Virgin Australia and Qatar Announce Strategic Partnership

[bernardblack]

The "Important Information" below the table looks like good news.

I can see the reference to third-party lounges, which is an improvement over most partners granting access by status, but is there anything in particular which flags this as good news? Do we have any insight into what this looks like at DOH or at say LHR/CDG/SIN/BKK, where Qatar have their own-brand lounges? I don't see myself using QR through any of those airports except in J or better, so I'd expect Al-Mourjan anyway, but might there be opportunities to buy into Al-Safwa, or access Al-Safwa if flying QR in J and also holding Velocity Platinum?

 

[SYD]

Currently the very impressive Al Safwa is F or QR Plat flying QR J or above.
I'm almost certain access will be to the separate First Class and Business Class lounges

Only if you’re ticketed in F or J and normal QR rules would apply for access.

QR might grant VA status PAX in whY to the new lounges recently opened in DOH. Beyond that, anyones guess. I’d be surprised if QF is going to let a VA PAX travelling in whY into the SYD J or F lounges.

 

[dairyfloss]

Currently the very impressive Al Safwa is F or QR Plat flying QR J or above.
I'm almost certain access will be to the separate First Class and Business Class lounges

Could well be... though I'd be more confident for you if QF didn't have the deciding say on VA WPs accessing their flagship lounges on VA>QR redemptions

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[andye]

Only if you’re ticketed in F or J and normal QR rules would apply for access.

QR might grant VA status PAX in whY to the new lounges recently opened in DOH. Beyond that, anyones guess. I’d be surprised if QF is going to let a VA PAX travelling in whY into the SYD J or F lounges.

Oops had misread QF for QR. IMO opinion zero chance of entering QF lounges with VA status alone (as opposed to class of service with a QR ticket number)

 

[BNEFlyer]

Oops had misread QF for QR. IMO opinion zero chance of entering QF lounges with VA status alone (as opposed to class of service with a QR ticket number)

The QR site says that Platinum is allowed into QF F lounges in SYD and MEL (though it's saying no lounge access in BNE at all and QF J closed in SYD and MEL), so following the rules listed a VA Platinum flyer in Y would be able to access the QF F lounge when flying QR.

 

[SYD]

The QR site says that Platinum is allowed into QF F lounges in SYD and MEL (though it's saying no lounge access in BNE at all and QF J closed in SYD and MEL), so following the rules listed a VA Platinum flyer in Y would be able to access the QF F lounge when flying QR.

QR's own Platinum (as OWE) can access the QF F lounges in any class of travel.

Where does is say VA WP can get access?

 

[BNEFlyer]

QR's own Platinum (as OWE) can access the QF F lounges in any class of travel.

Where does is say VA WP can get access?

On the VA lounge page.

• Business Class, Velocity Platinum and Gold members will also have access to 3rd party partner lounges when travelling on Qatar Airways operated flights. For destinations with lounge locations, visit the Qatar Airways website.

When you then go to the QR lounge page it lists QF lounges and which level of status is eligible for entry.

 

[SYD]

On the VA lounge page.

• Business Class, Velocity Platinum and Gold members will also have access to 3rd party partner lounges when travelling on Qatar Airways operated flights. For destinations with lounge locations, visit the Qatar Airways website.

When you then go to the QR lounge page it lists QF lounges and which level of status is eligible for entry.

Hmm, I wonder who's got the job of cleaning that up before the 12th!

F/J PAX will be good to go but I can't help but think VA status PAX in whY will get shafted again due to VA's bilateral agreements (and not part of a broader alliance). In SYD, I wouldn't be surprised if they're sent to the House (no, not the dog house). The further away from Oz and DOH, the less likely the 3rd party lounge staff will know what agreements are in place also...

I guess we'll hear it here first when someone gets in (or doesn't get in)!

 

[theoracle30]

I can see the reference to third-party lounges, which is an improvement over most partners granting access by status, but is there anything in particular which flags this as good news? Do we have any insight into what this looks like at DOH or at say LHR/CDG/SIN/BKK, where Qatar have their own-brand lounges? I don't see myself using QR through any of those airports except in J or better, so I'd expect Al-Mourjan anyway, but might there be opportunities to buy into Al-Safwa, or access Al-Safwa if flying QR in J and also holding Velocity Platinum?

The QR site says that Platinum is allowed into QF F lounges in SYD and MEL (though it's saying no lounge access in BNE at all and QF J closed in SYD and MEL), so following the rules listed a VA Platinum flyer in Y would be able to access the QF F lounge when flying QR.

There is absolutely no way that a VA Platinum will be able to enter the Qantas F Lounge travelling Qatar Airways in Economy or Business.

Velocity Gold and Platinum members flying ticketed Economy will likely gain access to the 'designated' lounge at each airport – at Sydney, that's Air New Zealand and in Melbourne, that's Marhaba.

