Switch from Qantas to Virgin

[AIRwin]

are there times in the year where they allow

30 and 31 February

 

[engbren]

I switched to Virgin post the Qantas shutdown of 2011, where I was in Boston due to come home. I've taken a handful of Qantas and Jetstar flights since then but maintained Plat for many years and I am now Gold status with VFF. Each time I have flown with Qantas, admittedly as a bronze QFF, I've felt the QF service was poor. I've preferred the service from VA, the VA Lounge experience (food selection, fitout, space) and have enjoyed the VFF partnership with SQ and now QR.

 

[PuravidaTC]

As mentioned, I'm presently doing the status match from QF to VA and last weekend was my first flights (achieving the Gold match of 80 SC's) and have next week set up to achieve the Plat match (200 SC's). The application of SC's is as quick as QF and VFF already showing me as completed the Gold match in my profile.

When using the VA lounges in both MEL and ADL, I found them to be of high quality and yes a bit newer/refreshed then QF but the most stark difference was the staff - VA staff at every point came across as extremely friendly, smiling and actually looked like they were happy to be employed and working for VA. QF certainly also has great staff, unfortunately though you can really tell they are being put through the ringer when it comes to worker/employer relationships via there general mood.

Another thing, lounge entry within VA seemed to be more an "honesty based" system then QF - there were no actual door attendants checking entry qualifications at either MEL or ADL.. it was just an electronic based entry system and on both occasions whilst I had guests with me, I incorrectly stated how many in error (I had 2 but it clicked through as 1) yet we were all just able to walk through anyway.

I can't imagine how this would go with QF, as I feel like it would be a stampede of people running through the lounge entries yet with VA it seemed workable (based on low volumes in each lounge - only a few in ADL for a 7am flight and perhaps a hundred or so in MEL for an afternoon flight).

 

[HSB44]

If you mainly fly capital city routes it's ok, but the moment you step out to anywhere else QF still remains leader in my view.

This is it, in a nutshell.

Yes they are building more partnerships, but the network of international routes that you can fly via codeshare or redeem points on is still much more limited than Qantas via oneworld and Emirates.

There are many many major destinations where you cannot find a virgin flight, even if paying $$$. The fact that they have not joined star alliance holds them back. They are moving in a really promising direction as a company, but Qantas still has the international edge. The one real advantage that virgin has is the availability of rewards via SQ. So if you travel to Singapore or lot, or London via Singapore, etc, then virgin has great redemption opportunities.

As mentioned elsewhere, it would be great if they could extend their lounge network. But besides that, there's no real reason to stay with Qantas for domestic travel.

 

[serfty]

Another thing, lounge entry within VA seemed to be more an "honesty based" system then QF - there were no actual door attendants checking entry qualifications at either MEL or ADL.. it was just an electronic based entry system and on both occasions whilst I had guests with me, I incorrectly stated how many in error (I had 2 but it clicked through as 1) yet we were all just able to walk through anyway.

The lounge agents at their desk can see what you enter on the terminal. Of course they need to be looking at the readout. Also, at busy times they often have agents "assisting" those using said terminals.

 

[BAM1748]

This is it, in a nutshell.

<snipped>

As mentioned elsewhere, it would be great if they could extend their lounge network. But besides that, there's no real reason to stay with Qantas for domestic travel.

Generally in agreement, but domestic is only good for capital city domestic, if you fly say Canberra to Whyalla as I do, or to say any regional center then QF is the still the way.

 

[serfty]

Generally in agreement, but domestic is only good for capital city domestic, if you fly say Canberra to Whyalla as I do, or to say any regional center then QF is the still the way.

Yep - that's why I am WP with both Velocity and QFF (have been for over a decade).

 

[CMA222]

Do VA provide a soft landing from platinum to gold if you are platinum and don't requalify. I did the status match and will easily achieve the extension of gold till December 23. I am assessing whether it is worth doing the extra flying (another 120 SC) now, to get a soft landing to gold after December 23.

 

[serfty]

Do VA provide a soft landing from platinum to gold if you are platinum and don't requalify

Yes ...

 

[dk4]

The lounge agents at their desk can see what you enter on the terminal. Of course they need to be looking at the readout...

