VA2.0 International Partners

[antycbr]

Appears to be several partners that haven’t been loaded yet. NH, AC etc will hopefully come soon. EY seems to be the only one that has any real availability at this stage. VS has some real good availability on some routes but that needs to be done via phone

AC won’t allow transpacific redemptions which is a bit disappointing.

 

[jase05]

J availability for LHR - MEL with Etihad but it's 139k points plus ~$1000 in taxes and fees... is this normal?

Yes, the fees are quite high on EY especially if departing LHR.
If you depart somewhere like GVA instead you will save $450-500 in charges

 

[Pele]

J availability for LHR - MEL with Etihad but it's 139k points plus ~$1000 in taxes and fees... is this normal?

Those taxes will include the UK luxury departure tax which is about £200 I think, aswell as the EH carrier surcharge for each segment which will be most of the rest.

Pele.

 

[freebo]

Just looked at LHR-BNE on Etihad, one way in April, 332,000 points +tax.

Isn't that about double the points it used to be?

 

[FTac]

Yes, the fees are quite high on EY especially if departing LHR.
If you depart somewhere like GVA instead you will save $450-500 in charges

Ah yes, I had a look out of GVA and it's a fair bit cheaper ($650) but still more expensive than I expected!

 

[jase05]

Just looked at LHR-BNE on Etihad, one way in April, 332,000 points +tax.

Isn't that about double the points it used to be?

The 332k should have the fees included or you have the option of 154,500k plus $1024 in fees

 

[freebo]

Any thoughts on if VA are going to allow Travelbank for Long Haul?

This is after all how I got the TravelBank credit in the first place.

 

[jakeseven7]

AC won’t allow transpacific redemptions which is a bit disappointing.

What? Really? Is that an assumption or is it actually a thing.

 

[bam71]

J availability for LHR - MEL with Etihad but it's 139k points plus ~$1000 in taxes and fees... is this normal?

The UK departure tax on a J ticket is GBP180.00, so around AUD330.00.

 

[bernardblack]

What? Really? Is that an assumption or is it actually a thing.

It's expressly noted in the press release. And it's here on the Air Canada "redeem" tab at the Velocity website:

Air Canada continues to review its capacity to Australia as border restrictions are eased. From 2 November 2021 Velocity members are able to redeem Points for flights across the Air Canada network, excluding flights between Australia and Vancouver. The ability for Velocity members to book Reward Seats between Australia and Vancouver is currently under review.

Post automatically merged: Nov 2, 2021

Strictly, I guess that only precludes SYD/MEL/BNE-YVR; other transPac might be possible (YVR/YYZ-NRT/HND/HKG/etc).

 

[antycbr]

Any thoughts on if VA are going to allow Travelbank for Long Haul?

This is after all how I got the TravelBank credit in the first place.

I think it's going to depend if it's a future flight credit (administration) or not.

 

[oz_mark]

Any thoughts on if VA are going to allow Travelbank for Long Haul?

This is after all how I got the TravelBank credit in the first place.

If it's a Future Flight Credit, then its only eligible for VA metal (and some alliance operated services)

 

[antycbr]

If it's a Future Flight Credit, then its only eligible for VA metal (and some alliance operated services)

Most people who have big credits probably got them off VA longhaul services in J, so they now can't use them for international.

 

[bernardblack]

Most people who have big credits probably got them off VA longhaul services in J, so they now can't use them for international.

Also, the T&C seem to imply that you can't even with "regular" Travelbank, and certainly if you search for award space now (without signing-into a particular Travelbank or Velocity account) it tells you that paying with Travelbank is unavailable.


(If you go back and deselect "Pay with Velocity points", it becomes possible to tick to select Travelbank here.)

 

[henrus]

There are a few interesting things I've found, the first and not suprising is that the website is broken, if you select a location like SCL it gives a random collection of locations such as Dunedin (no VA partner or VA flies there) but doesn't give locations where VA partners actually fly.

Then the Air Canada routes... I'm not surprised but a random date in April next year on Air Canada from Vancouver to Toronto reveals economy redemptions only at 20,000 points and $132.10 taxes. Meanwhile the same cash fare is $122.

Oddly UA redemptions only show $28.30 taxes indicating that VA is passing on a rather hefty carrier surcharge mainly for domestic Canada redemptions. Something like LAX to YVR is only $39 in taxes (still more than a UA redemption at $7.50).

It also seems that all Hawaiian airlines flights are missing, the website doesn't even allow HNL-SYD to be selected (but go figure HNL-ADL can be selected). This is despite some HA award space existing and open to other partners (like JAL). Meanwhile South African airlines isn't releasing any award seats on the 5 ish routes they're operating right now.

 

[andye]

There are a few interesting things I've found, the first and not suprising is that the website is broken, if you select a location like SCL it gives a random collection of locations such as Dunedin (no VA partner or VA flies there) but doesn't give locations where VA partners actually fly.

Then the Air Canada routes... I'm not surprised but a random date in April next year on Air Canada from Vancouver to Toronto reveals economy redemptions only at 20,000 points and $132.10 taxes. Meanwhile the same cash fare is $122.

Oddly UA redemptions only show $28.30 taxes indicating that VA is passing on a rather hefty carrier surcharge mainly for domestic Canada redemptions. Something like LAX to YVR is only $39 in taxes (still more than a UA redemption at $7.50).

It also seems that all Hawaiian airlines flights are missing, the website doesn't even allow HNL-SYD to be selected (but go figure HNL-ADL can be selected). This is despite some HA award space existing and open to other partners (like JAL). Meanwhile South African airlines isn't releasing any award seats on the 5 ish routes they're operating right now.

I think HA previously required a call

 

[henrus]

I think HA previously required a call

Ah yes that is correct, Virgin Atlantic, Hawaiian and South African airways all required a call.

This page has now been updated to reflect this:

Velocity Help and Support

We've got your back with frequently asked questions, how to guides and details to get in contact with us.

experience.velocityfrequentflyer.com

Also interesting is that they make mention of the Velocity to Krisflyer transfers.

We are working closely with Singapore Airlines to plan for the reintroduction of Reward Seats and the ability for members to transfer Points between the Velocity and KrisFlyer programs. Please review this page for the latest updates. Available travel dates will vary for each route.

 

[MooTime]

Yes I remember booking HNL award J seats having to look at AA website for availability then having to call Virgin, another step, but was an easy process really.

 

[Long_20]

There are a few interesting things I've found, the first and not suprising is that the website is broken, if you select a location like SCL it gives a random collection of locations such as Dunedin (no VA partner or VA flies there) but doesn't give locations where VA partners actually fly.

Then the Air Canada routes... I'm not surprised but a random date in April next year on Air Canada from Vancouver to Toronto reveals economy redemptions only at 20,000 points and $132.10 taxes. Meanwhile the same cash fare is $122.

Oddly UA redemptions only show $28.30 taxes indicating that VA is passing on a rather hefty carrier surcharge mainly for domestic Canada redemptions. Something like LAX to YVR is only $39 in taxes (still more than a UA redemption at $7.50).

It also seems that all Hawaiian airlines flights are missing, the website doesn't even allow HNL-SYD to be selected (but go figure HNL-ADL can be selected). This is despite some HA award space existing and open to other partners (like JAL). Meanwhile South African airlines isn't releasing any award seats on the 5 ish routes they're operating right now.

Have noticed the weird redemptions rates and taxes for Air Canada flights. Whatever is going on there is completely broken.

 

[MHanna]

Anyone seen anything on when Business Reward seats will be released on partner airlines?