Flying to Canada...

[IceMan007]

Hi all, I'm doing some preliminary research for a Canada trip in mid-2018 (Montreal to be precise), and just realised that VA offer codeshare flights on AC, although you don't earn status credits (but do earn velocity points?). I'd rather maximise my status credits rather than points, and seeing how all connections are via LA anyway, would I be better off with Delta connections?

How come the Virgin website doesn't offer Delta connections when you look for flights to Montreal from Melbourne? Am I better off just booking via Delta or do a multi city with Virgin and select flights that offer status credits? I did do the same trip with AirNZ this year, but now that trans-pacific flights no longer earn status credits, I'd rather avoid that. Is there an imminent VA/AC partnership announcement in the near future that will change the status credit issue?

All opinions and thoughts appreciated!

EDIT: Just found out VA's website doesn't allow North American multi-city booking

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

You can go via HNL with HA as well, to the US West Coast at the least, this earn VFF SC.
SQ via SIN while a longer trip, does carry a VA flight number.
Don't think DL/HA does.
Yes, as to whats metioned, for the time being, flying AC from SYD to Canada for the time being earns no VFF SC.
Personally, even though Aussies can get entry without visa to the US, even just transitting, paying USD$14 for the ESTA is a put off.
Transit SIN, is what I would do if I were in your position.
IF you want DL, use the Delta website, SYD - YUL comes up for dep Apr 18.
SYD - LAX - ATL - YUL, about the 4th one down, where DL is the airline all the way.

 

[andrewlorien]

I've only been to Canada once. Last year, air canada, Sydney-Vancouver-Toronto-Charlottetown.

+1 for "avoid transiting through LA unless absolutely necessary". Even just the miniscule chance that the USA might decide they don't like you - I have an Irish friend who was held in the transfer lounge at LA while they checked some "problems with her visa" (Sydney-LAX-Vancouver). Eventually her connecting flight left, they decided her visa was OK, and she had to buy a full-price last-minute flight from LA to Vancouver.

And yes, the list of partners looks good until you check which of them actually earn credits not just points. Obviously lounges and points are great, but if you're flying all the way around the globe you really want it to count towards being able to do it again next year. It looks like credits are getting a lot tighter, be careful what you book.

 

[Lord_Lenny]

From what I read I believe there will be an SC tie up with Air Canada at some point, but I wouldn't be counting on it until it's actually rolled out.

If it were me, status is a major factor both in terms of accruing credits and recognition on partner airlines, so I would play it 'safe' and go DL - booked through DL. You'll have SC for your flights (might be worth checking about the regional connectors, but I'm pretty sure if it's a DL flight number on DL metal you're fine) and they are pretty good with recognition of Velocity status.

Of course the downside is LAX, but that's pretty well unavoidable for most practical itineraries that link with Velocity...unless Delta decide to launch SYD-SEA flights

 

[IceMan007]

Thanks for the input everyone, I definitely hadn't considered some options. Sadly SQ don't fly direct to the US. Transit via Asia to West Coast, and via Europe to NYC, and costs twice as much!

My last trip to Canada was with AirNZ via Auckland and Vancouver. Unfortunately I couldn't claim the AC flight between Vancouver and Montreal on VFF, but I did claim it on AirNZ's Air Points.

I'd have to say earning SC and having lounge access is my priority, so Delta looks like a good option, however the biggest issues with that is there are no direct flights between LAX and YUL, they transit through either NYC or ATL so a MEL > YUL flight would look something like MEL > LAX > NYC > YUL.

All I can do at the moment I guess is hope VA/AC announce their partnership in the next 6 months which will make things easier, it'll cut at least one stop over from the above.

 

[Lord_Lenny]

Looks like your best option atm is Delta, unless you'd be happy to forgo the SC and fly Air Canada direct from LAX. FWIW I was scoping out a dummy itinerary for Lady Lenny and I next year SYD-LAX-SEA and was pleasantly surprised to find that I could fly that route cheaper on DL Comfort + than on VA Economy. On the Australia - US leg there's not much difference between it and standard Economy (except for the legroom, and I think they do a couple of snack runs as well, which Economy doesn't get) the other perks (boarding, baggage allowance etc.) you get as a VA gold, but the key is that I believe it counts as Premium Economy for VA status earn. Something to keep an eye on, Gold/Platinum can also request a free upgrade to it at some point prior to departure as well.

