United Airlines new Virgin Australia/Velocity Partner

[HS-TQE]

Would likely be off the table ex-SYD/MEL at least. UA has the option of upgauging to the 77Ws from both ports.

BNE is another matter, indirectly tied to the HND slot which has a use or lose it basis by end of 2022, iirc.

 

[BNEFlyer]

Will be watching this keenly.

Edit: I wonder what it means for VA's transpacific restart. Feels like it would push it out or possibly take it off the table.

Until VA gets 787's (which might end up just going to HND) we'll probably see UA add LAX/SFO-BNE.

 

[http_x92]

Will be interesting to see if United MileagePlus will count elite miles for VA flights.

 

[henrus]

The partnership does include access to domestic United Clubs (which is probably the one benefit of the UA partnership over DL).

Do you have a source for that? Whilst the news releases state that reciprocal lounge access will occur, there is a chance that it could mean you must be on a same day international connection which greatly reduces the benefit if you are doing a lot of travel within the US.

Will be interesting to see if United MileagePlus will count elite miles for VA flights.

Only time will tell, on about half of the UA non star alliance airline partners you can earn status whilst the other ones you can't.

 

[HS-TQE]

Until VA gets 787's (which might end up just going to HND) we'll probably see UA add LAX/SFO-BNE.

Theres no guarantee that VA may even use the HND slot for that matter. If Bain does the about turn and hands the HND slot back, it makes it easier for UA to start LAX/SFO to BNE -if- they chose to do so.

 

[BNEFlyer]

Do you have a source for that? Whilst the news releases state that reciprocal lounge access will occur, there is a chance that it could mean you must be on a same day international connection which greatly reduces the benefit if you are doing a lot of travel within the US.


Only time will tell, on about half of the UA non star alliance airline partners you can earn status whilst the other ones you can't.

Press release is the source, and it says "Virgin Australia and United Airlines to offer reciprocal lounge access", which indicates use of domestic lounges in Australia and the US (plus international UA Clubs, though likely Polaris lounges won't be included).

 

[jakeseven7]

Theres no guarantee that VA may even use the HND slot for that matter. If Bain does the about turn and hands the HND slot back, it makes it easier for UA to start LAX/SFO to BNE -if- they chose to do so.

I don’t think HND will turn out to be a gold mine for VA2. They have almost zero brand recognition and the Japanese market is notoriously finicky….

Do you have a source for that? Whilst the news releases state that reciprocal lounge access will occur, there is a chance that it could mean you must be on a same day international connection which greatly reduces the benefit if you are doing a lot of travel within the US.

Yes the press release is quite general. Let’s hope it’s the case gold gets unrestricted access. Not that US domestic lounges are much above a Subway

 

[exceladdict]

I don’t think HND will turn out to be a gold mine for VA2. They have almost zero brand recognition and the Japanese market is notoriously finicky….



Yes the press release is quite general. Let’s hope it’s the case gold gets unrestricted access. Not that US domestic lounges are much above a Subway

Above a Subway is borderline generous! I guess at least you don't have to pay for the cookies.

Agree re: HND - especially if the tie up with ANA continues.

Tell me you want to join *A without telling me you want to join *A.

 

[BNEFlyer]

Above a Subway is borderline generous! I guess at least you don't have to pay for the cookies.

Agree re: HND - especially if the tie up with ANA continues.

Tell me you want to join *A without telling me you want to join *A

Partners with SQ/AC/SA/UA/NH (almost)/NZ (probably again soon), it should almost just be a formality to get them in.

 

[Ausbt]

A lot of fond memories of Delta, particularly earning generous SCs in the US. I think my fave memory was when, upon asking for a second 187ml bottle of red seated in Economy Comfort the cabin crew member asked "do you want a half-bottle?" and promptly offered the 350ml size. Aaaahhhmm? I had no idea there was such a thing. She was probably thinking "Another big-drinking Aussie, this should shut him up".

 

[jakeseven7]

A lot of fond memories of Delta, particularly earning generous SCs in the US. I think my fave memory was when, upon asking for a second 187ml bottle of red seated in Economy Comfort the cabin crew member asked "do you want a half-bottle?" and promptly offered the 350ml size. Aaaahhhmm? I had no idea there was such a thing. She was probably thinking "Another big-drinking Aussie, this should shut him up".

Delta IMHO is a much much better airline than UA, but on a hopeful trip to the… stars, UA is a better ticket

 

[AIRwin]

Here's the corresponding UAnnouncement:

https://www.united.com/en/us/newsroom/announcements/cision-125202

 

[Nexus9]

I look forward to being dragged from my seat screaming lol

 

[jakeseven7]

I look forward to being dragged from my seat screaming lol

That benefit will be reserved for Platinum Velocity Members, you get 2 forced removals in a calendar year.

 

[SYD]

This looks like great news.

As I currently have Gold status with both Velocity and United, I'm now wondering what the point of maintaining Velocity status is though. If I can get lounge access and earn United miles/status on VA flights, I would just credit to United.

The only reason I would consider maintaining Velocity status is if it got you lounge access on UA domestic itineraries (which United status does not).

Wouldn’t it also come down to which status is easier to earn/maintain?

In went through a similar thought process when VA hooked up with SQ and NZ - figured I could probably let my UA Gold status lapse.

 

[jakeseven7]

Wouldn’t it also come down to which status is easier to earn/maintain?

In went through a similar thought process when VA hooked up with SQ and NZ - figured I could probably let my UA Gold status lapse.

Velocity is a doozy you can literally buy donuts at 711 and get status credits… surely it’s the easiest of them?

 

[MarkD]

I look forward to being dragged from my seat screaming lol

Look forward to seeing it all over the internet. Love seeing nobs eat cough after playing up and disobeying flight attendant instructions / federal laws

 

[serfty]

In went through a similar thought process when VA hooked up with SQ and NZ - figured I could probably let my UA Gold status lapse.

Same for me in letting my Airpoints Elite Gold lapse ...

 

[jakeseven7]

Look forward to seeing it all over the internet. Love seeing nobs eat cough after playing up and disobeying flight attendant instructions / federal laws

There’s a whole YouTube Channel dedicated to United priority disembarkation Maybe we can use Velocity points to upgrade to this

 

[jakeseven7]

I wonder if Delta will funnel their interline passengers onto Qantas now?