United Airlines new Virgin Australia/Velocity Partner

[Mattg]

I Thought they relented on charging for spirits recently.

Hmm, looks like you're right.

United Airlines Will Restore Free Alcohol Minis In Premium Economy Class - Live and Let's Fly

Alcohol Minis Will Again Be Complimentary On United Airlines In Premium Economy Class On Longhaul Flights Reversing A Recent Cutback.

liveandletsfly.com

I was told by a United FA that spirits weren't free in Premium Plus after that article was written, so obviously this hasn't been communicated well to the onboard crew!

 

[Tannin]

It was actually OK - Catering ex Sydney was very good.

Expect business class meals. Pic below was Salmon with Hollandaise on pearl couscous.

Thanks, got the same, though they ran out for some customers (the other option was polenta). There was no choice for breakfast and looked to be frittata, I think also served in economy.

Whatever you do, don't drop anything. Under those seats is a whole other world! I also missed my connection because flight came in slightly later, and United were a pain to get a new flight sorted.

Entire experience was a lot of flashbacks to 20 years ago. They haven't changed much.

 

[ash.1111]

Sorry if this is already answered, but how do I book Premium Economy via VA? I get Economy, Flex and Business as options?

 

[clifford]

Entire experience was a lot of flashbacks to 20 years ago. They haven't changed much.

They were actually pretty good (relatively) 20 years ago (I'm UA lifetime Plat).

 

[henrus]

Sorry if this is already answered, but how do I book Premium Economy via VA? I get Economy, Flex and Business as options?

Currently not possible, the partnership only covers Economy and Business (Choice, Flex and Business fares).

 

[robinsparkles]

Trying to catch up on this thread, has anyone recently flown UA as Platinum? Specifically did you get the extra baggage? Flying SYD SFO in August and relying on status to get some extra allowance

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

Trying to catch up on this thread, has anyone recently flown UA as Platinum? Specifically did you get the extra baggage? Flying SYD SFO in August and relying on status to get some extra allowance

I'm booked on a J award booking next month to SFO, so will let you know how I go. Having said that, I'm doing BNE-SYD-SFO, so I assume I'll be dropping my bags at BNE with Virgin's check in, so probably not the most accurate experience for what you want.

 

[angelaorourke]

Do you think United will release any business class reward seats for velocity redemption for September 2022? I check daily online and there are only economy reward seats available. Im looking LAX or SFO to Australia (any airport). I keep holding out on booking economy reward seats in case they drop business rewards last minute. Is this wishful thinking?

 

[SeaWolf]

Is this wishful thinking?

Yeah, probably. Premium seat rewards on USA<->Australia flights are like hen's teeth unfortunately.

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

Do you think United will release any business class reward seats for velocity redemption for September 2022? I check daily online and there are only economy reward seats available. Im looking LAX or SFO to Australia (any airport). I keep holding out on booking economy reward seats in case they drop business rewards last minute. Is this wishful thinking?

You could always grab the Y reward seats now (making sure you've got a way of getting to/from LAX/SFO) and just keep checking. DL & VA used to always provide additional J availability close to the flight date (VA ~21 days out IIRC) depending on capacity. YMMV though as always.

 

[FTac]

Has anyone encountered any problems with additional baggage allowance on domestic United flights?
When I went to the United app, it thought I was a basic Premier Plus member but on the website, it states that I'm entitled one free bag (as a Velocity Gold member).
The customer service agents were evidently also bemused and couldn't find a solution. One of the phone agents stated that after 'further research', Virgin was listed under their system as a *Alliance partner but without any benefits.

Just checked in for a domestic flight here in the US as a Velocity Gold member. The staff member charged for checked baggage despite me trying to explain that it should be included.

 

[palpal]

Just checked in for a domestic flight here in the US as a Velocity Gold member. The staff member charged for checked baggage despite me trying to explain that it should be included.

Oh dear.....so did you argue? did you show them your velocity digital card and ask them to look up their own policy? i think the confusion is United is Star alliance and Virgin is a United partner but not star alliance. So they dont know if Velocity gold is same as star alliance gold......
How far did you escalate this?

 

[SCM]

Can anyone explain what's going on here?

6 Feb 2023

VA tag

UA tag



I checked some other dates - same story. I have never seen such expensive point prices in my life, what's going on here?

 

[jase05]

Can anyone explain what's going on here?

6 Feb 2023

VA tag
View attachment 283804
UA tag

View attachment 283805

I checked some other dates - same story. I have never seen such expensive point prices in my life, what's going on here?

You will see above that there are no Business reward availability on that date but there is Economy reward seats. That is what you are looking for. The top row are NOT reward flights but you are essentially paying for the seats with points not cash which is very poor value IMO.

 

[palpal]

Just got off the United online chat asking about VA gold and free domestic checked luggage while flying economy in USA as per the Virgin website. The operator couldn’t tell me for sure and it is not clear on the united website….

anyone have real life experience flying united domestic with VA status in regards to checked luggage?

 

[SYD]

Just got off the United online chat asking about VA gold and free domestic checked luggage while flying economy in USA as per the Virgin website. The operator couldn’t tell me for sure and it is not clear on the united website….

anyone have real life experience flying united domestic with VA status in regards to checked luggage?

Ideally, there ought to be a United memo for UA ground staff outlining the VA benefits. If someone can get that or a link and post it.

Then it would be wise to carry a copy.

Just checked in for a domestic flight here in the US as a Velocity Gold member. The staff member charged for checked baggage despite me trying to explain that it should be included.

Did you BP have something like *G on it or any other distinguishing mark or feature suggesting the UA system recognised your VA status?

 

[Spoon]

Hmmmm, I am confused. I am just booking some US domestic flights (operated by COMMUTEAIR DBA UNITED EXPRESS). I assumed as Velocity Platinum I would be able to bring a carry on and a checked bag. Maybe not...

 

[henrus]

Hmmmm, I am confused. I am just booking some US domestic flights (operated by COMMUTEAIR DBA UNITED EXPRESS)

Those flights are similar to how Qantas has flights operated by Qantaslink.

 

[Spoon]

Sorry Henrus, I meant I am confused about whether I can take bags or I have to pay for them on united domestic flight as above...

 

[SCM]

You will see above that there are no Business reward availability on that date but there is Economy reward seats. That is what you are looking for. The top row are NOT reward flights but you are essentially paying for the seats with points not cash which is very poor value IMO.

What do you mean? There is business, its 903,400 points + $145.38

I think you are misreading about economy, let me reiterate from that screenshot. This is obviously for the very same flight;

VA coded - 170,900 points + $145.38
UA coded - 44,800 points + $116.48

In both situations it is points & pay, what confuses me is why is there such a big difference between the two options given it's literally the same flight and they are partners? Why are they charging so much more in redemption for flying under the VA tag flight?