Two reasons I can't take Virgin & Velocity seriously

[bean]

This ^^^^
a simple crackers and cheese for short flights, and don't advertise "included food"

Maybe for all the pensioners on board, but for those of us under 65 Id like a mini Pringles, even one of those sealed sandwiches are actually edible. The muesli bars he size of a match box are actually insulting. I agree with the sentiment either do it right or don't bother at all.

 

[Luke B]

I flew DL in Comfort+ from SFO-LAX on an E175, they gave us complementary soft drink and a little snackpack with crackers, cheese, a dip, carrots and celery. Was actually quite a very nice snack and left us happy! Similar to this photo
https://damhyul3s75yv.cloudfront.ne..._Food-Fresh_Vegetable_Crackers_and_Cheese.JPG from https://travelsort.com/blog/surprisingly-healthy-airline-food

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Maybe for all the pensioners on board, but for those of us under 65 Id like a mini Pringles, even one of those sealed sandwiches are actually edible. The muesli bars he size of a match box are actually insulting. I agree with the sentiment either do it right or don't bother at all.

Cos under 65s don't eat cheese??

 

[Muppet501st]

I flew DL in Comfort+ from SFO-LAX on an E175, they gave us complementary soft drink and a little snackpack with crackers, cheese, a dip, carrots and celery. Was actually quite a very nice snack and left us happy! Similar to this photo
https://damhyul3s75yv.cloudfront.ne..._Food-Fresh_Vegetable_Crackers_and_Cheese.JPG from https://travelsort.com/blog/surprisingly-healthy-airline-food

Yep, they usually come pass and let you choose what you want off their tray of snacks,

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Cos under 65s don't eat cheese??

I'm under 65 and I'd say they can stick their Pringles where the sun doesn't shine! I'll have cheese and crackers, along with a pinot gris any day of the week!

 

[bean]

Cos under 65s don't eat cheese??

Not the coughpy cheddar they normally give you on planes Seriously-it reminds of what you get when in hospital-urghhh

How about a gold ole meat ole or sausage role-they cost nothing, taste great and give a bit of an aussie cuisine experience for OS travellers

 

[Tassieoptom]

PVG is a real disappointment - my go to is SQ for some easy SC's, but the lack of lounge there and the poor terminal facilities is a double whammy.

I tried CX earlier this year for a change as I had a status matched air berlin gold card so could use the CX lounges - was great (the difference between HKG wing/pier and krisflyer gold in SIN is striking) - but until I fly enough to sustain gold on QF, VA have me hook line and sinker...

Agree absolutely here, however, i have found priority pass lounges are much better in Changi that that hopeless Gold lounge. They have better a/c, toilets, showers, better food and more drink options. So i just use them instead.

 

[ozstamps]

Never had an issue with Virgin partners recognising Status. Accessed the Etihad First Class lounge twice in past fortnight with a guest and no issues.

Delta was harder, mainly as the stupid Platinum card appears to be a credit card not an airline Plat Card, but I prevailed.

As to having no partners that access South American perhaps you might check Etihad and Delta schedules a little more closely.

 

[Jack_OC]

Never had an issue with Virgin partners recognising Status. Accessed the Etihad First Class lounge twice in past fortnight with a guest and no issues.

Delta was harder, mainly as the stupid Platinum card appears to be a credit card not an airline Plat Card, but I prevailed.

So you have had an issue then! What you have described is exactly the problem that many have had with DL in particular.

 

[Mattg]

As to having no partners that access South American perhaps you might check Etihad and Delta schedules a little more closely.

I'm a bit confused - are you suggesting that one should fly from Australia to South America via Abu Dhabi?

And what if you want to fly within South America?

 

[JohnK]

I tend to agree with the summary provided by Mattg.

Halving SCs earn to 5 SCs for SYD-BNE was a huge devaluation for me. VA lounges OK but not on par with QFs lounges. VA airfares tend to be cheaper but so are JQ airfares.

I have VA Gold until October 2018 but can't see how I will qualify Gold again unless I do a flexi trip on SQ to/from BKK or similar.

