Virgin Australia and Qatar Announce Strategic Partnership

[stm1sydney]

Hi team, how have people's experiences been flying Qatar Y but booked through VA (ie, VA flight numbers)?

I am looking at SYD to Europe return in Sep 2023, and the fare difference is substantial. VA $2100 va QR $2600, both on the Expedia website. The fare is stated as "Choice" with allegedly "Seat choice included." Are there any catches or downsides? Is the "seat choice" proper seat selection? Many thanks.

 

[BNEFlyer]

Hi team, how have people's experiences been flying Qatar Y but booked through VA (ie, VA flight numbers)?

I am looking at SYD to Europe return in Sep 2023, and the fare difference is substantial. VA $2100 va QR $2600, both on the Expedia website. The fare is stated as "Choice" with allegedly "Seat choice included." Are there any catches or downsides? Is the "seat choice" proper seat selection? Many thanks.

Seat selection won't be included, unless you're a Oneworld Sapphire or Emerald you have to pay for seat selection.

It's probably listed as a Choice fare as that's VA's terminology for cheapest Y.

 

[dairyfloss]

Here's the VA 'Choice' fare as it applies to QR codeshares:

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[stm1sydney]

Thanks to both posters. So when they say "seat choice included" on the Choice fare that's likely only at time of online checkin, which doesn't really count. Borderline misleading, I think.

However, checking the QR fare at $2600, that is only for Economy Classic and states "Seat choice for a fee." So it is the same. So my general question still stands, are there any downsides to going through VA instead of QR direct (as a VA WP)? Many thanks.

 

[Bagpuss]

However, checking the QR fare at $2600, that is only for Economy Classic and states "Seat choice for a fee." So it is the same. So my general question still stands, are there any downsides to going through VA instead of QR direct (as a VA WP)? Many thanks.

The downside is only if VA costs more.

There's heaps of upside : Sectors, extra status credits and potentially more points. ( Which reflects the VA earn and QR earn : Qatar Airways )

Also, I think Virgin's fees for changes / cancellations are much lower.

PS : I have heard from others that VA have been cheaper than QR. I recently bought flights and QR worked out cheaper, so no rule of thumb it seems.

 

[MELso]

Here's the VA 'Choice' fare as it applies to QR codeshares:
View attachment 328202
Cheers,
Matt.

Probably worth noting that the 'Choose your seat' note is replicated in the other columns too - so I think contacting the call centre is needed.

 

[BNEFlyer]

Thanks to both posters. So when they say "seat choice included" on the Choice fare that's likely only at time of online checkin, which doesn't really count. Borderline misleading, I think.

However, checking the QR fare at $2600, that is only for Economy Classic and states "Seat choice for a fee." So it is the same. So my general question still stands, are there any downsides to going through VA instead of QR direct (as a VA WP)? Many thanks.

If you don't have OW status then no there's no downsides.

 

[stm1sydney]

Aaargh, sorry team. I will have to re-ask my questions. I have just discovered that I still have QR Platinum status (extended to 31 Dec 2023) from the 2020 status match. It had expired on 31 Dec 2022, but they extended it again at some point.

On the basis that one is QR WP (and therefore OWE) and also VA WP, what would you do if you wish to book some QR whY flights from SYD to Europe vv?

QR WP comes with free preferred seat selection, as well as the other benefits like priority boarding, DOH J lounge (and F lounges at outstations) and the Al Maha meet-and-greet on transit at DOH. I will only get Al Maha if I book on a QR ticket using my QR PC number and keep it on the booking. I think I will only get free preferred seat selection on the same basis, according to an @henrus post above which said that he had problem with seat selection on the QR website for VA ticketed codeshare flights - is this still the case?

And then @BNEFlyer also posted that, when he seat selected with his QR number on the booking and later changed it to his VA number, the seat selections were scrubbed.

So, do I now (1) book QR direct with my QR number and (1a) keep as such in order to retain the Al Maha benefit, or (1b) change to the VA number after check-in and lose Al Maha and also lose any seat selections for the return sectors?

Or, do I (2) book through VA with (2a) my VA number or (2b) my QR number, and run the risk of having problems with seat selection (thus foregoing the free seat selection available through QR WP, and of course losing Al Maha).

(1a) means my miles and Qpoints will earn to QR, but that is of little use to me as I won't be flying QR often. This might be my one and only while WP.

(1b) means I get VA points and status credits, but not as many as if I take the (2) option.

What have you done / what would you do in the same position? Thanks.

 

[clarkkent]

What have you done / what would you do in the same position? Thanks.

I'm in a similar position so interested to see the brains trust's advice here.

In my case I'd like all status benefits to come from the QR platinum, but to credit the flights to Velocity where possible. Never had Oneworld status before so will be a novelty, tempted to fly via Syd to visit the F lounge. For the itinerary I'm looking at some legs may turn out to be codeshares that won't be eligible for Velocity; suspect I'm no chance of renewing QR so probably prefer to credit these to QFF. But not sure how easy it will be to change the FF numbers on specific legs.

 

[BNEFlyer]

I had my QR FF number on my booking to get lounge access, priority check-in and boarding (when I flew VA Gold didn't allow that) and preferred seat selection in Y. If you're on an A380 you can access the upper deck Y and on a 77W 19D is my pick. I also received a welcome on board by the cabin manager and was well looked after from BNE-DOH.

