VA v Etihad

[Dapin]

Ha All, I am traveling SYD to MAN later in the year. Just a couple of queries.
1. Does VA still fly their own planes to AUH?
2. Assuming they don't, should I book with VA or direct with EY.
Thanks John
VA Platinum

 

[Kolo]

I'm pretty sure VA is stopping flying its own metal to AUH. In terms of points and SCs there's no difference in who you book with. Just look for the best deal. I've booked with both in the past.

 

[Blackswan]

By mid year, they'll only be flying to AUH from PER, and few days a week at that. I'd select the EY flight from SYD.

 

[rtyuiop]

You'll get more bonus points on VA depending on status.

I'm not sure if this applies to EY, but in a similar situation with SQ I always end up booking direct with SQ because you can't (unless you're lucky with the SQ call centre or mobile app) select seats if you book in Y on a VA codeshare of SQ metal.

 

[rtyuiop]

Oh, and you won't get eligible sectors booking with EY. Not 100% sure if you will booking via VA, but that might be worth checking.

 

[Kolo]

Doesn't it have to be a VA booking on VA metal to get the bonus points and eligible sectors?

 

[Kolo]

I looked it up. On EY metal, 100% points bonus for a VA flight number, 50% bonus for EY flight number.
https://www.velocityfrequentflyer.com/content/Earn/Airlines/PointsEarn/

 

[Denali]

Doesn't it have to be a VA booking on VA metal to get the bonus points and eligible sectors?

No. Its VA booking and you can fly on a partner airline and still get eligible sector and bonus points. But it has to be a VA booking.

Eg, I flew SYD>SIN>REP>PNH>SIN>SYD, all on SQ and Silkair but booked via VA and received sectors and bonus points.

cheers,

 

[Dapin]

Thanks everyone for your replies. The only advantage I can see with booking direct on EY is being able to choose seats in advance, which is important to me.

 

[AviatorInsight]

Just for clarification, VA29 will cease to exist permanently on the 4th Feb 2017. This will be recommenced in June (final date yet to be advised) from PER on VA metal.

 

[CPMaverick]

Thanks everyone for your replies. The only advantage I can see with booking direct on EY is being able to choose seats in advance, which is important to me.

Booking direct with the operating carrier is preferable for many reasons. Codeshares can cause all kinds of minor issues, seats just being one of them.

You just have to balance the potential problems with any benefits a VA codeshare provides.