VA fares significantly more expensive than EY

[Keith009]

I was comparing VA and EY Business Class fares for Melbourne to London return in February. VA's I class fare (operated by EY) costs $9919 including tax. The same flights using an EY D class fare costs $7600 including tax. Given that one gets complimentary chauffeur transfers at MEL and LHR traveling on the EY code along with Velocity points and status credits (so that cancels out any perceived FF loyalty advantage of the VA code), I don't see any incentive in booking the VA flight numbers.

Does VA intend to match or undercut the EY offering anytime soon?

 

[MrJetset]

I was comparing VA and EY Business Class fares for Melbourne to London return in February. VA's I class fare (operated by EY) costs $9919 including tax. The same flights using an EY D class fare costs $7600 including tax. Given that one gets complimentary chauffeur transfers at MEL and LHR traveling on the EY code along with Velocity points and status credits (so that cancels out any perceived FF loyalty advantage of the VA code), I don't see any incentive in booking the VA flight numbers.

Does VA intend to match or undercut the EY offering anytime soon?

This was the same when QF codeshared with EY. VA determines their own pricing, like QF, is generally more and with less benefits!

 

[Keith009]

At least booking the QF over the EY code results in QFF points and SCs. Here, both the VA and EY codes earn Velocity points and SCs.

Anyway, I take that back. VA fares are now broadly similar to EY's. Early bird J fares for 24FEB-30SEP now $7460 + tax. Books into I. I'd still take the EY fare given the added benefit of airport transfers, especially given there's no VA metal on MEL-AUH.

 

[MrJetset]

At least booking the QF over the EY code results in QFF points and SCs. Here, both the VA and EY codes earn Velocity points and SCs.

Anyway, I take that back. VA fares are now broadly similar to EY's. Early bird J fares for 24FEB-30SEP now $7460 + tax. I'd still book the EY fare given the added benefit of airport transfers, especially given there's no VA metal on MEL-AUH.

If you know where to book, you can get EY in J for around $6.5k, F for $8.5k. Frankly I forgo my OW status, and accumulate EY miles simply because the connections are often better than QF/BA to the Middle East.

 

[Keith009]

If you know where to book, you can get EY in J for around $6.5k, F for $8.5k. Frankly I forgo my OW status, and accumulate EY miles simply because the connections are often better than QF/BA to the Middle East.

That's pretty good. MH, which also allows earning Velocity points and SCs, are also about that price after tax, but no chauffeur. However I'm waiting on what the Virgin Blue Group is up to before making the switch to Velocity. I still prefer flying QF because of the familiarity and hence superiority of service when flying overseas (it is comforting to board the Flying Roo after an extended period of time traveling, and the FAs are more affable than most), however am keeping an open mind after recent enhancements. Hopefully VA ramps up their services on their own metal soon so that there's an alternative Australia-based carrier for overseas travels.

The more direct connections on EY, MH etc would certainly make life easier when claiming tax refunds on shopping! Most customs officials want to sight the goods and would only give you a stamp if your flight is leaving the EU, rather than say CDG-LHR. So most of the time you're forced to do the refund at LHR or any other transit port like FRA, and it's impossible to hand carry everything! The only exception to this was HAM where customs gave me a stamp so long as they can see that all my suitcases were tagged all the way to MEL.