Virgin Australia and Qatar Announce Strategic Partnership

[phryx8]

Flying economy. Virgin Gold Member.
I knew heading to the Qantas Lounge that I would be denied.
Like what was said before I have to pick my battles but it gets tiring when you always have to prepare for one every time you fly with Qatar.
I didn't have the time to argue as I had to go into a teams meeting.
Good to hear how the relationship between Strata and Qantas works.

 

[simmomelb]

We had the Strata boarding pass but went to the QF lounge first and the staff initially said no but after requesting a higher level of staff she accepted our OW status and allowed entry.

Glad you got in, however, as this is about VA status holders gaining access to QR lounges/partner lounges, you wouldn't have got in purely based on your VA status, and here in lies the problem if the Strata Lounge is full, and to be honest gaining lounge access with QR on VA status is still a bumpy ride for many to this day.

 

[clarkkent]

For those with QR status, how easy is it to credit QR flights to Velocity while making use of the QR status benefits? And would it be possible to credit some legs to Velocity and some to QR or even QFF?

 

[Bagpuss]

I was looking through this thread as I was wondering what the correct lounge(s) are to use in Doha. I noticed comments around 3rd party lounges etc ... There is wording on the Virgin Australia website

International lounge access

Discover our network of partner airline-operated lounges, available for access when traveling on flights operated by our esteemed international partners.

www.virginaustralia.com

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.

I assume if you are flying to Europe you don't need to worry about a lounge pass whilst in Doha?

 

[simmomelb]

I was looking through this thread as I was wondering what the correct lounge(s) are to use in Doha.

I assume if you are flying to Europe you don't need to worry about a lounge pass whilst in Doha?

Qatar Airways own lounge in Doha, yes, just not the business lounge, unless you have a paid for business fare - probably goes without saying

You should not need a pass, I certainly didn't, it's (usually) only the third-party lounges that are a pain sometimes/often.

 

[Bagpuss]

Qatar Airways own lounge in Doha, yes, just not the business lounge, unless you have a paid for business fare - probably goes without saying

You should not need a pass, I certainly didn't, it's (usually) only the third-party lounges that are a pain sometimes/often.

As a VA plat which lounges are eligible in Doha ?

I'm a touch confused ...

https://www.qatarairways.com/en-au/lounges/worldwide.html

 

[simmomelb]

For you, Qatar Airways Platinum Lounge - South
or...
Qatar Airways Platinum Lounge - North.
(Unless flying on a paid-for bus fare, in which status has no relevance to enter the bus lounge).

 

[RAM]

You’d think that they’d at least train staff in AUS ports for the partnership… It would be a bit more understandable if these issues were in ports in Asia where there are a lot less VA flyers.

I maintain the best part of this patchy partnership is the relatively good award availability to Europe. More options is always better. Plus we get a widebody option to AKL (albeit temporarily).

Are the check-in staff actually Qatar Airlines employees or the itinerant local service company staff?

In 2019 when checking in for three different international flights over the year, at SYD, I saw/got the same lady from the local service agency. Given what they're paid (or not paid) then it must be like winning lotto to have them remember all the permutations across the different airlines they do the checking in for.

Equally the IT systems seem to leave a lot to be desired.

 

[BNEFlyer]

As a VA plat which lounges are eligible in Doha ?

I'm a touch confused ...

https://www.qatarairways.com/en-au/lounges/worldwide.html

If you have time go to the North lounge. It’s newer and larger than the South and is near the new gardens.

 

[JessicaTam]

Are the check-in staff actually Qatar Airlines employees or the itinerant local service company staff?

In 2019 when checking in for three different international flights over the year, at SYD, I saw/got the same lady from the local service agency. Given what they're paid (or not paid) then it must be like winning lotto to have them remember all the permutations across the different airlines they do the checking in for.

Equally the IT systems seem to leave a lot to be desired.

In Adelaide they are Menzies employees.

