United Airlines new Virgin Australia/Velocity Partner

[bigbadbyrnes]

I must be missing something here.
BNE SFO return flights between mid May to late May 2023

$5k+ for Premium plus economy
$10k+ for business

I remember when DJ were doing business return for $6,250. I thought that was exxy!

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

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.

I think for the family, 4 checked bags free of charge is better than status with VA, for this trip.
If you were travelling solo with min bags, ok, to try and change the FF points earning back to VA.

 

[Inlander]

I must be missing something here.
BNE SFO return flights between mid May to late May 2023

$5k+ for Premium plus economy
$10k+ for business

I remember when DJ were doing business return for $6,250. I thought that was exxy!T

Its up there- Load factors are looking very decent , especially to USA from Aust and higher fuel costs dont help

 

[HS-TQE]

I did hear there are plenty of reward J seats for BNE-SFO, suggesting forward J bookings aren't that flash initially. However, as it's 2 months out from launch (at the time of this post), they could be snapped up before then.

After all, the BNE-SFO route on UA does need to meet a break-even target to ensure it continues past the AAIF government subsidised period.

 

[ag4647]

Flying LAX to YVR with VA (platinum) on booking. Checked in online; had to pay for bag. Digital boarding pass shows Premiere Access.

The whole paying for seats that are not rows furthest back and paying for bags really feels down market from DL.

Noticed this wording in the lounge access policy which interestingly set the agreement up for VA flights?

“boarding pass for an international United or Virgin Australia-operated flight”

 

[bcworld]

I must be missing something here.
BNE SFO return flights between mid May to late May 2023

$5k+ for Premium plus economy
$10k+ for business

I remember when DJ were doing business return for $6,250. I thought that was exxy!

There are some interesting fares on UA...particularly for premium plus which can price up much cheaper than even discount economy.

I've booked MEL-LAX / stop 1 day / LAX-EWR-EDI / EDI - EWR / stop 2 days / EWR - LAX - MEL.

Christmas dates...departing a few days before Xmas...MEL-LAX-EWR and LAX - MEL are in premium plus (was able to book economy plus seating for no charge on all the other sectors). Fare very close to A$4k. And I'll earn a huge number of VA miles and SCs.

Discount economy for the same flights was about $5,500 at the time of booking.

 

[palpal]

Flying LAX to YVR with VA (platinum) on booking. Checked in online; had to pay for bag. Digital boarding pass shows Premiere Access.

The whole paying for seats that are not rows furthest back and paying for bags really feels down market from DL.

Noticed this wording in the lounge access policy which interestingly set the agreement up for VA flights?

“boarding pass for an international United or Virgin Australia-operated flight”

Just wondering if you are VA platinum and you should get free checked baggage with United..... why didnt you check in online but not pay for bags, then approach the counter flash your VA digital card and insist on free checked bag?

 

[Jusrus]

I‘m at LAX on my first VA Gold / United flight booking.

Booked MEL/SYD/LAX/YYZ/YQM - last two legs code share with Air Canada.

No lounge access available at either Air Canada Terminal 6 or United Terminal 7, so drinking expensive beers.

Hoping that there is a solution at Tom Bradley for return LAX-SYD? Can anyone advise?

SYD lounge access was SQ and excellent.

 

[antycbr]

I‘m at LAX on my first VA Gold / United flight booking.

Booked MEL/SYD/LAX/YYZ/YQM - last two legs code share with Air Canada.

No lounge access available at either Air Canada Terminal 6 or United Terminal 7, so drinking expensive beers.

Hoping that there is a solution at Tom Bradley for return LAX-SYD? Can anyone advise?

SYD lounge access was SQ and excellent.

I would expect the codeshares on AC metal are your undoing. You shouldn’t have a problem at LAX on the return.

Speaking of AC, come on VA fix this so that there are actually some status benefits. Even checked baggage would be nice.

 

[Jusrus]

I would expect the codeshares on AC metal are your undoing. You shouldn’t have a problem at LAX on the return.

Speaking of AC, come on VA fix this so that there are actually some status benefits. Even checked baggage would be nice.

Yep. Outside of points and credits there’s zero point to flying AC. But this run will get me back to platinum so that will be worth it!!

 

[Revenge]

It looks like there have been some changes to the UA-VA Partnership agreement. When the details first came out, you could not earn UA Premier Qualifying Points when flying on VA. However, I received this email from United on Friday:

Subject: Earn miles and Premier qualifying credits with Virgin Australia

---

MileagePlus members can now earn miles and Premier® qualifying credits when they fly with Virgin Australia, our newest airline partner.

