VA v Singapore Air

[Tacce73]

Hi, we are flying one way from Adelaide to Singapore in Nov (cruise back). I am Silver VFF atm but hope to become gold in mid June, if I've done my calculations right. Flying direct out of Adelaide we have two choices Singapore or Virgin, but essentially only one as it is a codeshare flight. With kids only want to do direct flight. I'm thinking of just booking with Singapore Airlines as it seems easier/better but have a couple of questions re my VAFF.
Q.1. Do I get VFF points and status credits if I book direct with Singapore Air?
Q.2. If I book with Singapore Air can I still access the Virgin lounge?
Q.3. If I book Virgin, I noticed that I can't pick my seats and upgrade to a better area as its code share, do I get preferential treatment/ recognise my gold status when seating is allocated?
Thanks

 

[Bolthead]

Q1. Yes, you get both FFP's and SC's
Q2. Yes. assuming you make Gold as stated however you can only guest 1 pax. Children may be a problem. Perhaps somebody else has a clearer answer regarding children.
Q3. No, Singapore are notorious for not recognising status from partners except for the advertised benefits like priority checkin/baggage etc... If you can get the SIN PNR then there is a chance that you can either do seat allocation on line or maybe ring up their customer service. I have not had a lot of experience at this as I normally book direct with SIngapore.

 

[Denali]

You wont get VA bonus points if you book with SQ direct.

Gold Changi lounge doesnt have toilet or showers.

 

[Carrots]

I'm happy to skip the VA bonus points and book direct with SQ. I've never had issue with VA status not being recognised out of Adelaide with the folk behind the checkin counters.

 

[dajop]

Gold Changi lounge doesnt have toilet or showers.

For OP, flying one way ADL-SIN, probably not so much of a problem.....

 

[Lemon_Party]

Just check prices and fare classes carefully for each option. Sometimes it can be much more lucrative to book with one over the other. Unless you have PPS with SQ, your FF status with VA or SQ is almost irrelevant so don’t worry. Lounge access, luggage and priority boarding will be the same either way.
If you do book the VA codeshare, call velocity and they can give you the SQ PNR attached to your booking so you can select seats and checkin online.

 

[jb01]

If you do book the VA codeshare, call velocity and they can give you the SQ PNR attached to your booking so you can select seats and checkin online.

Does that not show up on the VA confirmation email/PDF? I recently booked a DL codeshare via VA, and it had the DL PNR on the confirmation.

 

[Lemon_Party]

Does that not show up on the VA confirmation email/PDF? I recently booked a DL codeshare via VA, and it had the DL PNR on the confirmation.

Hasn’t on any of my bookings but they’ve all been booked through work TA - corporate traveller. May well be different with VA direct.

 

[matte_83]

I flew with and booked directly with Singapore Airlines in December. I had calculated it carefully to make sure that with the trip I would receive enough SCs to maintain my Gold membership. However, what I didn't count on was the Singapore Airlines flights not counting as eligible flight sectors and when it came to the time for renewal I was one eligible sector short and ended up getting bumped down to Silver. If I had booked the Singapore Airlines flight through Virgin Australia the flights would have counted as eligible flight sectors. I do remember at the time there being quite a big difference in price though.

I found some questionable wording buried on the Virgin Australia site regarding what counted as an eligible sector so I sent a polite e-mail to the VFF team stating I wasn't aware that my flights would not count. They said that as I was only 1 flight short they were prepared as a gesture of goodwill to look past it and bumped me back up to Gold.

 

[matte_83]

Oh and in regard to lounge access with kids. Singapore Airline count kids as part of your guest allowance. Travelling with VA Gold on SA you are only allowed 1 guest.

 

[dajop]

....However, what I didn't count on was the Singapore Airlines flights not counting as eligible flight sectors ....

Curious why were they not eligible? AFAIK all commercial fares are eligible for points and status credits, except group bookings, those partially paid with Krisflyer miles and those on codeshares operated by carriers other than SQ/MI/VA.

 

[matte_83]

Curious why were they not eligible? AFAIK all commercial fares are eligible for points and status credits, except group bookings, those partially paid with Krisflyer miles and those on codeshares operated by carriers other than SQ/MI/VA.

They were eligible for SC and points but just didn't count as an eligible sector because not booked using a VA flight code.

 

[dajop]

They were eligible for SC and points but just didn't count as an eligible sector because not booked using a VA flight code.

Ok got it. Yes that is the same over in QF-land. Must be on the "home" airline code (not partner code) to count as eligible sector. (exception QF does also allow points earning Jetstar flights to count as eligible sectors).

 

[Tacce73]

Thanks everyone.
I have Virgin Lounge Membership if that makes any difference.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

You must realise at ADL there are 2 lounges, one that VA's operates themselves, prior to int security, and the one that SQ's operates themselves that is after security, you have to go one level down to the same level as ground.
The VAd lounge is on the same level as Au dom security processing.
You go through int security processing and then immi, into the pen, and then go down the escalators thats inside the pen, ie, the int sealed zone, to the SQ's own lounge downstairs.
There is nothing much to do in the pen, and its quite compact, think the China Southern flight also leaves rougly same time, so it will be quite tight inside the pen.
The pen is what I call the holding zone, they close the glass doors so you as outgoing int pax are holed up inside the glassed in area.
You can try the SQ lounge in the ADL outgoing zone past immi, downstairs, but from what I remember of it from many years ago, its not a big space either.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

As its a linked flight, flying VA/SQ, you just have to present your BP to the VAd ADL Lounge staff, that is the lounge prior to outgoing int security and immi processing.
Because you have paid membership, you can enter the VAd ADL Lounge, just like going on any VA flight.
Its the SQ one that I am not sure if you will get entry, as a paid VA the Lounge member, and not travelling in a premium class.
EDIT: aha, you did mention you would be VA SG by then, so yes, not in a premium class, but due to your status, yes, you will get entry.
I think that the VAd ADL lounge would the best place to spend most of the time prior to flight, with the kids, though, in my POV.
Maybe get to the airport early, go and check in, get BP and then an hour or so prior to dep, go and line up, and process through out int security and immi, then into the pen.
There is only one body scanner at ADL aiprort, and then tend to pick males to have it done, passport control, you can use outgoing smartgate, so its not that long, or they might direct you to staff processing as you have kids in tow.
No outgoing pax cards anymore, so that saves time and pen/biro.
Cruise pax do not use in Smartgate on arrival into ADL at the Outer Harbour terminal, your passport will be scanned, but no stamp.
ADL airport is being expanded, but won't be totally complete until 2021.
Lots of building works going on around the airport at the moment.