United Airlines new Virgin Australia/Velocity Partner

[palpal]

I haven't heard reports of anything working as it should, so you should be expecting to pay for your checked baggage. Easy to get a refund online after the flight though.

Thats a bit of a worry....if i am forced to pay for luggage despite being VA gold, do i complain to Virgin or United? Anyone have experience with this?

 

[FTac]

Thats a bit of a worry....if i am forced to pay for luggage despite being VA gold, do i complain to Virgin or United? Anyone have experience with this?

You can complain to either or both, depends on how much complaining you feel like doing!

 

[MooTime]

I haven't heard reports of anything working as it should, so you should be expecting to pay for your checked baggage. Easy to get a refund online after the flight though.

There was a poster here on AFF who stated his experience as VA Gold travelling in US on United was given free 1 bag, I just can't find the post now.
But yes I agree there must be more communication to UA staff re; this new partner in VA, just another email memo that most will delete immediately no doubt. oh well.
If have to follow up for refund later for time being, so be it.

 

[bernardblack]

Anyone know whether I can call Velocity to book an award on United where United shows space, its Star partners (including LifeMiles and KrisFlyer) show space, but Velocity won't allow the origin and destination to be selected together (HND and LAX in this instance)?

 

[Mattg]

Anyone know whether I can call Velocity to book an award on United where United shows space, its Star partners (including LifeMiles and KrisFlyer) show space, but Velocity won't allow the origin and destination to be selected together (HND and LAX in this instance)?

Yes.

(Just make sure it’s actual partner award space, not a “JN” or similar award on United’s own website.)

 

[bernardblack]

Yes.

(Just make sure it’s actual partner award space, not a “JN” or similar award on United’s own website.)

Thanks. It's definitely real partner-level space; it's the lowest price at United.com and it shows up for partner programs.

Anyway it's still hypothetical for now but the space is there so if the wedding I'm hoping to attend firms up, I can grab it.

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

Flying domestic with United (Cleveland-Denver) and no acknowledgement of status, except my Velocity number on the pass. I've paid for First so no issue with bag check or being treated like a human, but will be interested to see if they improve this over time...

 

[Dr Paris]

Just to clarify.... flying HBA-SYD-LAX-SEA and SEA-SFO-MEL-HBA soon... am VA Platinum, and I am assuming (based on the Velocity and United websites) that I will have access to:

1. the Singapore Airlines lounge at SYD
2. then the United Club at LAX before departing for SEA (?)
3. then the United Club at SEA (?) before departing for SFO
4. and the United Club at SFO (?) before departing for MEL

The Velocity website seems to suggest that all four of these are correct and accurate, but the United website says "Velocity Gold, Platinum, and VIP members may enter United Club locations using that day’s boarding pass for an international United or Virgin Australia-operated flight departing from the same airport"... which implies that I won't have access at point #2, above (because at that point I don't have a "that day" boarding pass from the "same airport")?

Does anyone have any thoughts?

This new partnership is a whole new thing to learn after I had internalised how the Delta partnership worked!

Thanks!

 

[henrus]

that day’s boarding pass

A boarding pass from the same day is counted as either the day of departure or day of arrival. In the case of overnight flights where you may land the next day it's still acceptable in terms of access to the United Club.

then the United Club at LAX before departing for SEA (?)

Assuming the LAX-SEA flight is on the same day of arrival as the SYD-LAX flight then yes access is all good. I was in the United club LAX a few months ago and breakfast was light with just some fruit, cereal, pastries and yoghurt.

then the United Club at SEA (?) before departing for SFO

Assuming the SFO-MEL flight is on the same day as you fly from SEA-SFO then yes access at SEA.

and the United Club at SFO (?) before departing for MEL

Yes as this is an international flight you'd have access. SFO has 3 united clubs with the one located in the international area (near the G gates) generally closest to the Australian departures. This is open till 10:30pm and features some packaged snacks and a diy salad station. It's in the old global first lounge space and is down a lift or some stairs.

This is the current SFO drinks list noting the general expectation to tip cash for the included drinks

https://media.united.com/images/Media%20Database/SDL/travel/airport/united-club-and-lounges/menus/28419_UnitedClub_Digital-Bar-Menu_SFO_v3.pdf

 

[kimsd]

Howdy, flying VA & UA from ADL to SJD (Cabo, Mexico) via SFO and return in September. Looking to use carry-on only given all the news around lost and delayed baggage. Noticed that UA doesn't have any weight restrictions but VA has 7kg only domestically. Anyone know if UA's rules would take override VA's? I booked via United's website.

 

[henrus]

Noticed that UA doesn't have any weight restrictions but VA has 7kg only domestically. Anyone know if UA's rules would take override VA's? I booked via United's website.

