Korean Air marketed as Delta... Virgin status credits? Any VA + DL gurus?

[oliverd]

Hi all, I think I stuffed up with my latest booking I'm just hoping someone can tell me I'm wrong... and what I should do!!

To get from KUL to LAX, I managed to find a good deal on a J seat with DL, which is flown on Korea Airlines metal (DL-marketed as DL7912 and DL7859, but operated as KE972 and KE17 in fare class D). It was half the price of SQ, albeit maybe not quite the same comfort level... and a cursory look confirmed that it a) would earn Delta Skymiles and b) I should therefore be able to credit to my VA account, which was an option in the drop-down list of carriers.

Now that I have more time to check the various rules on a Friday evening, it appears more complex:

VA's web site states:
When travelling on eligible Delta Air Lines fares and flights with Delta Air Lines (DL) flight number, including Delta Air Lines codeshare services operated by Delta Connection carriers, you can earn Points on your ticket.
and in very small pring
Points will not be earned on fare classes other than as specified above. You cannot earn Points on codeshare flights other than those operated by Delta Connection carriers and Virgin Australia.

BUT

Under Status Credits it states "Status Credits may not be earned on all fare types or may vary depending on your itinerary. To find out which fare types earn Status Credits, please click here". And my fair is an eligible DL-ticketed flight...
​

So, at face value it appears that VA will only credit "Delta Connection Carriers" (which does NOT include Korean Air) and not "SkyTeam Partners" (which DOES include Korean Air), but I will receive status credits (where no restrictions are stated).

As I'm trying maintain at least QF and VA Gold (currently Plat with both) every status miles counts - so not very happy with myself OR the fact I need to check the fine print before booking on a partner airline...

Anyone think I'm wrong and I will receive miles/status credits...? And if not, I guess I should start a Delta Skymiles and credit these flights to Skymiles. I'm also thinking since Delta has a much bigger range of partners than VA (and will credi VA flights) maybe I should abandon VA - I'm in Day 2 of a new VA Frequent Flier year - and switch to SkyMiles. As 70-80% of my flying is domestic I'll need to check what reciprocity exists in terms of lounge access, premium boarding etc...

 

[pythonisman]

From when I asked a similar question recently, the answer was no.
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....artners-status-credits-potentially-40544.html

Delta connection carriers don't = skyteam (KE), they're referring to the small number of domestic carriers that operate DL flights in the USA. You won't earn VA/DJ SCs for Skyteam operated flights, unless they're on DL (or DL connection) metal.

 

[oliverd]

From when I asked a similar question recently, the answer was no.
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....artners-status-credits-potentially-40544.html

Thanks - I missed this thread, but the VA response is very clear. (And a bit annoying, as I'd incorrectly expected any DL-marketing flight that accrues SkMiles to be eligible, especially when my Delta booking shows my VA status.)

So, the question is now whether I'd be better of switching to Skymiles, which would recognise my VA flghts, but might mean I lose of the VA Gold/Platinum benefits I get sticking to Velocity...