I have checked the partner page (https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/mileageplus/earn-miles/airline-partners/virgin-australia.html) and indeed VA is now listed as a partner that earns PQP at the Preferred Partner rate.
This is good news for UA status holders in Australia as it allows a way to contribute towards earning and retaining UA status in Australia.

 

[jakeseven7]

I must be missing something here.
BNE SFO return flights between mid May to late May 2023

$5k+ for Premium plus economy
$10k+ for business

I remember when DJ were doing business return for $6,250. I thought that was exxy!

UA do alot of sale fares and discounting to get people to fly them, just keep an eye on their sales.

(Also if you are looking at VA codeshares don't bother - always more $$)

 

[Revenge]

There are some interesting fares on UA...particularly for premium plus which can price up much cheaper than even discount economy.

There sure are! I need to get to Canada early next year and I booked NAN-AKL-SFO-YVR one way in flex business (J fare bucket) for AUD $3,250 in February. The NAN-AKL segment is on NZ metal and the rest on UA. This price is still available on the UA website on some days.

Good excuse for a stopover in Fiji!

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

It looks like there have been some changes to the UA-VA Partnership agreement. When the details first came out, you could not earn UA Premier Qualifying Points when flying on VA.

One can only hope that there is some reciprocity in lounge rules when flying UA domestically in the US coming to us in the near future as well!

 

[exceladdict]

It looks like there have been some changes to the UA-VA Partnership agreement. When the details first came out, you could not earn UA Premier Qualifying Points when flying on VA. However, I received this email from United on Friday:

I have checked the partner page (https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/mileageplus/earn-miles/airline-partners/virgin-australia.html) and indeed VA is now listed as a partner that earns PQP at the Preferred Partner rate.
This is good news for UA status holders in Australia as it allows a way to contribute towards earning and retaining UA status in Australia.

I understand UA do status matches from time to time; could this be a better option if one does lots of *A travel? (assuming that neither VA nor UA will get lounge access with US domestic flights)?

 

[Revenge]

I understand UA do status matches from time to time; could this be a better option if one does lots of *A travel?

Yes, I think that would work but keep in mind you need 4 sectors on UA metal.

(assuming that neither VA nor UA will get lounge access with US domestic flights)?

Yes that’s right, no access for domestic US flights.

 

[exceladdict]

Yes, I think that would work but keep in mind you need 4 sectors on UA metal.

Ah, that's the kicker.

 

[jakeseven7]

I understand UA do status matches from time to time; could this be a better option if one does lots of *A travel? (assuming that neither VA nor UA will get lounge access with US domestic flights)?

Absolutely and be part of a ‘proper’ alliance has massive advantages. The problem is you have to fly UA for some sectors every year for your punishment

 

[HS-TQE]

I must be missing something here.
BNE SFO return flights between mid May to late May 2023

$5k+ for Premium plus economy
$10k+ for business

I remember when DJ were doing business return for $6,250. I thought that was exxy!

Plenty of J reward redemptions from memory some 2 months out from the inaugural. Might suggest forwards bookings are still not strong and isn't a good start if the State of Queensland wants to see the route's survival past the Queensland Taxpayer/BAC subsidy period.

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

Given none of the three major US airlines allow lounge access on solely domestic itineraries to even their own Gold (or Gold-equivalent) members, I can understand why United isn't racing to offer such access to VA Gold members.

It's reasonably safe to assume that the Big 3 US carriers only begrudgingly allow Gold-equivalent members from other carriers within their alliance lounge access on domestic itineraries because the alliances' rules have effectively forced them to do so, not because they want to. Of course, selfishly, seeing VA join Star Alliance would still solve this problem for me as a VA Gold, not a United one.

I'm flying UA in October with my VA number rather than Star Gold as the trip will get me to VA Platinum and my Star status is set. There are 2 domestic sectors from ports with United Clubs, but as it's all one ticket from Sydney, I shouldn't have lounge issues, though I will report back with any updates.

Peripherally, +1 for Air Canada. They need to get something sorted. It feels a bit silly flying an airline to get SCs to maintain status, while sacrificing the benefits of said status to do so. I flew AC last week with my VA number but managed reasonable upgrades to J from PY on both sectors so didn't need get the Star Gold card out for any benefits. I wasn't particularly impressed with their J product, however, so won't be rushing to drop the cash again flying back. I read on a recent FlyerTalk forum for AC that some people input their Star Gold number when they first check-in online, and then modify it to another carrier to credit the flights as apparently AC's desktop (but not mobile) version of their online check-in will allow this. They've then reported successfully using the original boarding passes with the Star Gold benefits showing for priority screening and boarding, and showing their Star Gold card at lounges where the agents are likely to actually look at the reservation. This isn't against any published Star Alliance rules, so I don't have a problem with it, and may give it a go on my way back. Will report back on that as well.