VA/Velocity Partner Status benefits flying Air Canada

[michaele]

There’s been posts/quotes from the AC rep in the past year or two about AC honoring VA status properly like the other partners (UA/SQ/EY) - anyone heard anything lately?

Really hard work holding 2x platinum from both VA and QF and trying to have any basic benefits flying around Canada. Unsure why it’s so poor considering all the other partners have got it sorted out. Any insight or timelines I may have missed would be appreciated!

 

[Mattg]

So far it's just access to Air Canada operated lounges.

Complete Guide to Velocity Status Benefits on Partner Airlines

Velocity Silver, Gold & Platinum members of Virgin Australia's frequent flyer program receive selected benefits when flying partner airlines.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

I don't expect to see any more benefits added in the near future. Perhaps at some point, but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[bigal1990]

Be warned that the lounge access can be hit or miss. Some agents have never even heard of Virgin Australia and it can take a bit of explaining and the agent getting help from a manager to get entry.

 

[Revenge]

Be warned that the lounge access can be hit or miss. Some agents have never even heard of Virgin Australia and it can take a bit of explaining and the agent getting help from a manager to get entry.

This is very true. I mainly use the Maple Leaf Lounges in Vancouver, Toronto and Los Angeles and although I had trouble in the earlier days of the Virgin-AC partnership, I usually get in without too much hassle these days.

But a few months ago I was trying to access the Maple Leaf lounge at New York LGA when flying to Montreal, and had to have a debate with the lounge dragon lady at the front desk. She insisted that "this is a Star Alliance lounge" and that I couldn't come in because VA is not in Star Alliance. I eventually convinced her that it is also an Air Canada lounge and that Air Canada have a partnership with VA outside of Star Alliance, so she finally scanned my VA membership card and sure enough, I was allowed in.

 

[antycbr]

This is very true. I mainly use the Maple Leaf Lounges in Vancouver, Toronto and Los Angeles and although I had trouble in the earlier days of the Virgin-AC partnership, I usually get in without too much hassle these days.

But a few months ago I was trying to access the Maple Leaf lounge at New York LGA when flying to Montreal, and had to have a debate with the lounge dragon lady at the front desk. She insisted that "this is a Star Alliance lounge" and that I couldn't come in because VA is not in Star Alliance. I eventually convinced her that it is also an Air Canada lounge and that Air Canada have a partnership with VA outside of Star Alliance, so she finally scanned my VA membership card and sure enough, I was allowed in.

Ironically the IT systems were set up correctly and the agent was freelancing. Trust your systems!