When I landed in DOH I changed my FF details to VA to get the points and credits, however that meant that I didn't show up as a QR Gold, so didn't get a welcome on board from DOH-CDG and it meant that by the time the points/credits reached my account and I switched back to QR FF my preferred seats from AMS-BNE had been taken (though luckily I managed to get the last extra legroom seat from DOH-BNE).

I decided to just credit to QR for AMS-DOH-BNE which worked out well because the cabin manager moved the people next to me so I could have an empty row on an otherwise full flight, which wouldn't have happened if I flew as a VA FF.

However if you're flying in J or F, other than the welcome on board there probably isn't any benefit to crediting to QR over VA.

 

[stm1sydney]

I had my QR FF number on my booking to get lounge access, priority check-in and boarding (when I flew VA Gold didn't allow that) and preferred seat selection in Y.

Thanks. Was this on a QR ticket or a VA ticket? VA is about $500 cheaper at the moment (return). Would it be possible to do on a VA ticket?

 

[BNEFlyer]

Thanks. Was this on a QR ticket or a VA ticket? VA is about $500 cheaper at the moment (return). Would it be possible to do on a VA ticket?

It was on a QR ticket. I'm not sure how it would work when you're flying on QR with VA flight numbers.

As an example, I had an extra legroom seat for BNE-DOH/AMS-DOH-BNE and it would have cost me about $120 each leg to get that seat if I wasn't a OWS.

 

[Andrew Curran]

I'm flying QR on the weekend ADL - MEL - DOH - ZAG in Y. VA details inputted into the booking okay. VA lounge access in ADL no drama but I'm going to ask ADL counter staff for a pass to the lounge in MEL to kill my two hours there. Anyone had any luck with this?

Also, do I need to ask to be put into the priority boarding group or is this automatic? Normally, it wouldn't matter but carry-on only and I want to jag overhead space above my seat.

 

[arob]

Hi, I'm flying Qatar Business Class booked through VA points ADL-DOH-LHR. I have an 7hr stopover in DOH. What lounges are available to me? And which is the best for a long stopover? I'm VA Gold.

 

[MattA]

Hi, I'm flying Qatar Business Class booked through VA points ADL-DOH-LHR. I have an 7hr stopover in DOH. What lounges are available to me? And which is the best for a long stopover? I'm VA Gold.

As a QR business class passenger you have access to the Al Mourjan Business Lounge(s): there's two of these, at opposite ends of the airport (there's an internal train you can use to get from one end to the other). The one at the Garden/North end of the airport is almost brand new and is a very pleasant space to wait out your stopover: https://www.qatarairways.com/en/lounges/al-mourjan-garden.html

It was very quiet when I was there a few weeks ago. I think most transfer pax get deposited at the southern end of the airport (near the giant teddy in the middle of the concourse) so only those departing from gates at the northern end, or specifically seeking out the new lounge, make the trek over there.

 

[justinbrett]

Not that there was any doubt but I can confirm VA reward tickets flying QR, with QF FF in the booking, extend the normal oneworld status benefits.

I flew QR for the first time today, SIN-DOH in Y, received lounge access to SATS and received a personal welcome on board by the cabin manager. Didn’t seem like many other emeralds on the flight because I didn’t see her welcoming anyone else (I was in second row of Y).

They also took my meal order before take off (a different FA), again this wasn’t done for anyone else in my area.

Overall I thought the flight was pretty good (noting Y is Y) and I’d happily fly them again, as opposed to SQ who I also flew for the first time - they were dreadful in Y and I don’t want to ever fly with them again. I’m sure they’re great in J.

 

[AIRwin]

Overall I thought the flight was pretty good (noting Y is Y) and I’d happily fly them again, as opposed to SQ who I also flew for the first time - they were dreadful in Y and I don’t want to ever fly with them again. I’m sure they’re great in J.

But they have the best economy class:

Singapore Airlines best Asian Airline - Business Traveller Awards UK 2023

https://www.businesstraveller.com/awards/business-traveller-awards-2023/ The awards taken by Singapore Airlines are as follows (highlighted red): Best Airline Singapore Airlines Qatar Airways Emirates British Airways Virgin Atlantic Best Short-Haul Carrier British Airways Aegean Turkish...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[justinbrett]

But they have the best economy class:

Singapore Airlines best Asian Airline - Business Traveller Awards UK 2023

https://www.businesstraveller.com/awards/business-traveller-awards-2023/ The awards taken by Singapore Airlines are as follows (highlighted red): Best Airline Singapore Airlines Qatar Airways Emirates British Airways Virgin Atlantic Best Short-Haul Carrier British Airways Aegean Turkish...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

I disagree!

 

[jase05]

Not that there was any doubt but I can confirm VA reward tickets flying QR, with QF FF in the booking, extend the normal oneworld status benefits.

I flew QR for the first time today, SIN-DOH in Y, received lounge access to SATS and received a personal welcome on board by the cabin manager. Didn’t seem like many other emeralds on the flight because I didn’t see her welcoming anyone else (I was in second row of Y).

They also took my meal order before take off (a different FA), again this wasn’t done for anyone else in my area.

Overall I thought the flight was pretty good (noting Y is Y) and I’d happily fly them again, as opposed to SQ who I also flew for the first time - they were dreadful in Y and I don’t want to ever fly with them again. I’m sure they’re great in J.

As an Emerald did you try getting into any of the better OW lounges?

 

[justinbrett]

As an Emerald did you try getting into any of the better OW lounges?

It was a morning flight none were open. Even QR J used SATS for this flight until they recently extended their hours.