Although obviously best outcome is for the VA/AC partnership to actually become useful in the interim

 

[deva22]

I'm following the VA AC tie up closely (there is minimal information). The latest press release stated that the reciprocal frequent flyer benefits will be introduced "later in 2017". To me I reckon this mean your mid 2018 trip would be safe, and I'd personally happily take that 'risk'.
There is a big advantage to fly DL though, you can fly C+ or 'First' at a low cost and rack up heaps of SCs.

 

[grubbidok]

I've used DL for Canada a number of times and it's generally worked well. I've even used them to fly "domestically" across Canada (e.g. YYZ-YYC via MSP). Just make sure your itinerary *is* on DL metal (DL connection counts) otherwise you won't earn anything - DL have a relationship with WS (and WS should be avoided even *if* you're earning SCs - it's just insulting to use them if you don't).

I haven't done YUL but I have done SYD-ATL-YYZ a few times, and it's not a bad itinerary (or at least so much of my western hemisphere flying is now routed through ATL I am just used to it). Going through MSP or DTW may be more "direct" (I've also done YYZ via these). I've usually found their prices to be competitive (at least in the 10% band of cheapest fare I have to use for work).

Don't let the fear-mongering about LAX get you down. I've found big improvements over the years and don't see it as any worse or any better than the other US airports anymore.

A sweetener to the deal may be the extra points you'll now also get with the 100% bonus for DL as VA WP.

 

[Lord_Lenny]

Another thing to consider is the Y experience with either carrier. Air Canada are 10-across in their 777 Delta are only 9. I have found that makes a huge difference, although I am over 6ft and have wide shoulders, so YMMV obviously.

 

[IceMan007]

Thanks for the input all! After a few dozen itineraries and price checks, I've found Delta to be the best in terms of cost vs SCs vs time.

AC flights seem to be quite high in their price tag of $2,900 in discount economy.

Delta is quite a lot cheaper and for a little bit extra get to travel in C+ (W) which earns a bucket load more SCs on 6 out of 7 sectors, not to mention the 75% bonus points as a Gold member!

 

[tatzcon]

From what I read I believe there will be an SC tie up with Air Canada at some point, but I wouldn't be counting on it until it's actually rolled out.

If it were me, status is a major factor both in terms of accruing credits and recognition on partner airlines, so I would play it 'safe' and go DL - booked through DL. You'll have SC for your flights (might be worth checking about the regional connectors, but I'm pretty sure if it's a DL flight number on DL metal you're fine) and they are pretty good with recognition of Velocity status.

Of course the downside is LAX, but that's pretty well unavoidable for most practical itineraries that link with Velocity...unless Delta decide to launch SYD-SEA flights

I am flying back back from to Brisbane from Vancouver with Delta. I purchased the tickets on the Delta site. How do I get points credited to my Velocity FF? Do I just show my card at checkout? Also we are flying to Vancouver with Air Canada in business. Do we have access to a lounge in Brisbane?

 

[grubbidok]

I am flying back back from to Brisbane from Vancouver with Delta. I purchased the tickets on the Delta site. How do I get points credited to my Velocity FF? Do I just show my card at checkout? Also we are flying to Vancouver with Air Canada in business. Do we have access to a lounge in Brisbane?

If you go in the manage my booking section of the DL website you can enter your VFF number there. If you have status it will be recognised in the system immediately after entering your number.

 

[Lord_Lenny]

I am flying back back from to Brisbane from Vancouver with Delta. I purchased the tickets on the Delta site. How do I get points credited to my Velocity FF? Do I just show my card at checkout? Also we are flying to Vancouver with Air Canada in business. Do we have access to a lounge in Brisbane?

Yep, like grubbidok said you can add it via the manage booking section on the Delta website/App.

