Flight ‘downgraded’ to Alliance Airlines - status credits?

[JasonD]

Have just found out that my VA fight BNE-CNS this Saturday has been downgraded from the B737 to a F100, which I’m assuming must be operated by Alliance.
There’s not been any formal message from VA, but when I tried to check on it was clearly a F100 and it would not allow seat selection or to complete check in.

Question is - has anyone experienced this and know whether I will still receive status credits as normal? I had booked an Elevate fare specifically so I would earn 20 status credits each way to push me to gold and don’t want to risk missing out...

 

[serfty]

As long as your booking is ticketed with a VA flight number you will be fine: (Earn Tables)

Earn Status Credits when you travel in an eligible fare class when your flight has a VA flight number.

 

[CPMaverick]

VA (or technically VARA) has its own F100 fleet, so not necessarily Alliance-operated (unless VARA doesn't operate in QLD?). But even if it is Alliance, you'll still earn SC.

 

[Bagpuss]

Have just found out that my VA fight BNE-CNS this Saturday has been downgraded from the B737 to a F100, which I’m assuming must be operated by Alliance.
There’s not been any formal message from VA, but when I tried to check on it was clearly a F100 and it would not allow seat selection or to complete check in.

Question is - has anyone experienced this and know whether I will still receive status credits as normal? I had booked an Elevate fare specifically so I would earn 20 status credits each way to push me to gold and don’t want to risk missing out...

Yes it is an Alliance F100 and already allocated ...Flightradar24.com - Live flight tracker!

You will still status credits etc as usual. When this happened to me ( Stretching the B737 fleet) , this is the notification I received:

There has been a change to your flight

Dear Guest,

Please note, your service will now be operated by Alliance Airlines, on behalf of Virgin Australia, using a Fokker 100 aircraft.

Key aspects of your flight remain unchanged:

• The departure of your flight is the same as noted in your original itinerary. Your journey time has not changed.
• Your flight will depart from and arrive at the same terminals noted in your original itinerary.
• Your baggage allowances will remain the same.
• Check-in can still be completed via Virgin Australia’s website or mobile app or at the Virgin Australia check-in kiosks and counters at the airport.
• Access to Virgin Australia’s lounges is available for eligible guests.
• Velocity points and Status Credits can still be earned by eligible Velocity members.

Kind regards,

Virgin Australia

 

[JasonD]

Thanks all for the reassurance.

Not too bothered by the equipment change... although they are still allowing UpgradeMe J class bids for this flight- safe to say I won’t be bidding!

 

[Saab34]

Unplanned engineering on multiple 737s this weekend apparently.

 

[AIRwin]

Just noticed that some flights between BNE and CNS will be operated by Alliance again...

 

[Daver6]

In Y, this is an upgrade, not a downgrade. F100 legroom is fantastic!