VA Plat to North Asia

[PlutekPlutek]

Hi,
As part of a work trip, I need to travel to Ulan Bator in Mongolia. I am a VA Plat, so am leaning towards flying using SQ to either PEK or ICN, and then transferring to the last leg to Mongolia.
When I search for flights, both SQ and VA flights to PEK and ICN come up through the booking engine. Essentially the VA flights are identical to SQ, but with a VA number.
As a VA plat, which is a better option in terms of earning miles and status credits - go with the SQ flight numbers, or VA ones ?

I'm leaning towards the ICN option via SIN, as there is no SQ lounge in PEK, and there is one in ICN. Does anyone have any experience in VA plats accessing the ICN lounge with/without any issues ?

Cheers,
L

 

[Yag42]

I am VA gold and have been to ICN a couple of times in last few years, including last month.

No problem with lounge access there, fairly decent food selection, couple of showers (it still amazes me that the gold lounge in SIN does not have a shower, or even in a toilet in the actual lounge area.)

 

[jpk]

As a VA plat, which is a better option in terms of earning miles and status credits - go with the SQ flight numbers, or VA ones ?

VA codes much more rewarding for points, SC will be the same for flexy fares. Discount economy you need to be careful on both codes.
VA codes are a problem for seat selection, OLCI etc, plenty of threads around on that.
Sounds like a great destination for a trip report!

 

[PlutekPlutek]

VA codes much more rewarding for points, SC will be the same for flexy fares. Discount economy you need to be careful on both codes.
VA codes are a problem for seat selection, OLCI etc, plenty of threads around on that.
Sounds like a great destination for a trip report!

OLCI I'm not too stressed but would like seat selection. Previous experience trying to assign seats to a VA flight operated by NZ or even NZ operated by NZ but combined in the same itinerary as VA was like trying to pull teeth. VA told me to speak to NZ and vice versa. Suspect this will be similar.

 

[bullerdude]

OLCI I'm not too stressed but would like seat selection. Previous experience trying to assign seats to a VA flight operated by NZ or even NZ operated by NZ but combined in the same itinerary as VA was like trying to pull teeth. VA told me to speak to NZ and vice versa. Suspect this will be similar.

If your not worried about extra points etc. then it can be better to book via Singapore as you will get seat selection and flight change ability online etc. along with the usual priority checking and lounge.

 

[PlutekPlutek]

If your not worried about extra points etc. then it can be better to book via Singapore as you will get seat selection and flight change ability online etc. along with the usual priority checking and lounge.

So when I book a VA codeshare, does it mean I do not get the seat selection, priority checkin, and lounge access ? Ability to change online is, well, meh....

 

[jpk]

So when I book a VA codeshare, does it mean I do not get the seat selection, priority checkin, and lounge access ? Ability to change online is, well, meh....

You'll get priority checkin and lounge access with the VA code no problem, make sure you've got your card just in case though. Seat selection never works even when you call in.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Mmm, thought that there was a 100% bonus points per mile flown for a WP flying VA's partners, but turns out thats only on VA and Virgin Samoa, and not SQ.
So, I have edited my post, maybe making the booking via SQ is better.
Seeing that you don't get the 100% bonus point per mile flown!

 

[PlutekPlutek]

Mmm, thought that there was a 100% bonus points per mile flown for a WP flying VA's partners, but turns out thats only on VA and Virgin Samoa, and not SQ.
So, I have edited my post, maybe making the booking via SQ is better.
Seeing that you don't get the 100% bonus point per mile flown!

i think booking via VA will get 100% bonus, and same status pts as SQ. So effectively double point when on a VA codeshare. Or so I've been able to gather when looking at the convoluted rules on the VA website.behere does it say that SQ flights are excluded from the 100% bonus as VA codeshares?