Status matches - how to migrate QF to VA - need advice

[juddles]

Hi all you Virgin flyers,

I have never set foot on a Virgin aircraft, but want to explore options. Specifically want to know if there is any way to get a status match. I am Platinum One with QF, have just requalified for next year, am already LTG with QF, so any more SC/spend with QF is "wasted" this year.

Do they offer matches? If so is it a straight match, or is it challenge-based, or both?

Any up-to-date advice truly appreciated.

(P.S. the majority of travel for me is ex-BNE to the Americas, in premium cabins, so any comments on the qualities of this on VA vs QF BNE-LAX also appreciated)

 

[Steady]

Shame you don't happen to work for the Oz Gov juddles

 

[serfty]

There is 'pilot' gold to get you started.

As for transpacific experience, the VA "The Business" seat is about the best J seat around, the F&B noticeably better than other carriers I have experienced and the Flight Crew consistently good.

Domestically, J seating is on a par with QF on the 737's but better on the wide bodies (see above).

Domestic economy food is better on QF (really, VA have none except on transcontinental flights) but in domestic business F&B is on VA better than QF.

You do need an almanac in regard to Lounge access, plus no spirits in the domestic VA lounges.

 

[Pleb Status]

When I 'excommunicated' myself from QF as a P1, I started off with a EY J trip to LHR booked on the VA codeshare. That trip alone earned enough SC and VA sectors to jump straight to SG. I then mopped up the remaining SC and sectors required for WP with a few VA Y sectors and a few SQ Y flights to Asia (which could also be VA codeshares if required to get your 8 VA sectors).

Not a status match, but lt was little effort to earn WP the right way....

 

[jase05]

There is 'pilot' gold to get you started.

As for transpacific experience, the VA "The Business" seat is about the best J seat around, the F&B noticeably better and the Flight Crew consistently good.

Domestically, J seating is on a par with QF on the 737's but better on the wide bodies (see above).

Domestic economy food is better on QF (really, VA have none except on transcontinental flights) but in domestic business F&B is on VA better than QF.

You do need an almanac in regard to Lounge access, plus no spirits in the domestic VA lounges.

Yeah, deciphering lounge access can be tricky. Must say there is a very good beer and wine selection at domestic VA lounges so I don’t notice the lack of spirits. Agree with all your other statements too especially “the business” seats. Have another trip to HKG on them in October and they are far better than anything I’ve ever experienced on QF

 

[Must...Fly!]

Well it does leave your options for getting to South America as exclusively flying through LAX, connecting on to DL. Instead of the other options you have via QF.

 

[RooFlyer]

< snip>
You do need an almanac in regard to Lounge access, plus no spirits in the domestic VA lounges.

juddles just remembered why he doesn't fly Virgin

 

[kermatu]

There is 'pilot' gold to get you started.

As for transpacific experience, the VA "The Business" seat is about the best J seat around, the F&B noticeably better than other carriers I have experienced and the Flight Crew consistently good.

Domestically, J seating is on a par with QF on the 737's but better on the wide bodies (see above).

Domestic economy food is better on QF (really, VA have none except on transcontinental flights) but in domestic business F&B is on VA better than QF.

You do need an almanac in regard to Lounge access, plus no spirits in the domestic VA lounges.

Still finding my VA feet - though closing in on Platinum after a surprisingly light amount of travel (albeit in J) over the past month or so - but the above summary mirrors my experiences so far. I've found VA onboard staff to be a bit better (friendlier, more enthusiastic - though QF's are almost always great to me as well); but lounges (staff and amenities) inferior.

And oh boy did I get a genuine shock when I went up to what I thought was the bar and asked for a scotch on the rocks - was met with a cold stare and a terse "we don't serve spirits". It had simply not occurred to me that an Aussie lounge would not serve spirits. I think I stood there dumbfounded for 3 seconds, wondering if I'd misheard, or was being cut-off!

