SYD-LAX on DL or VA metal?

[Hindo]

I need to book SYD-LAX in early September and wanted some advice regarding what metal to fly on?

I am VA Platinum and it seems the best flights are all on Delta metal but with VA flight numbers. Is there likely to be any issue with this or something I would miss not flying VA metal? Should I assume the 100% mileage bonus applies to a VA flight number?

By comparison, flying on VA metal is several hundred dollars extra.

 

[clipped_wings]

What cabin class are you intending to travel?

 

[Hindo]

Sadly it is economy or premium as I do this trip again the following week in business and can’t get approval for this one as well

 

[serfty]

If VA WP then Virgin Australia.

 

[clipped_wings]

VA Premium is a pretty good consolation prize. Worth the extra. Plus, you can always bid for an upgrade or use points if you have them.

 

[Notyourbag]

VA Platinum gives you Economy X for free (unpublished benefit) - not sure if they would give you Comfort+ for free in Delta.

 

[clipped_wings]

VA Platinum gives you Economy X for free (unpublished benefit) - not sure if they would give you Comfort+ for free in Delta.

Not long haul

 

[CPMaverick]

They are comparable, most prefer VA. It just depends on how price sensitive you are but it's likely that the experiences will be similar. VA has some potential upsides but they are not guaranteed.

- If you fly the VA codeshare on DL there won't be a way for you to buy up to Comfort+, so you'll be in regular Y. So if paying for extra legroom is important you'll need to fly on VA metal.

- If you fly VA metal you do have the odd chance to get a free op-upgrade if Y is full. This has happened to me three times in the past 5 years. On DL, it won't be happening, but it's a coughshoot.

- I'm not sure how lounge access works with a VA codeshare on DL. Will you have access to The House in SYD? Not sure. You can't access the Skyteam lounge with VA status, so you may have no lounge access at SYD. You will have a DL lounge at LAX, but the VA metal flight would give you the Emirates lounge which is definitely better.

 

[jase05]

- I'm not sure how lounge access works with a VA codeshare on DL. Will you have access to The House in SYD? Not sure. You can't access the Skyteam lounge with VA status, so you may have no lounge access at SYD.

You absolutely have SkyTeam lounge access with VA status. My parents just did this trip recently as VA Gold and were directed to the SkyTeam lounge with no option to go to The House

 

[CPMaverick]

You absolutely have SkyTeam lounge access with VA status. My parents just did this trip recently as VA Gold and were directed to the SkyTeam lounge with no option to go to The House

Flying Y, on DL metal, VA codeshare?

Only SkyTeam marketed tickets should be eligible for the SkyTeam Lounge

 

[jase05]

Flying Y, on DL metal, VA codeshare?

Only SkyTeam marketed tickets should be eligible for the SkyTeam Lounge

That was my thoughts aswell.
My father said that they were directed to the SkyTeam lounge and when he queried the staff he was told that the SkyTeam lounge was the correct one. He was quite looking forward to the House aswell. This was a VA codeshare on DL metal, perhaps the staff made an error?
Apologies if so

 

[CPMaverick]

Thanks for sharing the experience, I'm not sure how it fits into the lounge rules, but it's good to know. Maybe it was a mistake, but sounds like worth trying!

 

[ddd]

I flew DL metal, VA codeshare and was also directed to the skyteam lounge by the checkin staff and then entered with no problems

 

[auflier]

Fly va. They will take care of you. Delta will also recognise you as an equivalent of medallion. Calling delta can get you waited for hours.
Delta will also try to upgrade you to comfort plus if seats are avail.
Put it this way, when you are in Au, VA looks after you, when in us, delta will still look after you, even if it is purchased via VA.
I also read that VA tool extra steps to help members in need while aboard.

 

[Cryptarcadian]

When flying DL out of SYD with VA status, the SkyTeam lounge is the published lounge you have access to:

Virgin Australiaâs new international lounge network rolling out from October 28 | Virgin Australia