United Airlines new Virgin Australia/Velocity Partner

[mitchd]

Had to book some last-minute flights to USA for a funeral this week, flying in the last two weeks of January. Was pleasantly surprised to see so many business (Polaris) rewards on the international leg to SFO or LAX from BNE/SYD/MEL. Either they opened up recently or the demand for travel at this time of year isn’t there. On a couple of the flights just for fun I decided to search for 8 guests and was still offered business rewards on BNE-SFO. Even managed to get Saturday/Friday flights.

A nice change from setting my alarm 1 hour too late and missing out on rewards seats on the day they become available 11 months in advance!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Had to book some last-minute flights to USA for a funeral this week, flying in the last two weeks of January. Was pleasantly surprised to see so many business (Polaris) rewards on the international leg to SFO or LAX from BNE/SYD/MEL. Either they opened up recently or the demand for travel at this time of year isn’t there. On a couple of the flights just for fun I decided to search for 8 guests and was still offered business rewards on BNE-SFO. Even managed to get Saturday/Friday flights.

A nice change from setting my alarm 1 hour too late and missing out on rewards seats on the day they become available 11 months in advance!

Yes, there’s that! But unfortunately last-minute released don’t suit everyone needing to plan trips, accommodation etc. But… worth keeping in mind if people can only get say economy or premium economy on a sector, to keep checking closer to departure.

 

[AIRwin]

More codeshares:

Virgin Australia Enhances United US Codeshare Network in 1Q24 — AeroRoutes

Published at 0200GMT 15JAN24 Virgin Australia from 16JAN24 further expands codeshare partnership with United Airlines, covering additional 21 routes, including the latter's Los Angeles – Brisbane route. Virgin Australia operated by United Houston – Baltimore/Washington Houston – Boise Houston –

www.aeroroutes.com

 

[SnowGoose]

Was just browsing reward seats FCO - MEL and noticed that for 59,800 pts + $126 you can fly United via SFO. Thats a 12hr and 15hr flight separated by a ~4hr layover. Has anyone out there been brave enough to do this to save a few points and $ compared to SQ/QR?!

 

[anyonebutqantas]

Was just browsing reward seats FCO - MEL and noticed that for 59,800 pts + $126 you can fly United via SFO. Thats a 12hr and 15hr flight separated by a ~4hr layover. Has anyone out there been brave enough to do this to save a few points and $ compared to SQ/QR?!

I'm assuming the points on SQ or QR would be more than double for that? Is that a J or Y price?

 

[SnowGoose]

I'm assuming the points on SQ or QR would be more than double for that? Is that a J or Y price?

Y price - QR and SQ equivalent reward is 75,000 points + ~ $300

 

[bcworld]

There are essentially 2 award charts for Velocity...UA and VS have a different table to all other partners with lower points requirements...that's why. And QR and SQ have carrier surcharges...UA does not.

Using Points For Flights

Use your Velocity Points to fly to over 500 destinations. Check out our flight reward options and turn your Points into a flight for your next trip or dream holiday today

www.velocityfrequentflyer.com

 

[WLGFlyer]

Has anyone successfully booked a reward by calling VA for city pairs that are not available on the VA website? For example LAX-ANC or the like?

 

[bcworld]

Has anyone successfully booked a reward by calling VA for city pairs that are not available on the VA website? For example LAX-ANC or the like?

Just change the destination in the URL after searching.

 

[Happy Dude]

Wow. Great stuff @bcworld!

 

[WLGFlyer]

Just change the destination in the URL after searching.

View attachment 367769

Awesome stuff!

 

[AIRwin]

Not sure if it's targeted but I received an offer for double points on new or existing bookings on a UA operated flight with a UA or VA flight number between BNE/MEL/SYD and LAX/SFO direct (or vice versa)

 

[ols]

Not sure if it's targeted but I received an offer for double points on new or existing bookings on a UA operated flight with a UA or VA flight number between BNE/MEL/SYD and LAX/SFO direct (or vice versa)

Everybody

 

[RooFlyer]

Not sure if it's targeted but I received an offer for double points on new or existing bookings

Being given the bonus on existing bookings is a positive development

 

[Mattg]

Not sure if it's targeted but I received an offer for double points on new or existing bookings on a UA operated flight with a UA or VA flight number between BNE/MEL/SYD and LAX/SFO direct (or vice versa)

Registration link here:

Offer

www.velocityfrequentflyer.com

 

[Thee]

Am looking at a flight, MEL-SFO, end of November and there appears to be only 3 BC seats booked according to expert flyer. In peoples experience, what’s the likelihood of United releasing more business class seats to Velocity members?

 

[levelnine]

Am looking at a flight, MEL-SFO, end of November and there appears to be only 3 BC seats booked according to expert flyer. In peoples experience, what’s the likelihood of United releasing more business class seats to Velocity members?

High, but there's no way to tell exactly how many seats have been booked — the number of seats occupied does not necessarily equal the number of seats booked.

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

Am looking at a flight, MEL-SFO, end of November and there appears to be only 3 BC seats booked according to expert flyer. In peoples experience, what’s the likelihood of United releasing more business class seats to Velocity members?

I'd recommend making your booking in Y now (assuming there is availability) and then copping the $60 cancellation fee to then pick up a J fare if it appears (generally at T-14 days or T-21). At least that way you're getting to SFO.

 

[Mr H]

Redacted - I was wrong.

 

[clifford]

$60 or 6,000 points?

FWIW, I'd always go for the $60. Cheap points.

However, on a slightly different subject, I happened to notice on seats.aero that there were quite a few business class points redemptions available on UA to LHR, at a very reasonable points/$$$ price.

I may well use this for a trip next year (availability permitting). Haven't been to the USA for about 20 years, even though I'm lifetime Plat with UA.