Benefits when travelling trans-tasman

[featheast]

I took the chance early this year to get status match of Etihad gold using my QF status, however, never fly EY and barely VA before.
Now I need to travel to CHC from MEL early next year, and since it's either EY/NZ/JQ, and I'm a bit reluctant to fly with JQ, so here comes my rookie questions:

If I am booking on a VA code with VA metal:
* Will I be eligible for lounge access at MEL?
Upon checking the EY website at (Virgin Australia), looks like it's OK. But since VA uses NZ's Koru lounge, will this be considered as a third party lounge, so no access?
* Will I get free baggage allowance?
I am leaning towards just booking the cheapest fare which is "Saver Lite". If I don't get the baggage allowance, I then have to purchase it at the airport, and I really don't like to have a big surprise there.
* Will the EY number automatically recognized by VA's system?
I know when I fly EK and put QF's number in, everything benefit is automatically applied. But since never fly VA/EY, so have no idea how it works here.

Thanks guys!

 

[saminkaz]

I have used VA's lounges when flying Etihad with gold status so I can only assume that it is reciprocated. I used NZ's lounge in Sydney as an Etihad gold member 18 months ago without any problems. Not sure about the luggage situation because I always book with EY so that I can take advantage of the weight limits and bonus' for gold members. It is definitely worth the 45kgs for economy plus hand luggage for an expat like myself.
I know there is a very handy Etiahd rep who regularly checks this site and I am sure will reply with the most accurate of info very soon.
Good luck.

 

[ywwol]

2? years back, I flew VA metal MEL-LAX using an Etihad FQTV. The boarding pass said Partner Gold on it. I got the lounge pass and fast track pass from the check in agent. As long as you have that lounge invitation you'll get entry.
Can't help you with the baggage allowance.
The cabin supervisor has a list of the premium passengers that he issued fast track passes for LAX but my name wasn't on there -despite the partner gold thing. They only listed velocity members. I hope they have improved in that respect.