VA to VX to DL and Back Again

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Sequel

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Aug 30, 2005
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I am after some information/comments on a trip to the US I have booked next week.

Travelling VA J BNE-LAX, then onto VX J LAX-DFW (both VA flight numbers on the same booking). Then, on a separate booking I have DL F DFW-SDF. On the return it is DL in F SDF-DFW, and then Y+ on the VX/VA legs back to BNE.

Important things first - lounge access! Have I got this right - NZ in BNE (Both as J/WP), VX in LAX (as J or WP or both?), DL in DFW (F or WP or both?). On the return, nothing in SDF. Possibly DL in DFW (as a VA WP with flight that day, even though not next flight?). VX in LAX (as VA WP).

What are the options for a shower in LAX, as I understand the VX lounge is sans shower?

Hopefully travelling HLO, so interline not a huge issue. Will VA be able to through check me all the way including the DL flight on a separate booking? If not, will I be able to check in for the DL flight in LAX (for the DFW-SDF leg)? The reason I ask, is that I only have a 50 mins connection in DFW. VX and DL appear to leave from the same DFW terminal so if everything is near to on time I should be ok. I gather VA & VX are in the same terminal at LAX?

Never flown VA long haul before, so looking forward to the experience, and if it is no good sitting in 1D it will never be good!

Cheers
 
Never flown VA long haul before, so looking forward to the experience, and if it is no good sitting in 1D it will never be good!

Have you heard of the coveted 'Row 5' on VA long haul? Its a private J row with bulkhead on each side and I've heard its well worth getting it if you can!
 
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Def go for row 5 window seating. If you have no one next to you, ie a Platinum shadow, it is almost perfect. Very quiet, dark and spacious. like your own private room.
 
Yes, heard of the coveted row 5, and on my original booking I had selected 5D.

Had to change the outbound date back a day which is a story in it's own (which probably belongs in the other VA thread). Checked online and there was J availability. Rung up and spent some time on hold when I confused them saying I wanted to move from BNE-SYD-LAX on one day to BNE-LAX direct the next (direct hadn't been available when I booked). After some time put through to the Philippines. This took some further time but was progressing, until it came time to pay at which point I was told that there were no more J reward seats left! Would it be ok to sit in Y+? I politely told them that it was not my problem they had taken over 30 minutes just to change the date on a booking, so I would like a J seat please. After another 40 mins I got J, but is was either 1D of 2E.
 
Ask at the airport as they tend not to allocate out all Row 5 seats prior to checking - you might get lucky. You could also wave your Plat card around at the airport too if all else fails.
 
Possibly DL in DFW (as a VA WP with flight that day, even though not next flight?).

Cheers

Myself and Mrs smatho10 spent 8 hours in the DL Skyclub at DFW waiting for the QF later that night. We came off a flight from MCO and that was no trouble at all. Our bags went through - although the interline agreement between DL and QF finished last month I think?? But being a DL to VX to VA - they should do it...

DFW skyclub was nice enough to stay 8 hours.. Or just ride the train and do laps!!
 
Yes, heard of the coveted row 5, and on my original booking I had selected 5D.
Suggest you call each day to check row 5. Ask if its assigned or subject to airport control. Then if no luck there check at checkin. Then if the CSa says no, go to the service desk. The staff at the service desk are the only permanent VA staff while the rest are subbies. That's my experience!
 
Ah, I think I get it now. From BNE I arrive into T5, but have to go to T3 to catch the VX flight.

However at DFW, VX and DL leave from the same terminal (which is where the tight transfer is).

So do VA arrive into T5 but depart from T3? (In terms of using the VX lounge on the return)?
 
So do VA arrive into T5 but depart from T3? (In terms of using the VX lounge on the return)?
Yeh they arrive at the DL terminal because the have quite a number of DL codeshares connecting from their Australian flights.
 
OK, so here is how the lounge access went:

LAX - given access to loft being VA WP. While waiting at the counter the chap in front was a bit miffed he couldn't get access even though he was in J, he ended up paying the $30. I asked the lady and she gave me this run down - WP or SG travelling on either VA or VX get access with one guest. No access for kids under X (cant remember age, 12 or 14 I think). She said there may be discretion used for kids (she did let an Aussie couple with 3yo and 6 month old in while I was there). No J fares on either airline get access.

Sky Club DFW - Departing Delta, had trouble with my boarding pass and had to show card, but was told this was just because the computer systems dont talk to each other. So VA WP flying Delta gets entry. No questions about any connections.

Sky CLub ATL - Departing Delta, initially was told no access. Was then asked if I had traveled on an INT flight that day and had to show the boarding pass for VA007 (which was on a separate booking). So only granted access due to same day INT connection.

In summary - it all depends on who is at the door!!!
 
I asked the lady and she gave me this run down - WP or SG travelling on either VA or VX get access with one guest. No access for kids under X (cant remember age, 12 or 14 I think). She said there may be discretion used for kids (she did let an Aussie couple with 3yo and 6 month old in while I was there). No J fares on either airline get access.

This really needs to be raised with VA - per https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/...bin-classes/business/#international-long-haul it makes it quite clear that lounge access is part of the deal when flying in J.

Sky Club DFW - Departing Delta, had trouble with my boarding pass and had to show card, but was told this was just because the computer systems dont talk to each other. So VA WP flying Delta gets entry. No questions about any connections.

Mirrors my experience - I needed my card as well. Always a good idea to have your card handy when using partner bennies, no matter who your loyalty is with (I've experienced this as well when using BA facilities as a QF Platinum)

Sky CLub ATL - Departing Delta, initially was told no access. Was then asked if I had traveled on an INT flight that day and had to show the boarding pass for VA007 (which was on a separate booking). So only granted access due to same day INT connection.

This is a SkyTeam requirement (int'l connection same day required for access) -- for anyones future benefit: if the DL SkyClub angel/dragon trots out this line, politely ask them to look up Virgin Australia in their systems - there is nothing in the entry that mentions same day int'l connection as a requirement, vs. other SkyTeam partners.
 
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