Easy questions for you gurus

[Airbumps]

Hey guys,

Simple question I'm sure. With VA, if I fly from MEL-(SYD)-PER all booked on one ticket, with a 3 hour layover in SYD, am I correct in understanding that I only get the SC and miles based on if I was flying direct MEL-PER? Thats how I read the rules regarding status credits and miles but I just wanted to check. For what its worth, MEL-PER direct is exactly the same price as MEL-(SYD)-PER.

Cheers,

 

[jneufeld]

That correct, if it's all booked as one leg of a trip. If you are going to go out of your way like that make sure you get on an A330 across to Perth.

 

[lovestotravel]

I did read somewhere that if you go via SYD it counts as a separate trip...

Was posted on here by a reputable member about 3-4 days ago!

 

[samh004]

I was under the impression domestic multi-trips would always be calculated as start-point to end-point, but international ones are broken down for each flight.

If you subscribe to the idea that the PRoV is not a part of Australia then it could work




 

[Princess Fiona]

I was under the impression domestic multi-trips would always be calculated as start-point to end-point, but international ones are broken down for each flight.

If you subscribe to the idea that the PRoV is not a part of Australia then it could work




I was under the same impression as you. No extra SC's for domestic connections.
International flights are AFAIK treated differently ie. SC's are earned per sector if different flight nos.

 

[TonyHancock]

From my experience domestically I received the SC's point to point. i.e. NTL-BNE-MEL registered as NTL-MEL.

Internationally the VA codeshare MEL-AUH-LHR registered as MEL-AUH-LHR.

 

[Major]

It's point to point. I traveled OOL-SYD ( for the A330 )-PER and received points and SC's for OOL-PER

 

[Comoman]

I have discovered from experience this is how it works:

If your ticket says Sydney to Melbourne and then separately Melbourne to Perth you will SC's for both flights. If your ticket says Melbourne to Perth via Sydney you will get SC's for Melbourne to Perth only. Note the "via".

Via fares are usually (but in my experience not always) cheaper.

 

[markis10]

I did read somewhere that if you go via SYD it counts as a separate trip...

Was posted on here by a reputable member about 3-4 days ago!

Depends on whether its a transit or a stopover, stopover yes, transit no.

 

[medhead]

I have discovered from experience this is how it works:

If your ticket says Sydney to Melbourne and then separately Melbourne to Perth you will SC's for both flights. If your ticket says Melbourne to Perth via Sydney you will get SC's for Melbourne to Perth only. Note the "via".

Via fares are usually (but in my experience not always) cheaper.

But the thing that kills this is the MCT of 90mins for the "via" flights compared to the shorter connections they will allow when booked as a transit.


Sent from the Throne

 

[samh004]

But the thing that kills this is the MCT of 90mins for the "via" flights compared to the shorter connections they will allow when booked as a transit.

So is there a way of working out how a multi-city flight will be classified, before you book?

Is it simply a case of, if when booking, the two flights are chosen together, that’s a "via" and if you have chosen them separately then it’s "point-to-point"?

I’m not a Virgin flyer so would genuinely like to know incase I ever choose to maximise some flights

 

[Fruitcake]

If you ask the trip planner for a flight from Melbourne to Perth return, and choose "MEL-SYD-PER" and "PER-SYD-MEL", your trip will be viewed as one sector for SC earn each way.

If, instead, you ask DJ's (almost useless) multi-city tool for flights MEL-SYD and then SYD-PER on the same day, your booking will be viewed as two sectors for SC earn. You'll then need to perform the same in reverse (PER-SYD and SYD-MEL) to get your return flights, and they'll be on a separate booking (ie different PNR). You will be limited to flights that are more than 90 minutes apart.


In short, when booking via the website, each click of a radio button during the booking process is an SC-earning sector.

 

[medhead]

In terms of doing this for a return, I've decided it is better to book 2 return journeys rather than use the multicity, if the extra SC are that important. So MEL-SYD-MEL and SYD-PER-SYD.


Sent from the Throne

 

[Fruitcake]

I'm pretty sure you mean one sector here. Of course, the options offered in this scenario can be less than 90 minutes apart.

In terms of doing this for a return, I've decided it is better to book 2 return journeys rather than use the multicity, if the extra SC are that important. So MEL-SYD-MEL and SYD-PER-SYD.

Indeed, I stuffed up the most important part. Your method also allows tighter connections, if you're feeling brave.

 

[medhead]

Indeed, I stuffed up the most important part. Your method also allows tighter connections, if you're feeling brave.

Actually, I think I misread your post as you said return and so it would be 2 sectors, instead of 4, for SC earn.

I'm also not sure about my bravery, just it annoys me that DJ will offer to sell combined flights with connection times of 60 to 85 minutes but I need 90 minutes if purchasing separately. I thought the idea was about risk and I'm not sure how the purchase method changes the risk of misconnection. Anyway, I would limit myself to a connection that DJ will sell. (if that makes sense)


Sent from the Throne

 

[Fruitcake]

My understanding is that if there's a delay and a scheduled connection is missed, it's the airline's responsibility to get you on another flight. If you've booked the connection yourself, you're just a no-show, and they're under no obligation to help you out.

I've just booked a DL flight with a 35 minute connection in DTW - there's no way I'd book that as two separate sectors and take that risk myself.

 

[medhead]

My understanding is that if there's a delay and a scheduled connection is missed, it's the airline's responsibility to get you on another flight. If you've booked the connection yourself, you're just a no-show, and they're under no obligation to help you out.

I've just booked a DL flight with a 35 minute connection in DTW - there's no way I'd book that as two separate sectors and take that risk myself.

I understand the consequences and responsibility side. My problem is with the risk. In principle, MCT is set because there is an unacceptable/high risk of missing the connection. It is hard to reconcile that high risk with the fact that the airline them self think the risk is acceptable. Basically, what is the chance if missing the connection is the first question to consider. What happens if you miss the connection is a separate question. But I agree 35 minutes is a bit short.


Sent from the Throne