DL systems now able to see VA status

[notzac]

I suspect this has been the case for a while - at least since the start of access to DLs "Sky Priority" services for VA elites - but I noticed a little something on a DL booking I just made which was nice to see:

notzac
V Australia # 1234567890
Velocity
Platinum Medallion / Elite Plus

Hopefully this means an end to rubbish seats on US domestic flights! Would be interesting to know whether DL considers VA elites for complimentary upgrades / free Economy Comfort seating / etc..

 

[serfty]

Yip, saw that on a booking I made back when I was VA WP - still came up as Platinum Medallion / Elite Plus on the BP IIRC.

 

[dk4]

The BIG question now, is... will this mean that VA's Velocity Plats be in the running for free upgrades? Unlike AA (which doesn't give oneworld members access to free on-departure upgrades) DL does give Sky Team Elite Plus members from some other carriers, access to upgrades in order as if they were DL's own frequent fliers.

 

[AsterisK]

don't like my chances, but flying DL BNE>LAX next week with my family - doubt I'll get any benefits except for lounge/priority checkin etc.

 

[serfty]

My BP reflected my status at the time of booking when I entered my Velocity number - it was WP at the time. When I travelled I had dropped to SG.

 

[notzac]

The BIG question now, is... will this mean that VA's Velocity Plats be in the running for free upgrades?

Thankfully (for me, at least) that's not a gamble I need to take this time - bless cheap upgrades to J at the booking review screen!

 

[Fantic125]

I had 4 DL flights in December and they all showed my VA Gold status.

 

[AlterEgo]

This is good news. Just a quick question...does EY systems recognize the VA status as well?

 

[Deewhy]

I had one DL flight in December and the checkin agent had absolutely no idea what velocity or virgin Australia was. "You're not sky team elite so you shouldn't be here" was the reply. He "looked it up" on his computer and same result. " you aren't elite, so you are in the wrong line". He asked another agent who also looked at the velocity gold card and shrugged his shoulders too. Highly embarrassing and totally not what I expected.

 

[notzac]

Highly embarrassing and totally not what I expected.

Wow. Which airport was this at? And did you provide feedback to VA?

 

[Deewhy]

Wow. Which airport was this at? And did you provide feedback to VA?

It was Orlando. I have provided feedback via the website on this issue. I didn't even bother trying to access the lounge - couldn't handle the stress of doing that again. Very unpleasant experience. Let's see what the response is.

 

[notzac]

I'd be really interested to see what VA's response is .. please keep us updated.

 

[Fantic125]

I had one DL flight in December and the checkin agent had absolutely no idea what velocity or virgin Australia was. "You're not sky team elite so you shouldn't be here" was the reply. He "looked it up" on his computer and same result. " you aren't elite, so you are in the wrong line". He asked another agent who also looked at the velocity gold card and shrugged his shoulders too. Highly embarrassing and totally not what I expected.

My 4 flights were in December as well (LAX-SAN, SAN-LAX, LAX-CVG, CVG-LAX), and when I booked the flights I entered my VA FF number. On all the the Boarding passes it had printed "Sky Team Elite/VA Gold". Going into the DL Lounges I needed to show my VA FF card but otherwise there were no issues.

 

[williamsf1]

This is good news. Just a quick question...does EY systems recognize the VA status as well?

No however you do get benefits , but you need to show your card, no automation as yet

 

[hobo]

I'm flying to LA via Sydney, and will reach Gold as I touchdown in Sydney. I won't have my gold card when i'm in the states - seeing they have access to the database, can I show them my silver card and get in still?

 

[Fantic125]

I'm flying to LA via Sydney, and will reach Gold as I touchdown in Sydney. I won't have my gold card when i'm in the states - seeing they have access to the database, can I show them my silver card and get in still?

Although my VA SC's appeared in my account reasonably quickly (within 24 hours) IMHO I think you may be out of luck as they seem fairly insistant on sighting the card. There's only one way to find out though!

 

[williamsf1]

I'm flying to LA via Sydney, and will reach Gold as I touchdown in Sydney. I won't have my gold card when i'm in the states - seeing they have access to the database, can I show them my silver card and get in still?

Depends on if all the stars line up . DJ points take a day or 2 to hit the account … then normally overnight your status will change to gold . The next part is that info needs to be transferred over to DL so they know you are now Gold…. This whole process could take a few weeks

 

[bullerdude]

I'm flying to LA via Sydney, and will reach Gold as I touchdown in Sydney. I won't have my gold card when i'm in the states - seeing they have access to the database, can I show them my silver card and get in still?

I don't think you wont be gold when you get to LA. This is because it usually takes two nights to process your status change - the first night will see the status credits from your flight allocated, the second will see the status change occur.

If for some reason it all happens at the same time (which is hasn't for me in the past), you might be able to print out your velocity account page and use that to get in.

 

[hobo]

I will be in Sydney for one of those nights, and it is an 18 hour flight so there's a possibility of getting the points... I'll just have to wait and hope I guess

 

[Deewhy]

I'd be really interested to see what VA's response is .. please keep us updated.

Well I got a response below but is this correct? I thought that benefits applied regardless of whether it was booked as a codeshare or directly with Delta. Am I wrong?

Cut straight from a reply email:

"Virgin Australia has entered into code share agreements with a number of airlines with the intention of providing smooth and convenient air travel whilst offering a wider range of destinations to our guests. The flights however do have to be booked as a code share flight with both airlines in order to allow our valued guests to benefit from benefits attached to their Gold Velocity membership.

When flights are booked independently with the two airlines, the guidelines that apply at the time of travel are that of the airline concerned and in keeping with the fare purchased. "

Can anyone confirm this is true or not before I reply?