V Australia or Air New Zealand J

[PineappleSkip]

Quick question

Still looking at BNE (or SYD) to LAX RT in J. More cheap US options appearing and there is a Delta fare (on V Australia metal) or slightly more expensive a Continental fare (on Air NZ metal)

So my questions are which you would go for and why. The price difference is minimal.

Can't get the flash to work on V Australia website to work, so it gives me no clues what their J is like

OK one more question. Could I earn Velocity points on such a Delta codeshare?

Cheers skip

 

[haydensydney]

I've done both in J.

I find NZ service to be more refined and polished compared to VA.
VA have the bar, which is a nice feature but not the be all and end all.
VA food wasn't as good as NZ J, neither was the drinks/wine selection.
I'm a fan of both seats, the NZ herringbone and the standard forward facing VA.
I've had one bad flight in VA J, whereas I've never had a bad flight in NZ J.
IFE is pretty much the same.
NZ Lounges are generally better, no VA lounge in BNE but there is a (hideous) NZ lounge so thats a +

I would go NZ.

 

[markis10]

OK one more question. Could I earn Velocity points on such a Delta codeshare?

Cheers skip

Points are not earned on codeshare flights, if its delta metal:

Fare type Earn rate per mile*
Promo (L, U, T) 0.5 Velocity Points
Discount Economy (H, Q, K) 1 Velocity Point
Economy (Y, B, M) 1.5 Velocity Points
First Class/Business Elite (P, F, A, C, D, J, I, S) 1.5 Velocity Points

13.2.Points and Status Credits (where relevant) may only be earned for eligible travel on regular scheduled flights with Other Airline Partners and actually operated by these airlines (that is Points may not be earned or may be earned at different rates on code-share flights). Points and Status Credits will be earned on V Australia codeshare flights (at the V Australia earning rates) where the operating carrier is Virgin Blue, Pacific Blue or Polynesian Blue. For more information, and any other restrictions relating to specific Airline Partners, please see the Earning Page on www.velocityrewards.com.au

 

[PineappleSkip]

Points are not earned on codeshare flights, if its delta metal:

Actually its a Delta Ticket, V Australia metal. The velocity website hints you get points but not quite unambiguous.

As for the Self Service Bar:shock:, that rather tips the balance toward NZ. I'll check into a hotel in LAX, open the fridge and find a self service bar. Why would I pay extra for J and sit at a barstool when I can travel Y, press the little yellow button, and get butler service

Cheers skip

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Having just flown MEL-AKL-LAX in NZ J on 772 and 744 equipment I would thoroughly recommend them. I absolutely loved the seat, the wine selection was marvellous and so was the food. Service was spot on too.

I loved it! And I can't wait for another chance at flying with them.

Of course, I can't compare with VA as I have never used them.

 

[Egg]

Whilst I haven't flown long haul Air NZ, I can say that J on V Australia is excellent. I prefer it to Qantas's 747 J.

For me, the option of a direct flight makes it a no-brainer. VA J is a good product but more importantly, it'll save you 4 hours each way. Plus, you've found it for less money!

 

[markis10]

Actually its a Delta Ticket, V Australia metal. The velocity website hints you get points but not quite unambiguous.


Cheers skip

I was probably not clear on my post, you dont get points with Velocity if you are flying codeshares at all, the only time you do in the case of codeshares is if its a VA flight operated by a DJ airline:

Points and Status Credits (where relevant) may only be earned for eligible travel on regular scheduled flights with Other Airline Partners and actually operated by these airlines (that is Points may not be earned or may be earned at different rates on code-share flights)

 

[notzac]

I was probably not clear on my post, you dont get points with Velocity if you are flying codeshares at all, the only time you do in the case of codeshares is if its a VA flight operated by a DJ airline:

Points and Status Credits (where relevant) may only be earned for eligible travel on regular scheduled flights with Other Airline Partners and actually operated by these airlines (that is Points may not be earned or may be earned at different rates on code-share flights)

I can't see any codeshares (DL or otherwise) on VA1 SYD/LAX; PineappleSkip, is this a DL plated ticket with a VA flight number or something else altogether?