 

[ozstamps]

I'm a bit confused - are you suggesting that one should fly from Australia to South America via Abu Dhabi?

And what if you want to fly within South America?

As I clearly posted, you can use Delta or Etihad as partners - you claimed it was not possible at all with Virgin partners.

I've flown to South America 20 times via the USA. Pretty easy.

 

[grubbidok]

So you have had an issue then! What you have described is exactly the problem that many have had with DL in particular.

I've finally now cottoned on that what DL actually need is the VA FF number. It doesn't matter how you provide it to them (i.e. don't need the card), but the system seems to recognise if you're eligible as soon as it is entered in.

FWIW South America is relatively easy to get to if you're prepared to go via US. I have flights to Colombia booked on DL in September. Was actually the cheapest ticket available of all airline options and is probably only ~2hrs more than going via SCL. Not some continent granted but I do 2-3x Central American trips via DL too (again, usually cheapest, and as there is no quick way to CA from Oz not too bad on time). Mrs G and I are eyeing off the NZ flights to EZE to relive our honeymoon.

Flights within South America - yes, that's a blank spot.

 

[GSP]

Another horrible low today. Some sweet biscuit in a wrapper (complimenting the 4cm Muesli bar in the morning). Funny thing was, the guy on the other side of my (our) ghost asked for another one to take home for his kids. He got knocked back!!

 

[serfty]

I flew DL in Comfort+ from SFO-LAX on an E175, they gave us complementary soft drink and a little snackpack with crackers, cheese, a dip, carrots and celery. Was actually quite a very nice snack and left us happy! Similar to this photo
https://damhyul3s75yv.cloudfront.ne..._Food-Fresh_Vegetable_Crackers_and_Cheese.JPG from https://travelsort.com/blog/surprisingly-healthy-airline-food

You received that (as did First class) as LAX/SFO is a designated "Delta Shuttle^" route.

Normally food is a bag of pretzels or similar provided on such a short flight* - first would get a banana/snack.

All PAX get comp booze on these flights.

^ West coast Delta Shuttle

* flights under 3 hours

 

[serfty]

....

Delta was harder, mainly as the stupid Platinum card appears to be a credit card not an airline Plat Card, but I prevailed.

...

It's because of this^ I dumped my VA global wallet and now have a standard card.

^ "What do I do with that?", said the MSP lounge agent, " it looks like a Visa card!".

 

[ozstamps]

Ross - are there 2 types?

I have never signed up for the global wallet thing yet they keep sending me the Visa card one.

PLATINUM is vaguely there is some wanky screened off text.

So one can ask for a "standard" Platinum card?

Mine was replaced this year when I lost my wallet and got the VISA card looking version again.

 

[andyhui01]

Yea you can. Just google it, you do it online. Mine isn't a prepaid Visa card one.

i can't understand what the problem is with the snack. Don't you guys ever get the bag or pretzels or nuts? I am perfectly happy with that and a hot tea while watching my tv show or movie

 

[Icy]

Yea you can. Just google it, you do it online. Mine isn't a prepaid Visa card one.

The new Gold Card I received last week is 2 sided. Prepaid Visa on one side and Velocity FF on the other. The card previous to that was the same.

The FF number is on there so shouldn't that be all DL need?

 

[Rigs]

I'm not sure the OP is the target of the program. Don't get me wrong. Qantas is a nice airline but it's really very stuffy. Even the flight crews are older than me. I feel like I'm flying my grandfathers airline. As a 32rd old exec, virgin is mostly pitched towards people like me.

Family pooling so I get access to my full spend as status. Nice lounges that don't feel like libraries (looking at the Canberra Qantas business lounge in particular). Easy access to J with Singapore airlines for my dashes to other counties for work. A Flexi ticket point earn that more or less pays for the upgrade on domestic travel. Fly ahead on the intermediate ticket for when I finish early.

I don't half mind those chilli chips in economy plus a hayburner and economy x generally means I now get lots of legroom on my flights that aren't in business. Just retained platinum easily and probably not going to switch. Could kill those lamb empanadas as they look really sad.