United Airlines new Virgin Australia/Velocity Partner

[deangelj]

Just got a final bit of value from the VA/DL partnership. Last night I stumbled upon 3 business class seats available on DL from LAX-SYD in July on a couple of dates. Pretty happy with the value, 95,500 + AUD$114 per person. Wife and 2 year old will be happy with that. (Thanks @Mattg for the recent tips on AFF on air podcast a few weeks back for travelling with family)

Wait. How?? Just looking up DL's website using miles only gets me fares with minimum 365K ++
Please teach this newbie...

 

[Revenge]

Wait. How?? Just looking up DL's website using miles only gets me fares with minimum 365K ++
Please teach this newbie...

On the Virgin website using Velocity points

 

[Mattg]

Just got a final bit of value from the VA/DL partnership. Last night I stumbled upon 3 business class seats available on DL from LAX-SYD in July on a couple of dates. Pretty happy with the value, 95,500 + AUD$114 per person. Wife and 2 year old will be happy with that. (Thanks @Mattg for the recent tips on AFF on air podcast a few weeks back for travelling with family)

That's a lucky find! DL J availability on that route (using Velocity) had been largely non-existent lately

 

[Revenge]

That's a lucky find! DL J availability on that route (using Velocity) had been largely non-existent lately

Yes I couldn’t believe my luck. There were actually 2 dates in July with 3 or more J seats available.

 

[MooTime]

Yes I couldn’t believe my luck. There were actually 2 dates in July with 3 or more J seats available.

Your 2yo won't know how lucky he/she is hey! And of course your wife will know how lucky to score the J's.
Nice work.

Returning in Y?

 

[Revenge]

Your 2yo won't know how lucky he/she is hey! And of course your wife will know how lucky to score the J's.
Nice work.

Returning in Y?

Yes he’s a very spoiled 2 year old! And a very spoiled Mrs
We are heading over in Y on the morning flight from BNE with QF, and back on this flight.

 

[deangelj]

On the Virgin website using Velocity points

Ah ok - when I did a quick search a month or so ago I could only see AC flights and I thought they had already pulled the plug on booking DL flights on the Virgin site. Good to see there are still some opportunities. Good job!

 

[henrus]

Perhaps this is DL teasing VA members before the split.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Perhaps this is DL teasing VA members before the split.

Freq flyer partnership are a financial arrangement, with $ as the common denominator. Money will flow one way or the other between the airlines. So an airline/ffp can change the needle by taking some actions.

 

[Shervin]

I'm seeing lots of DL business reward seats available in the next few weeks. I've never seen this many before!

Why are they releasing them now?

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

There is J availability through to Tuesday 5 July on SYD-LAX & vv, but only Y after that so I'd say it's either that DL drip feeds J availability or it is released every so often. VA used to do this on international, however the J release was somewhat closer to departure - approx 14 to 21 days prior IIRC?

 

[SYD]

There is J availability through to Tuesday 5 July on SYD-LAX & vv, but only Y after that so I'd say it's either that DL drip feeds J availability or it is released every so often. VA used to do this on international, however the J release was somewhat closer to departure - approx 14 to 21 days prior IIRC?

Most US based airlines release some seats (if available) close to departure - usually 1 or 2 weeks out - which for the ultra flexible was/is great. More unusual to see them more than a month out!

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

Most US based airlines release some seats (if available) close to departure - usually 1 or 2 weeks out - which for the ultra flexible was/is great. More unusual to see them more than a month out!

Probably worth just keeping an eye out to see what transpires. I have a US trip in mid-July/early-August, so if they're still unlocking availability then I guess I'll be on DL this time...

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

FYI managed to jag a J seat on DL40 for 21 July, so there's been another drop from Delta of J inventory. Now to wait for them to drop early August on the return leg and/or wait for the UA seats to come onto Velocity...

 

[kandy23]

Has anyone booked United airlines due to Virgin sending communication out stating that their partnership would commence in April, only to have it pushed back till May? I am due to fly on the 21st May and at this stage they are not committing to any points, status or lounge access. I find this very misleading given their email communication.

 

[henrus]

I find this very misleading given their email communication.

You're not going to get anywhere trying to get extra benefits.

All annoucements have always been subject to regulatory approval and this is the key hold up right now.

 

[kandy23]

You're not going to get anywhere trying to get extra benefits.

All annoucements have always been subject to regulatory approval and this is the key hold up right now.

Actually on the email communication from Virgin to members on the 8 March it doesn't mention anything about regulatory requirements. Also in their submission to the ACCC that they submitted in April (just discovered this today), they seek interim approval by the 13 May so they can start marketing the codeshare agreement. However, i think emailing your entire Velocity database with a start date of April back in March, is marketing in my opinion.

 

[Revenge]

Actually on the email communication from Virgin to members on the 8 March it doesn't mention anything about regulatory requirements. Also in their submission to the ACCC that they submitted in April (just discovered this today), they seek interim approval by the 13 May so they can start marketing the codeshare agreement. However, i think emailing your entire Velocity database with a start date of April back in March, is marketing in my opinion.

Interesting. What exactly did the email say about benefits? (I can't find my copy).

In terms of a remedy, I think it would be tricky to get anything. You bought something from United based on a representation that a third party - Virgin - made. It would be tough to argue that United owes you anything on that basis.

 

[Bagpuss]

Has anyone booked United airlines due to Virgin sending communication out stating that their partnership would commence in April, only to have it pushed back till May? I am due to fly on the 21st May and at this stage they are not committing to any points, status or lounge access. I find this very misleading given their email communication.

31st May is still May.

I think you will find when a month is mentioned it's a broad statement and open to an element of flexibility.

When an actual date is stated that then makes it a factual statement.

They also made no mentioned of when the partnership launches if existing bookings are honored or need to be ticketed after a selected date.

The email simply was a notification of intent.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Interesting. What exactly did the email say about benefits? (I can't find my copy).

This is what I got from VA on 08 March

we have an important Delta Air Lines update Virgin Australia Group and United Airlines have recently announced
a new partnership that will offer customers more destinations and more benenifts when travelling to cities across the United States,
Mexico, South America and the Caribbean. From April 2022, the partnership with United Airlines will replace
Virgin Australia’s current codeshare and Velocity Frequent Flyer's relationship with Delta Air Lines. From Monday 13 June 2022, Delta
Air Lines will no longer be a Velocity partner. We would like to thank Delta Air Lines for their long-standing
commitment and relationship with Virgin Australia and Velocity

From 13 June 2022 the following offers will cease:

Points and Status Credit earn on Delta Air Lines flights
Last flight date to earn is 12 June 2022
Reward Seat bookings on Delta Air Lines flights – last date to book your future Reward Seat, and make
changes to existing Reward Seats (including route changes) is 12 June 2022

Date changes for travel will continue to be permitted up to 1 year from ticket issue, subject to availability

All other frequent flyer benefits
Missing Points for eligible Delta Air Lines flights taken on or before 12 June 2022 can be applied for retrospectively via the Velocity
Frequent Flyer website no later than 12 December 2022.​