Virgin Australia flights to Doha now on sale

[L_MareeB]

Who flies J

F on the A380 is the way to go. while it lasts

Closest I’ve gotten to F was my boss getting bumped from J to F (think it was on CX), while I was still stuck in Y And that was like 20 years ago…

 

[zainman]

Go to MMB on Air Canada app or website and it gives you the partner reference numbers. Need to go on VA site to select seats

Same "Action not allowed" error shows up

 

[jase05]

Same "Action not allowed" error shows up

That is bizarre. I’ve always been able to select seats on VA flights as part of Aeroplan rewards and less than a week ago I was able to do so

 

[bernardblack]

These are also available using other programs, I booked VA1 using Aeroplan in J

It didn't occur to me that it might be available to partners (other than QR) until you mentioned this.

I also can match VA-prime (for example) MEL-DOH, on Aeroplan. I can't find the same flights through MileagePlus or KrisFlyer though.

I also don't imagine you can book beyond DOH onto QR-prime flights, with Aeroplan.

 

[zainman]

It didn't occur to me that it might be available to partners (other than QR) until you mentioned this.

I also can match VA-prime (for example) MEL-DOH, on Aeroplan. I can't find the same flights through MileagePlus or KrisFlyer though.

I also don't imagine you can book beyond DOH onto QR-prime flights, with Aeroplan.

Yes that's because AC is partners with VA, not QR so yes no flights beyond DOH. However, haven't checked if they will show through availability via AUH/DXB on EY/EK respectively, so MEL-DOH-AUH/DXB - beyond.

I would have thought other VA partners such as UA or SQ would have access to the VA flights to DOH so that's odd...

 

[sydneysurfer]

The J award on Qatar cost much less points on Avios for the same flights. Are people using Velocity because they don't have Avios or is there another reason? e.g. If you can transfer pts to Avios or Velocity, is there a reason to transfer to Velocity if you want to book Qatar?

 

[ben95]

If you can transfer pts to Avios or Velocity, is there a reason to transfer to Velocity if you want to book Qatar?

Not really if you already know that you are going to use your points for QR flights and you have enough points to transfer.

Are people using Velocity because they don't have Avios or is there another reason?

There could be many reasons. People might have some amount of points in Velocity but not quite enough in their credit card program so they transfer into Velocity from credit card programs to top up the balance. Also even though it costs less to book with Avios you might not be able to earn avios at the same rate as you earn Velocity points - for example the AMEX Velocity Plat card ears at 2.25 velocity points per dollar but even the highest tier AMEX Platnium earns at 1.25 avois per dollar - still cheaper to book using Velocity even though it would cost you more points but when you factor in acquisition cost for the points its actually cheaper.

 

[sydneysurfer]

Not really if you already know that you are going to use your points for QR flights and you have enough points to transfer.


There could be many reasons. People might have some amount of points in Velocity but not quite enough in their credit card program so they transfer into Velocity from credit card programs to top up the balance. Also even though it costs less to book with Avios you might not be able to earn avios at the same rate as you earn Velocity points - for example the AMEX Velocity Plat card ears at 2.25 velocity points per dollar but even the highest tier AMEX Platnium earns at 1.25 avois per dollar - still cheaper to book using Velocity even though it would cost you more points but when you factor in acquisition cost for the points its actually cheaper.

Ok thanks. I can transfer Amex pts for the same number of Avios or Velocity, so will transfer to Avios from now on. Bit bummed that for less than the pts required on Velocity for DOH-SYD, I could have redeemed Avios CDG-SYD in Q Suite for us.

 

[jase05]

Looks like QR have pulled all the VA flights from their site.

 

[sydneysurfer]

Looks like QR have pulled all the VA flights from their site.

Wonder if it's a response to this thread.

 

[k1s3k1]

Looks like QR have pulled all the VA flights from their site.

Many avios customers complaining of not being able to select seats online?

 

[im.daniel]

Looks like QR have pulled all the VA flights from their site.

Have they? I still see award seats on VA J on QR.com

 

[jase05]

Have they? I still see award seats on VA J on QR.com

App not showing any award or revenue fares for the VA flights. Last night it was showing them all

 

[bernardblack]

App not showing any award or revenue fares for the VA flights. Last night it was showing them all

Based on playing around in the QR app just now, it seems like (for me at least, YMMV):

If you search for MEL/SYD-DOH award space, you get the VA-prime flights as well as QR-prime.

But if you search for MEL/SYD-FCO/CDG, you get only the QR-prime departures from Aust.

So maybe it just won't price combo itineraries?

Post automatically merged: Jan 24, 2025

(I'm only looking at awards, not rev fares.)

 

[am0985]

Based on playing around in the QR app just now, it seems like (for me at least, YMMV):

If you search for MEL/SYD-DOH award space, you get the VA-prime flights as well as QR-prime.

But if you search for MEL/SYD-FCO/CDG, you get only the QR-prime departures from Aust.

So maybe it just won't price combo itineraries?

Post automatically merged: Jan 24, 2025

(I'm only looking at awards, not rev fares.)

Yep the system seems to treat VA as a partner airline when you try and book a second onward leg. So it won't combine the VA and QR flights in the same award itinerary.

This is despite the VA flights showing up in the same search (and with the same points needed) as Qatar awards if you just search to DOH.

Not sure why they've done this.

 

[SCM]

Anything good? I was looking June - August, can't find any J QR availability at all for reward (but often saw some SQ) to Europe, and for cashies, nowhere does it give airports and dates and indicative prices, very annoying. I haven't searched much but couldn't find anything good.

Kind of an annoying sale, they don't really make it clear on what and when are the sale prices.

 

[SCM]

I received another email today, it said between 17th of June and 11th July (the first time I saw any reference to dates), and still the price to EU return is over 10k, absolute rubbish, not a sale at all.

Also, it's a very short time-frame for the sale, 3 weeks essentially?

 

[PERLHR]

I received another email today, it said between 17th of June and 11th July (the first time I saw any reference to dates), and still the price to EU return is over 10k, absolute rubbish, not a sale at all.

Tend to agree. Nothing representing a sale price.

 

[levelnine]

My guess is Qatar are calling the shots on the prices for these flights and so any sale will align with a broader Qatar sale.

 

[drakdaystar]

Has anyone booked Virgin Economy Reward seats and know what the baggage allowance is? I'm looking to book Sydney to Paris. Called up Virgin contact centre and they weren't very clear either...