Those flying ticketed Business or First can access the Qantas Business/First lounges respectively because of class of travel, not elite status.

Access to the Qantas F Lounge as a QR Platinum is a oneworld benefit, which does not apply to the Velocity partnership.

In Doha, VA elite access would be the Gold or Platinum Lounges. Al Mourjan is Business ticketed only and Al Safa is First ticketed only, except for Qatar's own Platinum Privilege Club members travelling in ticketed Business. That won't extend to Velocity Platinums.

 

[deepblerg]

Stoked to have booked Qsuites for the leg home on our Eurotrip next year in May. Can't wait to try Qsuites for the first time (here's hoping no last minute equipment change). Any recommendations for things to see/do/eat in Doha for the full day layover?

 

[theoracle30]

Stoked to have booked Qsuites for the leg home on our Eurotrip next year in May. Can't wait to try Qsuites for the first time (here's hoping no last minute equipment change). Any recommendations for things to see/do/eat in Doha for the full day layover?

View attachment 291727

I haven't done it before, but if they're still offering free stopover tours when you travel, that could be a good option before you head back to the lounge!

 

[jase05]

Very keen to see the Qpoint earn on VA flights.
Might be a good way to get OWE with a heap of domestic VA flights and a stack of Avios especially with the double Avios bonus up to Dec 5th

 

[BNEFlyer]

There is absolutely no way that a VA Platinum will be able to enter the Qantas F Lounge travelling Qatar Airways in Economy or Business.

Velocity Gold and Platinum members flying ticketed Economy will likely gain access to the 'designated' lounge at each airport – at Sydney, that's Air New Zealand and in Melbourne, that's Marhaba.

Those flying ticketed Business or First can access the Qantas Business/First lounges respectively because of class of travel, not elite status.

Access to the Qantas F Lounge as a QR Platinum is a oneworld benefit, which does not apply to the Velocity partnership.

In Doha, VA elite access would be the Gold or Platinum Lounges. Al Mourjan is Business ticketed only and Al Safa is First ticketed only, except for Qatar's own Platinum Privilege Club members travelling in ticketed Business. That won't extend to Velocity Platinums.

Where does it say the NZ lounge in SYD is the designated lounge? And what about BNE/PER/ADL?

If your theory is what the rules will be that means lounge access will only be available where there is no OW lounge.

And I understand how lounge access works in DOH.

 

[SYD]

Where does it say the NZ lounge in SYD is the designated lounge? And what about BNE/PER/ADL?

Here’s some coverage. There’s a link within for more details (but it dates from pre-QR/VA - although I’d expect those arrangements are still in place).

Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways partnership takes off

Earn and use Velocity Points now. Lounge access starts on 12 September.

www.pointhacks.com.au

As mentioned earlier, in typical VA fashion Int Lounge access is going to be a dogs breakfast for VA status PAX in whY.

 

[theoracle30]

Where does it say the NZ lounge in SYD is the designated lounge? And what about BNE/PER/ADL?

Source: Qatar Airways switches to Air NZ lounges in Australia - Point Hacks

They do quote a Qatar spokesperson confirming the changes.

 

[SYD]

Source: Qatar Airways switches to Air NZ lounges in Australia - Point Hacks

They do quote a Qatar spokesperson confirming the changes.

Yep. That’s the article cross linked in the newer article (from yesterday) posted above.

I suspect QR are still directing non status J PAX to the NZ lounges etc because its probably cheaper for them. Even though anyone in the know is able to go the QF J lounge. In SYD, it’s probably a coin toss between QF and NZ. I’d head for the lounge closest to the gate (if I wasn’t getting into the F Lounge)…

 

[BNEFlyer]

Source: Qatar Airways switches to Air NZ lounges in Australia - Point Hacks

They do quote a Qatar spokesperson confirming the changes.

Thanks for the info. I knew QR were sending J pax to the NZ lounge in BNE. There's been anecdotal reports of status and J pax being turned away from the QF lounge in BNE when flying QR even though that's against OW lounge rules.

Currently the QF lounge closes at 8:30pm, when QF15 departs, however QF15 moves to a 10:30pm departure from 14 September, so theoretically a J or OWS/OWE pax could (should) use the QF lounge but a VA WP or SG will have to go to the NZ lounge.

 

[BNEFlyer]

I've just updated a current QR booking with my VA FF number. I'm QR and VA Gold and reserved preferred Y seating when I booked as a QR Gold.

After updating the FF number to VA I'm unable to select or change seats, the seat selection option is gone completely from the Manage Booking page. However my preferred seat selection has remained (and hopefully will remain in place).

 

[AIRwin]

Win a share of 3 million Velocity points with Qatar Airways:

https://competitions.virginaustralia.com/competition/Qatar-points-millionaire

 

[Mattg]

Can I just say, it's really nice that the VA website lets you search for flights ex Doha. The Qantas website can't seem to manage this.