 

[TheInsider]

Are the check-in staff actually Qatar Airlines employees or the itinerant local service company staff?

In Australia, all their check-in staff are contractors, most are Menzies.
Their 'supervisors' are Qatar staff, but are on the lowest wage possible under the award. Basically, there are always jobs with them if you want one!

 

[Cessna 180]

Apologies if this has been answered but I cannot seem to find. I think I did write this question a few months ago too, but I cannot find where I put that either...

If I book a QR redemption via Velocity points from MEL, can I then add the booking to my QF account to receive OWE benefits, IE mainly access to QF F lounge in MEL?

Alternativly, leave the booking in Velocity and still show QF P card on entry to MEL lounge? I cannot imagine Qantas being too impressed about this though?

 

[henrus]

If I book a QR redemption via Velocity points from MEL, can I then add the booking to my QF account to receive OWE benefits, IE mainly access to QF F lounge in MEL?

Yes, I’ve booked and flown several QR flights booked via VA points. Minutes after booking the QR booking ref becomes available on the VA website. I have then been able to manage my booking via the QR website and update to Qantas frequent flyer. The Qantas app should also update with this booking and now show the QR flights.

In economy the benefits are huge as oneworld status provides free and often extra leg room seats whilst VA status provides nothing.

 

[Cessna 180]

Yes, I’ve booked and flown several QR flights booked via VA points. Minutes after booking the QR booking ref becomes available on the VA website. I have then been able to manage my booking via the QR website and update to Qantas frequent flyer. The Qantas app should also update with this booking and now show the QR flights.

In economy the benefits are huge as oneworld status provides free and often extra leg room seats whilst VA status provides nothing.

Oh really? This is amazing information. I did think it would make sense being on a one world carrier, it would not matter how it was paid. However, it just seemed a little to good to be true.

It is so bizarre the lack of availability on Qantas compared to Velocity.

Thankyou very much for sharing this.

 

[jase05]

It is so bizarre the lack of availability on Qantas compared to Velocity.

Not really bizarre at all with QR. They have a partnership with VA and don’t get along with QF so it makes perfect sense to block out QF

 

[Cessna 180]

Not really bizarre at all with QR. They have a partnership with VA and don’t get along with QF so it makes perfect sense to block out QF

Well, I still think it is bizarre given they are a One World partner and considering the amount there always was prior to Covid. If not bizarre, then perhaps annoying.

 

[flying_rac]

So I have QR flight booked MEL-DOH-AMS later this month. On the e-ticket, the flights are QR. Is there anyway to change to s VA flight number? I will have sufficient SC to reach platinum if so, but also need 1 more eligible sector on VA hence wanting to change to a VA code.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Thibault]

So I have QR flight booked MEL-DOH-AMS later this month. On the e-ticket, the flights are QR. Is there anyway to change to s VA flight number? I will have sufficient SC to reach platinum if so, but also need 1 more eligible sector on VA hence wanting to change to a VA code.

Thanks for your help!

Nothing apart from cancelling your ticket and rebooking it with VA flight numbers.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

What I would do, is to make a short trip dom within Aust to get the sufficient eligible sector, can come back with JQ or ZL if they fly to and from your city.
Cancelling and rebooking is playing with fire, because the int tip is only a few weeks away, and when you can cancel, there is no guarantee you will be able to get another seat on the date you need to travel.
If you are lucky, you can get that seat you just cancelled on, but if not, you might need to be booked on another day.
For most capital cities, its not that expensive to fly VAd.
VA's status cycle goes around in a ciccle sort of thing, not a fixed date, which is a good thing.
That's just my way of thinking, if you want to do as Thibault mentioned, you could, but there is just no guarantee the replaceement seat will be "yours", considering too that the int flight is not with VA, but with a partner airline.

 

[cathalm8]

Hey guys I was wondering is their any guide, article or rule of thumb for when (how many days before flight) Qatar or any other airline for that matter release their business class rewards seats on the velocity website? cheers