Virgin Premium Economy - Sydney to Hong Kong

[Cyberon]

Thanks all.

How do I do the seat selection for a premium economy flight from Sydney to HK?

I've tried the usual way but nothing comes up.

 

[pangwen]

Points and SCs are the same regardless, long haul VA and VS have the same earn.

Points earn could differ due to VS not having a status bonus for Velocity silver+ members?

 

[markis10]

Points earn could differ due to VS not having a status bonus for Velocity silver+ members?

good point, and it would be a sizeable difference.

 

[Cyberon]

Just discovered you can't select the seat from the Virgin Australia page. You actually need to do it from the Virgin Atlantic page using a VAtlantic booking number (which they don't tell you, but you only find out by ringing them up on 1300 727 340), so entering the Virgin Australia booking number is useless.

Really really poor IHMO.

And is it really true the first row (ie row 18) is unavailable for booking until the day of the flight?

Gold status means nothing in the scheme of seat selection.

 

[moa999]

Maybe Virgin Atlantic keeps row 18 for its own elites, or for Plat members.

Getting an alternate booking number on a different GDS almost always requires a call.
Book a oneworld RTW with AA, need to call for the BA/QF/JL Amadeus numbers and the CX number

 

[Cyberon]

Thanks all.

1. I entered in my velocity number as well as travelling companion, however when I log into the Virgin Atlantic page, it only lists mine, but when I try to enter in my companions Velocity number it says 'not recognised'. Should I bother to enter it in?
2. Virgin Atlantic asks me to join up for their Flying Club as well. So does that mean on this flight which I booked through Virgin Australia I would get both Velocity points/SC and also Flying Club points?
3. Are seats 22A,C and 22H, K really that bad?

 

[Cyberon]

bump. Has anyone here flown PE to HK?

 

[serfty]

1. It may pay to call and ask for it to be inserted.
2. A: Generally you can only earn on the one Loyalty Scheme at a time.
3. Can't say .,..

 

[yohy?!]

1. I entered in my velocity number as well as travelling companion, however when I log into the Virgin Atlantic page, it only lists mine, but when I try to enter in my companions Velocity number it says 'not recognised'. Should I bother to enter it in? Just get them to add it at check in.
2. Virgin Atlantic asks me to join up for their Flying Club as well. So does that mean on this flight which I booked through Virgin Australia I would get both Velocity points/SC and also Flying Club points?No idea, you can likely credit to either VA or VS
3. Are seats 22A,C and 22H, K really that bad?Not really bear in mind you are directly in front of the lavs so that can be annoying, try to arrive early at the airport to snag row 18 on the day, really is worth it - miles of legroom plus a foot rest

 

[Cyberon]

...3. Are seats 22A,C and 22H, K really that bad?Not really bear in mind you are directly in front of the lavs so that can be annoying, try to arrive early at the airport to snag row 18 on the day, really is worth it - miles of legroom plus a foot rest

Thanks. so even if I've selected another seat already I could change to row 18 if it was available?

 

[yohy?!]

Thanks. so even if I've selected another seat already I could change to row 18 if it was available?

yes, just ask at check in - stress you'll have to be very early

 

[Cyberon]

yes, just ask at check in - stress you'll have to be very early

Thanks. generally how early would I need to be? 3 hrs before departure?

Cheers

 

[bullerdude]

Thanks. generally how early would I need to be? 3 hrs before departure?

Cheers

Probably at least 3 hours - I would think the best way of ensuring you get them is to be first in line with check-in opens for the flight.

 

[Cyberon]

Probably at least 3 hours - I would think the best way of ensuring you get them is to be first in line with check-in opens for the flight.

Thanks very much.

 

[Cyberon]

How are you looking at booking it, direct with VS or VA, the fare conditions each one has will answer your question re refunds, there is no valet, VS is full service so no issue with meals and you will have access to a lounge at SYD and HKG on return.

Lounge Access with Velocity Membership | Velocity Frequent Flyer

Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse owned and operated lounges^

Air New Zealand Koru Lounge
You and a guest on presentation of membership card and boarding pass for same day travel with Virgin Atlantic.



