR flight numbered flight that also had a Finnair flight. number.
I will get in touch with Virgin.
thanks
Daniel

 

[AIRwin]

Looks like QR6126 is a "codeshare flight":

Qatar Airways

experience.velocityfrequentflyer.com

Velocity Points cannot be earned on:

• Codeshare flights (other than a Qatar Airways operated flight with a VA flight number or a Virgin Australia operated flight with a QR flight number)

 

[danban]

Looks like QR6126 is a "codeshare flight":

Qatar Airways

experience.velocityfrequentflyer.com

Velocity Points cannot be earned on:

• Codeshare flights (other than a Qatar Airways operated flight with a VA flight number or a Virgin Australia operated flight with a QR flight number)

I don't dispute any of this.

I guess the point of my query is that this happened after I purchased the tickets. Months after.

At the time of purchase it was a Qatar flight operated by Qatar.
Seems unfair that the goods/service change after the contract of sale is completed.
My purchase was premised on earning points, and at the time of purchase that was the case.

Anyway, seems like as losing battle.
But thankyou.

D

 

[AIRwin]

Anyway, seems like as losing battle.

No harm trying to request for ORC?

 

[oz_mark]

Hello
My family flew QATAR Melbourne-->Europe-->Melbourne over the summer break.
Virgin is refusing to give anyone points/status for the DOHA-->CPH leg, because QATAR swapped in a FINNAIR plane at the last minute for their own operational reasons (I assume World Cup commitments with their own planes?)

It's well documented elsewhere, but the reason for the change was due to Qatar being short of aircraft due to issues with its Airbus fleet, and Finnair had spare aircraft due to the Ukraine situation

 

[RooFlyer]

Looks like QR6126 is a "codeshare flight":

Qatar Airways

experience.velocityfrequentflyer.com

Velocity Points cannot be earned on:

• Codeshare flights (other than a Qatar Airways operated flight with a VA flight number or a Virgin Australia operated flight with a QR flight number)

Anyway, seems like as losing battle.
But thankyou.

But this is what 'Original Routing Credit' is for. It was originally a direct booking on QR metal and paid for, but it got changed. You should get what you paid for. Same if you were to book a Virgin flight here; if it got cancelled and they put you on a Qantas flight, you would be entitled to ORC on your VA booking.

It originally would have earned - definitely submit that letter from QR (which is pretty amazing, BTW) and the original reservation details / eTicket and hold your ground.

 

[jase05]

Absolutely keep up the fight. I would be absolutely staggered if ORC wasn’t granted

 

[danban]

Absolutely keep up the fight. I would be absolutely staggered if ORC wasn’t granted

ok
I have written another email to Velocity and used the term "original routing credit" liberally.
I'll post when I hear back.
thanks for the collective wisdom.

D

 

[PERLHR]

This is ridiculous and is another example of how amateurish VA can be. From what I gather, the Op bought a flight with a VA flight number and was to be operated by QR. QR, much later entered into agreement that AY would operate the flight and thus "dropped" the VA codeshare and introduced what a AY one? Why? VA should indeed honour the ops request. Complete nonsense from VA.

 

[Bagpuss]

This is ridiculous and is another example of how amateurish VA can be. From what I gather, the Op bought a flight with a VA flight number and was to be operated by QR. QR, much later entered into agreement that AY would operate the flight and thus "dropped" the VA codeshare and introduced what a AY one? Why? VA should indeed honour the ops request. Complete nonsense from VA.

Completely agree because if you bought a VA ticket on a QR operated flight to be then be changed to another airline ... How could they deny that.

I do recall in the old A330's days, Virgin which move passengers to Qantas. It's no different.

Virgin / Velocity's customer care is totally off the ball ATM and the worst it's ever been IMHO.

 

[danban]

Hello team.
I can happily report that I have now been granted status and points for this sector.
However, it has not been recognised as a valid sector flown for the purposes of maintaining status ie. 8 sectors/year for platinum.
Am I right in thinking that on the principal of Original Routing Credit, the sector should also be recognised if it was a virgin codeshare flight when purchased?
thanks for advice in advance.

Daniel

 

[serfty]

Hello team.
I can happily report that I have now been granted status and points for this sector.
However, it has not been recognised as a valid sector flown for the purposes of maintaining status ie. 8 sectors/year for platinum.
Am I right in thinking that on the principal of Original Routing Credit, the sector should also be recognised if it was a virgin codeshare flight when purchased?
thanks for advice in advance.

Daniel

To be an eligible segment, it needs to have a VA flight number (i.e. Marketed by VA).

VELOCITY MEMBERSHIP STATUS Enjoy benefits that are tailored to your Velocity membership level.

As a Platinum, Gold or Silver Velocity member, Velocity member, you will receive all the benefits you expect from a world-class global frequent flyer program, plus a unique range of benefits tailored with our Platinum and Gold Velocity members in mind

experience.velocityfrequentflyer.com

The following indicates it was not "Originally" a VA flight number:

At the time of purchase it was a Qatar flight operated by Qatar.

In that case it would never have been considered an "eligible" segment even if flown as booked.

 

[danban]

To be an eligible segment, it needs to have a VA flight number (i.e. Marketed by VA).

VELOCITY MEMBERSHIP STATUS Enjoy benefits that are tailored to your Velocity membership level.

As a Platinum, Gold or Silver Velocity member, Velocity member, you will receive all the benefits you expect from a world-class global frequent flyer program, plus a unique range of benefits tailored with our Platinum and Gold Velocity members in mind

experience.velocityfrequentflyer.com

The following indicates it was not "Originally" a VA flight number:
In that case it would never have been considered an "eligible" segment even if flown as booked.

thanks for the explanation.
When i said above it was a QATAR flight operated by Qatar, that was to clarify that it was not Finnair metal at the time of purchase.

Are you also saying that even though it was bought as a Qatar Ticket, and at the time of purchase the same flight WAS a codeshare with Virgin and that seat could have been bought as a VA ticket, because it was bought as a Qatar ticket it is not eligible for points?

Ie. You cannot just buy a seat on the codeshare flight, (which might be ticketed as a Qatar ticket), you actually need to buy it such that the ticketing is for a VA flight?

thanks for the explanation.
D

 

[serfty]

Are you also saying that even though it was bought as a Qatar Ticket, and at the time of purchase the same flight WAS a codeshare with Virgin and that seat could have been bought as a VA ticket,

What was the flight number showing on the original ticket?

 

[danban]

On my actual ticket it was a Qatar flight number, but the person next to me could have had a Virgin flight number, or I could have bought my seat as a VA flight?