United Airlines new Virgin Australia/Velocity Partner

[Revenge]

This is what I got from VA on 08 March

Thanks. Though email doesn't say anything about the benefits of the UA codeshare partnership that @kandy23 believes they are missing out on.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Thanks. Though email doesn't say anything about the benefits of the UA codeshare partnership that @kandy23 believes they are missing out on.

Link from a UA email of 30-04-2022

https://www.united.com/en/au/newsroom/announcements/cision-125202?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=220426_UADL_23507_MonthlyAirlineApr22_C000023507&utm_source=Airline_Other&utm_content=_ET05&launch_date=20220507&icid=69645562

In addition to the ability to redeem and earn points/miles, eligible premier MileagePlus and Velocity members will also receive the following benefits when flying on United and Virgin Australia worldwide:

• Priority check-in
• Priority boarding
• Priority baggage delivery and additional baggage check allowance
• Priority security clearance
• Lounge access

 

[Must...Fly!]

"worldwide" is a big benefit if true imo

 

[abefroman]

Link from a UA email of 30-04-2022

https://www.united.com/en/au/newsroom/announcements/cision-125202?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=220426_UADL_23507_MonthlyAirlineApr22_C000023507&utm_source=Airline_Other&utm_content=_ET05&launch_date=20220507&icid=69645562

Complimentary seat upgrade to Economy Plus would be nice as well (International and US Domestic) for Gold and higher)

 

[empyrean16]

Has anyone booked United airlines due to Virgin sending communication out stating that their partnership would commence in April, only to have it pushed back till May? I am due to fly on the 21st May and at this stage they are not committing to any points, status or lounge access. I find this very misleading given their email communication.

So i booked a work flight at the end of April hoping it would have come through by then (which it obviously didn't) - what i can tell you is United have a status match challenge program (United Promotions) - i can't see now (because i enrolled), but the week prior to me leaving VA was listed as a status match option. Gave me all the perks i needed for the trip, and allowed me lounge access on international flights in Star Alliance lounges.

 

[Thibault]

https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/mileageplus/earn-miles/airline-partners/virgin-australia.html

23rd of May!

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/mileageplus/earn-miles/airline-partners/virgin-australia.html

23rd of May!

I wonder how you'd go with redeeming points for Awards flights on VA??

 

[Revenge]

https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/mileageplus/earn-miles/airline-partners/virgin-australia.html

23rd of May!

Thanks for sharing! Good to finally have the details.
I notice it says "MileagePlus members can earn award miles on eligible Virgin Australia flights" instead of "MileagePlus members can earn award miles and Premier qualifying credits..." as it does with many other partners. I wonder if this means UA members cannot earn status on VA flights? This would be a big disappointment to me as I was hoping VA flights would contribute to renewing my UA Gold.

 

[exceladdict]

Thanks for sharing! Good to finally have the details.
I notice it says "MileagePlus members can earn award miles on eligible Virgin Australia flights" instead of "MileagePlus members can earn award miles and Premier qualifying credits..." as it does with many other partners. I wonder if this means UA members cannot earn status on VA flights? This would be a big disappointment to me as I was hoping VA flights would contribute to renewing my UA Gold.

Indeed I was hoping for the same. We'll see I guess.

 

[serfty]

An addendum to an email just received regarding Qatar Partnership:

---

Update on United Airlines
Virgin Australia’s new partnership with United Airlines will commence in just over two weeks on Tuesday 24 May 2022. We appreciate your patience and look forward to sharing more information soon.

Thank you for your continued loyalty,
Virgin Australia

---

I guess 24th May in Oz is more or less 23rd May USA time

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

An addendum to an email just received regarding Qatar Partnership:

---

Update on United Airlines
Virgin Australia’s new partnership with United Airlines will commence in just over two weeks on Tuesday 24 May 2022. We appreciate your patience and look forward to sharing more information soon.

Thank you for your continued loyalty,
Virgin Australia

---

I guess 24th May in Oz is more or less 23rd May USA time

Spotted that this afternoon. Here's hoping that Awards bookings for UA flights come online at the same time...

 

[MooTime]

Fantastic news.

VA certainly kicking goals.
SQ, UA now QR. Great stuff.

Do love the instant pickup of call centre the rare time I have to call them.
Just sayin'

 

[Revenge]

VA certainly kicking goals.
SQ, UA now QR. Great stuff.

If they also added reciprocal lounge access to their partnership with AC, I'd be all in with VA, goodbye QF.

 

[http_x92]

All will be revealed if we can earn MileagePlus Premier qualifications to get UA status on VA flights.

Looks like if you already have LT Gold, Platinum, 1k etc on United by flying millions of miles on UA flights you'd be all set for VA benefits.

 

[Thibault]

United Airlines

experience.velocityfrequentflyer.com

United Airlines

experience.velocityfrequentflyer.com

Seems that if we book a VA codeshare, more points and SC compared to a UA flight number. Rules for lounge access seems similar to the DL Deal and limited to only UA-owned and operated lounges unless traveling in J.

UA is also in the same table as VA itself to redeem points.

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

Seems that if we book a VA codeshare, more points and SC compared to a UA flight number. Rules for lounge access seems similar to the DL Deal and limited to only UA-owned and operated lounges unless traveling in J.

UA is also in the same table as VA itself to redeem points.

It's a pity that UA is going with the most recent DL rules (I.e. must be on an international itinerary for lounge access), as having access on US domestic flights for Gold/Plat was quite a benefit. Let's see how this all turns out once May 24 rolls around...

 

[Revenge]

It's a pity that UA is going with the most recent DL rules (I.e. must be on an international itinerary for lounge access), as having access on US domestic flights for Gold/Plat was quite a benefit. Let's see how this all turns out once May 24 rolls around...

It's not really surprising at all, it matches lounge access rules for UA MileagePlus members and other *A partner members. If VA customers got lounge access on UA domestic flights, then that would be an anaomoly making VA status more valuable than UA status on UA flights.

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

If VA customers got lounge access on UA domestic flights, then that would be an anaomoly making VA status more valuable than UA status on UA flights.

And as a VA customer, who would I be to complain??

 

[Must...Fly!]

United Airlines

experience.velocityfrequentflyer.com

United Airlines

experience.velocityfrequentflyer.com

Seems that if we book a VA codeshare, more points and SC compared to a UA flight number. Rules for lounge access seems similar to the DL Deal and limited to only UA-owned and operated lounges unless traveling in J.

UA is also in the same table as VA itself to redeem points.

Cool to see the points bonus for status members carry over from DL though

 

[exceladdict]

It's a pity that UA is going with the most recent DL rules (I.e. must be on an international itinerary for lounge access), as having access on US domestic flights for Gold/Plat was quite a benefit. Let's see how this all turns out once May 24 rolls around...

It's not really surprising at all, it matches lounge access rules for UA MileagePlus members and other *A partner members. If VA customers got lounge access on UA domestic flights, then that would be an anaomoly making VA status more valuable than UA status on UA flights.

But it is what you get as a QF gold travelling on AA. Not surprising, yes, but would have been nice. At least if it's all on one ticket it still appears access will be granted, but as you say let's see how it goes in practice