VA2.0 International Partners

[justinbrett]

Qatar is the largest shareholder of IAG (which includes British Airways amognst others) : International Airlines Group - Wikipedia
So VA wouldn't have to join OneWorld.
With the current strategy of VA being domestic / short international really the current model works fine.

Most likely if Qatar did become a shareholder really in my opinion shuts down any alliance talk. If Singapore Airlines come to the fold again, there could be a Star Alliance push and that's about it.

Largest, but not nearly majority (only 20%) - but that's off topic.

I don't think it's likely at all VA will join an alliance, but I don't think QR owning it or not changes that fact. I do agree if SQ (or even UA/NZ) were to buy it, star alliance is likely; but that proposition is quite unlikely.

I think the ship has sailed on an alliance for VA

 

[Bagpuss]

I think the ship has sailed on an alliance for VA

From memory the only places expecting VA to join an alliance is from forums / the public.

Their management have also been firm on their partnership model was most suited. I think there was some hint of always "being open", but that's just normal regardless.

 

[HS-TQE]

Largest, but not nearly majority (only 20%) - but that's off topic.

I don't think it's likely at all VA will join an alliance, but I don't think QR owning it or not changes that fact. I do agree if SQ (or even UA/NZ) were to buy it, star alliance is likely; but that proposition is quite unlikely.

I think the ship has sailed on an alliance for VA

I can't see SQ or NZ getting involved again financially after both their Ansett and Virgin 1.0 "adventures". The later may (or may not) partner with VA in the medium term future for Trans-Tasman services, but as long as QF/NZ are frenemies benefitting from each other's feeds, VA will likely be out of the picture for NZ for the foreseeable future.

As for SQ, I'd expect them to "make some noise", but will fade out as "fake news" as per the 10000+ previous articles every time some reporter in the media or the aviation forums claims that "Singapore will TAEK OVAH VA !!1111!!!!11"

 

[Digicola]

I can't see SQ or NZ getting involved again financially after both their Ansett and Virgin 1.0 "adventures". The later may (or may not) partner with VA in the medium term future for Trans-Tasman services, but as long as QF/NZ are frenemies benefitting from each other's feeds, VA will likely be out of the picture for NZ for the foreseeable future.

As for SQ, I'd expect them to "make some noise", but will fade out as "fake news" as per the 10000+ previous articles every time some reporter in the media or the aviation forums claims that "Singapore will TAEK OVAH VA !!1111!!!!11"

I can only see SQ investing as a way to preserve their interests. As it stands, they basically have a monopoly on all VA flyers going to anywhere in Asia aside from Bali and the Middle East (might change a bit if/when NH is integrated as they will probably poach some KR/JP pax).

For Europe QR/EY are competitors and offer quite the network, in the case of QR its something SQ just won’t ever be able to replicate. Maybe they’ll take a small stake, say 10% to get a seat at the table and at least make sure the current status quo is maintained whilst not having to chip in if things ever go south again.

 

[justinbrett]

The later may (or may not) partner with VA in the medium term future for Trans-Tasman services

I actually think this would get blocked by the ACCC these days. It's a completely different situation than the last time that was approved.

In any case, the factors leading to NZ dumping VA haven't/won't change, so can't see them rushing to sign a deal. The QF deal works perfect for them, AU domestic feeder with no competition to international services, whilst also picking up the QF NZ domestic feeder business (and discouraging QF relaunching QF-NZd or an re-expanded JQ-NZd).

 

[HS-TQE]

I can only see SQ investing as a way to preserve their interests. As it stands, they basically have a monopoly on all VA flyers going to anywhere in Asia aside from Bali and the Middle East (might change a bit if/when NH is integrated as they will probably poach some KR/JP pax).

For Europe QR/EY are competitors and offer quite the network, in the case of QR its something SQ just won’t ever be able to replicate. Maybe they’ll take a small stake, say 10% to get a seat at the table and at least make sure the current status quo is maintained whilst not having to chip in if things ever go south again.

There is no need for SQ to 'buy' a stake in VA just to partner with them. They can do that with most other carriers (with the exception of SQ's financial involvement in the Vistara/Air India merger). At least that way if things go south with VA they don't lose any money.

As for QR/EY, I would think that QR has largely replaced EY as their primary Europe/ME partner, especially with a number of IASC applications for Europe where they specifically requested that they replace EY with QR as their codeshare partner for some European destinations.

EY was demoted to a 'secondary partner' of VA (now listed alongside the likes HNA, South African, Virgin Atlantic, etc) the moment VA signed up QR. NH I suspect may start as a mid-tier partner (alongside the likes of AC and HA) and largely cover North Asia, preventing the need for a diversion via SIN.

 

[ANstar]

I actually think this would get blocked by the ACCC these days. It's a completely different situation than the last time that was approved.

In any case, the factors leading to NZ dumping VA haven't/won't change, so can't see them rushing to sign a deal. The QF deal works perfect for them, AU domestic feeder with no competition to international services, whilst also picking up the QF NZ domestic feeder business (and discouraging QF relaunching QF-NZd or an re-expanded JQ-NZd).

The second paragraph is probably why a VA/NZ deal would be approved as it would provide more opportunity for competition.

