How do I fly to Madrid using a VA partner?

[Rdarby]

Using the VA site I can get to many places in Europe using Singapore or Etihad, but Madrid does not come up. Any idea if that is just a limitation in the site or they just don't go there?

I need to do a work trip so am starting to investigate so I can influence which airline and when I fly!

 

[notzac]

No VA partner flies directly in to MAD, which is most likely why you couldn't find anything. Best bet would be to book directly with EY - they fly to DUS and then codeshare with AB to get to MAD.

 

[Rdarby]

Thanks. Etihad do seem to do it, just with quite a few stops (3) on the way. But it is out of the way compared to Brisbane I suppose so I will have to do it. My alternatives for this trip are Crewe in England or Madrid. I am trying for Madrid even if it means more flights!

 

[bullerdude]

VA do not codeshare to Madrid so you will need to book directly via Etihad and give them your velocity number to get points and status credits etc.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Can you fly EK instead, and try to earn QFF points?
Aud$1924.84 (EK website-no QFF SC), might be a bit or a lot more than your budget, but at the least its flyable in a the least stops, from Au to DXB to MAD. On the QFF website, earning QFF points and QFF SC, its Aud$22xx.xx.
QF1, (change to the relevant QF code from another Aust city or EK code with a QF flight #), and then EK8141, which flies from DXB to MAD, then back to DXB, then Au.
Thats what I would do anyways. BUT, I did say in the past, I would not fly EK, but sometimes, there is other choices, grin/yawn.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

If you go to the EY website, you will see that some flights from MAD to AUH, are with Air France/KLM.
Both of these are in OW, I believe, so you might not earn VA points flying these airlines.

 

[casanovawa]

Air France/KLM are Skyteam...

 

[Mr Pumblechook]

Either way you only earn if you fly on a partner airline's metal.