Limitations of VA codeshare?

[theevilmuppet]

Hi all,

Now that DL provide the same points earn bonuses that VA do for status, it looks like the best option for maintaining useful status whilst living in the US is to actually maintain Velocity Gold/Platinum given my nearest airport is a DL hub, SkyClub access is provided to VA elites and earn is still distance-based instead of price-based.

That said, maintaining status requires sectors be flown on VA-ticketed fares. I'm planning trips home on an annual basis, and that round trip will give me 4 sectors at a minimum, however I'd like to game the system in a few ways if allowed.

With that all stated, can anyone comment on the following based on their experiences?

1. Can stopovers be easily organised for a VA-ticketed itinerary involving DL flights? For example, I'll need to fly SEA-LAX-MEL return for my trip. To distribute my sector count and see parts of LA, I'd like to have a day or two between landing in LA and departing for Melbourne.
2. How many sectors can one fly in the US on VA-ticketed DL segments before buggering off back to Australia? For example, if I decided I wanted to fly SEA-DTW-JFK-ATL-DFW-LAX-MEL-SEA, could I possibly book this entirely as a VA fare (understanding that the price may be absolutely horrid compared to booking with VA directly)?

Thanks to all who reply!

 

[Bagpuss]

Firstly, not all Delta flights have a VA codeshare on them so that's challenge number one.

I would expect you need to call Virgin Australia to find out, especially as their website doesn't handle complex multi-city international itineraries.

You **could** try and use travel websites ( such as this one .. Broadway Travel and Cruise Centre noting this one is Australian) and only have results limited to Virgin Australia.

I think you're better off booking with Delta IMHO.

 

[williamsf1]

1. How many sectors can one fly in the US on VA-ticketed DL segments before buggering off back to Australia? For example, if I decided I wanted to fly SEA-DTW-JFK-ATL-DFW-LAX-MEL-SEA, could I possibly book this entirely as a VA fare (understanding that the price may be absolutely horrid compared to booking with VA directly)?

!

You would find that this routing is not possible on a VA fare . They are all routing based with transfer/ stop limitations. most have a limit of 2 transfers within the USA and the cheaper ones do not allow stopovers

You could look at possibly using a IATA mileage fare, however, these are in the 15K range for J and have a maximum permitted mileage

 

[Muppet501st]

Maybe look at just booking VA- LAX-SYD ( or BNE ) - MEL and same back to LAX, that would give you the 4 VA ~

 

[Must...Fly!]

Possibly look at LAX-MEL(or)BNE-LAX-SEA as that way you only have to pick up the SEA-LAX ticket. And you may be able to pick up a VA codeshare at little or no extra cost, depending on what's available.