If it's a VA flight number, it should earn with Velocity as per Velocity - V Australia

 

[PineappleSkip]

Sorry, this is the confusion I create when I post a question while rushing out the door

I can't see any codeshares (DL or otherwise) on VA1 SYD/LAX; PineappleSkip, is this a DL plated ticket with a VA flight number or something else altogether?

Its a DL plated ticket with a DL flight number, i.e. Delta is the marketing carrier, it just happens the flight is operated on VA metal. Have gone through the relevant parts of the T&Cs again and the best that can be said of them is that they're ambiguous. Nowhere does it say that Delta has to be the operating carrier, indeed the Delta page simply says

[how to earn] 1. Check availability and book online [this is where I book the fare] 2. Quote your Velocity Membership Number

Cheers skip

 

[markis10]

Nowhere does it say that Delta has to be the operating carrier, indeed the Delta page simply says

[how to earn] 1. Check availability and book online [this is where I book the fare] 2. Quote your Velocity Membership Number

Cheers skip

The velocity terms and conditions clearly say it has to be the operating carrier as I have already quoted, it does also say codeshares may earn, so I would suggest a PM to VelocityRewards will get a quick resolution. Whats the fares basis, it may well be in a non earning class?

 

[notzac]

Its a DL plated ticket with a DL flight number

I'd be curious to see the flight number -- I can't for the life of me find a DL code on VA metal (not disbelief, just nerdy interest )

Have gone through the relevant parts of the T&Cs again and the best that can be said of them is that they're ambiguous. Nowhere does it say that Delta has to be the operating carrier, indeed the Delta page simply says

Absolutely agree -- it's not nearly as clear as it could be. Based on the information on the relevant Velocity web page, I'd take it to mean that you're entitled to Velocity points (but not status credits) for any DL coded flight (even though that's quite possibly not the case).

crazydave98, Velocity Rewards, any input or clarifying comment?

 

[PineappleSkip]

Re: V Australia (whoops Delta) or Air New Zealand J

This must be my bad hair thread.

No 1. As Markis10 notes, and yes indeedy quoted, the T&Cs comment

13.2.Points and Status Credits (where relevant) may only be earned for eligible travel on regular scheduled flights with Other Airline Partners and actually operated by these airlines

I (thought I) read these paras about 3 times and missed that bit every time

No 2. The question appears to be academic. Checking expert flyer's times indicates the plane is actually DL metal. This explains the DL flight number and also the seat map that didn't match V Australia's.

The confusion arose from my initial look at Zuji which said (similarly on return)


Brisbane (BNE) - Los Angeles Intl Apt (LAX)

DELTA AIR LINES
DL8973, DL0016
(Operated by V Australia)


I have no idea where they came up with V Australia but it looks to me like DL8973 is a DJ codeshare and DL16 (an implausible codeshare flight number if ever there was one) isn't a codeshare at all

The moral of the story is never judge a Zuji by its cover

Ok so lets go with two new questions

1. Is Delta J better than Air NZ J?
2. Should I acquire some new glasses?

Cheers skip

 

[straitman]

Re: V Australia (whoops Delta) or Air New Zealand J

Ok so lets go with two new questions

1. Is Delta J better than Air NZ J?
2. Should I acquire some new glasses?

Cheers skip

1. Maybe or maybe not,
2. Probably :!: :shock:

 

[BNE777]

Will never fly VA again despite being Virgin Atlantic Gold and now fly Air NZ to US.

Far superior product in J on NZ, better bed, better privacy, better food service and AVOD gate to gate. Usually excellent cabin crew.
BNE at least has an NZ lounge and at LAX NZ has the best lounge around (shame about the rest of the airport).

To me the difference is that NZ is a proper J class and VA has just not quite got it together yet and integrated all of the facilities and services which make for a premium experience. It's not that its horrid, just not yet consistent and I would prefer to be flying NZ if a plane goes tech I am in LAX.

 

[PineappleSkip]

Well I cleaned my glasses and dehumidified my brain, and recalled the existence of a bunch of points.

Searched the QF website and lo and behold there was one J seat available on QF15/16 on about the right dates. For Mrs Pineapple the J sale fare. And a direct flight to boot.

This brought the net cost for two under the DL, NZ or VA fares. (um, assuming 192,000 points aren't worth much:shock


There endeth the bad hair thread...

Cheers skip