 

[justinbrett]

The second paragraph is probably why a VA/NZ deal would be approved as it would provide more opportunity for competition.

Competition on what? Trans-tasman? Objectively not. Currently there's three AU/NZ based operators (counting QF/JQ as one), that would lead to two. I believe NZ already has more market share than QF on the routes.

The alliance wasn't subject to regulatory approval (much to VA1's objection) as you don't need approval to interline to foreign domestic flights. These flights aren't bookable unless they connect to the international leg, which is the protected part. If NZ switched back to VA, it would have no effect on competition on Australia domestic routes.

I already conceded this does reduce the incentive for QF to expand domestic routes in NZ, but given how much QF has reduced its presence there even before the alliance was signed, I think that's a pragmatic position from the NZ regulator. It's not like if NZ switched back to VA, QF would relaunch QF NZd.

 

[marcojim]

Hello all,

I flew Hong Kong Airlines about a week ago from NRT to HKG. I was quite impressed actually that my Velocity status with priority check in and increased checked baggage allowance was recognised by simply showing my Velocity card. I was a bit worried about recognition of Velocity at an outstation of one of the secondary partner airlines.

However I was wondering if anyone had experience with how long it usually takes for points and status credits to be credited to your account after flying HX?

 

[Mattg]

Hello all,

I flew Hong Kong Airlines about a week ago from NRT to HKG. I was quite impressed actually that my Velocity status with priority check in and increased checked baggage allowance was recognised by simply showing my Velocity card. I was a bit worried about recognition of Velocity at an outstation of one of the secondary partner airlines.

However I was wondering if anyone had experience with how long it usually takes for points and status credits to be credited to your account after flying HX?

I suspect you may have to submit a missing points claim after 14 days have passed.

 

[Digicola]

Hello all,

I flew Hong Kong Airlines about a week ago from NRT to HKG. I was quite impressed actually that my Velocity status with priority check in and increased checked baggage allowance was recognised by simply showing my Velocity card. I was a bit worried about recognition of Velocity at an outstation of one of the secondary partner airlines.

However I was wondering if anyone had experience with how long it usually takes for points and status credits to be credited to your account after flying HX?

Points came in within a week last time I flew ICN-HKG back in May.

 

[marcojim]

I suspect you may have to submit a missing points claim after 14 days have passed.

Submitted a missing points claim which was rejected, claiming that I had already received the points into my Velocity account or another FF program, which is untrue.

Called Velocity today and they said they’ve “escalated” it and that it will take another 4-6 weeks…

Does anyone have any experience with this? Is it looking hopeful? Are there any other avenues I could try in the meantime?

 

[marcojim]

Submitted a missing points claim which was rejected, claiming that I had already received the points into my Velocity account or another FF program, which is untrue.

Called Velocity today and they said they’ve “escalated” it and that it will take another 4-6 weeks…

Does anyone have any experience with this? Is it looking hopeful? Are there any other avenues I could try in the meantime?

Update: points and status credits were finally awarded today. More than 8 weeks after the original date of travel.

The main hold-up seemed to be Velocity waiting for Hong Kong Airlines to confirm the flight details.

Better late than never…

 

[djtech]

I suspect Hong Kong Airlines will never come back as a redemption partner... unless anyone else can offer any hope?

 

[HS-TQE]

I suspect Hong Kong Airlines will never come back as a redemption partner... unless anyone else can offer any hope?

Still listed as a Velocity redemption partner. However, a secondary partner (i.e not the 'Top Tier' of QR, UA, SQ and supported by AC and NH).

Hong Kong Airlines

Earn Points with Hong Kong Airlines when you travel in an eligible fare class with a HX flight number and operated by Hong Kong Airlines or Virgin Australia. You can also earn Status Credits and redeem Reward Seat. Learn more now.

www.velocityfrequentflyer.com

 

[djtech]

Still listed as a Velocity redemption partner. However, a secondary partner (i.e not the 'Top Tier' of QR, UA, SQ and supported by AC and NH).

Hong Kong Airlines

Earn Points with Hong Kong Airlines when you travel in an eligible fare class with a HX flight number and operated by Hong Kong Airlines or Virgin Australia. You can also earn Status Credits and redeem Reward Seat. Learn more now.

www.velocityfrequentflyer.com

The redeem tab on the page is totally blank though!

 

[ben95]

unless anyone else can offer any hope?

I’m actually surprised HNA group airlines have not come back as a redemption partner more than a year after flights to China have resumed and they were being kept as earning partners with status benefits throughout this time. I'd say that gives some hope in redemption would come back at some point.

Althought HX wouldn't be that useful anymore, HU coming back could be good in opening up more options to China via HAK/CKG not having to compete with SQ availability on the AU-SIN leg with people going to Europe. It also opens up options to a vast number of additional cities where SQ doesn't directly fly to. At the moment QFF clearly wins if you need to go to China with CX/MH/MU being available. In a crunch I’d use them to go to Europe as well.

I'd imagine Bain would be able to negotiate a good deal with HNA as well, HNA group airlines advertises some of the lowest fares in the Aus-China market consistently which seems like it would incentivize the airline to sell rewards seats when it couldn't sell revenue tickets for that much.