Booking VA Codeshare to HNL - Always expensive?

[badseed]

Hi all,

I'm looking at options to HNL for late this year (or early 2018), and I was interested in booking the VA codeshare on Hawaiian (and a domestic leg from/to MEL to SYD or BNE).

However, the fares on VA are roughly double (or more) those of Hawaiian, and nearly QF. (JQ is not an option).

Any idea if this type of pricing variance is always the case with the VA codeshare?

Thanks.

 

[CPMaverick]

I haven't looked extensively but when I have I found the same thing. VA codeshares were way higher than the other options.

 

[Mattg]

This is relatively normal. I'd suggest just booking through Hawaiian Airlines.

If you have Velocity status (and therefore lounge access), I recommend booking the flight from SYD and not BNE as you don't get lounge access in Brisbane flying Hawaiian.

 

[badseed]

If you have Velocity status (and therefore lounge access), I recommend booking the flight from SYD and not BNE as you don't get lounge access in Brisbane flying Hawaiian.

Looks like I'll have Gold at that stage so will definitely go via SYD Thanks for the tip.

 

[cssaus]

Looks like I'll have Gold at that stage so will definitely go via SYD Thanks for the tip.

Unfortunately as a GOLD (or PLATINUM) VFF member you do not get any lounge access in Sydney if you're traveling on a HA ticket to HNL.

The rules clearly state that lounge access is only available with Virgin Australia codeshare services on Hawaiian Airlines i.e. you must have booked with VA and flying on a VA flight number that's operated by HA.

Use the following link to see the lounge access rules for each partner airline.

https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/experience/at-the-airport/international-lounge-access/

The dumb thing is that when flying back from HNL to SYD (or BNE) on an HA flight as a GOLD (or PLATINUM) VFF you do get lounge access to the Delta SkyClub lounge in HNL with no mention that your flight has to be a VA codeshare.

Go Figure!!

 

[Ribbo83]

I have gone the last 3 years and found the same thing so I have always booked direct with HA. One thing to check is the fare type and status credit earn when booking direct with HA, the first year, despite my fare being the same on both sectors I only earn status on the outbound sector. Before booking check both sectors have a fare type that earns status. I have read in previous threads that oaths have had this happen to them as well.

https://www.velocityfrequentflyer.com/content/Info/StatusEarnFareClass/

 

[cssaus]

Unfortunately as a GOLD (or PLATINUM) VFF member you do not get any lounge access in Sydney if you're traveling on a HA ticket to HNL.

The rules clearly state that lounge access is only available with Virgin Australia codeshare services on Hawaiian Airlines i.e. you must have booked with VA and flying on a VA flight number that's operated by HA.

Use the following link to see the lounge access rules for each partner airline.

https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/experience/at-the-airport/international-lounge-access/

The dumb thing is that when flying back from HNL to SYD (or BNE) on an HA flight as a GOLD (or PLATINUM) VFF you do get lounge access to the Delta SkyClub lounge in HNL with no mention that your flight has to be a VA codeshare.

Go Figure!!

Just noticed that the lounge access rules have been updated and now say that GOLD & PLATINUM members departing HNL on HA now specifically say that you must be traveling on a Virgin Australia codeshare service!

 

[Jack_OC]

VA codeshares in general seem to be more expensive than the same flights booked through the operating carrier. For example, on EY operated flights, the VA codeshares in J are routinely ~$2k more expensive than the EY fare. I have never understood why anyone would ever book the VA codeshares on those flights.