Using Velocity points, but partner airline for benefits.

[jackthomas]

Due to a change in company policy, I've been somewhat forced to fly Qantas over the last 12 months, meaning my VA status has slowly gone from Plat, to gold, to silver...

I was luckily enough to nab one of the Air Berlin status matches recently and will use this for elite benefits with VA when I can, because I do much prefer Virgin by preference..
I'm hoping to book some flights with points, but use my AB status for lounge/priority boarding etc etc, does anyone have experience with this?

Im assuming it could be tricky because the flights will be linked to Velocity due to the points redemption.

 

[deva22]

No personal experience myself, but I've been reading a bit about it lately.
Most people recommend booking with your topbonus number on the booking, then when in the lounge get the FF number changed over to your velocity.

It appears I missed the 'on points' part. I don't know if you can add a non-velocity number to a reward booking... does anyone else?

 

[Mattg]

Not quite the same, but I tried to use my Qantas Gold benefits while crediting an AB flight to Velocity recently. They didn't let me use my QF status benefits.

Having said that, I believe there is no reason VA wouldn't grant you lounge access etc. using your AB status card. As long as you show your card I believe it should be okay. I think the AB issues were related to either IT deficiencies, German-style bureaucracy or a lazy check-in agent. I did not press the issue as I didn't have time to use the lounge anyway, and the only real benefit I otherwise lost was priority boarding (which I can live without).

 

[davidsilver]

I booked a reward seat with SQ and at checkin added my VA number to booking so that I could access SQ lounge, priority baggage etc etc and was no issue.

I just had a quick look and TB gold and platinum do have access to lounge before domestic flights, if they can't add your TB onto the booking then just show your card and all should be fine