Virgin Australia and Qatar Announce Strategic Partnership

[AustraliaPoochie]

One last one from me on this, must say though, that for Jul 2023, flying out on Tues 11/07/23, the J fare ADL - AKl is quite ok, about $1126 or so.
Thought that the pricing would stay high, guess they are playing prices, but will consider this one to AKL soon, for my first flight to NZ in nearly 3 years.
Other days, when QR does not fly the route, they (QR) puts a flyer from ADL - SYD - HKG - AKL (!!!), and charges $6k for the nearly 2.5 day odyssey, ... including flights with CX and (Air)NZ.
The fact that the price does go down, which is good, for a link flight for an mid morning flight AKL - ZQN, for the snow down there.
Indeed bypassing the eastern states, esp SYD/BNE dom - int transfers.

 

[phryx8]

So I flew my sister (Gold VA status) on Qatar ADL-AKL to test it out.
Had to book via Qatar in Economy(O) as the Virgin website still doesn't show this route as an option.
Check in via the app or online was problematic as it would remove VA as a frequent flyer option.
Priority checkin wasn't open at ADL as there weren't that many people. Boarding was done via zones so it seems to me that she didn't get priority being in Zone 3. I think priority should at least Zone 2. I reckon there may be some technical glitches that need to be worked out.

 

[Bagpuss]

So I flew my sister (Gold VA status) on Qatar ADL-AKL to test it out.
Had to book via Qatar in Economy(O) as the Virgin website still doesn't show this route as an option.
Check in via the app or online was problematic as it would remove VA as a frequent flyer option.
Priority checkin wasn't open at ADL as there weren't that many people. Boarding was done via zones so it seems to me that she didn't get priority being in Zone 3. I think priority should at least Zone 2. I reckon there may be some technical glitches that need to be worked out.

There I was thinking that Qatar always made sure everything is perfect. They're not so perfect after all it seems.

 

[simmomelb]

There I was thinking that Qatar always made sure everything is perfect. They're not so perfect after all it seems.

We all know someone who has had a bad experience on just about every airline we know of.
I wouldn't expect any airline to be providing their best experience at this point until sometime next year given the current state of affairs.

 

[Bagpuss]

We all know someone who has had a bad experience on just about every airline we know of.
I wouldn't expect any airline to be providing their best experience at this point until sometime next year given the current state of affairs.

It's a new partnership. It really should be a bit more seamless.

 

[Bagpuss]

It has nothing to do with the partnership, there was no priority, whether you are Avios, OneWorld (QF) or VA Gold or Platinum, the same experience for all.
The lounge wasn't open, again this doesn't matter what airline partner you are with, it was closed.

There's references to the mobile app not accepting checkin. It's that side which is pretty poor which is down to integration.

Taking the big deal made of the new partnership it's not a great look especially as it's frequent flyers who notice.

 

[simmomelb]

There's references to the mobile app not accepting checkin. It's that side which is pretty poor which is down to integration.

Taking the big deal made of the new partnership it's not a great look especially as it's frequent flyers who notice.

Yeah, hopefully, that is ironed out ASAP.
I could only add my Velocity number on the Qatar site just over 1 week ago.
Hopefully, this is all sorted out soon.

 

[BNEFlyer]

So I flew my sister (Gold VA status) on Qatar ADL-AKL to test it out.
Had to book via Qatar in Economy(O) as the Virgin website still doesn't show this route as an option.
Check in via the app or online was problematic as it would remove VA as a frequent flyer option.
Priority checkin wasn't open at ADL as there weren't that many people. Boarding was done via zones so it seems to me that she didn't get priority being in Zone 3. I think priority should at least Zone 2. I reckon there may be some technical glitches that need to be worked out.

Did she add her VA FF number at checkin?

 

[phryx8]

Did she add her VA FF number at checkin?

