Virgin Australia and Qatar Announce Strategic Partnership

[simmomelb]

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.

There is no agreement that includes lounge access for all departures, that's not true (not that I'm saying I wouldn't like to have it).
I'm flying MEL-DOH in early March.
I know that no VA operated international currently has any lounge access, this has been made very clear, but let's hope they have something to announce on this front very soon.
There are plenty of options for them when it comes to lounge access (not that I expect it at the DOH end).

 

[BNEFlyer]

I'm flying MEL-DOH in early March.
I know that no.VA operated international currently has any lounge access, but let's hope they have something to announce on this front very soon.
There are plenty of options for them when it comes to lounge access (not that I expect it at the DOH end).

QR have switched to the Marharba lounge in MEL and NZ in BNE/SYD/PER. There’s no reason for VA status pax to not have access now.

 

[clifford]

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

I think the BA First lounge does a better English breakfast...

 

[simmomelb]

QR have switched to the Marharba lounge in MEL and NZ in BNE/SYD/PER. There’s no reason for VA status pax to not have access now.

The only reason is the $$ they have to pay per pax entering.
I know they are a mid market airline now, but they need to have an option for their own short haul international flights, it's getting a little embarrassing now..

 

[Princess Fiona]

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.

Does it explicitly say third party lounge access at QR outstations ?

 

[Must...Fly!]

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

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. For destinations with lounge locations, visit the Qatar Airways website

 

[Princess Fiona]

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

Cheers
On the mobile VA site it doesn’t mention anything about third party lounges

 

[mrmerc500]

The only reason is the $$ they have to pay per pax entering.
I know they are a mid market airline now, but they need to have an option for their own short haul international flights, it's getting a little embarrassing now..

Yes indeed, a lone Y passenger who may have priority pass, Amex lounge or willing to pay an entry fee has a better airport departure experience on VA than a top tiered velocity member currently.

 

[BNEFlyer]

There is no agreement that includes lounge access for all departures, that's not true (not that I'm saying I wouldn't like to have it).

The agreement does include lounge access for all departures, it just seems that the rules aren't being followed.

 

[simmomelb]

The agreement does include lounge access for all departures, it just seems that the rules aren't being followed.

Sorry, I think we are talking about 2 completely different issues.

I know this thread went off topic and I was responding to the Aus - Bali route directly with VA, which was off-topic.

 

[paros_fan]

Does anyone know if the codeshare agreement between VA and QR doesn't extend to flights from Australia to Africa / South America?
I can't seem to book any flights on VA's website between SYD and CPT/JNB/ and many others?

 

[Must...Fly!]

Does anyone know if the codeshare agreement between VA and QR doesn't extend to flights from Australia to Africa / South America?
I can't seem to book any flights on VA's website between SYD and CPT/JNB/ and many others?

Perhaps the codeshares just haven't been loaded yet. I'm pretty sure the partnership covers all of the QR network.

That said, SQ would arguably be a better choice if flying to South Africa.

 

[simmomelb]

Does anyone know if the codeshare agreement between VA and QR doesn't extend to flights from Australia to Africa / South America?
I can't seem to book any flights on VA's website between SYD and CPT/JNB/ and many others?

They aren't on the VA website yet as I've tried booking MEL.to São Paulo, so I booked direct on the Qatar site and entered my Velocity number.
There are a lot of routes still missing for Qatar on the VA site.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Does anyone know if the codeshare agreement between VA and QR doesn't extend to flights from Australia to Africa / South America?
I can't seem to book any flights on VA's website between SYD and CPT/JNB/ and many others?

You need to book on the other airline's website, and enter your VFF # into the booking.
As it is now, you can't book any international flights with partners on VA's own website.
Even if a person wanted to fly to SIN, or to SGN, or KUL with SQ, they have to book with SQ's website, and enter their VFF #.
VA only allows bookings for their own short haul international flights on their website.
If you want to get to JNB/NBO, you might need to book with SQ/SA/QR's own websites.

 

[Thibault]

You need to book on the other airline's website, and enter your VFF # into the booking.
As it is now, you can't book any international flights with partners on VA's own website.
Even if a person wanted to fly to SIN, or to SGN, or KUL with SQ, they have to book with SQ's website, and enter their VFF #.
VA only allows bookings for their own short haul international flights on their website.
If you want to get to JNB/NBO, you might need to book with SQ/SA/QR's own websites.

You can book QR metal flights / VA marketed on VA website but I struggle to find a full list of destinations served.

BNE-CDG always results in BNE-MEL-DOH-CDG when I can book BNE-DOH-CDG on QR operated/VA marketed with Amex travel. Seems that some work is still necessary.

 

[Bagpuss]

As it is now, you can't book any international flights with partners on VA's own website.

You can book Etihad international flights (paid or points) through the VA as long as you are departing from Australia.

Why they are lagging on others, such as SQ is a bit strange as they have approval.

 

[henrus]

You can book Etihad international flights (paid or points) through the VA as long as you are departing from Australia.

Etihad or Qatar?

 

[HS-TQE]

You can book Etihad international flights (paid or points) through the VA as long as you are departing from Australia.

Why they are lagging on others, such as SQ is a bit strange as they have approval.

The provided screenshot shows Qatar instead of Etihad.

 

[engbren]

I thought I'd write an update after travelling on QR under the partnership SYD-DOH-LHR and LGW-DOH-SYD as a Velocity Gold. My flights were booked the day after the partnership was announced through my work travel agent and were booked as VA codeshare flights with my VFF number added to the booking. In this early stage of the partnership, my status did not appear to flow through to QR systems.

Check-in: I was able to use the Business / Gold check-in queues in both SYD and LGW without any issues. In both instances, I did need to present my Velocity card which I carried with me.

Lounge Access: No lounge access in SYD (not available yet) or LGW (lounge closed). Access to Gold Lounge in DOH granted without issue. When I returned to DOH, the Gold Lounge was over capacity and they sent me into the platinum lounge which was a nice touch. Both Gold and Platinum lounges had a good selection of food and beverages, with the platinum lounge having a small selection of a la carte dining options. Both lounges also had shower facilities which were able to be used without booking.

Boarding: I had access to and used priority boarding at every step. The boarding passes printed out with VFF member number but not status, so I needed to have my Velocity Card for boarding etc.

Baggage: Baggage was checked through, so no need to collect bags in DOH. There were no priority tags added to my baggage on either leg and I had lengthy waits at both ends for baggage.

Seat Selection: Seat selection only worked using the eTicket number on the QR website and not the PNR. Before my trip, exit row and other preferred seats were extra cost for all legs. When I checked again before my return flights, for some reason the extra leg room seats were no additional charge. I'm not sure if that is because they had somehow added my status from the check-ins in the original leg but it was certainly much appreciated.

Points and status credits: these were credited about 4 days after the flight. They were credited on the QR tables, not the VA codeshare tables which meant I was out by about 10 SC. I will follow-up with VFF.

 

[BNEFlyer]

Thanks for that summary engbren!

I'm flying QR in a few days BNE-CDG/AMS-BNE in Y as a VFF and QR Gold, but I want to credit to VFF.

I've read various reports about lounge access and priority boarding not being applied, but good to know PB was allowed. Given the somewhat rocky start to this partnership I'm hoping I can use my OWS benefits while still crediting to VFF.