EY, AZ, VA lounge and sc accrual etc questions

[NZflygirl]

I just have a few questions...

1. If I book tickets through EY website but put VA FF# in the booking will I still receive those upgrade emails? (Assuming correct fare class chosen).

2. Bought EY ticket via their website, at AUH was denied EY lounge access as onward flight was AZ metal despite EY ticket, yet both partner with VA. I'm assuming this is probably correct but just after confirmation. Used priority pass lounge instead.

3. AZ at FCO weren't aware of VA being a partner etc. I asked them to swap out my EY # to VA, only the letters "VA" showed up on BP! Agent reassured me my number was in the system. Got to AUH as AZ said they couldn't change the EY leg to VA # and EY lounge agent showed me they had entered some completely random number that looks nothing like any of my FF #'s! Anyone had better luck with AZ putting VA # in?

4. Air Malta is apparently a partner but Check in agent said she couldn't put my EY # in the booking because there was no agreement?

I find EYs concept of "partner" different from *A and OW. At least for the consumer and it's not always clear from EYs website what you're entitled to.

I think I would have got into the AZ lounge at FCO but went to the H gates lounge then redirected to G gates lounge. By the time I got to the G gates AZ were boarding 55 min prior to departure time! So flagged the lounge and boarded. I had spent a fair amount of time at the AZ checkin desk while they figured out a few things. I was glad I'd eaten breakfast at the hotel!

I'm not looking forward to chasing up the crediting of these flights to VA but expected it after reading a few posts. I was surprised about the lounge access with AZ flight onwards (not an issue on return as transferring to EY metal) but I think I'll try to only book EY fares if all on EY metal then I can avoid lounge surprises. Just hope they don't swap out routes to partner airlines!

Any insights on the above would be appreciated.

Edit: Whoa 3 of the 4 flights are in my VA account already! Faster than some VA domestic! I'm impressed! The only one missing is the botched Alitalia number. I'll wait the required time then send pic of AZ BP with just the VA letters.

 

[koco]

2. Bought EY ticket via their website, at AUH was denied EY lounge access as onward flight was AZ metal despite EY ticket, yet both partner with VA. I'm assuming this is probably correct but just after confirmation. Used priority pass lounge instead.

Were you flying AZ in J to FCO? If so, then you should have had access to the the Etihad Premium Lounge as AZ and EY are 'Etihad Partners'. Which lounge did you try to access?

4. Air Malta is apparently a partner but Check in agent said she couldn't put my EY # in the booking because there was no agreement?

I find EYs concept of "partner" different from *A and OW. At least for the consumer and it's not always clear from EYs website what you're entitled to.

As long as your EY Guest number is on the original EY Codeshare booking then flights made on Air Malta should be credited to your account. That would be my understanding for the codeshare partners.

 

[NZflygirl]

Were you flying AZ in J to FCO? If so, then you should have had access to the the Etihad Premium Lounge as AZ and EY are 'Etihad Partners'. Which lounge did you try to access?

Nope I was flying Y on EY and AZ but status with VA plat. I was trying to access the EY J lounge because I figured they're all partners and lounge access allowed even flying Y but was told AZ plane despite EY ticket, that EY don't have an agreement with AZ for Y lounge access so I couldn't enter. I had VA FF number on BP.

As long as your EY Guest number is on the original EY Codeshare booking then flights made on Air Malta should be credited to your account. That would be my understanding for the codeshare partners.

I booked Air Malta via Air Malta website. It was only at check-in when I saw the EAP advertisement above their counter that I asked to put my EY number into the booking and they said "no, no agreement exists" and I looked back up at the advertisement .... confused. Just like I can book a VA TT or NZ TT flight and show up and insert either FF number into the booking. Or QR and QF you can change your FF number at the counter I thought it would work the same no matter who you bought the ticket from.

All 4 flights posted to VA quicker than VA flights post to VA! Surprised given just the VA letters appeared on the BP but happy.