You and a guest on presentation of membership card and boarding pass for same day travel with Virgin Atlantic.






Sydney

There's definitely some disconnect between the Virgin Australia and Virgin Atlantic, as Virgin Atlantic staff were adamant that neither a premium economy ticket nor Virgin Australia Gold membership would get access to the Virgin Atlantic Lounge in HK. They said it was only for Upper Class tickets.

Yet on Virgin Australia's website they clearly state "As a Velocity Gold or Platinum member, you are entitled to access the following lounges." "Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse owned and operated lounges^"

although there is some fineprint which states "^Unless otherwise specified, Velocity Members are not eligible for access to Virgin Atlantic partnered lounges, please see Virgin Atlantic for locations and conditions of entry. Excludes access to Revivals Lounge at Heathrow Airport, London."

So it's still abit unclear.

 

[I hate Alan]

Cyberon

I am VA SG and flew VS SYD to HKG in Y+ back in August. I am on portable device so answers will be brief.

No issue with lounges, AIrNZ at Sydney and clubhouse at HKG, clubhouse is great and above normal standard, make sure you go hungry food is awesome and the plane boards right next door. They treat VA SG no better than normal passengers IMO. The CSM at airport was good but as there is SFA seats in PE trying to reallocate is hopeless, so get there early, I found the phone support and trying to get seat allocation also hopeless. Overall whole experience was okay nothing flash, food was okay but small portions and the breaky on return leg home made me sick for the day! You get full points and sc but keep your boarding passes In case you have a hassle. They take a while to allocate points.

 

[Cyberon]

Cyberon

I am VA SG and flew VS SYD to HKG in Y+ back in August. I am on portable device so answers will be brief.

No issue with lounges, AIrNZ at Sydney and clubhouse at HKG, clubhouse is great and above normal standard, make sure you go hungry food is awesome and the plane boards right next door. They treat VA SG no better than normal passengers IMO. The CSM at airport was good but as there is SFA seats in PE trying to reallocate is hopeless, so get there early, I found the phone support and trying to get seat allocation also hopeless. Overall whole experience was okay nothing flash, food was okay but small portions and the breaky on return leg home made me sick for the day! You get full points and sc but keep your boarding passes In case you have a hassle. They take a while to allocate points.

Thanks very much. It's suprising that the VAustralia and VAtlantic staff really don't know the above.

When you were in HK did u checkin at Hong Kong station or did you do it at the Airport? I'm thinking of checking the luggage early at Hong Kong station in the morning, (perhaps even selecting row 18 if it was available/possible), then spending some more time in HK, before going to the lounge.

 

[yohy?!]

Thanks very much. It's suprising that the VAustralia and VAtlantic staff really don't know the above.

When you were in HK did u checkin at Hong Kong station or did you do it at the Airport? I'm thinking of checking the luggage early at Hong Kong station in the morning, (perhaps even selecting row 18 if it was available/possible), then spending some more time in HK, before going to the lounge.

You can do In Town Check In early at Kowloon or Hong Kong Airport Express Stations - bear in mind you will probably get Contract Staff who may not be bothered to reassign your seat if you ask...

Hong Kong International Airport Guide | Virgin Atlantic

 

[Cyberon]

You can do In Town Check In early at Kowloon or Hong Kong Airport Express Stations - bear in mind you will probably get Contract Staff who may not be bothered to reassign your seat if you ask...

Hong Kong International Airport Guide | Virgin Atlantic

Thanks. so would you recommend getting to the airport early to reassign the seat, or does it mean once you've checked in at Kowloon/Hong Kong airport express you can't reassign seats at HK airport?

 

[I hate Alan]

Thanks. so would you recommend getting to the airport early to reassign the seat, or does it mean once you've checked in at Kowloon/Hong Kong airport express you can't reassign seats at HK airport?

Because PE is such a small section if lots of VS FF are there they will get seat preference. I would get to airport good 3 hrs before and try