Nope, most significant carrier rules for baggage only apply to checked luggage. The carry on allowance is up to the operating carrier.

Virgin's standard allowance allows 1x 7kg item 56x36x23cm plus one personal item like a handbag/laptop etc (the personal item not included in the weight limit). It's worth noting that Virgin hardly ever weigh baggage and if they do the worst case scenario is they'll make you check it free of charge (provided you still have an available checked baggage allowance).

United don't have a weight limit but do limit size to 56x35x22cm for the main item plus a personal item 43x25x22cm. They sometimes police the size of the bag but are more particular around the basic economy fares.

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

Just to clarify.... flying HBA-SYD-LAX-SEA and SEA-SFO-MEL-HBA soon... am VA Platinum, and I am assuming (based on the Velocity and United websites) that I will have access to:

1. the Singapore Airlines lounge at SYD
2. then the United Club at LAX before departing for SEA (?)
3. then the United Club at SEA (?) before departing for SFO
4. and the United Club at SFO (?) before departing for MEL

The Velocity website seems to suggest that all four of these are correct and accurate, but the United website says "Velocity Gold, Platinum, and VIP members may enter United Club locations using that day’s boarding pass for an international United or Virgin Australia-operated flight departing from the same airport"... which implies that I won't have access at point #2, above (because at that point I don't have a "that day" boarding pass from the "same airport")?

Does anyone have any thoughts?

This new partnership is a whole new thing to learn after I had internalised how the Delta partnership worked!

Thanks!

Remember that if you go carry on only that your liquids have to abide by the 3-1-1 rule.
VA has rarely (if ever) enforced carry on limits with Plat/Gold members - if it fits in the overhead then feel free.
In terms of lounges, what you've put up there appears to be correct.

 

[henrus]

VA has rarely (if ever) enforced carry on limits with Plat/Gold members - if it fits in the overhead then feel free.

I think you might have responded to the wrong post there.

The poster asking about the carry on does not indicate they have status.

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

I think you might have responded to the wrong post there.

The poster asking about the carry on does not indicate they have status.

Dr Paris noted at the start of their post that they were a VA Platinum

 

[henrus]

Dr Paris noted at the start of their post that they were a VA Platinum

Correct but Dr Paris wasn't asking about carry on, that was a different post from kimsd

 

[kimsd]

Thanks for the responses. Looks like there might have been some confusion in the replies!

I've definitely got a lightweight cabin bag that fits the dimensions. I'll just swing it around like it weighs nothing

Personally, I don't have any status with either airline (VA or UA). Basically everything reset with covid, so I'm starting over. Was one trip away from getting first time gold with Qantas on a double status credits promo, then travel shut down

Since I've got Flybuys and status credits accumulated via that, I figured collecting VA points would be the best option? Would it otherwise be better to collect MileagePlus instead? Once Qantas starts opening up direct SFO flights, I'll most likely switch back to them, unless they don't improve their current game.

 

[palpal]

Question for those who have already traveled to/from USA on United using Virgin booking platform or Velocity points.....

I am Virgin Gold, and have some United domestic flights and a SFO-SYD United flight coming up.

According to United, they cannot see I am VA Gold even though my Velocity number is on the booking.

For those who have traveled, did you need to show your VA Gold Digital cards on checkin?
Did they honor it for lounge access and/or extra baggage allowance?

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

No recognition on check in or on board. No lounge access on domestic flights (unless on the international ticket). I booked in First so no issues with bags, however when you check in online UA asks how many bags and then charges if applicable. Best of luck.

PS- just another reason why being in *A would have been a better option for VA status pax.

 

[bigbadbyrnes]

Hi all, is there a good thread or source summarising the process to pay for an upgrade to Polaris from a Premium Economy Plus?

Having searched on youtube and elsewhere, it looks like it's possible to upgrade through the United app after (or before?) check in, but prices apparently vary.

Does anyone have Australian experience with this? And is it still best to book with United directly, and quote your Velocity number to get the SCs/Points (rather than try to book using Virgin, which doesn't even offer Y+ yet)

 

[kamchatsky]

I've booked LAX-LAS, as well as LAS-SFO on UA Y for 4 of us to fly at the end of this year. Initially I thought of putting my VA number (I am Gold), but ended up putting my SQ *G number instead. Instantly I get 4 free checked bags (1 free bag for each of us in the same reservation). I am not sure if I will get lounge access for all 4 of us.

I would still prefer to change the FF number to my VA Gold number as I can earn status with family pooling. But looking at the thread here, I may end up losing 4 free checked bags ..... So until this is sorted I will leave my SQ *G number for now.

I did put VA numbers of my other 3 pax though (all VA Red) as I have family pooling.