ADL to YVR with Velocity Points

[jase]

Anyone have suggestions as to which airline I can use to get from ADL to YVR, with points on Velocity and enabling me to use the lounge (VFF Gold).

My options seem limited, unless I am happy for 2+ layovers. Maybe I'm just not good for hunting these sorts of things down.

Thanks

 

[williamsf1]

Air NZ would be the best way

 

[smit0847]

Air NZ is the only 1-stop option though they charge more points than VA or DL metal.

2 stop options would be MEL/BNE/SYD then LAX.

 

[Fruitcake]

NZ will be your only one-stop option (and most likely for a significant premium over a two-stop trip via SYD/MEL and LAX), but you do need to call for reward availability.

 

[grubbidok]

Have you considered flying into SEA instead? It's an enjoyable add-on and there would be more options, available far more cheaply and there are plenty of quick and easy (and in the case of the ferry, breathtaking) ways into YVR from SEA.

Adding Canada to the equation always makes flights more expensive. Even domestically it's still more expensive than most markets. The US airlines are probably your best bet to keep the prices down, as they are usually the cheapest into Canada.

 

[jase]

Air NZ was always my first option. I just wasn't sure what the deal with points would be if I booked a flight that Virgin didn't offer (no Codeshare). We would only really be interested if it was ADL>AKL>YVR. Last time we flew back from VYR we went with CX.. YVR>HKG>ADL. It was a pretty good route/service but obviously not a part of Velocity.

I should have also made more clear that we will be buying the tickets - I'm more concerned with earning status credits and points.

Have you considered flying into SEA instead? It's an enjoyable add-on and there would be more options, available far more cheaply and there are plenty of quick and easy (and in the case of the ferry, breathtaking) ways into YVR from SEA.

Adding Canada to the equation always makes flights more expensive. Even domestically it's still more expensive than most markets. The US airlines are probably your best bet to keep the prices down, as they are usually the cheapest into Canada.

We have considered flying into SEA, only challenge is that we usually travel with mountain bikes and camping gear. I have driven across the YVR/SEA side border before and they weren't the friendliest of people - I've heard bad stories of very expensive customs fees for meticulous cleaning of equipment, but maybe it's time we try and get some first hand experience.

 

[Fruitcake]

Air NZ was always my first option. I just wasn't sure what the deal with points would be if I booked a flight that Virgin didn't offer (no Codeshare).

Sorry, looks like we all answered the wrong question! Booking NZ codes directly with NZ (and paying cash) will still earn Velocity points and status credits. Just that you will earn based on the NZ long haul points table, rather than the VA table.
Points Earn with Airline Partners | Velocity Frequent Flyer
Long Haul Flights:

Fare type	Fare Class​	Points earn rate per mile​
Business Class	C, D, J, Z​	2 Velocity Points​
Premium Economy	U, E, O, A​	1.5 Velocity Points​
Economy	Y, B​	1 Velocity Point​
Discount Economy	Q, H, M​	0.75 Velocity Points​
Discount Economy	V, W, T​	0.5 Velocity Points​
Discount Economy	L, G, S, K, P​	0.25 Velocity Points​

 

[jase]

Sorry, looks like we all answered the wrong question!

Not your fault at all, as soon as I started reading the replies I realised how misleading the subject was!

Ok this is great news. I'm pretty sure AirNZ is the way to go for this trip. We are intending on relocating to British Columbia for good (all going well) so we may well need to do some re-evaluating in the future for which FF program is best for us.

 

[grubbidok]

We have considered flying into SEA, only challenge is that we usually travel with mountain bikes and camping gear. I have driven across the YVR/SEA side border before and they weren't the friendliest of people - I've heard bad stories of very expensive customs fees for meticulous cleaning of equipment, but maybe it's time we try and get some first hand experience.

If you're worried about bikes in the car you can go up on the Cascades train, they have the option of both bike racks or the ability to check in your bike as luggage. We did this kind of thing a few times without issue (skis and bikes) when I lived in Seattle, never an issue. They're usually more concerned with ensuring it's actually *your* bike than the cleanliness of it. That being said if you've got a lot of equipment, the more direct the more pleasant it will be & YVR may be worth the extra points.

