Virgin Australia and Qatar Announce Strategic Partnership

[SYD]

That makes alot of sense, will have to keep in mind if going down that path. We are flying back from London with Singapore, but as we will actually be coming from Athens was tempted to see if it was worth switching if availability comes up with QR

Also worth noting that if transiting the UK (eg LHR, LGW etc) on one PNR, you avoid the UK scam departure tax eg ATH-LHR-DOH would be cheaper than LHR-DOH (and possibly similar / same as ATH-DOH or SIN). Finding a connecting flight for the ATH-LON leg on a multi-city using VA pts might be harder?

 

[dirtyred]

I'm flying with QR from Sydney to the UK next month. My booking however was made through BA meaning my itinerary has BA flight #'s. I'm velocity gold, so hoping that I still get the lounge access based on the velocity website:

Important information​

• Business Class, Velocity Platinum and Gold members will also have access to 3rd party partner lounges when travelling on Qatar Airways operated flights.

Be interested to hear if anyone else has experience in this scenario

 

[SYD]

I'm flying with QR from Sydney to the UK next month. My booking however was made through BA meaning my itinerary has BA flight #'s. I'm velocity gold, so hoping that I still get the lounge access based on the velocity website:

Important information​

• Business Class, Velocity Platinum and Gold members will also have access to 3rd party partner lounges when travelling on Qatar Airways operated flights.

Be interested to hear if anyone else has experience in this scenario

Unlikely unless you’re booked in J.

 

[dirtyred]

Unlikely unless you’re booked in J.

i'm booked in economy, but its still a QR operated flight

 

[SYD]

i'm booked in economy, but its still a QR operated flight

But marketed as BA. You can try to access the lounge and you might be in luck.

 

[HS-TQE]

i'm booked in economy, but its still a QR operated flight

If I read this right and you booked through BA, I suspect it would depend on your BA status and the rules/regulations of the QR/BA partnership, not VA.

 

[Digicola]

Just a data point for those that would originate outside of Oz.

My friend just flew from SIN to LHR via DOH with VA Gold. Checkin acknowledged status even though BP said RD for some reason. SATS lounge staff was not convinced so he asked them to call QR to clarify and was subsequently granted entry.
In DOH entry was granted to the Gold Lounge where they asked to see his VA card as the BP was only displaying Red status.

Will report on the return.

 

[Bwood9]

Qatar have reward seats released for end of October 23, but the VA website only lets you pick until early October 23, if I call VA will I be able to book these?

 

[RooFlyer]

Welcome to AFF @dirtyred

 

[serfty]

Qatar have reward seats released for end of October 23, but the VA website only lets you pick until early October 23, if I call VA will I be able to book these?

I believe VA use the SABRE booking system which only allows for bookings up to 330 days in advance.

 

[Jusrus]

I'm not seeing any availability on my regular MEL-MAD flights in the VA points booking system at all. Perhaps there's a glitch at the moment?

 

[levelnine]

I'm not seeing any availability on my regular MEL-MAD flights in the VA points booking system at all. Perhaps there's a glitch at the moment?

I feel BA is about to get a flood of new Avios subscriptions from Australian residents . So much availability!

 

[BNEFlyer]

But marketed as BA. You can try to access the lounge and you might be in luck.

The rules are based on the operating flight. If they’re on a QR flight with VA status then lounge access is available.

 

[SYD]

The rules are based on the operating flight. If they’re on a QR flight with VA status then lounge access is available.

Yes, the VA website just says “Lounge access is available when travelling on a Qatar Airways operated flight.” and silent on marketed airline (eg BA and soon, AY).

It will be interesting to hear how checkin staff are trained for these scenarios noting:

“Velocity Frequent Flyer guests who are eligible to enter Qatar lounges & Qatar third party lounges will need to collect an invitation to enter the lounge from Qatar check-in staff at the international departure port prior to clearing immigration.”

 

[Jusrus]

I'm not seeing any availability on my regular MEL-MAD flights in the VA points booking system at all. Perhaps there's a glitch at the moment?

Ignore previous, looks like it was a glitch, a variety of options now available. No business though

 

[jase05]

Courtesy of EX-YU Aviation News


“Virgin Australia will commence codeshare flights to both Zagreb and Belgrade later this month. The Australian carrier will place its designator code and flight numbers onto Qatar Airways’ services from Doha to the Croatian and Serbian capitals. The Zagreb codeshare will come into effect on November 21, as VA6009/10, and the Belgrade one on November 25, as VA6072/73. Travellers are now able to book flights to the two cities through the Virgin Australia website”

 

[Andrew Curran]

Can confirm still no lounge access in SYD for VFF gold. Was knocked back from the ANZ lounge tonight when booked in QR Y with my VA number in the system. Might add the check in staff had no real idea about access either.

 

[Digicola]

Just a data point for those that would originate outside of Oz.

My friend just flew from SIN to LHR via DOH with VA Gold. Checkin acknowledged status even though BP said RD for some reason. SATS lounge staff was not convinced so he asked them to call QR to clarify and was subsequently granted entry.
In DOH entry was granted to the Gold Lounge where they asked to see his VA card as the BP was only displaying Red status.

Will report on the return.

Return section:

AMS-DOH: Check-in staff had absolutely no idea about any partnership. Then after « opening up an email » and escalating to the station manager the response was that lounge access is not granted outside of QR lounges which is utter bull. Ended up getting entry thanks to priority pass.

DOH-SIN: Upgraded to the platinum lounge as the gold lounge was full so kudos there. Staff was very well aware of the partnership.

I’d understand that things might be choppy at asian ports, can’t be too many VFFs leaving from SIN on QR. But one of the main appeals of the partnership was better access to Europe. This is really bad and better be fixed soon.

 

[Milefest]

Return section:

AMS-DOH: Check-in staff had absolutely no idea about any partnership. Then after « opening up an email » and escalating to the station manager the response was that lounge access is not granted outside of QR lounges which is utter bull. Ended up getting entry thanks to priority pass

I've had a number of experiences in DOH now and there's definitely still staff unaware of the partnership. Usually a copy of the press release is enough for them to raise it with a supervisor. Unless I'm flying in premium cabins I'll probably stick with Etihad when flying through the gulf, they're a lot more consistent with accessing benefits and there's intl lounge availability in AU.

 

[Happy Migrant]

Hi there,

Does anyone know if the QR/VA partnership also includes complimentary preferred seating in QR's economy (QR's 380 upper deck) for Velocity Gold Members (as is the case for Oneworld gold members)? I am asking because I have a QR flight booked and have included my Velocity gold number but would still be charged for preferred seating. Wasn't this part of the partnership, too?