As for lounge access - since you're flying Business you should get access to something, Air New Zealand and Singapore both have lounges there and they are Star Alliance members as is Air Canada, but they will let you know at Check In. I haven't flown internationally from Brisbane for ages so I'm not too sure what the lounge situation is there for Intl flights.

 

[dazza05]

Flying to Toronto on AC with a VA ticket this week. Does a VA Gold get any benefits with AC? Like Comfort+ on DL?

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I am flying back back from to Brisbane from Vancouver with Delta. I purchased the tickets on the Delta site. How do I get points credited to my Velocity FF? Do I just show my card at checkout? Also we are flying to Vancouver with Air Canada in business. Do we have access to a lounge in Brisbane?

Not forgetting that the VFF and (Air)NZ relationship breaks down on the 28 Oct.
Of course who knows what happens after, if AC (or VFF) gives you Priority Pass lounge, its too far to tell from the airlines point of view, but if I were in your shoes, I would of course like to know if I (if I were flying) get a lounge.
AC does not have its own lounge in Aust, maybe give them a call, $$$ and ask, not sure where their call centre is.

 

[hossein_au]

Not forgetting that the VFF and (Air)NZ relationship breaks down on the 28 Oct.
Of course who knows what happens after, if AC (or VFF) gives you Priority Pass lounge, its too far to tell from the airlines point of view, but if I were in your shoes, I would of course like to know if I (if I were flying) get a lounge.
AC does not have its own lounge in Aust, maybe give them a call, $$$ and ask, not sure where their call centre is.

Did you notice the OP wrote "...we are flying to Vancouver with Air Canada in business..."? [emphasis mine]

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I realise that, Hossein_AU, but as AC has no lounge in Aust, and (Air)NZ is out after 28 Oct, so no Koru.
Maybe SQ SK then.
And this Q in the VFF branch.
Would have been nice to know though what the related airlines plan to do after 28 Oct, quite close now, and still no news as to which lounge AC (they, (travellers in business)) will have access to.
VFF supposedly have a tie in starting with AC, but also no new news on that.

 

[hossein_au]

I realise that, Hossein_AU, but as AC has no lounge in Aust, and (Air)NZ is out after 28 Oct, so no Koru.
Maybe SQ SK then.
And this Q in the VFF branch.
Would have been nice to know though what the related airlines plan to do after 28 Oct, quite close now, and still no news as to which lounge AC (they, (travellers in business)) will have access to.
VFF supposedly have a tie in starting with AC, but also no new news on that.

Why? Flying AC in business allows access to all Star Alliance lounges, including NZ's and SQ's. Irrespective of that, any decent airline would have arrangements in place to provide lounge access in major airports such as Sydney. I don't think lounge access would be an issue for the OP.

 

[liamsal]

Flying to Toronto on AC with a VA ticket this week. Does a VA Gold get any benefits with AC? Like Comfort+ on DL?

Not that I'm aware of, but you could always try getting a status match with United for your VA Gold. As star alliance gold you'll get access to AC lounges. Star Alliance Gold status match for Qantas, Virgin Australia

If you're flying this week I doubt it'll be able to be set up before then but thought I'd mention it anyway.

 

[Bagpuss]

I finally booked our Canada holiday for next year and being in Perth makes it a bit more challenging with the VA alliance. So I went a little bit left field to maximize value. With the exemption of flight sectors, which itsn't an issue all up the trip exceeds the requirements to maintain platinum.
We are using Singapore Airlines (J class) so flying Perth - Singapore - San Fran (at the time of booking was prior to the direct LAX flights, though we prefer San Fran over LA)
Coming back we leave from New York - Singapore (new direct service) - Perth (The timing of the services means we leave on one day and arrive back in the Perth very late the next day. With VA it would have been plus 2 days.)

To make the use of the USA arrival we will go to Seattle on Delta (will go to the Boeing Factory) and then onto Vancouver on Delta again.

Within Canada we will a mixture of Air Canada and the train.

We leave from Toronto and fly to New York on Delta.

On Delta all flights are Comfort+ and one first class treat.