VA SQ alliance - what does it mean?

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Grantxw8

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Hi folks,

I’m a bit new here and to all this international travel so I’m sorry if this is an obvious question.

I’m flying Premium Economy on SQ from Brisbane to Vienna (via Singapore and Frankfurt) this week. I’m a Virgin Australia Gold member.

I’m curious what that gets me in terms of lounge access and baggage allowance? I’m aware that there is some special relationship between SQ and VA despite VA not being a Star Alliance partner.

I’m also very interested to know if I will (automatically) earn VA status points, if at all. I’d love this trip to push me over the platinum status line which has been tantalisingly close for a couple of years.

Any and all advice gratefully received.
 
In Brisbane expect
- Priority Check in via the Business Class/Star Gold lane (show your Virgin Gold card as sometimes the system doesn't show).
- 15kg extra baggage allowance. (for the whole journey only on SQ/MI operated flights)
- Baggage tagged with business class priority tags. (for the whole journey)
- An express path card for faster security.
- Access to Brisbane Singapore Airlines lounge (plus one guest - who is also traveling on the SQ flight you're on).
- Priority boarding - show your card, in Brisbane, Gold tends to board with Business class.

In Singapore
- Check in via the Premium Economy/Star Gold line (only if you're stopping for longer than 48 hours)
- Access to the Krisflyer Gold lounges either in terminal 2 or 3 (can access both + 1 guest - currently terminal 3 is a temporary lounge which now has toilets and showers).
- Priority Boarding is Group 3 (premium economy/star gold - so no benefit here).

As you say you're traveling from Frankfurt to Vienna (I assume this is another star alliance carrier) in which case no benefits apply and you're not entitled to the 15kg extra luggage for this flight.

If you come home on SQ then you can checkin via the Star Gold lane (show the VA card), check in an extra 15kg, get priority business tags and board with Group 3 - however it's worth noting that no other benefits apply (unless flying from London in which case you also get a lounge.

You'll also earn VA points and status credits on all SQ flights that are marketed (sold with) an SQ or VA flight number.
 
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Hi and did you book via the VA website or the SQ website? ie, VA flight numbers or SQ flight numbers on your booking?

If SQ, you wont get sector recognition with VA (you need 8 flown VA sectors and 1000 SCs for Platinum). If you booked via SQ and you nominate your Velocity info for your ticket/flights, you will get SCs and points. If not already on your booking, present your Velocity card on check in and make sure its recorded.
 
Wow! Thanks guys for the comprehensive info. I’ll check what my flight numbers are. Our corporate travel agent booked it for me and she had all my Velocity info.
I’m flying back with the same carriers so even if I don’t have lounge access in Frankfurt I think I’ll have it in Singapore.
 
Yes, you will get access in Singapore as VA Gold member but they are renovating the T3 Gold lounge and have a temp one

 
I’m curious what that gets me in terms of lounge access and baggage allowance? I’m aware that there is some special relationship between SQ and VA despite VA not being a Star Alliance partner.

I’m also very interested to know if I will (automatically) earn VA status points, if at all. I’d love this trip to push me over the platinum status line which has been tantalisingly close for a couple of years.

the Velocity website explains the benefits, go to the section call Member Benefits and look through it.
I can never remember what I get, so I always check this before booking a ticket on the other airliines.

you will even find the table that shows exactly what Status points you will earn.
 
Our corporate travel agent booked it for me and she had all my Velocity info.
Double and triple check with your agent that your status credits and miles are credited to VA. By default, they will be credited to Krisflyer (where they will be wasted if you're after status credits).
 
VA does not use Status Points.
We (on here and VFF) use the term Status Credits.
I have had a few trips rejected, had put in my VFF # into one booking , declined.
Wasn't a code share.
Had another booking, put my SQ KF # onto an Air NZ flight booking, flew Air NZ (after the VA breakup), under *A, also declined.
I don't have much faith with SQ's partnership of airlines.
Your premY might not mean anything to the VA and SQ partnership, I am now a sceptic in regards to the "good of SQ's partnership".
Flying SQ and earning in the KF system, that part hasn't gone wrong, miles have appeared, and PPS has too.
Their airline partnership wise, I am very wary now.
 
I don't have much faith with SQ's partnership of airlines.

SQ have three types of partners.

1) Star alliance partners. Depending of fare they accrue status in Krisflyer, and miles. Like all alliances, it's a minefield understanding what fares earn on what programs. Need to know fare basis code (Y, M, H, C, D, L, X, A, F, P, etc) and look up in Krisflyer earning table to see if anything will be earnt
2) Silk air - subsidiary of SQ, treated as SQ
3) Other partners - Don't earn status with these, but can earn miles, includes Alaska, Virgin Australia/Atlantic, Vistara, JetBlue and Olympic Air. Again depending on fare paid.

The other thing to understand is that SQ (and indeed Star Alliance) accrues miles based on whoever operates the flight. SQ code on VA, putting to Krisflyer should get miles, but not status.

By contrast, in Velocity, you can accrue status credits when flying on VA codes, and also on the flights of partners. So fly on VA flight operated by SQ, you will get Velocity points and status credits. Fly on SQ flight operated by SQ you will get Velocity points and status credits. Fly on SQ flight operated by Lufthansa - you won't get anything in Velocity (I don't think).
 
Good point re point (1) above, I did not not check what subclass of fare that WorksDeluxe seat I booked would fall into, when I flew Air NZ with KF #.
Guess/would say that OP falls into point (3)/(((By contrast, in Velocity, you can accrue status credits when flying on VA codes, and also on the flights of partners. So fly on VA flight operated by SQ, you will get Velocity points and status credits. Fly on SQ flight operated by SQ you will get Velocity points and status credits.)))
...as a code share, so would proably get the full range of benefits, ***best of luck though***.
Take copies of the BP, print them out, as the thermal printer used by the airlines can fade over time.
 
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My flights are:
SQ246 to Singapore (T - premium economy)
SQ326 to Frankfurt (T - premium economy)
LH1246 to Vienna (Y - economy)
SQ2041 to Frankfurt (Y - economy)
SQ25 to Singapore (T - premium economy)
SQ245 to Brisbane (T - premium economy)

So it looks like I'll get status credits on all but the Lufthansa flight to Vienna. I've double checked that my Velocity number is recorded for these flights on the SQ website when I tried to check in online. It is there. :)

Interestingly I can't check in online as all flights are on the one ticket and the Lufthansa flight won't let me. This means I can't check in at all except at the airport as I can't deselect the LH flight.

Many thanks everyone for your help and advice.
 
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