 

[jase]

If you're worried about bikes in the car you can go up on the Cascades train, they have the option of both bike racks or the ability to check in your bike as luggage. We did this kind of thing a few times without issue (skis and bikes) when I lived in Seattle, never an issue. They're usually more concerned with ensuring it's actually *your* bike than the cleanliness of it. That being said if you've got a lot of equipment, the more direct the more pleasant it will be & YVR may be worth the extra points.

Again, I've failed to be specific enough. What I meant to say was that we have entered the USA by car, and customs were less than friendly. Doing that trip, they don't even care about the cleanliness of bikes and they were still rude.

I imagine flying in from another country where they ARE concerned about bacteria/seeds/etc just adds another layer of potential frustration to the whole process.

 

[jase]

Actually I've just seen some decent deals on Air China. I don't have any experience with them but Virgin seem to Codeshare with them. If I book with Air China directly however, would I receive any status credits/Velocity points?

 

[777]

Actually I've just seen some decent deals on Air China. I don't have any experience with them but Virgin seem to Codeshare with them. If I book with Air China directly however, would I receive any status credits/Velocity points?

Air China are not a velocity partner.

 

[Bolthead]

......What I meant to say was that we have entered the USA by car, and customs were less than friendly.

We observed the same thing when we caught a bus from SEA to Vancouver (not the airport). All was going well until we got to the border and the customs guy was drilling everyone. Very short and rude. It wasn't until he got to us and after drilling us with questions he then then changed his tune and became very chatty as he had lived in Bondi Beach for 12 months. We were visiting friends in Vancouver who also lived in Bondi Beach so after that he was fine. However soon after that there was a shouting match behind us a an American guy on our bus was refused entry. It delayed the trip then for a little while.

 

[jase]

Tremendous thread dig, I know, but I just booked our flights.

ADL>AUK>YVR return.

A range of different classes - funds are tight so we had to go with the cheapest of everything.

I believe the following is correct:

ADL>AUK - Class M - 20 Points
AUK>YVR - Class W - 40 Points
YVR>AUK - Class K - 40 Points
AUK>ADL - Class V - 20 Points

That is, assuming that AirNZ give points based on individual flights within the journey similar to how Virgin is now doing it..?

Also being Velocity Gold, am I entitled to additional baggage or seat upgrades? We booked directly with Air New Zealand.

 

[notzac]

I believe the following is correct:

ADL>AUK - Class M - 20 Points
AUK>YVR - Class W - 40 Points
YVR>AUK - Class K - 40 Points
AUK>ADL - Class V - 20 Points

Here's how I read it..

Orig.	Dest.	Class	Miles	Points	SCs
-------------------------------------------
ADL	AKL	M	2044	1533	20
AKL	YVR	W	7059	3530	40
YVR	AKL	K	7059	1765	40
AKL	ADL	V	2044	1022	20
-------------------------------------------

That is, assuming that AirNZ give points based on individual flights within the journey similar to how Virgin is now doing it..?

Yup!

Also being Velocity Gold, am I entitled to additional baggage or seat upgrades? We booked directly with Air New Zealand.

No seat upgrades, but you should get all the normal priority stuff (check in, boarding, lounge) .. pretty sure you'll also get +1 pc. at 23kg because of the AKL-YVR-AKL legs, but definitely contact NZ to confirm.

 

[jase]

Thanks mate, I will get onto the phone for them. Always best to educate yourself before the phone call though.

 

[jase]

No seat upgrades, but you should get all the normal priority stuff (check in, boarding, lounge) .. pretty sure you'll also get +1 pc. at 23kg because of the AKL-YVR-AKL legs, but definitely contact NZ to confirm.

Hmm apparently not. As it is booked with AirNZ direct (flights weren't available through Virgin) they claim there are no benefits.

 

[notzac]

Hmm apparently not. As it is booked with AirNZ direct (flights weren't available through Virgin) they claim there are no benefits.

Time to call back and hopefully get a different agent that has more of a clue..