VA WP travelling as DL Skymiles member - VA WP benefits?

[stm1sydney]

Quick question as per thread title. If I am VA WP, but have entered my DL Skymiles number (in order to accrue some miles) when booking on a VA domestic flight within Australia, am I still able to take advantage of my VA WP benefits eg lounge access and priority boarding?

I do not have any status with Delta.

Thanks.

 

[hossein_au]

I believe you should. I have used lounge and priority boarding by showing my (at the time) VA Gold card while my boarding pass was showing my SQ frequent flyer number (no status with SQ). This was for domestic flights on VA.

 

[babysun]

I am no expert but I reckon yes from my interpretation of what is written on the VA websites. I can't see anywhere that it says your Velocity number must be linked to the booking.

Or you enter the lounge with your Velocity number on your booking and change back to DL Skymiles number once you're in the lounge on the DL app or website if it's a DL flight number.

From Velocity website 'Velocity Platinum members can access the Virgin Australia Lounge on arrival with an eligible day of travel Virgin Australia or partner airline itinerary or boarding pass."
https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/experience/at-the-airport/lounge/#entry

This is in the VA Lounge Entry T's & C's.

https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/...ul-international/lounge-terms-and-conditions/

"Velocity Gold Member and Velocity Platinum Member access

d) Each Velocity Gold Member and Velocity Platinum Member receives complimentary access to the Virgin Australia lounge as a benefit of their Velocity Membership.
e) Subject to all other Terms and Conditions and lounge Rules, Velocity Platinum Members and Velocity Gold Members may access the lounge in the relevant departure port when:

(i) domestic flight: their next onward domestic flight departing on that day is with Virgin Australia or an Eligible Partner Airline; or
(ii) international flight: their next onward international flight departing Australia on that day is with Virgin Australia or on an Eligible Partner Airline.

f) In order to access the lounge, Velocity Platinum Members and Velocity Gold Members must provide at the reception desk of the lounge on the day of their departure:

(i) satisfactory proof of identity (e.g. a driver's licence);
(ii) their Membership Card or Membership number; and
(iii) their same day domestic boarding pass for domestic flights on Virgin Australia or Eligible Partner Airlines."

 

[stm1sydney]

Many thanks for your responses. I'll give it a go.

 

[CPMaverick]

I have done this often, although always with Partner Gold or above status on my DL Skymiles account.

I find the best way is to leave the VA number on the reservation until you are in the lounge (assuming it is a VA lounge). Then after entering the lounge, ask someone at the service desk to put your DL number on the reservation, instead of VA. I've probably done this a dozen times, sometimes it is quick and easy, sometimes the staff are unsure what to do, but they sort it out. Always ask for a new BP showing your DL number to be sure it was done properly.

My DL status always allows VA lounge access anyway, so you may get some question if yours doesn't, but IMO you still are allowed access and of course once you are in the lounge it should be easier to stay there.

In terms of boarding, just have your VA card ready along with your BP just in case.

I've only had one 'bad' experience, where at SYD the gentleman said I wasn't allowed to keep my EconomyX seat if I took my VA number off the res. He was a little rude about it, like I was trying to steal the seat. I politely said I was still a VA plat, regardless of if it was on the BP or not, and I have never seen a requirement to credit to VA attached to this benefit. He said sorry, it isn't allowed, he has to re-seat me. So I said nevermind, if he wants to treat a Plat that way just leave my VA number on the BP, I'll keep my seat. Then he said the classic 'as a one-time courtesy I'll let you keep your seat'. Thanks mate.