When entering the lounge, I usually check in with a human (generally when HLO, I also check in for the flight at the same time), otherwise, when I have used the machine to check in to the lounge, I sometimes get a quick sideways nod/smile and even once a mouthed "welcome dk4", while the agent at the desk was assisting someone else (now that's good customer service multi-tasking!)

 

[Vic]

They are moving in a really promising direction as a company, but Qantas still has the international edge. The one real advantage that virgin has is the availability of rewards via SQ. So if you travel to Singapore or lot, or London via Singapore, etc, then virgin has great redemption opportunities.

Not sure I agree that qantas has an international edge. VA has Qatar and SQ, Qantas has a limited network and Qatar, but Qatar is practically unuseable with Qantas. looking at my travel needs for 2023, Mumbai and Europe (not london), VA awards are much easier to get, and they're on the same or better airlines than Qantas.

Really, North America might be to only remaining edge Qantas has... At least I'm using Qantas to Canada later this year...

 

[HSB44]

Not sure I agree that qantas has an international edge. VA has Qatar and SQ, Qantas has a limited network and Qatar, but Qatar is practically unuseable with Qantas. looking at my travel needs for 2023, Mumbai and Europe (not london), VA awards are much easier to get, and they're on the same or better airlines than Qantas.

Really, North America might be to only remaining edge Qantas has... At least I'm using Qantas to Canada later this year...

I guess it depends on your personal needs.
Im never able to plan ahead so I always struggle to find big classic reward bookings, and my focus is on routes and prices. And I travel more to Europe than Asia these days.

I can never seem to find competitive flights (as in time wise and route wise) when searching through Virgin website .... vs Qantas' combo of one world and emirates, which tends to open more options.
VA network is great if you want to fly to major destinations like LAX, SIN, LHR, etc., and yes the SQ reward availability is good, but to use SQ as a regular customer is very expensive.

If Qantas ever lose their partnership with Emirates (which is a possibility), then they would be in trouble.

I like the fact that Virgin has essentially pushed ahead of Qantas in the relationship with Qatar, but price wise Qatar generally doesnt seem to compete with Emirates/Etihad/Lufthansa on price when Im doing searches. Lufthansa is probably pretty relevant for me these days, but again, the VA codeshare options with Lufthansa are limited ( I assume because VA arent in Star Alliance).

 

[Vic]

I guess it depends on your personal needs.
Im never able to plan ahead so I always struggle to find big classic reward bookings, and my focus is on routes and prices. And I travel more to Europe than Asia these days.

I can never seem to find competitive flights (as in time wise and route wise) when searching through Virgin website .... vs Qantas' combo of one world and emirates, which tends to open more options.
VA network is great if you want to fly to major destinations like LAX, SIN, LHR, etc., and yes the SQ reward availability is good, but to use SQ as a regular customer is very expensive.

If Qantas ever lose their partnership with Emirates (which is a possibility), then they would be in trouble.

I like the fact that Virgin has essentially pushed ahead of Qantas in the relationship with Qatar, but price wise Qatar generally doesnt seem to compete with Emirates/Etihad/Lufthansa on price when Im doing searches. Lufthansa is probably pretty relevant for me these days, but again, the VA codeshare options with Lufthansa are limited ( I assume because VA arent in Star Alliance).

I've got a combination of factors when it comes to fares.
Where my fare is paid, then I sometimes need to find an award to the same destination for the partner - which is my europe next year. Virgin gives the best award availability and skyscanner is showing SQ or Qatar as viable on price for my fare (business)

Mumbai is 50/50 with awards available via both VA and QF, QF using their network to fly me on MH and UL. I think I'd rather fly SQ than malaysian and Sri lankan.
I pay for this fare so a business award is preferred over cash.

 

[worldholdonn]

I took up the status match with Virgin and am more than happy to give them my corporate business. Cheaper, friendly crew, nice lounge....

Will get gold with my 4 VA flights by next week.

Qantas makes it so hard to be a loyal customer.

 

[encryptededdy]

Yes they are building more partnerships, but the network of international routes that you can fly via codeshare or redeem points on is still much more limited than Qantas via oneworld and Emirates.

Yeah, the biggest missing one for me is NZ still. I travel to Auckland a lot and I simply cannot get there on VA from Sydney with a reasonable routing.