United Airlines new Virgin Australia/Velocity Partner

[justinbrett]

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.

Though that's always been strange for QF/BA (and others) flying AA - and to make it worse even getting access to the Flagship lounge on a domestic flight - something that AA elites with paid AC membership can't get.

Edit - yes, what @exceladdict said.

 

[Must...Fly!]

The original VA/DL arrangement was equally as unique and no doubt cost VA a fair bit to really bring Virgin & Velocity up as a competitor Transpacific to QF/AA. I guess as things became more competitive and fares really fell through the floor, it wasn't really sustainable long term (which is unfortunate for us of course).

 

[EuroKick]

Well that’s disappointing. I’ve got a flight in PE with United in June SYD-SFO. No lounge access at all I assume? VA plat

 

[henrus]

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.

This is not correct. As an Air NZ *G I get access to UA Clubs on domestic only tickets. The requirement to be travelling on an international ticket is limited to UA status holders.

This therefore makes VA status worse than *G on UA domestic flights.

 

[justinbrett]

Well that’s disappointing. I’ve got a flight in PE with United in June SYD-SFO. No lounge access at all I assume? VA plat

I might have missed something but surely you'll get lounge access from status as it's an international booking?

I thought the no access was only for those who made a separate booking for domestic only travel?

 

[henrus]

I might have missed something but surely you'll get lounge access from status as it's an international booking?

The policy is that access is to only UA operated lounges.

As there are no UA operated lounges in SYD/MEL there will be no lounge access for VA Gold/Plat departing Australia.

 

[justinbrett]

The policy is that access is to only UA operated lounges.

As there are no UA operated lounges in SYD/MEL there will be no lounge access for VA Gold/Plat departing Australia.

Oh right, yes missed that! Ouch. It's going to be the same issue with Qatar.

 

[henrus]

Oh right, yes missed that! Ouch. It's going to be the same issue with Qatar.

For reference almost all United Clubs are in the US with only one lounge outside of the US reopened after COVID.

US United Club Locations:
Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas Fort Worth, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Guam, Honolulu, Huston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New Orleans, Newark, New York LGA, Orange County, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phenoix, Releigh/Durham, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington (DCA/IAD)

International United Club Locations:
Hong Kong (temp closed), London LHR, Mexico City (temp closed), Tokyo NRT (temp closed).

Mind you Qatar airways will be even worse. Qatar Airways only has lounges in 5 airports worldwide. Most outstation lounges are only open to business class and higher (QR sends frequent flyers to a third party lounge). In Doha they have a separate lower tier lounge for frequent flyers. Elsewhere they have lounges in Bangkok, London, Paris and Singapore but none have reopened since covid.

 

[antycbr]

Oh right, yes missed that! Ouch. It's going to be the same issue with Qatar.

I expect to stay competitive VA status pax will get access to The House or whatever it’s called again. It’s not competitive for people to have zero lounge access as a Platinum or Gold.

 

[jase05]

I expect to stay competitive VA status pax will get access to The House or whatever it’s called again. It’s not competitive for people to have zero lounge access as a Platinum or Gold.

Yep, there will be arrangements made

 

[muppet]

I almost purchased 6 sectors for July in UA First on the assumption of lounge access and status earn consistent with VA coded flights.

I will have to reconsider now as I was going to be paying a small premium over AA in order to get closer to VA WP again… I don’t think I’ll end up flying a single UA segment, back to AA which were all cheaper, more direct and included lounge access as a QF WP.

Quite a disappointing partnership for most people I would assume, even if we kinda suspected lounge access on domestic tickets would be an issue - the poor status earn on UA coded flights is unexpected.

 

[jase05]

I almost purchased 6 sectors for July in UA First on the assumption of lounge access and status earn consistent with VA coded flights.

I will have to reconsider now as I was going to be paying a small premium over AA in order to get closer to VA WP again… I don’t think I’ll end up flying a single UA segment, back to AA which were all cheaper, more direct and included lounge access as a QF WP.

Quite a disappointing partnership for most people I would assume, even if we kinda suspected lounge access on domestic tickets would be an issue - the poor status earn on UA coded flights is unexpected.

Unless I’m missing something the earn is similar on both VA or UA codes isn’t it?

 

[Must...Fly!]

The policy is that access is to only UA operated lounges.

As there are no UA operated lounges in SYD/MEL there will be no lounge access for VA Gold/Plat departing Australia.

There will certainly be an exception for ex-AU ports.

 

[SeaWolf]

There will certainly be an exception for ex-AU ports.

Maybe longer term but at the moment UA is relying on its *A partners for lounge access. When I flew them a few weeks ago I was told I could use either the NZ or SQ lounges. Seemed like they had no specific agreement in place.

 

[justinbrett]

There will certainly be an exception for ex-AU ports.

Are VA181 pax getting any lounge access at the moment?

 

[Must...Fly!]

It's all about money, if Velocity pays then there's no problem. This is a status based Velocity issue, not one to do with Virgin Australia.

 

[muppet]

Unless I’m missing something the earn is similar on both VA or UA codes isn’t it?

Hmmmm true enough, i think the website has been updated.

When I looked at the Velocity website I’m certain that UA coded flights were showing as earning 25%ish less than VA coded.

Glad it is not the case.

 

[Mattg]

Info for United MileagePlus members flying on Virgin Australia is now also available:

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

Disappointing to see that VA flights appear to be ineligible to earn Premier qualifying credits on United. You'll only earn award miles.

 

[justinbrett]

Disappointing to see that VA flights appear to be ineligible to earn Premier qualifying credits on United. You'll only earn award miles.

But is it surprising? Otherwise it's the same debate in the QR thread - why join velocity when you can join UA instead?

Another vote for *A membership.

 

[henrus]

There will certainly be an exception for ex-AU ports.

Currently this is not stated on the website. The Velocity website makes no mention of this starting on 24 May.

Are VA181 pax getting any lounge access at the moment?

No.