Velocity & Alitalia partner

[stoneman]

As read on Twitter, members will be able to earn and redeem across both airlines..

 

[UP4014]

Hopefully they are better than they were, Alitalia used to be one of the worst EU airlines using a number of metrics.

 

[rtyuiop]

Meh. Given the recent shocking changes to etihad redemptions, there's no reasonably way to get to AUH (or Italy) to get onto Alitalia when redeeming for long haul (which is 90% of the value of a FF programme for me).

 

[dec540]

Anyone else having issues adding the Alitalia FF number to a VA booking? I got it from the status match if that makes a difference (status match did apparently have issues with 0's)

 

[Mattg]

I guess this new partnership could be of use to those trying to get to Europe without paying the ridiculous new surcharge for Etihad flights. VA29 to AUH, followed by an Alitalia flight to Italy. (There's also airberlin to TXL and DUS.)

 

[quokka77]

My thoughts exactly Mattg. An option to earn SC in Europe is good, even if it is on Al Italia (which I agree it's a pretty ordinary legacy airline). Apparently they have improved their long haul J product considerably.

 

[Mattg]

My thoughts exactly Mattg. An option to earn SC in Europe is good, even if it is on Al Italia (which I agree it's a pretty ordinary legacy airline). Apparently they have improved their long haul J product considerably.

For sure. I got burned earlier this year attempting to earn SC on Air Berlin. Missed out on my QF gold benefits by crediting to VA, and didn't earn any SCs anyway!

 

[quokka77]

If there was a dislike button Mattg, I'd press it.

I'm unsure whether to credit my upcoming Z EY flights to EY, VA, AA or someone else. Will have to go through the sums later. Have requal'ed VA gold until early 2018, and not that fussed to get back to platinum so might credit to AA as much as possible.

 

[Danger UXB]

Hopefully they are better than they were, Alitalia used to be one of the worst EU airlines using a number of metrics.

Always Late In Take-off Always Late In Arrival metrics or mnemonics it doesn't really matter they are poor

 

[Oxy]

Well that announcement slipped under the radar, did anyone get any notification? I just happened to be looking at the SC earn table.

 

[Foreigner]

Just read news of 10 Jun on Ausbt:

http://www.ausbt.com.au/virgin-australia-launches-partnership-with-italy-s-alitalia

And one good benefit for those who got status match is lounge access (for themselves only?) when flying VA domestic:

'Freccia Alata Club, Freccia Alata Plus Club and Freccia Alata Plus Per Sempre MilleMiglia cardholders also gain access to Virgin Australia's own lounges when flying domestically within Australia...'

 

[Wezza]

Having recently dropped back to VA silver & only limited lounge passes, can anyone tell me if I can use my Alitalia gold to gain VA lounge access whilst traveling with a Velocity FF number on my ticket?

 

[Robbo3]

Did this last week Wezza and was recognised at Canberra and Sydney

 

[albyd]

Meh. Given the recent shocking changes to etihad redemptions, there's no reasonably way to get to AUH (or Italy) to get onto Alitalia when redeeming for long haul (which is 90% of the value of a FF programme for me).

I'm about to head to Europe in J with EY courtesy of my Velocity points. Will be interesting to see how much reward availability there will be on VA to Abu Dhabi then Europe with Alitalia. Suspect we will all be trying to avoid the new surcharges. Might make it easy to get an (expensive) reward seat on EY.
Other than BP, not planning any more point transfers to VA unless of course new HNA partnership opens up more Asian destinations.
How hard is it to get a reward seat on SG as a Velocity redemption? Still have some miles to burn before they're devalued again.

 

[Wezza]

Did this last week Wezza and was recognised at Canberra and Sydney

Good to hear! Do you know if I can can guest anyone in with me as well? Wife wouldn't take to kindly to waiting outside. I suppose I could use some of my passes otherwise.

 

[quokka77]

SQ J award availability is limited, but it is possible. Good luck.

 

[KVK]

Tried for lounge access in Naples, flying Naples to Rome. VA gold, but was not recognised at the lounge. Showed them the Aus BT article and the story became " only on international flights "
rest of the flight home to Sydney is with Oneworld, they seem a bit more organised than the Virgin setup with regard to lounge access. Here's hoping VA manage to sort it all out

 

[drewbles]

Always Late In Take-off Always Late In Arrival metrics or mnemonics it doesn't really matter they are poor

I thought it was Air Line In Tokyo And Luggage In Amsterdam

 

[madmouse58]

Tried for lounge access in Naples, flying Naples to Rome. VA gold, but was not recognised at the lounge. Showed them the Aus BT article and the story became " only on international flights "

Global lounge access guide doesn't seem to mention "only for international flights", but rather international airports.

https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/experience/at-the-airport/international-lounge-access/

 

[Wezza]

Just a little update, I used my AZ Gold to access BNE lounge yesterday with my Velocity FF number on my ticket & I was able to guest my wife & son (toddler) into the lounge as well.