VA Plat on VS to UK

[Princess Fiona]

In the planning stages of a trip I'm taking to the UK in March.
I've been doing a bit of researching and want to make sure I have this correct.
Flying VS SYD-xHKG-LHR and rtn nets 1.5 Velocity points per mile in Z Class and if I stopover in HKG both ways 560 SC's ( 400 if direct both ways).
As a VA Plat and Z class I have the Koru Club in SYD, VS Clubhouse in HKG and LHR and the revivals lounge ( courtesy of travel class) on arrival into LHR.
Has anyone done this itinerary and if so would you recommend it?
The VA alternative would be Etihad but I'm not super keen to try that option unless I'm missing something.
Would appreciate your thoughts

 

[k3nnis]

Go for VS Upper Class Clubhouse in LHR is great and so is the one in HKG

 

[The Rok]

HK Club House is really small and there is stuff all there. LHR is awesome though.

I have done this trip in Upper Class and the staff are amazing. As you are probably HK airport is a dump but the flight is excellent!

 

[greenfish]

I've also flown this route with VS, actually didn't mind the HK clubhouse - small but really nice food. I've used the arrivals lounge at LHR (but a while ago now), it was great, nice eggs benedict and a shower to kill some time before heading into the office.

 

[k3nnis]

Yeah HKG Clubhouse was small but food was great The mango sorbet was to die for but not sure if they still have it on the menu !!

 

[QF029]

As you are probably HK airport is a dump but the flight is excellent!

Really? I'm quite fond of HKG. You must go to some pretty good airports.

 

[greenfish]

Really? I'm quite fond of HKG. You must go to some pretty good airports.

I was thinking the same. Though immigration can be slow.

 

[Deewhy]

The VA alternative would be Etihad but I'm not super keen to try that option unless I'm missing something.
Would appreciate your thoughts

There is another option - go via US using VA to LAX/SFO and then VS to LHR. A little longer (10/11 hrs from LAX), but another way to avoid Etihad and still stick with VA as your earn.

 

[The Rok]

As far as I remember VS from LAX - LHR is true upper class.... A 747!

 

[Princess Fiona]

There is another option - go via US using VA to LAX/SFO and then VS to LHR. A little longer (10/11 hrs from LAX), but another way to avoid Etihad and still stick with VA as your earn.

Sounds interesting, I'll get a quote on that I think

 

[The Rok]

Why not ring VS and do it as a RTW so you get to try it both ways? They advertise RTW on their website!

 

[Princess Fiona]

Why not ring VS and do it as a RTW so you get to try it both ways? They advertise RTW on their website!

Thankyou for the tip !

 

[Deewhy]

Oh, forgot to mention, you Are also able to use AIr NZ flights 1/2 that are AkL-Lax-Lhr, and so you can either pick that up in LAX or from AKL, so there's another VA earn optiion for you! I'm looking at this same routing and avoiding EY.

Both ANz and VS run PE as well on that route.

 

[yohy?!]

HK Club House is really small and there is stuff all there. LHR is awesome though.

I have done this trip in Upper Class and the staff are amazing. As you are probably HK airport is a dump but the flight is excellent!

Lol HKG is one of the top airports globally, did you not get let into the lounge or something when you visited ?

 

[k3nnis]

I thought LHR and LAX are the 2 top airports in the world

 

[The Rok]

I was in the lounge. No problem with the staff, the airport or it's amenities. But every time I stop in HKG I spend about 2 hours in an immigration line!

 

[Jama]

So why are we avoiding etihad ? My first thought would be they are superior to VS. Have I missed somthing ? Maybe this is just my lack of international travel experience.

 

[Princess Fiona]

So why are we avoiding etihad ? My first thought would be they are superior to VS. Have I missed somthing ? Maybe this is just my lack of international travel experience.

I read an excellent TR on here on VS SYD-LHR by skywalkerLAX and I would love to visit the LHR Clubhouse.
TonyHancock's review of VA experience on Etihad did not inspire me.
I could of course be entirely wrong as I've never flown with either carrier

 

[k3nnis]

Just try VS J. Its not bad at all. LHR clubhouse will make it worth it.

 

[pblackie]

Have to say I have flown VS frequently (albeit in Economy and Premium) between Europe and AU as well as Europe, Africa the US and Caribbean and of the 20 or so flights in the last few years have not had one decent one. The crew are disinterested and more focussed in getting to their stopover and partying than serving the paying pax, the food is appalling and particularly on the US routes beverages are loaded in the UK and if they run out on the outward flight tough! The Clubhouses as previously mentioned are superb.

Etihad on the other hand I have flown with numerous times over the last year and not had a bad flight with them.