My only experience with status matching was just an outright request about 2 years ago to match me to Platinum given my P1 status. Was denied (politely, but no sense there was any room to negotiate or undertake a challenge).

 

[andyhui01]

It has been a long time since I flew QF A380 but the hard product on the VA 777 J makes QF look 20 years older (the crew are also 20 years older in QF mind you ). I think the only thing going for QF in terms of hard product is ERs tend to be noisier compared to A380 Upper.

I have never had a bad experience in J on the VA 777ER. Considering this is VA's Flagship route, I would assume the best crew are on board all the time. With your flying, they should start to recognise you as well as there are not that many crew in total anyway.

I only do that route in J once a year but I always notice the regular WP's who like to hang out at the bar get a personal touch which is very nice from a fairly large carrier.

 

[juddles]

juddles just remembered why he doesn't fly Virgin

hahahahahaha!

The reality of my experience though is that I do not drink spirits in QF domestic lounges either. My usual outbound is early morning flights from BNE to SYD, and no alcohol at all served (idiots - my body clock says it should be happy hour). And inbound, usually get in to SYD early evening before connection to BNE, and as I then drive from there, do not drink either.

But in case my travel times change, I thank everyone for the "heads up". How on earth can Australia's second biggest carrier think that beer and wine is a suitable only offering?

 

[juddles]

Well it does leave your options for getting to South America as exclusively flying through LAX, connecting on to DL. Instead of the other options you have via QF.

I understand the restriction of only getting to LAX, but I don't mind that at all. From there to central and south america I can use Star Alliance (have "great" status with Avianca, and Copa is good too)

One thing I have never understood (maybe it is freedom rights) is that I can book online with QF from Australia through to Colombia and return, but not the other way around. Truly irritating for someone who only uses the net (hate booking through call ups)

 

[kamchatsky]

If you don't get Pilot Gold and is flying Y domestically, and you need lounge access, then Amex Platinum card is your friend. Otherwise a few international J flights will get you Gold/Platinum very quickly.

 

[kermatu]

Well, I just qualified VA Platinum. Didn't take too long. And just in time for....a fortnight of QF travel! Oh well. Nice to have in the bag.

 

[Pleb Status]

Well, I just qualified VA Platinum. Didn't take too long. And just in time for....a fortnight of QF travel! Oh well. Nice to have in the bag.

Congratulations on earning WP the proper way.

The biggest positive now you are WP (for me at least) is the free YX seating...

 

[kermatu]

Congratulations on earning WP the proper way.

The biggest positive now you are WP (for me at least) is the free YX seating...

I did ask a couple of years ago for a status match, so feel like a bit of a cheat! But yep, good to actually earn it. Not hard for someone who is lucky / willing / able to travel in J. Recent great VA J experiences are sure as heck testing my loyalty to QF.

 

[BAM1748]

The grass is not always greener......I think you will be disappointed.

 

[kermatu]

Two very average QF experiences today suggest otherwise.
No priority boarding. Baggage out after 30 other cases. No CSM acknowledgment as a P1 on either flight (despite being stuck on tarmac for ages for one of them), rubbish food that I didn’t even take and my seatmates left uneaten. In Y to be fair, though not sure that should be a factor. J pax didn’t get their meal choices on one flight either - a lunch flight - and were offered tiny chicken pies as compensation. Just woeful.

 

[serfty]

The grass is not always greener ...

No it isn't generally, but VA provide far better value for $$$ in my case.

I say that as both a QF WP & VA WP.

Generally cheaper, better J class F & B, front row seats on booking.

The only real part where QF is better for me is in the volume of domestic food catering during short haul domestic economy "meal" service periods.

 

[BAM1748]

I find QF are better are recovery when there is a problem or breakdown.

Horses for courses.

 

[serfty]

I find QF are better are recovery when there is a problem or breakdown.

Horses for courses.

Such is so rare on both carriers that it can be discounted as a consideration.