Status Match Options to a QF partner from VA.

[jackthomas]

Hey Everyone,

I haven't been able to find a thread specific to this through searching.. if its there please move it along if so required.

I've been firmly in the VA team for the last few years, and have not taken any QF flights for at least 2 years.
I've been wanting to start testing out the other side recently, and would definitely switch over to an equal share of QF and VA flights, if I could somehow get some sort of status match with QF or a partner...

I just can't imagine doing the harsh drop from top tier Velocity benefits down to QF bronze.

Any ideas on where I am most likely to get a status match which would give me lounge access and a few other QF perks... Even just some QF lounge passes so I can sample the other sides offering before taking the full jump.

Thanks guys

 

[samh004]

If you have travel to the States, you could consider an AA Platinum challenge, which I believe requires less miles than usual, and would give you access to QP's when travelling domestically with Qantas.

 

[maninblack]

Do you really not know what the QF offering is? Never been to the Qantas club before? If QF or other OW carriers were to status match every person who felt like testing the waters the whole game would go haywire. If you really haven't been before then I suggest you buy a lounge pass on eBay or a business class ticket and check it out.

 

[Anna]

I don't know if it will help you with a status match, but Air Berlin has links with both VA and OW. You could try asking them to match your VA status, which would then give you OW status.

 

[maninblack]

Air Berlin do not offer a status match except on a case by case basis and they would be highly unlikely to offer it to someone who does primarily Australian domestic travel!

OW emerald is not just handed out "willy nilly" to every person who happens to feel like tyre kicking and remember VA is not a member of an alliance so VA status is barely worth peanuts outside Australia.

 

[markis10]

Air Berlin do not offer a status match except on a case by case basis and they would be highly unlikely to offer it to someone who does primarily Australian domestic travel!

OW emerald is not just handed out "willy nilly" to every person who happens to feel like tyre kicking and remember VA is not a member of an alliance so VA status is barely worth peanuts outside Australia.

Air Berlin do both status matches and challenges, as for the VA status worth peanuts, Air Berlin and VA share a common ownership in the form of EY which could prove to be valuable than any alliance.

 

[maninblack]

As I said they status match on case by case basis but a highly unlikely to care about VA's ownership structure, NZ are the major shareholder of VA, ask them for a *A Gold off a VA velocity and see how you go! Handing out OW emerald is a rare thing, you would have to show you are going to be more than worthy.

 

[jackthomas]

OW emerald is not just handed out "willy nilly" to every person who happens to feel like tyre kicking and remember VA is not a member of an alliance so VA status is barely worth peanuts outside Australia.

Thanks everyone for their suggestions, I do feel like the snarky comments are a bit childish, although I understand the OW exclusivity, hence why I said a program that could offer a few passes ( eg a silver from my gold) I will give airberlin a go, as I do know of a few friends who have gotten their VA matched, although i don't think they have been doing these recently.
We are all aware that QF has a much better international program, which is why I am looking at changing as coming up this year I will be having at least 6 international trips for work (increasing our exposure through international conferences) plus the current domestic trips I already have.

Might just have to stick with VA, although I'll give airberlin a shot anyway.. The worst they can do is say no ( which I'd say is likely)

 

[maninblack]

Apologies, not wishing to be snide, just straightforward about your chances which I think are low in this case for some of the reasons I have outlined. If you are top tier velocity, that would be Platinum not Gold so status much to a silver in another program is not much of a 'match'. With the amount of travel you are planning you would soon be Silver QF anyway. Easier solution is to just buy a Qantas Club membership and when you go QF gold the residual time carries over if you status drops.