Yes, at checkin she made sure they included it. The ff# was also printed on the boarding pass. She’s doing the reverse trip in a month. We’ll see if they’ve fixed the system by then

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

So I flew my sister (Gold VA status) on Qatar ADL-AKL to test it out.
Had to book via Qatar in Economy(O) as the Virgin website still doesn't show this route as an option.
Check in via the app or online was problematic as it would remove VA as a frequent flyer option.
Priority checkin wasn't open at ADL as there weren't that many people. Boarding was done via zones so it seems to me that she didn't get priority being in Zone 3. I think priority should at least Zone 2. I reckon there may be some technical glitches that need to be worked out.

Thanks for the info.

 

[Ausbt]

Well I’m finally making use of the QR status match: sitting in the BA T3 Galleries First Lounge ahead of an LHR-OPO in Y. It’s not bad, the showers look a little dated (assumed shared with ‘plebs’ in Club lounge next door). But wine, food all quite agreeable. Hey, I’m a VA Plat living large as a One World Emerald - what’s not to like?! Had a great week in London now onto the continent. Warning, warning though: there are Easyjet & Ryanair legs ahead

 

[SYD]

Well I’m finally making use of the QR status match: sitting in the BA T3 Galleries First Lounge ahead of an LHR-OPO in Y. It’s not bad, the showers look a little dated (assumed shared with ‘plebs’ in Club lounge next door). But wine, food all quite agreeable. Hey, I’m a VA Plat living large as a One World Emerald - what’s not to like?! Had a great week in London now onto the continent. Warning, warning though: there are Easyjet & Ryanair legs ahead

I hope you used the BA F checkin area also?

 

[AustSerbKor]

I noticed an ad on YouTube for British Airways Qatar Airways, The Qatar Joint Business, surely the alliance with Virgin and Qatar for business travellers couldn't include BA? Virgin Points being replaced by Avios. Sorry, I'll return to my dreams.

 

[serfty]

Well I’m finally making use of the QR status match: sitting in the BA T3 Galleries First Lounge ahead of an LHR-OPO in Y. It’s not bad, the showers look a little dated (assumed shared with ‘plebs’ in Club lounge next door). But wine, food all quite agreeable. Hey, I’m a VA Plat living large as a One World Emerald - what’s not to like?! Had a great week in London now onto the continent. Warning, warning though: there are Easyjet & Ryanair legs ahead

I would not have wasted my time in the BA T3 lounge - a beeline for the CX First lounge would have been my deployment.

 

[Ausbt]

I hope you used the BA F checkin area also?

Oh yes, absolutely thanks! Smooth sailing there. Security at LHR the usual holdup of course though.

 

[SYD]

Oh yes, absolutely thanks! Smooth sailing there. Security at LHR the usual holdup of course though.

Actually, I read your original post and thought you were in T5. The F checkin area there is a sea of tranquility compared to the mayhem elsewhere.

 

[jase05]

I presume it’s due to the VA lounge being open slightly later in ADL but met a young Kiwi couple who were in the VA lounge tonight before their QR flight to AKL and at check in they were directed to the VA lounge.
SYD flight delayed by about 30 mins so they get to enjoy the lounge a touch longer.
Like me he was rapt that they had ice cold Asahi

 

[Ausbt]

I would not have wasted my time in the BA T3 lounge - a beeline for the CX First lounge would have been my deployment.

Yes I figured I was getting this wrong and better options were available. Honestly I’m a little out of practice, first o/s trip in 2.5 years, hard to believe really. I’ve made quite a few mistakes here and there, all fairly minor but just point to the fact I’m not match-fit right now.

 

[engbren]

I can confirm no lounge access in Syd flying SYD to DOH for VFF Gold. At checkin I was told the partnership was new and they were still finalising lounge access for Sydney and I could try at the Air New Zealand lounge but she didn’t think it would work. Turned away at Air New Zealand lounge.

 

[BNEFlyer]

I can confirm no lounge access in Syd flying SYD to DOH for VFF Gold. At checkin I was told the partnership was new and they were still finalising lounge access for Sydney and I could try at the Air New Zealand lounge but she didn’t think it would work. Turned away at Air New Zealand lounge.

That’s ridiculous. Shouldn’t matter that it’s new, the agreement includes lounge access. I’m flying BNE-DOH soon, I hope it’s not the same issue here.