United BNE Lounge access on VA Reward ticket

[Roflco]

I know VA international flights from BNE have no lounge access. I was thinking of signing up to the HSBC star alliance gold card to get access.

Does anyone know if I'm a S* gold on a VA ticketed / United operated flight - will that get entry to the United (Air NZ/Singapore) lounge in Brisbane?

Separately - is there any strategy to upgrade a VA Y reward ticket on United to Business or premium economy (e.g. via United mileage points)? Or would that require it being ticketed via United?

 

[serfty]

I know VA international flights from BNE have no lounge access. I was thinking of signing up to the HSBC star alliance gold card to get access.

Does anyone know if I'm a S* gold on a VA ticketed / United operated flight - will that get entry to the United (Air NZ/Singapore) lounge in Brisbane?

Separately - is there any strategy to upgrade a VA Y reward ticket on United to Business or premium economy (e.g. via United mileage points)? Or would that require it being ticketed via United?

From the context, I presume when you state "ticketed", you mean "Marketed" - as in a VA flight number. (i.e. A VA codeshare on UA metal).

I guess you have Velocity Gold or higher. If so then lounge access is likely still not available by means of Velocity status as you are on a UA operated flight out of BNE.

United Airlines lounge

www.virginaustralia.com

*G status may get access. I'll check.

 

[Roflco]

Yep - VA flight number on united metal - reward Y seat.

I think SG* has access, but not sure if I need a ticket with a UA flight number on it

 

[serfty]

You should get access as a *G being on a star Alliance airline operated flight.

https://www.staralliance.com/en/benefits-and-privileges

Does the Star Alliance Lounge Finder listed lounges mean all access to *A Gold Card? - FlyerTalk Forums

Star Alliance - Does the Star Alliance Lounge Finder listed lounges mean all access to *A Gold Card? - https://www.staralliance.com/en/lounges\ What's the point if I can't get in, why even list it if it is only for first class or something specific for respective airlines on the *a Lounge...

www.flyertalk.com

Star Alliance Airport Lounge Access Explained

Here's what you need to know about Star Alliance lounge access, whether traveling in first class, business class, or with elite status.

onemileatatime.com

 

[djkelly69]

is there any strategy to upgrade a VA Y reward ticket on United to Business or premium economy

I believe United release J reward seats to VA (and other partners) very close to departure, ie. within 2 weeks or so. So you could look for availability on Velocity and if there is some, try calling up to change and pay the additional points and change fee.

 

[Roflco]

I believe United release J reward seats to VA (and other partners) very close to departure, ie. within 2 weeks or so. So you could look for availability on Velocity and if there is some, try calling up to change and pay the additional points and change fee.

that could be good strategy. i just had a look for some availability late Jan and there were multiple days with 4 business class available. so book in Y and then hope J gets released.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I believe United release J reward seats to VA (and other partners) very close to departure, ie. within 2 weeks or so. So you could look for availability on Velocity and if there is some, try calling up to change and pay the additional points and change fee.

Just thought I'd chime in to point out that I indeed employed this very strategy flying back from SFO to Sydney back in July. I originally had a connecting business classic award flight on Qantas (with AA operating the lounge haul segment) but found 3 days prior to departure that United dumped a ton of business class seats on their nonstop SFO > SYD flight, so cancelled out the Qantas booking and rebooked the United award. Not only did I save a couple of points, but also considerable carrier surcharge, as UA doesn't impose carrier surcharge on its award flights.

To the other questions raised, if you are on a United marketed (i.e. flight has a UA flight number) and operated flight, you will have access to your Star Alliance Gold benefits. And in fairness you should always be on a United marketed award flight with Virgin. If you are booked on a Virgin marketed United award (i.e. it has a VA flight number), you are paying more points than you need to for less benefits as those flights are dynamically priced and almost always cost more than the United "saver" awards. To your point about how to access the benefits, during booking you'll want to set your frequent flyer to whatever program you hold Gold status with. If for some reason you cannot do that, you should be able to pull up the reservation on the United site and attach it that way. Lastly, if none of that works, go to the Priority check in desk for United,and provide your frequent flyer details there and they should be able to update this. And I say this having used my Star Alliance Gold frequent flyer status with Turkish on an Air Canada award booked through Virgin Australia. I managed to get a free checked bag and lounge access for myself and partner no problems.

Business class on United would get you entry into a lounge no questions asked. And since it is a United Operated and Marketed flight (at least those last minute flights that sell for 95,500 points) you'll have access to the additional inclusions of Gold status with Star Alliance which would be an extra bag @ 32 kg (so 3 bags @ 32 kg instead of the usual 2 @ 32 kg - great for moving!).

-RooFlyer88